Spring Undergraduate Commencement
MAY 8, 2026
SANFORD STADIUM
As the birthplace of public higher education, the University of Georgia has fostered a tradition of academic excellence, intellectual inquiry, and service to others since 1785. For our graduates, Commencement is a beginning, the start of the next chapter in their lives.
Whether you’re participating in the undergraduate Commencement ceremony or supporting your graduate, this information will help you prepare for and navigate graduation day.
Announcements
Tickets are required for Graduates. Please see the Tickets for more information.
Regalia Orders are open. Order by February 16 to pick up at the Grad Fair, which will be held April 8 & 9 at the UGA Bookstore.
CLEAR BAG Policy
The CLEAR BAG Policy is in effect for Commencement. Please follow the guidelines in the Permitted/Prohibited Items section.
General
Ceremony start time: 7:30 p.m. – Graduates should arrive by 6:45 p.m.
Doors open: 5:30 p.m.
Guests should enter using Gates 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 9.
Graduates should enter using Gate 10.
Tickets are REQUIRED for all graduates to sit on the field at the Spring Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony. More information will be posted to the website under Tickets. Tickets are not required for guests to attend the ceremony.
Tickets
TICKET REGISTRATION CLOSED
Tickets are required for graduates AND guests of the Fall 2025 Undergraduate Commencement ceremony.
Ticket Delivery
Ticket registration will be available starting Monday, March 16. Updated registration information will be added to the website at that time. All eligible graduates will receive further instructions on ticket registration via email prior to the registration opening.
Graduates should register for their field seating ticket by 5:00 p.m. Friday, March 27.
- Undergraduate students who apply to graduate for spring or summer 2026 by February 27:
- Will be eligible to register for a ticket to attend the commencement ceremony. Ticket registration will occur later in the spring semester.
- Will have their names included in the commencement program, unless they have a FERPA restriction. You can check if you have a FERPA restriction in DegreeWorks. The FERPA addition/removal form is available online.
- Only degrees and majors will appear in the commencement programs.
For any additional questions about applying to graduate, please contact reghelp@uga.edu or 706-542-4040 and include your student ID number (81x).
For questions regarding digital tickets, please contact the UGA Ticket Office at 706-542-1231.
Assembly Instructions
Sanford Stadium gates will open at 5:30 p.m.
Graduates should arrive by 6:45 p.m. Please be prompt. Graduates arriving after 6:45 p.m. will not be guaranteed a seat on the field and/or with their school or college.
Enter through Gate 10.
As you enter, your ticket will be scanned, and you will be given a wristband to access graduate seating on the field. Please proceed directly to the field. Only graduates with a wristband will be allowed to sit on the field.
Each graduate may bring a sealed bottle of water into the stadium.
There will be no graduate processional for the Spring Undergraduate Commencement ceremony.
Viewing Options
In addition to watching the ceremony in person, the Spring 2026 Undergraduate Commencement ceremony will be broadcast live on the Commencement homepage.
Eligibility
Undergraduates who apply to graduate for the Spring or Summer 2026 semesters by the February 27 deadline will be allowed to participate in the Spring Undergraduate Commencement ceremony. Students who have not applied for graduation, or who graduated in a different semester are not eligible to participate.
For general information regarding graduation requirements, consult the UGA Bulletin. To ensure that you have met all the requirements for graduation, check with a degree program specialist in the dean’s office of your school or college. You should also be checking your progress via DegreeWorks. All undergraduates must apply to graduate for the semester in which they will take their last course(s) toward their graduation requirements using the graduation application in Athena.
Graduate Recognition
Undergraduate degree candidates will rise with their school or college when degrees are conferred.
Degree candidates earning Latin honors will be recognized during the ceremony. Degree candidates who meet the following GPA criteria and who do not have a FERPA restriction will be noted in the commencement program. Latin honors distinctions effective for Spring and Summer 2026 undergraduates are found below:
| Latin Honors Distinction | GPA Requirement |
|---|---|
| Cum Laude | 3.60-3.74 |
| Magna Cum Laude | 3.75-3.89 |
| Summa Cum Laude | 3.90-4.00 |
First Honor Graduates have maintained a perfect 4.0 cumulative grade point average on all work attempted at the University of Georgia as well as all college-level transfer work attempted prior to or following enrollment at the University. These students are celebrated for their high standards of academic excellence and their outstanding achievements. Their regalia includes a fourragère, a braided cord, worn on the shoulder.
For the purposes of the commencement program, Latin honors recognition is based on the student’s overall undergraduate GPA going into the student’s last semester. Final Latin honors will be determined following the conclusion of the student’s last semester.
Keepsakes
Programs
A summary program featuring the order of events will be handed out at the ceremony.
Digital programs will be available to download for the Undergraduate Commencement ceremony.
