Students who will complete their degree requirements in Spring and successfully Apply for Program Completion are automatically permitted to participate in the Spring Commencement ceremony in May. 

Students who will complete their degree requirements in the Summer and successfully Apply for Program Completion are allowed to attend either the Spring or Fall Commencement ceremony, since UA does not offer a Summer ceremony. By default, Summer graduates will be included in the Spring Commencement ceremony in May. If a student does not wish to participate, they can RSVP "No" to the ceremony and indicate they wish to attend in the Fall Commencement ceremony in December.

Students who will complete their degree requirements in Fall and successfully Apply for Program Completion are automatically permitted to participate in the Fall Commencement ceremony in December. 

All graduates must walk in the calendar year they graduate.

All undergraduate candidates who have qualified to graduate with honors will receive the appropriate honor cords or medallion on the day of the ceremony. Further instructions will be provided by email as your ceremony approaches.

All other honors regalia is issued by the organizations that those items represent. Please check with your organization if you are expecting additional regalia items. If you are a member of a registered university organization that selects students from the entire University student body for membership and/or of a departmental or college honor society, you may wear appropriate recognition symbols.

There is no formal check-in process. Students will be guided to the staging area at Commencement. Upon reaching the staging area, please follow the guidance of the University staff (marshals will be in gold regalia). Please make sure to have your StagePass easily accessible. The processional begins promptly at their designated start times in the James A. Rhodes (JAR) Arena, so your family and friends will want to be in their seats before this time.

Prior to the ceremony, we will distribute StagePasses and guest tickets via email through Tassel. You will not receive this email if you have not properly applied for program completion. After doing so, you will have to complete the RSVP process and confirm attendance before the option to download guest tickets and your StagePass becomes available. Please note that we will release as many tickets per student as space allows for each ceremony. At this time, each student will receive at least 5 guest tickets.

Where are my guest tickets?

Guest tickets will be in your Tassel account. You will need to log in and complete the RSVP process to claim your guest tickets and StagePass. Click "RSVP Here" and complete the questionnaire to confirm your attendance. Proceed to click the “Manage Tickets” button to claim the allotted number of tickets. After that, you will need to click the “Print/Email Tickets” button to either print or email your guest tickets.

Where is my StagePass?

We will distribute StagePasses via email. You will login to your Tassel account and click the “Print StagePass” button or download the pass to your phone's digital wallet. Graduates should ensure their devices are sufficiently charged – the StagePass will be used for both entry and for crossing the stage.

Do StagePasses and Guest Tickets need to be printed?

Tickets and StagePasses can be scanned on a device or printed. Both options work for scanning purposes. 

The doors will open to all graduates and guests 1 hour before your ceremony start time listed on your StagePass and within your Tassel account.

Students may park in any unattended lot or parking deck on campus on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note that certain lots are reserved for employees and Accessibility. For more information, please review the Parking Map PDF.

In partnership with GradImages, The University of Akron is offering easy access to graduation photos. 

When you register, you will automatically receive a coupon code for 20% off your purchase of $50 or more. Add your friends' and families' email addresses, and they'll save 20% on your photos, too. Plus, they'll receive a link to view your photos.

Submit your information early and rest assured knowing that your proofs will be sent to you as soon as they're available after the event.

All degree candidates attending the commencement ceremony must wear proper graduation regalia.  Caps and gowns are available for purchase at the Barnes & Noble Bookstore in the Student Union and in the Polsky Building. They may also be ordered online for a limited time.

For questions about regalia, graduates are encouraged to contact the Bookstore by phone at (330) 972-7624.

Want to proudly display your diploma from The University of Akron?  Diploma frames may be ordered online.   

All Undergraduate and Graduate level ceremonies will take place at The James. A. Rhodes Arena. The arena is located at 373 Carroll St, Akron, OH 44325.

No. Only the graduates name will be announced as they walk the stage.

A slide will be viewable on the displays that includes the graduate's name, degree title, Latin honors  and distinctions, and an image and/or text message chosen by the graduate. Please note any minor(s) and/or second major(s) will not show on the slide or diploma but are printed on the official academic transcript.

Tassel is the commencement platform we use to help ensure a smooth, stress-free path to graduation day. It is a separate system that handles invitations, attendance, name pronunciation, guest tickets, graduate passes, and important communications—making it the go-to hub for everything commencement-related.

