Fall Commencement
The University of Arkansas fall commencement ceremony is held on the third Saturday of December. It recognizes graduates of every college on campus in one of two unified ceremonies.
Fall graduation candidates must apply to graduate by the October 1st deadline to be included in the commencement program.
Students applying to graduate for the fall term will be able to register to participate in the ceremony when applying to graduate through their Student Center.
Students who graduated in the summer or have applied to graduate in the fall are invited to participate in the fall commencement ceremony. Students are permitted to walk in commencement once per degree.
If you have a change in your participation, please notify the Office of the Registrar at registra@uark.edu, or 479-575-5451.
University of Arkansas Graduation App
Students are encouraged to download the University of Arkansas Graduation app on Google Play or Apple devices for details on graduation and commencement including useful information about applying to graduate, attending commencement, and receiving the diploma.
Family, friends, and other guests will find helpful information such as commencement schedules, parking maps, live streaming and the list of prospective graduates.
2023 Fall Commencement Schedule
Fall Commencement will consist of two ceremonies. Graduate students will be grouped at the beginning of each ceremony and will attend the ceremony corresponding to their college.
| Saturday, December 16, 2023 | Location | Time |
|
Ceremony #1
|
Bud Walton Arena |
8:30 am |
|
Ceremony #2
|
Bud Walton Arena |
12:30 pm
|
Live streaming will be available on the University of Arkansas YouTube channel.
All guests will be required to enter through the south or west entrances of Bud Walton Arena.
Tickets are not required and there is general seating within the arena. There is a clear bag policy in effect and all bags will be checked for security purposes, so it is recommended that guests plan to arrive early to avoid a delay in reaching their seats. Additionally, guests will be required to go through metal detectors.
No balloons, wrapped packages, strollers, or glass vases are allowed in Bud Walton Arena. Compact umbrellas will be allowed. Click here for a complete list of prohibited items inside the University of Arkansas athletic facilities.
Light concessions will be available for purchase by credit/debit (no cash). Outside food and drink is not permitted. There's a clear bag policy in place and metal detectors will be in use.
Disabled seating is available on the concourse level which is accessible from the West entrance or the South by elevator. Because there are a limited number of disabled seats, only two additional guests may accompany those utilizing the disabled seating. See below for disabled drop-off and parking information.
Information for families and guests.
Virtual Commencement Website
Students have until November to login to the Marching Order website to upload a photo and message to be included on the graduation recognition website located here. These will not be shown during the live ceremonies.
Parking
Free parking is available in any unrestricted parking lot on campus. General parking lots nearby Bud Walton Arena include lots 46, 47N, 47S, 56 and 74 (A, B, C and E). Please review the general parking map for these locations.
Disabled drop-off is located at the south entrance of Bud Walton with disabled parking available in lot 60. Please view the disabled parking map for more details.
Students
All students and faculty escorts will check in at the East truck tunnel of Bud Walton Arena.
Personal items are not allowed in the student line up areas or on the arena floor during the ceremony. It is recommended that students make arrangements with their guests or family members to take care of their personal items such as coats, purses, cameras, flowers, etc., as they cannot be left behind at the check-in tables. Students should arrive to the ceremony wearing their regalia.
Students with special needs who will require accommodations during the ceremony should contact your college by Friday, December 1st so that necessary arrangements can be made.
Faculty
Faculty members who are NOT escorting doctoral students should arrive and enter through the media entrance located on the south side of Bud Walton Arena. From there take the stairs down to the faculty room located at the arena floor’s south side. Faculty members should not bring personal items with them into the arena.
Faculty who ARE escorting doctoral students should enter at the East truck tunnel of Bud Walton Arena and check in at the student check-in tables if you need additional information.
If you are escorting a doctoral student, you should contact Michelle Dees at lmdees@uark.edu or 479-575-3981 to arrange the appropriate lineup assignment. Faculty members who are escorting doctoral students will line up and walk with their students, not with the general faculty group.
General parking near Bud Walton Arena is available in lots 56, 46, 47, and the Meadow Street Parking Garage. Disabled parking is available in lot 60.
Regalia
Student regalia may be purchased online or in person during Grad Salute which is held October 25th - 27th. Hours: Wednesday and Thursday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Friday 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. at the University of Arkansas Bookstore.
Students who have not pre-ordered will still be able to pick up regalia during the Grad Salute and Grad Distribution events, but the Bookstore cannot guarantee that exact sizes and colors will be available.
All degree candidates are to arrive dressed in their regalia.
Learn more about regalia.
Procession
Graduate, Law and Undergraduate degree recipients will be individually recognized at the fall ceremony. Candidates are escorted to the stage with their college. Once at the platform, they wait for their name to be announced, then they will advance across the platform to pick up the diploma cover and pause for a photo with a university official. After accepting the diploma cover, the candidates will proceed across the stage and follow the line to the photography station. Once candidates have taken a posed photo, they will return to their seats until the ceremony concludes.
Photos
Grad Images will be taking photographs of degree candidates and will contact each student directly. You may also contact Grad Images by calling 1-800-261-2576 or by visiting their website.
Future Fall Commencement tentative dates:
- December 14, 2024
Past Fall Commencement Ceremonies: