Graduation: What You Need to Know

Planning to graduate from CMCI?

Students are eligible for graduation when they have completed all degree requirements.

Regardless of whether you plan to participate in a graduation ceremony, you must apply to graduate via the Buff Portal. Find more information now →

Tickets are not required for either the CU commencement ceremony or the college recognition ceremony. However, we do ask that you RSVP for CMCI's event. Keep reading for more details.

Mark Your Calendars: 2025 Ceremonies for Graduates 

Students must have submitted their graduation application through Buff Portal to be eligible to graduate and participate in commencement ceremonies.

⭐ University Commencement (May 8)

The University of Colorado Boulder will host the spring 2025 University Commencement Ceremony at 8:30 a.m. Thursday, May 8, at Folsom Field.

  • The commencement is for CU Boulder students graduating across the university.
  • Stadium gates open at 7 a.m. No tickets are required to attend.
  • Have additional questions? Check out the general ceremony FAQs →
  • Tickets are not required.
⭐  CMCI Recognition Ceremony (May 9)

CU Boulder colleges, schools, departments and programs also will celebrate the Class of 2025 with individual recognition ceremonies. 

  • CMCI's graduation recognition ceremony will be held at 8 a.m. Friday, May 9, at the CU Events Center. Graduates must arrive by 7 a.m.
  • Doors open for seating at 7 a.m. No tickets are required to attend.
  • Following the ceremony, join us for a reception on the Business Field directly across the street. The reception is from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Light refreshments will be served.
  • We ask that you complete the registration form in advance to participate in the recognition ceremony. Please RSVP by April 1 to ensure your information is correct and to be included in the printed program.

  RSVP now! 

Regalia Information for Ceremony Days

CMCI students at the spring recognition ceremony

Plan ahead for your graduation regalia.

Master’s and PhD students: The deadline to order regalia is 11:59 p.m. Thursday, March 27. To participate in either the CU or CMCI ceremonies, you must wear academic regalia. CMCI's tassel and stole are red.

Undergraduate students: You can purchase your regalia from the CU Book Store. CMCI's tassel and stole are red.

  Learn more 

CMCI’s 2025 Graduation Recognition Ceremony: Day of Info

We’re excited to celebrate this milestone achievement with you, your family and friends! All students who participate in CMCI’s ceremony will have their name read, cross the stage and receive their diploma cover. The physical diploma will be sent to your home later. The ceremony will also be available via livestream and, as a reminder, tickets are not required.

We ask that all graduates arrive at the CU Events Center at 7 a.m. Friday, May 9. Before then, please review the information below on how to best prepare for the ceremony.

 

Regalia

You must wear regalia to participate.

  • Bachelor’s candidates: Wear your cap and gown upon arrival. Start with your red tassel on the right side.
  • Master’s candidates: Wear your cap, gown and hood upon arrival. Start with your tassel on the left.
  • Doctoral candidates: Wear your cap and gown. You will carry your hood with you into the arena and be hooded on stage.

Multiple on-campus parking lots will be free to the public on graduation ceremony days and there will be free shuttle drop-off services. View full parking information → 

  • Parking for guests requiring accessibility: Guests who need ADA accessible parking may park in lots 440 West (closest to the CU Events Center), 204, 346, 359, 360 or 380.
    • A disability parking placard is not required to park in lots 204, 380 or 440 West.
    • A disability parking placard is required to park in lots 346, 359 or 360.

Clear bag requirements:To support security measures, CU Events Center has limitations on bags and items that may be brought with you. With the exception of medical bags, all bags must meet certain requirements. 

  • View a list of permitted and prohibited bags and other items →
  • There will not be storage space for graduates and their guests to keep items during the ceremony. Graduates are responsible for carrying any personal items they bring, and all belongings are also subject to the clear bag policy. 

Security: All graduates and guests are subject to security screenings, which may include walk-through metal detectors, electronic wanding and inspection of bags or other personal items.

Graduates have a separate entrance in order to sign in and line up.

Please follow signage to the north loading dock entrance of the CU Events Center and enter the double doors to the far right. 

  • Once you arrive (at 7 a.m.):
    • If you RSVP'd, thank you! Pick up your printed registration card at the table that corresponds with your last name. You will later hand the card to the person announcing your name as you reach the stage.
    • If you missed the deadline to RSVP, please arrive promptly to allow for time to check in.
  • Our staff will direct you to line up by your degree program at 7:30 a.m. In the meantime, stay hydrated.
  • There are portable restrooms outside the venue as you enter, but none inside the check-in area or once the ceremony starts. Please plan accordingly.
  • There is no storage space for graduates to keep items during the ceremony. Graduates are responsible for carrying all personal items they bring, and all belongings are subject to the clear bag policy. Please take all items with you; students will not return to the lower gym after the ceremony.

Family and guests will follow signage to enter through the front doors of the CU Events Center. 

  • Graduation programs will be distributed throughout the CU Events Center Concourse as you enter through the doors.
  • Family and friends should be seated by 7:45 a.m. Guests may sit anywhere not marked reserved, ADA/Disability or graduate seating. All seats are first come, first served. The earlier guests arrive, the better seats they can secure. Tickets are not required.
  • Guests requiring accommodations, such as wheelchair seating, interpreters or assisted-listening devices, should contact the ADA Compliance office at (303) 492-9725 or via email ASAP so that appropriate arrangements can be made.
  • Concessions will be open for guests to purchase snacks and drinks.
  • Flowers are available for purchase on the upper level of the concourse behind sections 7 and 8 and sections 23 and 24.

A professional photographer with GradImages will take pictures of all graduates with a diploma cover.

GradImages will distribute contact cards to each student to fill out with their name, address and email. They will use this information to contact you after the ceremony to view and purchase your pictures.

GradImages offers a 20% discount to those who pre-register on their website before the ceremony.

Our reception will be held from 9:30 to 11 a.m. on the Business Field.

All graduates and their guests are encouraged to attend. Light refreshments will be served.

For more information, please visit the CU Commencement website.

Previous Ceremonies