You will utilize Tassel to complete your initial RSVP, and to confirm/retrieve the information listed above.

No, there is no rehearsal prior to Commencement. Graduates should arrive one hour before their scheduled ceremony and will be given instructions on how to gather with their peers after they check in.

To ensure we can best support you on your commencement day, please follow these steps:

• During Registration: While RSVP'ing for commencement through Tassel, there will be a dedicated section for requesting special accommodations. Be sure to fill out this section thoroughly, detailing the specific accommodations you require. By "special accommodations," we mean things like assistance for mobility issues, visual or hearing impairments, or other physical needs.

• After Registration: If your accommodation needs change after completing registration, contact registrar@uakron.edu as soon as possible. Since these accommodations often require advanced planning, early notification is crucial.

You must first "Apply for Program Completion" through Workday. Once successfully applied, you will receive an email from Tassel in the next few days to register for Commencement once the registration window opens. (Spring: late February to early March, Fall: late September to early October)

Please visit our website to see the full process on getting registered to walk for the ceremonies. Be sure to apply for your degree first or the ability to participate in Commencement will not be available to you.

You will participate in the College ceremony of your preference. Although you may be participating in only one ceremony, you will still be recognized for both degrees in the Commencement program. If you are graduating with dual degrees, you may ask for a second diploma cover after Commencement.

If you are graduating with a bachelor’s degree and a degree of a higher level (master’s, doctoral, etc.), you will participate in the ceremony for the higher-level degree.

No. You need to apply for program completion through Workday and work with your academic advisor. Registering for Commencement is a separate process and only confirms your participation in the ceremony. For more information please visit https://www.uakron.edu/registrar/graduation/.

All communication regarding your degree progress and commencement activities will be sent to your UA email account.

Questions? Contact us at registrar@uakron.edu.

• Commencement participants: Please only bring your cap and gown with you and leave your coats, purses, and other belongings at home or with family members. There is no place to store your personal belongings during the various ceremonies, and graduates are not permitted to reenter the Arena after the ceremonies. Please make sure to have your StagePass readily available for scanning purposes.

• Commencement guests: Non-clear bags larger than a small, clutch purse (5″x7″) are prohibited. Clear bags, up to 12″x6″x12″, are allowed; one bag per person. All bags are subject to search.

James A. Rhodes (JAR) Arena prohibited items list includes, but is not limited to:

• Aerosol cans
• Alcoholic beverages
• Animals (except service animals for those with disabilities)
• Bags that are not clear
• Balloons (air & helium)
• Beach balls
• Book bags-Backpacks
• Cans, bottles, thermoses, or boxed liquids
• Commercial audio/video recording equipment and tripods
• Confetti or glitter
• Coolers of any kind, including small soft pack coolers (unless medically necessary for medication or breastfeeding babies)
• Duffle bags
• Drones and any Unmanned and Remote Controlled Aircraft Systems (drones) are strictly prohibited.
• Fanny packs
• Fireworks or missile-like objects
• Food or drink (unless medically necessary)
• Frisbees
• Glowsticks
• Hoverboards or skateboards
• Ice chests
• Illegal substances
• Knives
• Large purses
• Laser lights & pointers
• Mace/pepper spray
• Noisemaking devices (milk jugs or other containers with rocks, air horns, bullhorns, etc.)
• Plastic bottles
• Powders (dyes, talcum, baby powders, flour, etc.)
• Selfie sticks (all types)
• Signage (political, advertising, derogatory)
• Sticks, poles, bats, or clubs
• Strollers
• Tobacco products to include cigarettes, e-cigarettes, vaping, and dip tobacco
• T-shirts or clothing items with vulgar language or phrasing
• Umbrellas
• Weapons: No weapons are allowed in the Stadium. Possession of a firearm or weapon is strictly forbidden.

For the health, safety, and comfort of all guests, smoking and all other tobacco products to include: cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, smoking devices, vaping devices, dip tobacco, and all other tobacco-related products, are prohibited inside and out of all areas of the arena. Per Ohio Revised Code 2923.122, firearms are prohibited. Violators are subject to ejection and prosecution.

