Commencement is a time-honored tradition that celebrates the academic accomplishments of students at the University of Central Arkansas. During commencement ceremonies, we recognize the learning, commitment and effort by our students in earning their degree. This is a special event for the students and for all of those involved in supporting and encouraging them through this journey.
All ceremonies will be held at the Farris Center.
Graduate Ceremony
Friday, December 10
6 p.m.
Farris Center
Undergraduate Ceremony
Saturday, December 11
10 a.m. Ceremony
College of Health and Behavioral Sciences
College of Education
College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
1 p.m. Ceremony
College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
College of Business
Farris Center
All graduate and undergraduate students will need to check-in one hour prior to their specific ceremony to receive your commencement name card and order placement. More details regarding the line-up location and process will be sent out closer to the ceremony date.
Ticket Information
Everyone who attends a commencement ceremony will be required to have a ticket, with the exception of children ages ten (10) and under. There will be no exceptions. All tickets are general admission; seats will not be assigned. However, face coverings are recommended.
Students will be allowed eight (8) guest tickets to attend their commencement ceremony. Due to social distancing regulations, this is the maximum number allowed per ceremony. If additional tickets are needed, graduates will need to ask their classmates if they will use all their tickets. Make sure the tickets are for the correct ceremony. All ceremonies will be live-streamed for those unable to attend.
Please note, only the graduate will be able to acquire tickets to commencement. Parents or guests will not be able to acquire tickets. It is the responsibility of the graduate to sign up for tickets through Reynolds Performance Hall. It might be necessary to print off tickets for your guests or share via mobile device.
- EVERYONE MUST HAVE A TICKET TO ENTER
- FACE COVERINGS OR MASKS ARE NOT REQUIRED, BUT ENCOURAGED
- GUEST TICKETS ARE LIMITED TO eight (8) PER GRADUATE (children age ten (10) and under do not require a ticket)
- SOCIAL DISTANCING IS RECOMMENDED
- DOORS OPEN 45 MINUTES BEFORE THE SCHEDULED CEREMONY TIME
- TICKETS MUST BE ACQUIRED BEFORE THE DAY OF YOUR CEREMONY
Ticket takers will be on hand to scan tickets the day of the ceremony, so please remember to bring your ticket to the graduation or show the ticket on your mobile device.
COVID-19 Information
Doors will open one hour before the ceremony begins. Signs advising guests that they may not enter if they have a fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, or loss of taste or smell will be posted in several areas. Signs will also be posted that say guests may not enter if they have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 in the past 14 days. This same sign discourages guests from entering if they are aged 65 or older, have chronic health conditions like diabetes, heart disease, lung disease or compromised immune system.
The University of Central Arkansas has devised a color-coded system indicating whether masks are required in campus indoor spaces each week. Campus Status will be updated each Sunday. The system is based on the community transmission level from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention COVID-19 data tracker for Faulkner County and the region. We will adhere to these guidelines for the commencement ceremony.
RED:
Masks are required in all indoor spaces on campus.
YELLOW:
Masks are encouraged in all indoor spaces on campus.
GREEN:
The campus will follow normal business and operational patterns.
You can find information about the university’s status by following this link.
Top 5 Asked Questions Regarding Commencement
- Will there be a commencement practice for students?
UCA does not have a commencement practice for students. You will be escorted by faculty and staff who will give you instructions during the ceremony. - Will I receive my diploma at graduation?
No, UCA will not award degrees until grades are posted for the semester. This will be after the commencement ceremony so diplomas will not be available. You will receive a diploma cover and a lapel pin on the day of the ceremony. - Will there be a photographer at the ceremony?
Yes, you will have an opportunity for pictures. A photographer will be by the stage when you exit the stage. - Are guests required to have a ticket to attend the ceremony?
Yes, tickets will be required for entrance. Each student will receive 8 tickers for parents/guests. - Will the graduation be live streamed?
Yes, UCA will live stream the commencement for all your family and friends who could not make the ceremony.
Cancellation Information
Please check back for any possible cancellations or time changes. Students are to check their UCA CUB email daily for any updates or changes to their ceremonies.
Accommodations for Disabled
Disabled Parking: A portion of the Farris Center parking lot will be designated for disabled parking. The disable parking entrance will be at the intersection of Bruce/Augusta and require disability parking credentials to access this parking lot.
Please note: No shuttle service will be available at this time.
There is limited disability-accessible seating on the gym floor. Please indicate accessibility needs when you reserve your ticket. One additional person in your group will be allowed to sit with the party member requiring accommodations and all others will be directed to sit in the stands.
About Farris Center
Commencement will take place in the Farris Center gym. Seating for families and guests will be open on both sides of the gym.
The following items are NOT allowed in the stadium: large helium balloons or any type of noise makers to include: air horns, whistles, cow bells, etc. No outside food/drink is allowed.
For your safety, the stadium will be sanitized and cleaned in between each ceremony. For guests, there will be free standing sanitation stations set up throughout the gym.
Clear stadium bags are not required for this event. All other bags will be permitted.
Photography
While guests are welcome to take pictures from their seats, they will not be permitted on the court. Professional photography services are provided during the ceremony through Arkansas Candids. Following the ceremony, to view or order prints, please visit https://www.arkansascandids.com/university-of-central-arkansas.html. Photos taken after the ceremony must be taken outside the Farris Center.
Graduation Gifts
Commemorating graduation is important, we ask that no wrapped gifts be brought into the ceremony. Please exchange gifts with your graduate at another convenient location. Mark the milestone and leave a lasting impression in your graduate’s heart with a personalized graduation gift from their Alma Mater. The UCA Bookstore has a variety of commemorative gifts.
Lodging and Accommodations
Extend your visit to Conway by staying in a well-appointed guest room in one of Conway’s many hotels. Overnight accommodations are located throughout the city, and many are in close proximity to shopping and eateries. You have many options when it comes to making yourself at home in Conway.
Conway Convention and Visitors Bureau
Campus Safety and Security
The safety and security of our students and guests are a priority of UCA.
Guests are welcome to carry in bags. Wrapped gifts, large umbrellas, strollers, or balloons will not be allowed into any ceremony. Compact umbrellas are allowed. No firearms or weapons of any kind are permitted. Please comply with the direction given at all times by the ushers and officers on hand.
Academic Attire
In accordance with academic tradition, all degree candidates are robed in a black cap and gown. Undergraduate candidate tassels are worn on the right side of the cap until the degree is conferred. Master’s and doctoral candidates will wear their tassel on the left side of the cap and the tassel will remain there and does not require to be moved.
Graduation robes are available for pick up in the UCA Bookstore the week of graduation between 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.