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Commencement at The University of Rhode Island

General Information

Caps, Gowns, Hoods and Honors Cords
Diplomas
Disability Assistance
Graduation Announcements and Photographs
Name in the Commencement Program and News
Parking and Information Services
Pets
Refreshments available
Rehearsals
Religious Centers
Tickets & Rain Plan
Yearbooks
Webcast

Possession or Consumption of Alcohol

The possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages on state property is prohibited; therefore, the University will be required to enforce this regulation during all Commencement exercises. We appreciate your cooperation.

Rehearsals

There are no commencement rehearsals. Assembly areas, processional routes, and seating plans will be indicated in the Commencement Program.

Caps, Gowns, Hoods and Honor Cords

If you plan to participate in the Commencement Ceremony, you must wear academic regalia which can be purchased from the University Bookstore in the Memorial Union, early April to May 20. These items are not returnable. URI Student ID is required.

Honor cords are not available at the Bookstore and must be purchased directly from the honor societies. Here is a link to a list/websites for all active honor societies on campus.

Also see information on rain site tickets.

DiplomasBack to Top

Doctoral degree recipients will receive their diplomas at the Graduate Commencement Ceremony. Diplomas for bachelor's and master's degree recipients will be mailed after grades have been processed. Please be sure that your correct mailing address is on file with the Office of Enrollment Services.

Publication of your Name

If you want URI to submit your name to the Commencement program, check to make sure you haven't restricted access to information about yourself in e-Campus, which the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) entitles you to do.

To see if you have a FERPA restriction on your record, sign on to your e-Campus account and use the following navigation: "Self-Service Student Center" to "Personal Information" and other personal (use the pull-down menu) to "Privacy Settings" (click the "Go"  circle) and the "FERPA restrictions" screen will appear. The following information must be free of any restrictions (or releasable): Names, Major, Degree, Honors/Awards, and Academic Level. Be sure to save any changes you make.
Your failure to comply with these instructions will result in your name being left out of the Commencement program, as well as the online database used to provide information of your achievements to newspapers. If you have any questions about this procedure, please contact the Office of Enrollment Services at 401.874.4467 or 401-874-9500.

To inform your newspaper (or any other publication) of your status as a URI graduate, visit uri.edu/news/commencement and follow the instructions for submitting your name. This is accessible just before and after Commencement.

Formal Announcements and Photographs

Information regarding printed announcements, suitable for mailing to your family and friends, is available from the URI Bookstore (401-874-2722) and jostens.com. Formal photographs may be ordered from Chappell at gradimages.com, (800.424.3686).

Audience members are not permitted near the graduate seating or platform areas at any time. Audience members may take photographs during the ceremony only while seated and are not permitted near the graduate-seating or platform areas at any time.

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Yearbooks

The Renaissance will be on sale during Commencement in the booth in the Memorial Union Tower entrance from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Yearbooks can be ordered now online at jostens.com. If you had a senior portrait taken, you do NOT need to order a yearbook. A single copy of the yearbook is included with the sitting fee. Check out our Web site, uri.edu/yearbook, for more information. Yearbooks will be mailed in late fall to the address provided because pictures from Commencement will be included at that time. Please call the Yearbook Office at 401.874.5897 with any questions or uriyearbook@gmail.com.

Webcast

The Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony on Sunday, May 20, will be Webcast Live making it possible for many to enjoy the ceremony, virtually. It will be accessible through a link from the URI home page.

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Disability Assistance

If you have a disability and need an accomodation, please call 401-874-2098 at least three business days in advance. For TTY assistance, please call the Rhode Island Relay Service at 1-800-745-5555.

  • Disability Services Stations are located at the north Ryan Center entrance on Saturday and in front of Bliss Hall on Sunday (for rain plan, in the Memorial Union Atrium 1).
  • FM listening stations, wheelchairs, and transportation assistance are available at these locations.
  • Disability Seating is indicated on the map in the Commencement Program and guide.
  • Wheelchair reservations are required and must be made by May 11. Please note that reservations can be held only until noon on Saturday (Graduate Ceremony) and until 11:30 a.m. on Sunday (Main Ceremony). After these times, wheelchairs will be available on a first-come, first-served basis to individuals without reservations. if you own a wheelchair and are able to bring it, we recommend that you do so.
  • Reservations for the disability seating section at the Main Ceremony on Sunday are required by May 11. Reservations will be held until noon on Saturday and until 11:30 a.m. on Sunday. If the Sunday rain plan is in effect, general disability seating in the Ryan Center will be honored only for those holding Rain Tickets. For those not holding Rain Tickets, general disability seating is available in each of the other indoor venues.
  • Sign language interpreters for both the Main and Graduate Commencement ceremonies will be provided as requested. Requests for additional sign language interpreters at individual college ceremonies should be made no later than April 30. Seating registration for this service is suggested.
  • Pets: Only certified service animals are permitted on campus during commencement exercises. For the safety of all guests, please leave pets at home.

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Parking and Information Services

Upon your arrival, University police and security officers will direct you to designated parking lots within walking distance of the commencement ceremonies.

–Graduate Commencement (Saturday): Attendees may park on the North and South sides of the Ryan Center in lots 20 and 35.

–Main Commencement (Sunday): Enter the campus via Upper College Road or Old North Road and follow directions of University Police and security officers. The RIPTA campus transit service will be operating throughout the campus. See the map showing the route and stops of this service.

–Priority Parking Permits for individuals with physical or medical conditions, can be reserved by calling the Visitors Center at 401.874.2133 no later than May 11.

–Walking Around Campus: Parking lots and individual events may be located up to a mile apart. Please wear comfortable walking shoes. Many campus paths lead uphill; some are unpaved. The RIPTA transit service will be operating throughout the campus. See the map showing the route and stops of this service.

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Tickets and Rain Plan

Tickets are not required for either Commencement ceremony, and there are no guest limits. Guests will be seated on a first-come, first-served basis.

  • HOWEVER, in the event of rain, the Main Commencement Ceremony will be held at the Ryan Center. Bachelor's degree recipients will be allowed two guest tickets to the Ryan Center. Tickets are required and will be given to graduates upon their purchase of academic regalia at the University Bookstore in the Memorial Union. Additional guests should go directly to the indoor rain sites listed for each of the Colleges. The Main Commencement Ceremony will be simulcast to the indoor college rain sites.

If the rain plan is implemented, the decision will be made in the early morning, and information will be available on the Web site (uri.edu) and automated phone lines (401-874-1234, 401-874-7669, 401-874-1000). Signs will be posted at all campus entrances.

University Religious Centers

  • Catholic Center, Chapel Way, 401-874-2324
  • Episcopal Center at St. Augustine’s, 35 Lower College Road 401-874-2739
  • Hillel Foundation, 12 Fraternity Circle, 401-874-2740

Food and Refreshments

It is highly recommended that all graduates eat prior to robing and remain hydrated throughout the course of the day. For your convenience, refreshments will be available at the following locations. Payment is cash only.
  • Ram’s Den, Memorial Union, a la carte 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Sunday only)
  • Ronzio's Pizza, Memorial Union, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday
  • Vendors around the Quadrangle and near the Memorial Union will sell roses, beverages, pizza, and ice cream (Sunday only)
  • Ryan Center Concessions (Saturday; Sunday in case of rain)

Information

Commencement BookLink here to browse and download a booklet of information about the 2012 Commencement ceremonies.Direct download (PDF).


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Commencement on URI Live!


URI Live

On May 19-20, watch the University's 126th Commencement Ceremonies streaming on URI Live!