• Clutch Purses no larger than 4.5”x 6.5”
• Clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bags smaller than 12”x 6” x 12”
• One-gallon clear plastic freezer bags
• Binoculars
• Cameras are permitted, but the images cannot be commercially used.
• Wheelchairs, motorized medical scooters, and valid medical devices
• Blankets carried over an arm
• Seat Cushion (no seat back)

The doors will open to all graduates and guests 1 hour before the ceremony start time listed on your guest ticket. Ceremony dates and times will also be listed online at https://www.uakron.edu/registrar/graduation/. 

Guests are welcome to park in any unattended lot or parking deck on campus on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note that some lots are reserved for employees.

A limited number of ADA parking spaces are available in Lot 2 of Rhodes Arena Parking and Lot 8 of Ocasek Natatorium Parking. These are all first-come, first-served.  Please show a state-issued parking placard to gain access to these lots and spaces. 

View UAkron’s commencement parking map.

Sign language interpreting services for guests who are deaf or hard of hearing will be available. There will be reserved seating available and a direct view of the interpreters throughout the event in Section C.

When details of the live webcast for the Commencement ceremonies have been finalized, information will be posted here. In the days leading up to the ceremony, a link will be posted to the appropriate page for accessing each live stream.

Graduates must request ADA accessible seating through the Tassel RSVP process for their guests to receive the designated ADA guest tickets. If a guest requires ADA seating, their entire group will be seated together to ensure a positive experience.

It is strongly recommended that ADA and wheelchair patrons be dropped off and utilize the Carroll Street Loop for the best experience. It is also recommended that patrons utilizing wheelchairs be dropped off with a person to assist them at the drop-off zone in front of the James A. Rhodes Arena (JAR). There is a sidewalk from the loading and drop-off zone in front of the main doors into the JAR. 

A limited number of ADA parking spaces are available in Lot 2 and Lot 8. These are all first-come, first-served. Please show a state-issued parking placard to gain access to ADA lots.

If needed, an elevator is available in the JAR near the entrance on the lower level. Please note that guests who need to use it will likely have to wait in line. Please plan accordingly.

Due to the limited number of wheelchair ADA seats, ADA seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. We encourage those needing ADA seating to arrive one hour prior to the start of the ceremony when doors open. Wheelchair ADA seats are found on the concourse level on the second floor, between the lower and upper bowl seating. There is no ADA seating on the arena floor. An usher will be present to help guests find open seats.

Yes, tickets are required for guests to attend the graduation ceremonies. There is a limit on the amount of guests who may attend for each graduate. This limit is set based on graduate attendance for each ceremony. Entry is general admission and seating is first-come, first-served. Tickets are provided to Graduates upon the completion of their RSVP process through Tassel. Graduates are responsible for sharing their tickets with their guests.

We expect each ceremony to last around 2 hours depending on how many students participate. This may vary from family to family as students participate in different ceremonies based on their college/program.

During the ceremony, physical copies or the program will be available at a first-come, first-served capacity. A QR code will be displayed on the screens throughout the arena. The QR code links to The University of Akron's Commencement program page, where the digital program can be viewed.

The Alumni Association hosts Zippy's First Toast following each Spring ceremony, weather contingent. Graduates and their families are encouraged to attend the celebration in Coleman Commons, just west of the JAR's main entrance.

At this time there are no plans for a Fall reception. There are ongoing discussions for a similar indoor event or smaller opportunities throughout campus. If updates are made, we will send the information directly to student emails.

Guests can find a directory of local lodging options in the area via our partner Hotels page online. The rates are already pre-negotiated to ensure the most cost efficient rate to our guests.

Yes, all persons are required to have a ticket regardless of age.

Graduates and guests are asked to exit promptly after each ceremony in order for the staff to clean up and prepare for the next ceremony. Guests will not be allowed into the graduate staging area. Graduates are required to exit through the same entrance they used to arrive.

During the Spring ceremonies there is an outdoor event hosted by The University of Akron Alumni Association, Zippy's First Toast. Graduates will be led to the Coleman Commons for a post commencement celebration. This is the perfect meeting spot for all guests and graduates. During the Fall ceremonies, reconvening with graduates can be best accomplished outside the arena.

It is advised that graduates prearrange a meeting place with family and guests to meet up outside of The James A. Rhodes Arena, and away from entrances. Graduates and guests are asked not to block roadways and not block others from arriving for the next ceremony.