Faculty

Commencement 2017will be held on Sunday, June 4, on the Campus Green. For our graduates, faculty participation in the Commencement celebrations enhances this recognition of their accomplishments. A large faculty presence is also a public testimony to our University’s commitment to their success.

Academic Procession

The academic procession is one of the oldest university traditions and is widely viewed as a symbol of our collective dedication to the development of knowledge and academic inquiry. Faculty are invited to be a part of the academic procession; academic regalia is required.

Robing and formation of the line of march are scheduled for 11:15 a.m. in the Albert Sherman Center second floor atrium outside the auditorium. Commencement staff will help you with your regalia and direct you to your place in the processional. The academic procession will begin promptly at 11:45 a.m.

To participate, you must respond using the online response form by May 15 so that sufficient seating on the stage can be arranged. 

Regalia

Academic regalia is required. Faculty who do not own regalia should rent regalia from University Cap & Gown, either individually or through your Department Administrator. If you order UMass regalia, it is our practice to wear tams instead of mortarboards. If you order regalia that represents an institution other than UMass, please describe it on the response form so that we might identify some of the various institutions represented by our faculty in the Commencement program. Return the rented regalia (gowns, hoods, and tams) in the original box to University Cap & Gown, clearly marked with your name, on the day after the ceremony.

University Cap & Gown also sells new and used regalia. If you decide after the ceremony that you want to purchase the regalia you rented, the rental fee will be applied to the purchase price. Contact information is as follows:

Hooding

Faculty members who are hooding should attend their respective school's rehearsal for graduates. Refer to the weekend schedule for date and time and assemble on the stage in the Commencement tent.

Response

In order to provide sufficient seating, food, and parking, it is critical that we know what events you will be attending and if you will be bringing guests. Please respond by May 15, using the online response form to inform us of your plans.