The Final Countdown: Your Guide to Commencement

You’ve done the heavy lifting, survived the late nights, and written more pages than you probably care to remember. Now, it’s time for the victory lap! To make sure your big moment goes off without a hitch, we have a (it’s strongly suggested) rehearsal the Thursday before commencement.

Think of this as a dress rehearsal to ensure you’re focused on the celebration and not wondering where to stand on the big day. Here is everything you need to know about the walkthrough and line up at the SDC Multipurpose Room.

Rehearsal

All students will line up parallel to the wall in their designated areas.

PhD Students MS Students
Check in at the Faculty Table to find your lineup location. College of Engineering – line up in Husky Black (right side of the SDC Multipurpose Room when entering)

All other Colleges – line up in Husky Gold (left side of the SDC Multipurpose Room when entering)

Commencement Day

All students will line up parallel to the wall in their designated areas.

Step 1: Find Your Name

When you enter the Multipurpose room, head straight for the tables in the middle of the room. Your name card will be waiting for you, organized alphabetically.

Pro Tip: If you have multiple last names or a hyphenated name and don’t see your card immediately, check under your other last name! Sometimes they like to hide.

Step 2: Follow the Color Code

This is the most important part of the logistics. Line up is in a specific order to ensure that in the venue you are seated in the proper place for your college. To assist with that, the color of your name card determines which line you are in. Look at the header of the signs on the wall to match:

Card Color Line Assignment Sign Header Style
Gold Card Husky Gold Gold “Graduate School” at the top
White Card Husky Black Black “Graduate School” at the top

Note: Masters Line up signs are Teal with Graduate School on the top.

Step 3: Find Your College

Once you have your card in hand, look toward the walls. You’ll see signs for each specific college. Find yours and head over to line up against the wall.

Step 4: Special Instructions for PhDs

To our doctoral candidates: you have a slightly more specific process.

  • You will have a specific row assigned to you.
  • Look for your name on the signs (located under your row sign on the wall) for the exact order you need to line up in.
  • Important: The Gold and White card rules still apply to you, so ensure you are in the correct Husky Gold or Husky Black line as indicated.

Faculty & PhD Students: Please check in at the PhD and Faculty Table located in the middle of the room prior to lining up.