This FAQ page will continue to be updated with additional details and information as important Commencement deadlines approach. Please feel free to check back periodically and stay updated!

• Q: When is Commencement 2023 taking place?

  A: Ceremonies for Master's and Bachelor's degree candidates are scheduled for Tuesday, June 20 - Thursday, June 22, 2023, at Toyota Arena. Juneteenth, Monday, June 19, will be observed as a federal holiday. 

  The School of Medicine Hippocratic Oath Ceremony for M.D. degree recipients and Graduate Division Hooding Ceremony for Ph.D. and M.F.A. degree candidates are scheduled for Friday, June 2 and Saturday, June 3, 2023, at the Student Recreation Center.

  Please see the complete Schedule of Ceremonies here.

• Q: When is my School/College ceremony scheduled for?

  A: The 2023 Commencement schedule is posted on this website here. Please save the date and share your ceremony date with your family and loved ones to allow ample time to plan their attendance!

• Q: Where is Toyota Arena?

  A: Toyota Arena is located in Ontario, CA at 4000 Ontario Center Ontario, CA 91764.

• Q: Why is Commencement taking place at Toyota Arena?

  A: In response to feedback regarding the overall Commencement experience for graduates and their guests, UC Riverside is enhancing the Commencement experience. Toyota Arena provides an indoor, air-conditioned venue with increased seating capacity and improved sightlines and security.

• Q: Are similar events held at Toyota Arena?

  A: Yes. Toyota Arena has hosted many Commencement ceremonies at the venue. Please note, "Door Times" and "Parking" information on the Toyota Arena website varies by school. UC Riverside plans on opening gates 90 minutes prior to your ceremony start time.

• Q: How many tickets will each graduate receive for their ceremony?

  A: For your ceremony details, please visit your respective ceremony webpage on the Commencement website by clicking on your respective ceremony on the Commencement schedule. Ceremony pages have been updated with the maximum number of tickets you can order through your Intent to Participate form starting April 17.

• Q: What is the UCR Commencement Ticket Agreement?

  A: All registered graduates have acknowledged and agreed to comply with the UCR Commencement Ticket Agreement with their initials on the Intent to Participate form that:

  • 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.
  • Once graduates have picked up their Toyota Arena Commencement tickets, the physical tickets are the sole responsibility of the graduate and lost tickets CANNOT be replaced, so please handle your tickets responsibly.

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

• Q: Can I purchase additional Commencement tickets?

  A: 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.

  If you would like to request additional tickets, please reach out to the Commencement Office at commence@ucr.edu after May 12 for the School of Medicine Ceremony and Graduate Division Hooding Ceremony and after May 26 for all Toyota Arena ceremonies with your SID and number of additional tickets you are requesting. E-mails sent before these dates will NOT be added to the additional ticket request list. Please note, approval of additional tickets is NOT guaranteed and is dependent on whether there are remaining tickets available for your ceremony after the Intent to Participate deadline.

  The deadline for all additional ticket requests for Toyota Arena ceremonies is Monday, June 5 at 5:00 p.m. Any requests after this date will not be accepted.

• Q: When can I pick up my Toyota Arena Commencement tickets and student parking pass?

  A: Senior Sendoff will be your first opportunity to pick-up your Toyota Arena Commencement Ceremony guest tickets on Thursday, May 25 from 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at Rivera Lawn! Pick up commencement tickets, become a member of the Alumni Association, grab your free UCR Alumni swag item (while supplies last), and network with Highlander alumni! 

  Physical tickets will be ready and available for pick up only for eligible graduates who have submitted their Intent to Participate form with their guest ticket order by the early deadline of 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 24.

   Click here to register to attend Senior Sendoff.

  If you're not able to make it to Senior Sendoff, there will be two additional ticket distribution dates:

  • Friday, May 26 from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. at HUB 355
  • Wednesday, June 7 from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. at HUB 355

  Information with specific dates, times, and locations for guest ticket and student parking pass distribution will be sent via e-mail to eligible graduates the week of May 1. Once graduates have picked up their Commencement tickets, the physical tickets are the sole responsibility of the graduate and lost tickets CANNOT be replaced.

• Q: I wasn't able to pick up my Toyota Arena guest tickets during the ticket distribution dates, how can I get my tickets?

  A: If you were not able pick-up your Toyota Arena guest tickets during the ticket distribution dates, your respective School/College will have your tickets available for late pick-up UNTIL THURSDAY, JUNE 15. If you would like to schedule late pick-up, please contact your respective School/College based on your registered ceremony from the contacts listed below:

  • CNAS Group 1 & CNAS Group 2 Ceremonies Contact: Owen Wolf and Joann Young
  • BCOE Ceremony Contact: Hannah Tomlinson
  • CHASS Group 1, CHASS Group 2, & CHASS Group 3 Ceremonies Contact: Julie Salgado
  • SOE & SPP Ceremony Contact: Brittney Morales
  • School of Business Ceremony Contact: Miztly Hernandez
• Q: Will Toyota Arena Commencement tickets be replaced if lost?

