Commencement Checklist for Bachelor's Degree Candidates

Step 1: Apply to Graduate

In order to graduate from UCR, undergraduate students must submit a graduation application in R'Web. In addition to this, Bachelor's degree students in CHASS and School of Business must also complete a College graduation application. 

Your graduation application must be submitted by the following deadlines to participate in 2025 Commencement:

4:00 p.m., December, 1, 2024 - deadline to apply to graduate Winter 2025

4:00 p.m., March 1, 2025 - deadline to apply to graduate Spring 2025

5:00 p.m., April 8, 2025 - early deadline to apply to graduate Summer 2024 and participate at Commencement. If you apply after the deadline, you may still be approved to participate, but you will receive the Intent to Participate form after Monday, April 14, 2025. The summer graduation application will be available on Monday, March 31, 2025. 

For more information regarding filing your graduation application, please visit the Registrar's Guide to Graduation website.  

Step 2: Review and Update your Personal Information in R'Web

Lived Name and Mailing Address

If you would like to update your Lived First Name, Middle Name, or Last Name or your mailing address for Commencement purposes, you are required to update your information in R'Web.

Monday, March 31:  Deadline to update your Lived First Name, Middle Name, or Last Name, and your mailing address in R'Web for Commencement. Please note, if your Intent to Participate form is not submitted by the deadline, your Lived First Name and Last Name will be pre-recorded and displayed as you cross the stage. 

For more information on how to update your preferred names, please visit the Registrar's website here.

Legal Name Change

If you would like to update your Legal Last Name, you are required to submit a "Change or Correction of Name Form" accompanied by required legal documentation.

Monday, March 31: Deadline to have your Legal Last Name changed in Banner in time for Commencement. Because this process can take several weeks, please begin this process early so that your record is updated in time. For more information on how to update your legal name and required legal documentation, please visit the Registrar's website here. 

Degree Information

If you need to have your degree information updated, please contact your department’s Student Affairs Officer as soon as possible.

Monday, March 31: Deadline for any changes or corrections to your degree information to be listed correctly on your Intent to Participate form. Please allow the Registrar’s Office sufficient time to process your request.

Step 3: Submit your Intent to Participate Form when the link is e-mailed to eligible students starting Monday, April 14, 2025 

The Intent to Participate form confirms that you will be participating in the Class of 2025 Commencement. The form will open on Monday, April 14, 2025, and login and instructions will be e-mailed to eligible students that afternoon.

Not everyone who graduates chooses to participate at Commencement. If you are planning to attend, you must register to walk in Commencement through the Intent to Participate form by the important deadline below:

Friday, May 19 at 5:00 p.m.: Deadline to submit your Intent to Participate form to:

• Select and submit your "Name to Be Displayed" as you cross the stage. Please note, if you register after this deadline your Lived First Name and Last name will be displayed and cannot be changed.
• Select and submit your "Name to Be Read" and pre-recorded for stage crossing. Please note, if you register after this deadline your Lived First Name and Last name will be pre-recorded and cannot be changed.
• Ensure that you are able to order the maximum number of tickets for your specific ceremony.

Step 4: Purchase your Cap and Gown

Bachelor's degree cap, gown and tassel packages may be purchased at Grad Fair starting Tuesday, April 15 - Thursday, April 17 at the UCR Campus Bookstore. The price for a bachelor’s gown, cap, and tassel package is $71.98

Regalia packages will continue to be available for purchase after Grad Fair at the UCR Campus Bookstore through Commencement week.

Step 5: Give $25 In Honor of Your Graduation and Receive an Exclusive Philanthropy Cord

In honor of the Class of 2025, we're inviting all graduates to make a gift of $25 to inspire and support causes that directly benefit the next generation of Highlanders. You can dedicate your gift to an area or cause on campus that means the most to you. As a thank you, you will receive the exclusive UCR philanthropy cord to wear at commencement with your peers, reflecting your commitment to give back. Make your gift here. 

Step 6: Attend Grad Fair from April 15 - April 17 at the UCR Campus Bookstore

Grad Fair is your one-stop Commencement shop for everything Commencement! Grad Fair will be held in-person from Tuesday, April 16 through Thursday, April 18 at the UCR Campus Bookstore. 

Grad Fair Hours: 

• Tuesday, April 15, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, April 16, 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
• Thursday, April 17, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Step 7: Guest Tickets and Graduate Parking Pass

Students who submit their Intent to Participate form by the May 16 deadline can receive up to 6 guest tickets. Ticket quantity will be selected via your Intent to Participate form, available April 14 - May 16. Please only register for the number of tickets you need. Tickets will be distributed during the following dates: 

• Senior Send-off: Wednesday, May 21, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. | Bell Tower Lawn
• Thursday, May 22, 2025 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. | HUB 3rd Floor 
• Wednesday, May 28, 2025, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. | HUB 3rd Floor
• After May 28th, tickets can be picked up at your respective school/college. 

One complimentary graduate parking ticket with be distributed with the guest tickets. 

UCR Commencement tickets are the property of the University and are issued to participating graduates at no charge. The sale, purchase, or duplication of Commencement tickets is strictly prohibited.

Each ticket will have a unique barcode and may only be scanned once for admittance. Duplicate tickets will be denied entry. 

Step 8: Tell Us your Plans After Graduation

Your story matters! Each year the UCR Career Center hosts the First-Destination Survey to capture information regarding the first career steps of UCR graduates within six months of graduation. They proudly track and highlight these outcomes that constitute the UCR success story. We believe every story matters, and this survey is about each student's unique journey and their first destination.

Share your first career story to inspire current and future UCR Students. 

TAKE THE 5-MINUTE SURVEY!

Step 9: Attend Commencement Ceremonies from Monday, June 16 - Tuesday June 17, 2025 at Toyota Arena

Please refer to your ceremony webpage for additional details regarding your specific ceremony, including when and where to check-in. The ceremony webpage will be added to the Commencement website in late April and you will also receive e-mail communications with everything you need to know for your participation!

Step 10: Join the UCR Alumni Association

Stay Connected! We take great pride in our graduates and want to ensure your further success. Join the UCR Alumni Association to stay connected, meet fellow alumni and build a beneficial network.

Step 11: Diplomas

Diplomas are not distributed at Commencement. For information regarding the distribution of diplomas, please visit the Registrar's Website.