The program will contain the names of those students who applied for Spring and Summer 2026 graduation. In order to appear in the program, candidates for degrees must remove their FERPA restrictions when applying for graduation.
If you would like to receive a printed copy of the full Spring 2026 Commencement program, please fill out this form by June 5, 2026. Limit is two per graduate.
Diploma Frames and UGA Merchandise
UGA merchandise, including diploma frames, can be purchased from the University of Georgia Bookstore located next to Sanford Stadium as well as online at Jostens.
Programs
A summary program featuring the order of events will be handed out at the ceremony.
Digital programs will be available to download for the Undergraduate Commencement ceremony.
The program will contain the names of those students who applied for Spring and Summer 2026 graduation. In order to appear in the program, candidates for degrees must remove their FERPA restrictions when applying for graduation.
If you would like to receive a printed copy of the full Spring 2026 Commencement program, please fill out this form by June 5, 2026. Limit is two per graduate.
Lost & Found
For items believed to have been lost in Stegeman Coliseum, please contact the University of Georgia Police Department at detectives@police.uga.edu.
First Aid
First Aid and ambulance services will be on-site to assist with emergency needs. First Aid stations are located at Section 119 and on the Field Level at the East End Zone Lounge.
Inclement Weather Policy
The Undergraduate Commencement ceremony is held rain or shine and will only be rescheduled in the event of severe weather. Severe weather is defined as rain accompanied by high wind, thunder, and lightning. The alternate ceremony time is 10 a.m. the following day.
If it is raining on the morning of commencement, but not declared severe weather, the ceremony will be held as planned in the stadium. Each student will be provided a poncho to wear.
Any changes to the commencement ceremony will be placed on the Commencement website
If weather is a concern for you or a member of your party, you may wish to consider a different viewing option.
Helpful Tips
- Please follow the Clear Bag Policy.
- All guests will pass through weapons detection devices. Here is a list of Weapons Detection Nuisances that are recommended to be left in your car!
- On-site wheelchairs are NOT available. Guests with difficulty walking are strongly encouraged to bring their own wheelchair.
- Wear comfortable shoes. Graduates and guests will be walking and standing for long periods of time.
- Graduates are encouraged to leave purses, coats, and other belongings with your family members.
- Graduates are expected to remain standing in front of their seats during the entire procession of the Platform Party. They should not block the aisles.
- In advance of the ceremony, graduates should pick a place to meet family and friends once the ceremony is completed.
- Please be respectful of those around you and the fact that this is a formal academic ceremony. Beach balls, air horns, and other similar distractions may be confiscated.
- Alcoholic beverages are not permitted at any UGA commencement ceremony.
Permitted/Prohibited Items
Security has the right to inspect any item at any time for the purpose of safety.
Prohibited items must be returned to cars or disposed of before entering and will not be accepted by employees or stored at the gates.
The CLEAR BAG POLICY is in effect for Spring Undergraduate Commencement. Please follow the guidelines below.
Permitted Items
- Bags that are clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC and do not exceed 12″x6″x12″.
- One-gallon clear plastic freezer bags.
- Small clutch bags, with or without a handle or strap, that do not exceed 4.5″ x 6.5″.
- Bags that contain necessary medical items, which must be inspected and approved at a designated gate. Diaper bags must follow Clear Bag Policy.
- Food items must fit inside the permitted-sized bags
- Beverages, including water, in sealed plastic bottles; items must fit inside the permitted-sized bag.
- Umbrellas
- Cameras and video recorders (no camera bags or diaper bags)
- Strollers (must be stored in designated stroller parking areas)
Prohibited Items
For the safety, security, and experience of all guests, the following items are prohibited.
- Backpacks
- Diaper bags
- Wrapped gifts or packages wherein the contents are not visible
- Alcohol
- Glass and aluminum containers
- Tobacco. UGA is a tobacco-free campus.
- Large items, such as banners and posters, balloons, or amplification equipment, such as bullhorns or megaphones
Parking
Parking for commencement is free and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Suggested parking areas include, Hull Deck (W05), South Campus Deck (S11), East Campus Deck (E04), and Performing Arts Center Deck (E20).
The Tate Center Deck and lot E12 are reserved for designated participants by permit only.
For disability parking, see disability access.
If you have additional parking questions, please contact Parking Services at 706‑542‑7275.
Disability Access
Stadium Gates open 2 hours prior to the start of the ceremony.
Visitors with mobility concerns are strongly encouraged to arrive early and be prepared for the exertion required of the day. Even with disability seating and the shuttle transportation options, the stadium is large and will require a fair amount of walking to enter the gates and reach the seats
On-site wheelchairs are NOT available. Guests with difficulty walking are strongly encouraged to bring their own wheelchair. Wheelchairs are commonly available for short-term rental from medical supply stores and some pharmacies.
Please continue reading for disability seating reservation information.
