Doctoral, Law, Medical Professional, Master’s, and Bachelor’s Degree Candidate Ceremony
Sunday, December 15, 2024
10 a.m. | Kohl Center
Use these jump links or scroll down to learn more about what to expect the day of the event.
Degree candidates
The winter ceremony will begin promptly at 10 a.m. and will last approximately two and a half hours.
Doors open at 8 a.m. Graduates are asked to be in their seats no later than 9:20 a.m.
Seating
Graduates should enter the arena at Gate A (West Dayton Street entrance). Access to candidate seating is via the grand staircase located outside Section 127.
Degree candidate seating will be in designated areas by school, college, or degree on the floor of the Kohl Center. Seating is not pre-assigned by graduate name and is first-come, first-served. No guests, including children, are permitted in the candidate seating area, except for nursing parents. Graduates should remain seated until the conclusion of the ceremony, which is marked by the platform party recession.
Commencement Marshals wearing cardinal red academic attire, as well as ushers and posted signs, will be present to provide seating directions and assistance upon arrival. Degree candidates with faculty escorts (PhD, DMA, MFA) should ask their escort to sit on their right. A digital graduate seating map for the ceremony will be available closer to commencement.
Accessibility
For graduates in need of accessibility accommodations, please review our accessibility resources and email accessibility@chancellor.wisc.edu to make arrangements.
Cap and gown pick up
Cap and gown rentals can be picked up at the University Book Store (711 State Street). Academic attire (cap and gown) is required to participate in the ceremony.
Reading of graduate names
There is no separate registration process for commencement, and there is no master list that students’ names are read from. Graduates names do not need to appear in the program in order to participate in the ceremony. Each degree candidate will receive a name card upon arrival to the Kohl Center. This card will have each graduate’s information printed out on it, including the phonetic pronunciation of their name as well as a QR code. When graduates approach the stage, they will hand this card to a Marshal who will read their name from the card as the graduate crosses the stage.
Graduate photographs
The professional photographer will send graduates complimentary proofs of their participation in the ceremony. Photographs will be taken as graduates receive their diploma folder and as they leave the stage. Proofs will be emailed out approximately 48 hours after the ceremony. Learn more about graduate photos and additional photo opportunities.
Diplomas
Graduates will receive a red diploma folder at the commencement ceremony. The actual diploma will be mailed six to eight weeks after grades are entered to the permanent home address listed in the MyUW Student Center.
Programs
A printed program will be at each degree candidate’s chair and available for guests at the ceremony. All programs are also available and archived as PDFs.
Guests
Tickets and seating
No tickets are required to attend either ceremony. Guest seating is general admission, first-come, first-served. There is no limit to the number of guests that graduates may bring.
Only graduates and faculty escorts are allowed on the floor or field before and during the ceremony.
Guests should plan to attend the entire ceremony to celebrate all graduates and their accomplishments. Please remain seated until the conclusion of the ceremony, which is marked by the platform party recession.
Accessibility
Anyone needing accommodations should meet with Guest Services at Gate A for assistance. Please visit our Kohl Center accessibility page for more information.
Parking
Complimentary parking is available in several campus parking lots on Sunday. A map for complimentary parking can be viewed at a later date. Accessible parking at the Kohl Center is limited and is on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note that disabled plates and/or hang-tags are required to secure space in lots reserved for accessible commencement parking. Visit our parking page for more information.
Guest who are traveling to the ceremony should be aware of some surrounding street/lane closures and construction that will impact drive time. Please review this “Know Before You Go” information for the Kohl Center in order to plan accordingly. Allow for extra time as traffic will be more congested and cause delays.
Live stream
The commencement ceremony will be streamed live on UW–Madison’s YouTube channel. Shortly after commencement weekend, archived video of the ceremony will be available.
Carry-in policy
In order to expedite entry into the Kohl Center, graduates along with guests are encouraged to limit the number of items they bring. Metal detectors will be in place at the Kohl Center. As guests enter the Kohl Center, they will not need to remove personal items such as cell phones, cameras, keys, wallets, or coins from their pockets before going through the metal detectors. They will not need to remove clothing or accessories such as hats, jewelry, belts, shoes, or jackets. Signage outside the Kohl Center will instruct graduates and guests on the building carry-in policy.
The commencement carry-in policy and venue policies will be the same as for Badger football games. In general, bags of any kind are discouraged. The size and type of bags that may be carried into the stadium will be regulated. Each attendee is allowed one small clutch purse (6.5” x 4.5”) and one large clear bag, either a one-gallon clear gallon-sized storage bag or a 12”x6”x12” clear tote bag.
All items and spectators are subject to search. Storage facilities are not available for checking prohibited items. Items left at gates will be disposed of accordingly.
Changes in national, regional, or local security levels may affect security procedures at commencement, and we appreciate your understanding and cooperation with any last-minute procedure changes.
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Permitted items
The following items are allowed at the venue:
- Small bags (no larger than 4.5″ x 6.5″)
- Clear tote (12″ x 6″ x 12″)
- Clear plastic storage bag (1 gallon)
- Binoculars
- Cameras
- Items related to a medical condition
- Chairbacks (not more than 16” wide)
- Flowers (with no glass vase)
- Diaper bags (with child)
Prohibited items
The following items are not allowed at the venue:
- Bags larger than 4.5″ x 6.5″, including backpacks, purses, camera bags, drawstring bags, fanny packs and binocular cases
- Flags, banners, signs
- Food, beverages
- Containers
- Strollers
- Baby carrier seats
- Laser pointers
- Noisemakers
- Weapons
- Selfie sticks
- Tripods
- Inflatables
- Any items deemed dangerous or inappropriate.
- Umbrellas (prohibited in Camp Randall Stadium ONLY. Umbrellas are permitted in the Kohl Center.)
Ceremony etiquette
Courtesy for all those in attendance is essential for the enjoyment of this momentous occasion.
Disruption of university events, including graduation activities, violates state law and will not be tolerated. The University will recommend a minimum of suspension for students (including current graduates) who participate in any disruption and will also place holds on their degrees, registration, and official university records. Students and non-students who engage in disruption also risk arrest, citation, and criminal charges.
Cell phones and other electronic devices should be silenced during the ceremony.
Inclement weather
We are hopeful that Mother Nature will cooperate in the celebration, but because inclement weather is possible, plans are in place to ensure a safe commencement celebration.
The ceremony is scheduled to take place rain or shine. Given the size of the gathering, it’s not feasible to move the ceremony to an alternate date.
- In the event of severe weather, the ceremony may be delayed, paused, or canceled. Guest safety is the highest priority.
- If a schedule adjustment is required prior to arrival, information will be shared via email, the commencement website, social media (@UWMadison on X, formerly Twitter, and UWMadison on Facebook), and local news media.
At the venue, instructions will be given via public address announcements and video screen messages. Graduates and guests are asked to listen for announcements and remain seated until instructed otherwise.
Let’s stay connected
Check out the latest email updates from commencement by visiting our communications page.