Commencement FAQ's

Graduation refers to receiving a degree when a student has been certified by the university as having met all degree requirements. Students submit an application to graduate in order to receive a diploma and transcript.

At CU Anschutz, commencement generally refers to the University Commencement Ceremony. This all-campus event is attended by members of the University of Colorado Board of Regents, President Saliman, Chancellor Elliman, and other dignitaries. All degrees are conferred at the University Commencement Ceremony and university awards presented. All graduates are expected to attend this campus-wide recognition.

Convocations are the program-specific ceremonies in which graduates cross the stage to receive individual recognition for their achievements and are handed a diploma cover.

The University Commencement Ceremony and the program convocations together comprise the graduation experience.

All spring commencement activities take place on the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, CO.

Click the link below for a campus ceremony map with locations and start times.

Commencement Ceremony Map

 

Graduates may invite as many guests as they wish and tickets are not issued for the ceremonies. However, seating is first come, first served.

In the event that ceremonies must be relocated due to severe weather, guest attendance may be limited.

Yes, the University Commencement Ceremony and all convocations will be available to view remotely in Zoom webinars. Visit https://cuanschutz.edu/commencement on May 19th to find the links for the ceremonies you wish to view.

If you don't already have a Zoom account, you might be asked to provide your name and an email address to watch, but an account is not required for access. This information is not shared with any external entity.

 

Yes, registering for commencement activities confirms your participation and provides you with information about renting your cap and gown.

Be sure to register by the April 9th deadline to avoid late fees.

Graduate School, Patricia Goggans, patricia.goggans@cuanschutz.edu

College of Nursing, Office of Admissions and Student Affairs, (303) 724-1812 or con.studentaffairs@cuanschutz.edu.

Child Health Associate/Physician Assistant Program, Danielle Thompson, danielle.m.thompson@cuanschutz.edu

For all graduates other than MDs, registering to participate in the commencement ceremony is a two-step process. The first step is to register and confirm your participation by April 9th. After completing your registration, you will receive a confirmation email with a link to the Herff Jones website where you can rent your cap and gown, as well as purchase commencement memorabilia. Both steps of the process must be completed by the April 9th deadline to avoid late fees. 

MD graduates request regalia during registration and do not need to complete the second step of placing an order with Herff Jones. The same April 9th deadline applies. Commemorative merchandise can be purchased on the Herff Jones site, if desired.

Visit the Regalia FAQs page for more info. Links to the registration sites will be on the homepage when registration opens in mid-February.

Herff Jones is the official regalia vendor for CU Anschutz and all gowns and hoods must be ordered through them. If a graduate already owns the proper regalia for the degree they will be receiving, exceptions can be made on a case by case basis if the regalia matches the color and quality of the items provided by Herff Jones.

Please contact the commencement office for more information.

Diplomas will be mailed out automatically to the mailing address on file after degrees have been awarded. Please ensure your mailing address in your student record is up to date. Visit our guide on how to Update your Student Profile . Diplomas will take about 5-8 weeks to receive from Paradigm. If you have any questions, please contact the Registrar’s Office at: Registrar@cuanschutz.edu

 

Parking is limited on campus and attendees are highly encouraged to consider carpooling, utilizing ridesharing services, or taking public transportation.

Free parking is available on May 19th in all visitor lots on campus. We recommend that attendees park in the lots closest to the convocation that you will be attending. This will ease congestion in the lots closest to Boettcher Commons for the University commencement ceremony and facilitate the exiting of campus when ceremonies conclude.

Additionally, traffic backups are common in the morning on the east side of campus coming from I-225. Please consider entering campus from Peoria St. and Montview Blvd. for quicker access to campus.

Please consider using the following designated lots for each convocation. Refer to the campus map for their locations.

School of Medicine - Georgetown, Evergreen

Graduate School - Julesburg, East Overflow Lot

College of Nursing - Henderson Garage

School of Dental Medicine - Henderson Garage

Skaggs School of Pharmacy - Henderson Garage, Evergreen

Colorado School of Public Health - Monte Vista, Snowmass

CHA/PA - Evergreen

Commencement Ceremony Map

 

ADA Parking

Guests needing transportation assistance on campus are directed to the Ignacio and Kiowa lots. Golf carts will be available to shuttle guests from these lots to the various ceremonies and back again. No handicapped stickers or placards are required to park in these lots. Parking attendants will direct any guests who need close-in parking to these locations.

Graduates will be asked during the registration process to identify any disability-related accommodations that may be needed to participate fully in the commencement ceremony. Sign language interpreters can be arranged as needed. Service animals ​(not emotional support animals) are permitted at the ceremony and must be pre-communicated during registration for planning purposes. 

Resources are available to assist guests to and from ceremonies. Additional services are available upon request.

If you would like to speak with the commencement coordinator about accessibility arrangements for the ceremony, please email commencement@cuanschutz.edu.

 

Please visit the disability-related access page for more information.

CU Anschutz has partnered with NameCoach to allow graduates to record the pronunciation of their name and share it with the name readers in our ceremonies.

Please submit your recording by May 9th to give the name readers enough time to review the audio files.

Click here to record your name.

Several lodging options exist within walking distance of campus. Be sure to ask if they are offering special rates for commencement.

The Benson Hotel

Hyatt House Denver/Aurora

Hyatt Regency Aurora-Denver Conference Center

SpringHill Suites by Marriott Denver at Anschutz Medical Campus

All but one ceremony is held outdoors on campus in the spring. Generally, weather is excellent in late May for our graduation festivities. However, perfect weather is not guaranteed. Our ceremonies will be held outdoors rain or shine, and graduates and guests should be prepared.

 

The following items are not permissible at commencement:

                  Glass bottles

                  Signs larger than 11 x14

                  Drugs and/or alcohol 

                  Prohibited weapons as outlined in campus policy

                  Coolers

                  Laser pointers

                  Balloons which obstruct the views of others

                  Animals of any kind; qualified service animals permitted

           Any item that obstructs the view of others 

                  Noise makers or audio amplification devices  

 

Individuals may be removed for:

               Being under the influence of drugs or alcohol 

               Violating any rules or policies of the campus

               Bringing prohibited items to the ceremony

Engaging in behaviors that cause a significant disruption or interference with the commencement ceremony. Examples of such behaviors include obstructing the lines of sight of audience members, making persistent loud or amplified noises, projecting light or images, or otherwise creating significant disturbance.