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Commencement Orientation Slide Transcript

Who, When & Where

Spring 2026 Graduation Candidates Only

Friday, May 8

Fertitta Center
3422 Cullen Blvd.
Houston, TX 77204

Ceremony Details:

    • Graduate students will be recognized first, followed by undergraduate students.
    • Students will cross the stage by college.

Commencement Schedule

Ceremony 1 – Processional begins at 10:00 a.m. (check-in starts at 8:30 a.m.)

College of Sciences and Technology
Marilyn Davies College of Business

Ceremony 2 – Processional beings at 3:00 p.m. (check-in starts at 2:00 p.m.)

College of Public Service
College of Humanities and Social Sciences

 

Planning Before the Ceremony

    • Share graduation announcements with family and friends
    • Purchase your cap & gown (UHD Bookstore)
    • Visit with your Academic Advisor (Honor cords)
    • Mandatory Requirement: Pick up your Walk Card before the ceremony
    • Walk Cards are available at the Registrar’s Office through Thursday, May 7

Walk Cards

    • A Walk Card contains your printed name that you hand to the announcer and is read aloud as you walk across the stage
    • All graduating students must have a Walk Card
    • Please do not make any changes to your Walk Card. Edited or altered cards will not be accepted or used during the commencement ceremony
    • You must bring your Walk Card with you on the day of the event
    • Visit the Name Callers table to have your name phonetically spelled
    • Complete the back of your Walk Card for your official graduation photo

 

Getting to the Fertitta Center and Where to Go

Parking Entrance

    • Graduates and guests are encouraged to park in either TDECU Stadium Garage located on Holman Street or Lot 16B (Blue Lot) on commencement day.
    • Plan to arrive and park early as there is construction and traffic delays around the ceremony site.
    • The cost to park is $20 per car, per entrance into the garage. UH is cashless and will only accept major credit cards as payment.

Graduating Students Only go to the Alumni Center Information

    • Doors Open
    • 8:30 a.m. - Ceremony One - Student Check-in Opens
    • 2:00 p.m. - Ceremony Two - Student Check-in Opens

Parking Map for Graduating Students

 

Fertitta Center Bag Policy

Fertitta Center enforces a clear bag policy to ensure safety guests. Items such as backpacks, purses and diaper bags are not permitted, and guests are strongly encouraged to not bring any bags to the facility.

The following items will be allowed inside Fertitta Center:

    • Bags that are clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and do not exceed 12 inches x 6 inches x 12 inches
    • 1-gallon clear plastic freezer bag (Ziploc or similar)
    • A small clutch purse no larger than 4.5 inches by 6.5 inches, with or without a handle or strap (These small clutches remain subject to search)

Exceptions will be made for medically necessary items after proper inspection at the doors by arena personnel.

Inside the Fertitta Center – What Not to Bring

    • No weapons, firearms, batons, tasers, mace spray or knives.
    • No air horns, whistles, noisemakers, fireworks, outside flowers or balloons, or inflatable objects.
    • No beach balls, frisbees, laser pointers, large posters that may block someone’s view, or sealed packages of any kind.
    • No video recorders, audio recorders, or similar devices, professional camera equipment or lenses.
    • No outside food or drinks (medical exceptions may be made by Fertitta staff).

Inside the Fertitta Center

    • All attendees will go through a security screening (bag checks and metal detectors)
    • Students report to the Alumni Center (AAC) (Yoeman Fieldhouse)
    • Guests proceed to general admission seating in the Fertitta Center
    • Each graduate is allotted 6 guest tickets
    • Signage and ushers will guide students and guests to the correct locations
View of commencemen sitting

Example of another ceremony, not actual layout

View through tunnel to commencement sitting

Hallway

Students will proceed down this hallway. Flat, comfortable shoes are strongly recommended, as the flooring and carpeting are uneven and can easily catch on heels. The hallway is also on a downward slope. Please be prepared for a significant amount of walking and standing, as there is no seating available at check-in.

