Recognition Ceremony Request Process
Beginning in the spring of 2017, campus leadership and the Commencement Committee approved a plan to standardize the scheduling and coordination for colleges, schools, departments and programs hosting recognition ceremonies and/or receptions on-campus. The process allowed for cohesive campus planning for the 75+ ceremonies and/or receptions that occur in spring. While this shift was initially necessitated by the change of the university commencement ceremony to a Friday (a regular business day), there were many additional benefits resulting from the new process. The process was implemented for winter ceremonies beginning in the fall of 2017. Moving forward, the centralized scheduling and campus master planning process will continue with a goal of effectively managing the demands on our campus infrastructure while providing a wonderful, memorable experience for our graduates and their families and guests.
Please note: Recognition ceremonies or graduation related activities (i.e. receptions, celebrations) are not permitted to conflict with finals week (including reading day) or the university commencement ceremony (if applicable). Refer to the Academic Calendar for specific dates for finals weeks, reading days.
Centrally Scheduled Venues
Please review the list of possible venues(current version as of July 2024) with details regarding capacity and standard set-up. Units may list any campus venue in your request form, even if they are not listed on the venue document. We encourage units to submit a request form if using a departmentally controlled venue for your event, as this allows us to have a full picture of commencement related events.
Winter 2024 - December
There is not a university commencement ceremony in winter. Our fall graduates are welcome to attend the university commencement ceremony in the spring prior to or following their graduation. Colleges, schools, departments and programs may hold recognition ceremonies on/following the winter degree conferral date of Thursday, December 19, 2024.
The following time blocks are available for venue requests for winter 2024 recognition ceremonies:
Thursday, December 19, 2024
- 9:00 a.m. - Noon
- 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
- 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Friday, December 20, 2024
- 9:00 a.m. - Noon
- 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
- 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
*Note: Flexibility may exist related to standardized time blocks for winter ceremonies due to the lower number of colleges, schools, departments and/or programs holding ceremonies and/or receptions in winter. The CU Events Center is not available for winter ceremonies.
Spring 2025 - May
The 2025 university commencement ceremony will be held on Thursday, May 8 beginning at 8:30 a.m. in Folsom Field stadium. The ceremony is planned to conclude around 11:00 a.m.
Available dates for recognition ceremonies include Thursday, May 8, Friday, May 9 and Saturday, May 10, 2025. The following time blocks are available for request for spring 2025 recognition ceremonies:
Thursday, May 8, 2025
- Noon - 3:00 p.m.
- 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Friday, May 9, 2025
- 9:00 a.m. - Noon
- 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
- 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 10, 2025
- 9:00 a.m. - Noon
- 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
- 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
*Note: Time blocks listed above apply to all venues on-campus except for Macky Auditorium and the CU Events Center. These venues have different standard time blocks due to their capacity and in support of efficiency with regards to campus infrastructure (roadways, parking, pedestrian movement on-campus); see details below.
Macky Auditorium has the following time blocks available for request for spring 2025 recognition ceremonies:
Thursday, May 8, 2025
- 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
- 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
- 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Friday, May 9, 2025
- 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
- 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
- 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 10, 2025
- Not available
*Note: Macky will not be available on Saturday, May 10, 2025; one additional time block will be available on Thursday as a result. Receptions for Macky ceremonies can be held in the tent provided on Sewall Field.
The CU Events Center has the following time blocks available for request for spring 2025 recognition ceremonies:
Thursday, May 8, 2025
- 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
- 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Friday, May 9, 2025
- 7:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
- 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
- 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
- 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 10, 2025
- 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
- 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
- 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
*Note: The CU Events Center does not have a standard reception venue included as part of facility use. Receptions should coordinated with the Commencement Committee and will be held in other campus venues.