Know before you go: Fall 2022 Commencement

UCCS will celebrate the Fall 2022 Commencement ceremony on December 16, 2022 at the Broadmoor World Arena. Photo credit: Chuck Bigger

UCCS students, faculty, staff and families will celebrate degrees conferred to more than 1,000 graduates at the Fall 2022 Commencement ceremony on Friday, December 16.

The ceremony will celebrate graduates from all colleges and will begin at 2:00 p.m. Complete information on logistics for graduates and guests can be found here. The answers to frequently asked questions can be found here.

The ceremony is free and open to graduates and guests, no tickets required. Here’s what you need to know before you go:

Timing

Doors will open for graduates and guests at 12:30 p.m. Graduates should arrive no later than 1:15 p.m.

Graduates should enter through Gates A & B, and then access the service level for check-in via the internal Penrose Club Entrance located between these gates.

Livestream

The ceremony will be broadcast live through YouTube and will be covered on the UCCS Facebook and Twitter accounts.

Graduates are urged to share the livestream viewing option to additional guests so they may watch the ceremony virtually.

Program

In order to promote sustainability, the 2022 Commencement Program will only be accessible online. The Wi-Fi connectivity in the Broadmoor World Arena is different for all providers; we recommend downloading the program ahead of your arrival to the Commencement ceremony.

Seating

Seats are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. The Broadmoor World Arena does not allow individuals to hold more than four seats.

Handicapped seating is available on Row K, which runs the perimeter of the arena, and one folding chair is available for a guest to accompany each individual in a wheelchair. Sign language services are available at the base of section 107. Live captioning will be available from anywhere in the arena at uccs.edu/cc. Data rates apply.

Security

Everyone – graduates and guests – is subject to security procedures as they enter the Broadmoor World Arena. The arena limits people to one clear plastic bag with dimensions of 12” x 6” x 12” or smaller, and one clutch with dimensions of 8.5” x 2.5” x 5” or smaller. There is no storage for graduates in the Broadmoor World Arena, and graduates should expect to carry onto the floor anything they bring into the arena.

A complete list of Broadmoor World Arena policies and prohibited items is available online.

Traffic and Directions

The Broadmoor World Arena is located at 3185 Venetucci Blvd. The suggested route is to take Exit 138 on Interstate 25, drive west on Lake Ave., and then south on Venetucci Blvd. Traffic is expected to be heavy before and after the ceremony. Guests are encouraged to allow extra time and carpool if possible. Parking is free in the Broadmoor World Arena lots.

Honor Cords

Graduates receiving Latin honors (cum laude, magna cum laude and summa cum laude) will pick up those cords at the arena. If graduates are receiving additional cords or stoles (including those for the class gift, specific departments and offices, etc.), those are managed by those individual offices and graduates should contact that office for more information.

The Alumni Association offers a black and gold legacy cord for graduates with an immediate family member who is also a UCCS graduate. Students who donate at least $10 to the class gift will also receive a blue cord in recognition of their gift back to UCCS.

Professional Photography

If interested in purchasing professional photos taken during the ceremony, fill out the requested information on the back side of your name card at check-in to receive email notifications and/or visit gradimages.com. Photos are generally posted within a few days of the ceremony.

Mask-friendly Policy

All attendees — graduates, guests, UCCS administrators, faculty and staff are welcome to wear a mask while attending the ceremony. Masks are not required.

Vaccination Recommendation

Attendees are strongly recommended to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

Anyone displaying any COVID-19 symptoms, as well as individuals in isolation or quarantine, should not attend the event. They may participate by watching Commencement via livestream.

Alumni Association

Upon graduation, graduates will join more than 55,000 members of the UCCS alumni community. Enrollment in the UCCS Alumni and Friends Association is complimentary, and the office offers special events each year to keep alumni engaged with their alma mater.

Questions? Visit the UCCS Fall 2022 Commencement resource hub.