Student Check-In

After security, proceed to Yoeman Fieldhouse for student check-in

Make Sure You Have Your Walk Card!

    • The Walk Card is used to announce your name on stage
    • If you need to tell us how to pronounce your name, please visit the Name Callers table
    • If you believe there is an error on your Walk Card, please visit the Registrar’s table
    • If you have lost your card, see the Registrar’s table

Check-in times: 8:30 a.m. (first ceremony) | 2:00 p.m. (second ceremony)

Where Do I Wait?

    • Graduates will line up by academic level within your College, with master’s degree candidates first, followed by undergraduate students.
    • Be in line by 9:45 a.m. | 2:45 p.m. – ceremonies start promptly
    • Follow ushers’ directions during the processional and keep your Walk Card with you
    • Use restroom before entering the arena floor (none available on the floor)
    • Late arrivals will not sit with their college and will join after the procession — don’t be late

Start of Program

    • Turn off or silence your phone
    • Make sure you have your cap, tassel (on the right-hand side), and Walk Card
    • Follow the procession and stay in order
    • There will be many individuals taking photos, videos, etc. – be sure to smile and wave
    • Gowns must be fully zipped as you cross the stage

The Ceremony Begins

    • Faculty, students, and platform party will process for the first ceremony at 10:00 a.m.
    • Faculty, students, and platform party will process for the second ceremony at 3:00 p.m.
    • National Anthem
    • Introduction of distinguished guests
    • Greetings from the Board of Regents
    • Remarks from our Interim University President
    • Guest Remarks
    • Student Speaker

Crossing the Stage

    • Marshals and ushers will direct the first college to line up — keep your Walk Card ready
    • Dean introduces candidates by college; line up when called
    • Check tassel position — right-hand side before crossing
    • While on stage, hand your Walk Card to the Name Caller, accept scroll tube, and shake the platform party’s hands
    • Staff will be available to assist throughout the process

The Ceremony (Continued)

    • Formal Conferring of Degrees by the University Interim Provost
    • Interim President’s Proclamation
    • Tassels move from right to left (Congratulations!)
    • Recessional of Platform Party
    • Dismissal of students to the Fertitta Center post ceremony gathering area
    • Meet family/friends outside the venue
    • Plan on approximately a 2.5-hour ceremony from start of processional
    • Students are expected to stay for the entire duration of the ceremony

Student Accommodations

    • If you will require special accommodations at the commencement ceremony, please contact:

Accessible Education Center (AEC) aec@uhd.edu or 713-221-5078

Accommodations for Guests: The Fertitta Center offers ADA-accessible parking, restrooms, concessions, and seating, along with closed captioning and ASL interpretation. Guests who need mobility assistance should bring their own or rented devices, as wheelchairs, walkers, and escorts are not provided and must be arranged in advance.

Scroll, transcripts and diplomas

    • The commemorative scroll (tube) contains a congratulatory letter (not your diploma)
    • Official transcripts show major, minor/concentration, and Latin Honors after final grades post
    • Diplomas/certificates ready for pick-up about 4–5 weeks after the term ends
    • Diplomas list your major and Latin Honors, but not minors or concentrations

Commencement FAQ – Quick Recap

    • Do I need to stay for the entire ceremony? YES
    • Can I wear my gown through security? NO
    • Are there items I cannot bring? Yes, please revisit the Fertitta Center Bag Policy
    • Can I leave personal belongings with UHD or Fertitta Staff? NO
    • What happens if I arrive late? You will not process and you will be seated at the end of your respective college
    • Where can I purchase my cap and gown? UHD Bookstore
    • Can I decorate my cap? Yes, but be mindful of those sitting behind you
    • Who do I contact for special accommodations? The AEC
    • How early can I arrive at the venue? Doors will open for graduating students at 8:30 a.m. for the first ceremony | 2:00 p.m. for the second ceremony

Additional Questions

For additional questions, reach out to UHD’s Graduation Unit: UHDGraduation@uhd.edu