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Graduate Information Frequently Asked Questions

Guide to Graduation and Commencement

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Email: commencement@utrgv.edu

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Frequently Asked Questions

Spring 2023 Commencement

When and where will the Spring 2023 Commencement take place?

Edinburg Commencement 
May 12, 2023
Bert Ogden Arena (map)

Brownsville Commencement 
May 13, 2023
Library/MAIN Lawn (map)

What time will I graduate?

Ceremony times will be available at a later date.

What will my Commencement ceremony look like?

  • The ceremony will begin with a welcome and order of exercise. 
  • Upon arrival, graduates will check-in using their Grad/Stage Pass and will be directed to sit in the graduate seating area in the order they arrive. 
  • Before going on stage, graduates will line up to retrieve their diploma tube. 
  • Graduates will pose on the stage an official photograph. The university’s official seal, mace, and college dean will be in the background. 
  • Graduates will exit the stage.  
  • Graduates will be guided towards the event exit. 

Will seating be assigned for graduates?

No.  Graduate seating will be arranged by in order of degree (doctoral, masters, and bachelors).  Graduates will be guided to sit within their degree section in the order in which they arrive.

Why do I have to exit after walking across the stage?

Graduates will be guided to the exit after taking a photo on stage. Their guests will also be strongly encouraged to head to the exit to rejoin their graduate. We found that our graduates and their families enjoyed being able to depart after the graduate walked, so we will continue this process. 

Will I get to move my tassel to the left?

Yes. The college deans will recognize and confer their graduates as part of the order of exercise. 

Where can I obtain a diploma tube?

Before going on stage, graduates will line up to retrieve their diploma tube. Diploma tubes are only distributed at the Commencement ceremony. 

Will there be a photographer at Commencement, and will I able to buy my Commencement photos?

GradImages® is proud to be the official commencement photographer for The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley! Finding your photos after the event is easy. You will receive your free photo proofs via email 7 to 14 business days after the event, or you can search for your images on www.gradimages.com.

Questions? Please contact the GradImages Customer Service Department at (800) 261-2576 or ecc.giservice@gradimages.net. 

Will Commencement regalia be required for the event?

Yes. We encourage you to purchase your graduation regalia which can be done at the UTRGV Campus Stores in-person or online via the Campus Stores website. You must wear full regalia (graduation gown and mortar board) in order to participate in commencement. Please note the use of the graduation hood is optional.  

 

On the day of Commencement, you will be able to purchase regalia at the Campus Store, which will be open during the Commencement dates. Regalia will be available for purchase inside the Commencement event area. 

How should regalia be worn?

Please review the video link below: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBMlRgMI8FA 

Will the ceremony be streamed live?

Yes.  Guests unable to attend in-person ceremonies may view the ceremonies at https://www.utrgv.edu/live or via Facebook live stream. 

Where can graduates and guests park? Will there be transportation for graduates and guests?

Please visit the Edinburg and Brownsville Commencement maps.

Will my guests and I have to walk a long-distance during Commencement?

Please anticipate that there will be a significant amount of walking for both venues. We encourage you to wear comfortable shoes and plan appropriately.   

Will seating accommodations be provided if needed for our guests?

Yes. Ushers will be available to assist families needing accommodations.

How are Commencement times and venues scheduled?

Commencement times and venues are determined each semester taking into account multiple factors to ensure the best possible Commencement experience for the graduates, their families, faculty, and event staff. One of the factors includes our tradition of alternating the scheduling of cities for Commencement every academic year.

For Spring 2023, the Edinburg Commencement will be hosted on Friday with multiple ceremonies throughout the day, with the Brownsville Commencement the following day on Saturday with 1 ceremony

Would Commencement be rescheduled in the event of inclement weather?

UTRGV consults with local weather experts to monitor forecasts during the days leading up to the commencement ceremony. In the event of any changes to ceremonies, notifications will be sent via campus email and social media 24 to 48 hours prior to allow students to plan accordingly.

Who can a graduate contact for questions or comments?

If you have questions or concerns, please visit utrgv.edu/commencement or email commencement@utrgv.edu. 



RSVP Process & Tickets

Do I have to RSVP for commencement?

Yes.  RSVPs will be used to determine the appropriate start times for each college at both locations. 

Do I have to RSVP if I am attending the Brownsville commencement?

Yes.  RSVPing is mandatory and will be used to determine the appropriate start times for each college. 

How do I RSVP for commencement?

Graduating students will receive an email from commencement@utrgv.edu very soon with this subject line: Spring 2023 Commencement – RSVP & Create Your Slide! 

This email will provide instructions regarding how to log in and RSVP for commencement via our partner, Marching Order. Graduates have until Friday, April 7, 2023, to select the ceremony date and location of their choosing: Friday, May 12 in Edinburg or Saturday, May 13 in Brownsville.  

May I change my RSVP answer after it has been submitted?

Yes, you may change your answer and have until Friday, April 7, 2023, to select the ceremony date and location of their choosing: Friday, May 12 in Edinburg or Saturday, December 17 in Brownsville. 

How many tickets will a graduate be allotted?