  A: No, once graduates have picked up their Commencement tickets, the physical tickets are the sole responsibility of the graduate and lost tickets CANNOT be replaced so please handle responsibly.

• Q: Will guests be assigned a seat on their Toyota Arena ticket?

  A: No, guests will not be assigned a specific seat on their Toyota Arena ticket. Toyota Arena tickets guarantee entry and seating for one guest per ticket. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.

  Tickets are required for entrance to all UCR Commencement ceremonies and may only be scanned once for admittance. Children under 2 do not need a ticket but will need to remain on a parent's lap for the duration of the ceremony.

  No additional tickets are available for UCR Commencement ceremonies, so please plan accordingly. All UCR Commencement ceremonies will be livestreamed to YouTube for loved ones to tune in! Livestreams links have been added to the Commencement homepage.

• Q: Will Toyota Arena parking be complimentary for graduating students?

  A: Yes, registered graduates will receive one complimentary Graduate Parking Pass for the designated graduate parking lot at Toyota Arena. This parking pass is valid for GRADUATES ONLY and will be verified by a parking attendant at Toyota Arena. Graduate Parking Passes will be distributed along with your guest tickets. Additional parking information and instructions will be posted here and e-mailed to graduates in June.

  PLEASE NOTE: The complimentary parking pass is only valid for the ceremony you will be participating in and will not be accepted by Toyota Arena if you are attending a different ceremony as a guest. 

• Q: How much is parking for guests attending Commencement at Toyota Arena?

  A: The parking fee for guests is $10 per vehicle so please consider carpooling. Please note, Toyota Arena parking attendants accept major credit cards; MasterCard, VISA, American Express and Discover. Cash will not be accepted.

  Disabled parking spaces are available in each parking lot. For more information on parking, please visit the Toyota Arena parking guide.

• Q: What items are prohibited at Toyota Arena?

  A: To ensure efficient entrance into the venue, visit the Toyota Arena website for venue policies and prohibited items.

• Q: How can I request accessibility accommodations at Toyota Arena?

  A: Find accessibility details on the Toyota Arena website. For ADA requests and inquires please reach out to the Toyota Arena Guest Services Manager, Josh Salcedo: JSalcedo@toyota-arena.com.

• Q: Will there be opportunities to volunteer at the ceremonies?

  A: Yes, Commencement staffing opportunities for UC Riverside faculty, staff, and alumni will be available. In 2022, more than 400 people volunteered to staff and support the Commencement ceremonies. More information about the registration process to staff Commencement will be provided a few months prior to the ceremonies.

• Q: Does UC Riverside provide invitation letter for visas?

  A: UC Riverside does not provide invitation letters for visas. Students who are graduating from UC Riverside and need a Commencement invitation letter for visiting family members from overseas should follow the instructions here.

• Q: Will the University Honors, ASP, and CSP Celebrations still be held on campus?

  A: Yes, these celebrations will continue to be held on campus at the Student Recreation Center the same weekend as the School of Medicine and Graduate Division Hooding ceremonies. Dates and times for the celebrations will be added here once confirmed.

• Q: Where do graduates park and check-in for their ceremony?

  A: Graduates should plan to arrive and park at Toyota Arena Lot F 1 hour and 30 minutes prior to your ceremony start time. Graduates must check-in at the Toyota Arena loading dock 1 hour and 15 minutes prior to your ceremony start time.

  The Graduate Parking Pass you received with your tickets provides complimentary parking for one vehicle per graduate in Lot F. Your parking pass is only valid for the ceremony you are registered to participate in and will NOT be valid for other ceremony dates and times.

  Once parked in Lot F, please cross the street to Gate D to the Toyota Arena loading dock where you will check-in, receive your name card that will be scanned when you cross the stage, and follow Commencement Staff instructions on how you will be lined up. Graduates who are eligible for Latin honors and unofficial honors will receive their honors medal at check-in.

  To ensure everyone’s safety, all graduates entering the arena are subject to a metal detector screening by way of walk-thru Magnetometer and/or Wand, visual inspection, and bag inspection conducted by Toyota Arena Security personnel.

  
• Q: When do doors open for guest seating?

  A: Doors will open for guest seating 1 hour prior to your ceremony.
  
  To ensure everyone’s safety, all guests entering the arena are subject to a metal detector screening by way of walk-thru Magnetometer and/or Wand, visual inspection, and bag inspection conducted by Toyota Arena Security personnel. 

  For safety reasons, guests will be refused entry if they are in possession of prohibited items. All entry constitutes consent to search. Illegal items will be confiscated and turned over to the police. If a guest is found inside the venue with a prohibited item, the item will be confiscated, and the guest may be ejected from the facility.

  Please visit the Toyota Arena website for the complete list of prohibited items and further details on Arena policies to ensure efficient entry for your guests.