View the 2012 Spring Commencement ceremonies live

All commencement ceremonies are held in the Kohl Center located at 601 W. Dayton Street. No tickets are required for admission, and the ceremonies are open to the public. Each ceremony will last approximately two hours. Candidates are asked to be in their seats 20 minutes prior to the starting time of the ceremony.

SCHEDULES
Spring Commencement (May 18, 19 and 20, 2012)

INSTRUCTIONS FOR CANDIDATES
who intend to participate in spring commencement

STAY CONNECTED AFTER GRADUATION
Wisconsin Union Life Membership Special
Wisconsin Alumni Association Life Membership Special

ATTIRE
Ordering your commencement attire

TICKETS
Tickets are not required for students or guests, and there is no limit to the number of guests who may attend. Seating in the Kohl Center is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

PARKING
Due to very limited parking close to the Kohl Center, we encourage participants and guests to look for parking in lots 6, 7, 17, 20, 29, 36, 39, 40, 41, 44, 46, 54, 83 and 92 although most university parking lots will be available for participant and guest parking. A map of available nearby parking lots will be included with caps and gowns when they are picked up at the University Book Store. A complimentary bus shuttle will be provided to transport participants and guests between Union South and the Kohl Center.

PARTICIPANTS/GUESTS WITH DISABILITIES
Please contact the Office of the Secretary of the Faculty (call (608) 262-3956 or e-mail us) if you or your guests need sign language interpreting, have questions about accessibility or need to make specific accommodation requests. Although captioning and sign language interpreting will be provided at all ceremonies, telling us in advance will ensure that an adequate number of interpreters are at your ceremony. We are happy to provide, upon request, accessible parking or other accommodations as needed. Such requests must be made no later than Friday, May 11 so that appropriate arrangements can be made.

Accessible parking is limited, and permits are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note that disabled plates and cards are NOT valid to secure parking in lots reserved for Special Events Parking. To reserve a parking permit, email or call (608) 262-8683. No permit reservations will be taken after May 11. Permits are limited to one per guest. Permits must be picked up between Monday, May 7 and Thursday, May 17 at the drive-through located at 21 North Park Street. Drive-through hours of operation are 7:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Guests who have reserved permits must show an ID to the customer service staff when they pick up the permits.

The drop-off location for elderly and disabled guests is on West Dayton Street in front of the Kohl Center, and is approximately 250-300 feet from the entrance doors. Open-air electric vehicles will be available, unless severe weather precludes their use, to transport those individuals from the drop-off location, as well as from the lot designated for accessible parking, to the entrance of the Kohl Center. Wheelchair assistance will be available inside the facility.

ACCESSIBLE SEATING
Designated accessible seating for the elderly and for persons with disabilities is available in the Kohl Center on a first-come, first-served basis. The first three rows on the entrance level of the Kohl Center are designated for elderly and/or disabled guests who do not use wheelchairs. Due to limited space, we request that only one nondisabled person sit with each person with a disability in the accessible seating area. Seating areas for wheelchair users are located throughout the Kohl Center. Look for the entrances with the blue and white wheelchair access symbol. Elevators are located to the left of Gate A as you enter the building (near seating sections 103 and 104) and immediately to your right as you enter Gate B if you need to go up a level to find seating. Guests should arrive 45 to 60 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony to locate accessible seating.

For additional accessibility information such as assistive listening devices, restroom accessibility, etc., see the Kohl Center's accessibility guide.

PHOTOGRAPHS
Professional photographers will take individual photographs of graduates as they receive their diploma folders and as they leave the platform. Instructions for receiving complimentary photographic proofs will be available on each degree candidate's chair.

PROHIBITED ITEMS
All items brought into the Kohl Center are subject to search. For the safety and security of all Kohl Center guests, certain items are prohibited, including but not limited to: coolers, cans, bottles, thermoses, backpacks, large bags, luggage, food or beverage items, banners, flags, signs, noise-makers, laser pointers, weapons, balloons, etc. Alcoholic beverages are also prohibited. Cameras and video recording devices are allowed in the facility during commencement ceremonies. Storage facilities are not available for checking prohibited items.

COUNTDOWN TO COMMENCEMENT
In preparation for commencement, the Wisconsin Alumni Association sponsors Countdown to Commencement. For 2012 Spring Commencement, this event will be held April 10 and 11 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the University Book Store, 711 State Street. At Countdown, students can order commencement attire, graduation announcements, yearbooks, class rings, have a graduation photo taken, and more. Attendance is encouraged but is not mandatory.

ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES
Contact your dean's office to inquire about other commencement-related activities that might be planned by your specific school or college.

QUESTIONS
If you have any further questions regarding the commencement ceremonies, call the Office of the Secretary of the Faculty at (608) 262-3956 or e-mail us.

FUTURE COMMENCEMENT DATES
(specific times to be announced)

Winter 2012: Sunday, December 16, 2012
Spring 2013: Friday, Saturday and Sunday, May 17, 18 and 19, 2013