Disability Parking and Transportation
Parking for guests with disabilities is available at the East Campus Deck (E04). An ADA accessible shuttle will be available from those areas to the stadium. Personal vehicle drop offs are NOT permitted near the stadium, please plan accordingly.
Disability Seating Reservations
To better accommodate the various needs of our visitors at commencement, UGA is providing two options for wheelchair accessible seating which may be reserved online. Reservations may be made for one person in a wheelchair and one companion. Guests who do not have a reservation will be directed on-site to the section that has available space.
Field Level Wheelchair Section – East End Zone
- Allows access for one person in a wheelchair and one companion (two individuals per reservation). Additional family members will need to sit separately in general seating. Please plan accordingly.
- This section is located near the East End Zone. It faces the main stage and provides a direct view of the event; however, this seating area will not be covered or enclosed.
- Guests must access this section from the elevators located between Gate 5 and Gate 6 on East Campus Road.
- Vehicles are not allowed to drop off and pick-up near the stadium. Shuttles will run from the East Campus Parking Deck. Parking Map.
- Please be advised that Sanford Stadium does NOT provide wheelchairs. Guests with difficulty walking are strongly encouraged to bring their own wheelchair.
- Please prepare appropriately for direct sun — sunscreen and hats are highly suggested. Umbrellas are permitted in the stadium.
- Water is available, and ADA accessible portable restrooms are located nearby.
Disability seating is limited, and requests will be processed as they are received.
On-site wheelchairs are NOT available. Guests with difficulty walking are strongly encouraged to bring their own wheelchair.
Any graduates or guests needing any accommodations for a disability please email ADARSVP@uga.edu by May 1, 2026so that we can best accommodate your needs the day of commencement. Questions can also be directed to the Disability Resource Center by calling 706-542-8719.
Captioning and Interpreting Services
The undergraduate ceremony will have open captioning in Sanford Stadium. A live streaming transcription of the audio portion of the ceremony will be displayed on the large reader boards for guests with difficulty hearing.
Real time-captioning will be displayed on the large reader boards and will also be able to access it on their personal devices via the livestream. Should an individual need assistance with technology, please contact ADARSVP@uga.edu at least two weeks prior to the event.
Individuals who need to request an ASL interpreter may do by contacting ADARSVP@uga.edu. Requests should be made two weeks prior to the event to ensure service is available.
The Arch
For University of Georgia alumni with mobility impairments who choose to pass through the Arch after graduation, the University will have a temporary platform in place on Saturday, May 9from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
For related questions, contact Jean Lorrain, director of the Equal Opportunity Office, at 706-542‑7912 or ugaeoo@uga.edu.
Academic Regalia (Cap and Gown)
Appropriate academic regalia must be worn by candidates in order to participate in the Undergraduate Commencement ceremony.
Candidates should wear their tassels on the right side prior to their degree being conferred and on the left side afterward. The mortarboard on the cap should be parallel to the ground. Program-Specific Colors
With the exception of the honors tassels, the color of tassels are indicative of the academic subject area.
| Subject Area | Color |
|---|---|
| Agriculture | maize |
| Arts, Letters, Humanities | white |
| Business and Accountancy | drab |
| Education | light blue |
| Engineering | orange |
| Fine Arts and Landscape Architecture | brown |
| Forestry and Natural Resources | russet |
| Family and Consumer Sciences | maroon |
| Journalism and Mass Communication | crimson |
| Law | purple |
| Music | pink |
| Pharmacy | olive green |
| Public Administration | peacock blue |
| Public Health | salmon pink |
| Science | golden yellow |
| Social Work | citron |
| Veterinary Science | gray |
Honors Tassels
Review complete information regarding respective standards for honors graduation.
Undergraduate students who anticipate graduating with honors may wear an honors tassel:
| Honors Distinction | Tassel Color |
|---|---|
| Summa Cum Laude | Red, Silver and Black |
| Magna Cum Laude | Red and Silver |
| Cum Laude | Red and Black |
Regalia Orders
Order your University of Georgia Cap & Gown, Personalized Announcements & Diploma Frame at: https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/customer/1039716/University-of-Georgia/
ORDER DEADLINE FOR PICK UP DURING GRAD FAIR: 2/16
ORDER DEADLINE FOR SHIP TO HOME: 3/19
UGA Grad Fair April 8th & 9th: 10:00am – 5:00 pm
For questions about ordering regalia, please call 706-542-3171 or visit our representatives at the UGA Bookstore.
Please note: If you order your academic regalia from someone other than Jostens, they will not be able to assist you with missing or replacement items.
Diplomas
Students will be issued a printed diploma that will be mailed to the student’s provided address as well as a Certified Electronic Diploma, or CeDiploma, to their UGA email account. Both the printed diploma and CeDiploma will be issued approximately 8-10 weeks following the official graduation date.
Please see the Registrar’s Office website for complete information regarding applying to graduate and diplomas.