Brownsville: No tickets required. Due to the lawn location, seating capacity, and ceremony schedule, tickets will not be distributed. Instead, guests will be seated on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Edinburg:  Eight tickets allotted per student. Due to the indoor location, seating capacity, and ceremony schedule, you will be limited to 8 guest tickets. Guests will be seated on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Where can I pick up tickets?

Tickets will be distributed electronically upon a graduate’s RSVP through the Marching Order portal. Tickets will each be designated a unique QR code that will identify them upon arrival at the ceremony. 

Do my children under 10 years old need a ticket?

Yes. All guests from 0 years and up must have an electronic ticket to enter the ceremony. 

Will the additional tickets I requested when completing my RSVP become available?

If additional tickets become available, we will use your answer to determine how many we can distribute.  If we determine additional tickets can be distributed, we will inform you at a later date. There is no guarantee that additional tickets will be distributed or that we will match the number of additional tickets you are requesting.   



Grad Slide & Message

If I do not attend the ceremony in person, will my slide still be displayed, and name announced?

If you choose to not attend in-person, you may enjoy the ceremony via live stream at https://www.utrgv.edu/live or via Facebook.  Your name will not be announced at the live ceremony; however, you will be able to access your graduate slide at your convenience through your college ceremony webpage on the Commencement website.  

How do I log in to upload my photo and message?

Students will receive an email from commencement@utrgv.edu with this subject line:  Spring 2023 Commencement – RSVP & Create Your Slide! This email will provide instructions regarding how to create a profile with our partner, Marching Order. For questions regarding your slide, please send an email to commencement@utrgv.edu. 

Are there any restrictions on the type of picture or message a graduate can submit?

UTRGV reserves the right to exercise discretion in rejecting graduate pictures or messages that fall under any of the following categories: 

 

  • Trademarked or branded material 
  • Containing personal contact information 
  • Soliciting services for a personal or business venture 
  • Promoting sponsorship or affiliation with a political, religious, or social organization 
  • Containing references to alcohol 
  • Containing references to guns or weapons 
  • Demonstrating illegal behavior, such as illegal drug consumption 
  • Obscene or lewd nature 
  • Memes or photos with social media filters 

What information will be included on my personal commencement slide?

Your personal slide will include your full name, degree, major and any Latin honors you may qualify for based on your last institutional GPA (in-progress courses are not included in the calculation). Your photo and personal message will be included if you upload them by the deadline of  Friday, April 7, 2023. 

Messages are limited to 200 characters including spaces. 

 Sample Slide:

Sample Graduate Slide

Do I need to wear a cap and gown for the photo I will be uploading for the ceremony?

Wearing a cap and gown along with any other regalia is encouraged, but it is optional. 

If I do not want to upload a picture of myself, can I upload a picture of my pet, a family member or some other image like a team logo, animated character or performing artist?

No. Only pictures of you and/or your family will be accepted. Uploading a picture is optional.  If your photo and/or message fall under one of the restriction categories (See FAQ question “Are there any restrictions on the types of pictures or message a graduate can submit?), only your name and degree information will be displayed.  

By submitting a photo with other individuals to the Marching Order website, you are acknowledging that you have permission to use the image, including expressed consent by any party shown in the image, other than yourself. 

Will someone review the message I upload?

Yes. All messages uploaded will be monitored. Any message that is profane, vulgar, violent, political, or offensive to any one individual or group of people will be rejected. If your photo and/or message fall under one of the restriction categories (See FAQ question “Are there any restrictions on the types of picture or message a graduate can submit?), only your name and degree information will be displayed. 

Can I change my message after I submit it if I change my mind?

Yes.  You will be able to replace, change or edit your message once submitted – but only until the submission deadline of Friday, April 7, 2023, before 5 p.m. Please plan ahead and make sure you’re satisfied with the words you choose. 

Will my minor or concentration be included in my profile or commencement slide?

No. Minors and concentrations will not be recorded on the commencement slides. Minors and concentrations are printed on your official transcript. 

How can I get a copy of my slide?

On the day of your ceremony, you will have the opportunity to share or download your slide directly from your college commencement page.  Your individual graduate slide will include a link that allows you to download or share to Facebook or Twitter. You may also take a screenshot of your slide. All graduation slides will remain available for sharing or download for a year after your commencement. 

Will my name be displayed on the Spring 2023 Commencement Program?

For your name to appear in the Spring 2023 Commencement Program, you must have applied by Wednesday, March 1, 2023. 

Will the commencement program be printed?

No, the commencement program will be available online at https://www.utrgv.edu/commencement 3 to 5 business days prior to the Commencement ceremonies. 

Who do I contact if my degree/major information on the RSVP and photo/message portal is incorrect?

Please email commencement@utrgv.edu by Friday, April 3, 2023 before 5 p.m. and include your student identification number along with details about your concern.

Who do I contact if my Latin honors (summa cum laude, magna cum laude, cum laude) information on the virtual ceremony website is incorrect?

