Prior to attending Commencement

1. If you need physical assistance on the day of commencement or require other accommodation (before, during, or after the ceremony), please contact graduation@uaptc.edu or call (501) 812-2301 to ensure any assistance is provided. (Example: user of walker/wheelchair, or interpreter needed)

2. If your name is one that you anticipate having difficulty pronouncing, please email graduation@uaptc.edu to provide the pronunciation.

Graduate Entry

• Graduates will enter through S. Schiller St. to park in the graduates' lot. Students will need to show their cap and gown to be able to park in this area.
• Doors will open for graduates to enter the Arts & Crafts building at Barton Coliseum at 8:30 a.m. and the last entry will be at 9:30 a.m.
• Graduates will check in to pick up their name card for the stage from the designated registration tables and will be directed to line up for the processional to their seats. Graduates will line up in alphabetical order by degree type in the area assigned.
• Check before you leave home to ensure you have your CAP, TASSEL, STOLE, and GOWN. Ladies also might need pins for the cap. If an item is forgotten please let a staff member know when you arrive.

Rules for Graduates

1. Do not carry any personal items onto the floor with you. There is not a secure place to leave these items in the meeting rooms. Leave them in the trunk of your car or leave them with family or friends. Please, no cell phone on the Arena floor. No children/dependents should be left unattended. Children/dependents are not allowed in the Arts & Craft building while waiting for the ceremony to begin.

2. The style of dress to be worn with the cap and gown is dressy, slacks and a light-colored dress shirt with a collar. No shorts, t-shirts, tennis shoes, or jeans, please. There will be stairs and a slight incline to be kept in mind with shoe selection.

3. Only UA-PTC official clubs and honor societies regalia accessories will be allowed to be worn at the ceremony. No sororities or fraternities are officially associated with UA-PTC and no stoles representing them will be allowed to be worn at the ceremony. Students will be asked to remove non-approved items, and it can pick it up outside the arena after the ceremony.

4. The “floor directors” are there to assist in monitoring seat arrangements. Please remember to move quickly to your chair and stand directly in front of it so those who are directing can move everyone in without delay. Please remain standing until after the national anthem and you are asked to be seated.

5. Please do not crowd on the ramp while waiting for your name to be called.

Guest Entry

• Tickets are not required.
• Doors will open for guest entry 90 minutes before the beginning of the ceremony.
• Guests are asked to bring as little as possible inside the venue with them. This will speed up the entry procedure and reduce the chances of lines. Metal detectors will be in place and guests will be screened on entry. No firearms, knives, or weapons will be allowed into the arena.

After the Ceremony

• Graduates are required to return to their seat on the arena floor after crossing the stage and to remain on the floor until the end of ceremony.
• Graduates will be dismissed from the arena floor. Do NOT follow the faculty out of the arena. Once all faculty have left the floor, guests can visit graduates on the floor for pictures. Space is limited and we ask that you do not block the exit on the concourse. Planning a designated meeting place after the ceremony is highly encouraged. Reentry into the arena is not allowed. If the graduate or family member leaves, they will NOT be allowed back in after the ceremony.
• Make sure your address is correct with the Registrar’s Office by checking your Workday account. For those completing your degree this spring and summer your diplomas will be available within 4-6 weeks after final grades are posted for the term and after verification of all graduation requirements have been met. Be sure to check your email for updates during this time. Diplomas will not be given out at the commencement ceremony.