Information to Prepare for the
BSOS SpringCommencement Ceremony
Information for Graduates
The BSOS Commencement Ceremonies will take place on
Wednesday, May 22nd at 3:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. in the Xfinity Center.
•CCJS, HESP, JPSM, NEUR, NACS, PSYC, and SOCY will be at 3:30 p.m.
•AASD, ANTH, ECON, ENSP, GEOG, GVPT, SDSC, and START will be at 7:00 p.m.
Please note - tickets are not required for BSOS Commencement ceremonies.
There is no limit to the number of guests per graduate but seating is first-come, first-served.
Arrival Time and Checking-In:
Graduates please arrive at The Xfinity Center's Pavilion(Auxiliary Gym) by 2:45 p.m. for the 3:30 p.m. ceremony and by 6:15 p.m. for the 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday. You can enter from Gate C or D. There is a ceremony before yours, so please do not arrive earlier. Any student arriving later than 3:00 p.m. or 6:30 p.m. may not be seated with their classmates. Please leave your bags or belongings with your families since there is no secure place to leave them during the ceremony. Upon arrival you will be asked to fill out a name card and line up by major.
Regalia:
- Regalia is required.Allgraduates must be in regalia to be included in the procession of graduates.
- Active duty military can wear their dress uniforms instead of regalia.
- Honor cords and medals are placed on top of the stole.
- The hood should be put on last (on top of the stole with honor cords). The button loop on your hood should be facing down.
Ceremony Information:
- A QR code to access the Order of Ceremony sheet will be available at graduate check-in.
- You are not allowed to carry bottles, food, beverages, etc.
- Please remember to silence yourcell phones.
- Graduates’ names will be read as they walk across the stage at the BSOSceremonies.
- You will hand your name cardto the name-reader as youwalk onto the stage. As your name is read, youwill cross the stage to receive a UMD posterand a photograph will be taken. You will then return to yourseat.
- Students will not receive their diplomas at Commencement. Participation in this commencement does NOT mean youhave final clearance for graduation.
- Students who cleared for graduation will receive diplomas in eight to ten weeks.
- Students who do not clear for graduation will receive written notification from the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences.
Photos:
Photos will be taken before and during the ceremony. While there is no obligation to purchase the prints, graduates will receive color proofs via your Terpmail email address approximately two weeks after commencement. In order to receive the proofs, please make sure the email on your name card is correct. For more information, contact GradImages at 800.628.4509, or visitwww.gradimages.com.
Information for Guests
Parking is open and free on Commencement days. Follow the instructions of all parking lot attendants. Please do not pay meters or park in fire lanes. Please do not park in accessible spaces unless you have a handicapped-accessible placard or license plate.
The doors will be open for guests one hour before the ceremony. (2:30 p.m. for 3:30 p.m. ceremony and 6:00 p.m. for the 7:00 p.m. ceremony) .
There will be aBAG CHECKupon entrance to the Xfinity Center. Please encourage guests to leave bags at home or in the car when possible in order to expedite entry for everyone. Bags over 12"x 12"x 6" are not permitted. Please note that no strollers or backpacks will be allowed in the Xfinity Center.
Live Stream: Guests who want to watch the ceremony on live streaming can get the link on theBSOSwebsite before the ceremony.
Disability Services:
Accessible parking is located in the Terrapin Trail Garage (Lot 6) next to the Xfinity Center. Level 2 has a ramp leading directly to Gate E. This is a fully accessible pathway.
Once inside the Xfinity Center, staff can help direct guests in wheelchairs and those with limited mobility to the designated seating areaon the Concourse level (level 3) above sections 120 and 121. Due to limited space, we ask that only one family member sit with the guest in the accessible seating section and that additional family members sit in the nearby sections. Those with limited mobility should sit in fixed seating around 120. Volunteers will be on hand to help guests find seating that best fits their needs. Elevatorsat section 217 (near gate A) can be used to go down to level 2 if needed.Limited wheelchair seating is available next to suites in Xfinity center.
ASL Interpreters will be staged in Section 114 for those needing the accommodation.