Remember that given timing constraints and for ceremony purposes only, honors are based on your GPA after the close of the summer semester (or the prior semester completed if you were not enrolled in the summer). Official, final Latin honors will be based on your final GPA after all grades are submitted, and all your degree requirements are verified as met. Final Latin honors will be posted on your diploma and official transcript once your degree is officially awarded.  Please contact commencement@utrgv.edu for additional questions. 



Graduation Eligibility

Who is eligible to participate in the Spring 2023 Commencement?

A student who has applied for Spring 2023 graduation, and whose degree audit has demonstrated the student is on track to fully meet graduation requirements by Wednesday, March 15, 2023 is invited. Students can review deadlines-related graduation milestones here. 

How do I apply for graduation?

Applying for undergraduate graduation is done through ASSIST. The priority Application Deadlines can be found on the graduation application deadline page.  

 Here are the steps to apply: 

  1. Go to utrgv.edu and login with your UTRGV credentials
  2. Select “ASSIST” under Applications
  3. Under “Student Services”, click on “Student Profile”
  4. Click “Application to Graduate” on the left-hand side
  5. Follow the prompts in the online application and hit “Submit”. 

Is there a graduation application fee?

A non-refundable graduation fee of $50 is charged for undergraduate and graduate degrees regardless if the graduate participates in person. The fee is payable online on ASSIST or at the Edinburg or Brownsville Bursar’s office. This fee is used to pay for processing the application for graduation, diplomas and diploma postage, and expenses associated with commencement ceremonies. 

Where do I see my degree progress?

DegreeWorks is a degree audit system used to monitor undergraduate students’ degree progression and graduation requirements. It offers the following functions: 

  • Allows students and advisors to view a student’s progress toward degree completion. 
  • Review pending coursework to assist in planning future coursework. 
  • Ability to run “What-If” audits scenarios for students interested in changing their major or adding a minor or concentration.   

View your degree audit on DegreeWorks through ASSIST:  https://my.utrgv.edu. Please keep in mind, however, that the DegreeWorks degree audit is not intended to replace the requirement that you meet with your academic advisor, as it is a guide to help you with course selection. For assistance interpreting the DegreeWorks report, please contact your academic advisor.

What if I am planning to take additional undergraduate courses?

If you are going to be enrolling in undergraduate courses after graduation for professional improvement, to raise your GPA for admission into Grad school, or to take prerequisites for a master’s program, you need to submit a Readmit application through ApplyTexas.   

Failure to reapply for admissions may prevent you from being eligible to receive Financial Aid. 

What if I need to change my graduation term/date?

If you have already applied for graduation online and you need to make a change in the term/date in which you will be completing your degree requirements, you are required to fill out and submit a Request for Change of Graduation Date form, as soon as possible.  

The form is located online at https://www.utrgv.edu/studentforms, under the Student Enrollment Forms link on the U Central web page. You may submit your form in person at U Central on either campus or via e-mail to certification@utrgv.edu, be sure to use your UTRGV e-mail account. 

What if my program has a language proficiency requirement and I have not completed it?

UTRGV offers three (3) options for students to meet the Language Proficiency Requirement: 

  1. Take Six (6) hours in the same language combination sequence (courses must be in a language other than English), visit the UTRGV catalog for additional information at: https://www.utrgv.edu/en-us/academics/catalogs/index.htm. 
  2. Take the WebCAPE Placement Exam
  3. Take a CLEP Exam and earn college credit hours.  

Upon demonstrating proficiency and once a score transcript reaches the Office of the Registrar for either a WebCAPE Placement Exam or for a CLEP Exam, your student record will be updated and noted appropriately.  

Examination fees and testing information is available at: https://www.utrgv.edu/p16/testing/index.htm under Computer Based Exams.

How many hours are required for my degree?

Most degree plans require a minimum of 120 hours and 42 advanced hours; however, some degrees may require additional hours in both areas.  

For example, Engineering and some Health Profession programs require additional hours in both areas.  

Visit UTRGV at https://www.utrgv.edu/en-us/academics/undergraduate/index.htm to view your specific degree plan.  Click on Undergraduate Program Archive to view degree plans in catalog years 2015-2019.  

My course is not offered in the semester I need to take it, and I need it to graduate. What do I do? 

Contact your department for course recommendations. If you need further assistance, please e-mail the Graduation Help Desk at graduationhelpdesk@utrgv.edu. Explain your situation and provide your Student ID Number and a contact phone number. 

How do I submit a course substitution or waiver?

If you need to initiate a course substitution or waiver, please contact your advisor. Advisors can submit, view and search requests online. You may schedule an advising session at https://www.utrgv.edu/advising/. 

What if I need to set-up an appointment ASAP, due to graduation, and my academic advisor is not available?

If you are unable to schedule an advising session with your academic advisor online, please call their office at (956) 665-7120 to speak with the Academic Advising Center representative for further assistance. Explain your situation and your upcoming graduation in the semester to see if you can get an appointment due to the circumstances. 

How do I clear a hold?

You may view any holds on-line 

  • Log in to http://my.utrgv.edu 
  • Click on ASSIST 
  • Click on “Student Profile”
  • Click on “Holds:” on the top right side of the page  

For general information, you can visit https://www.utrgv.edu/holds for a listing of the different types of student holds along with respective contact information for each office.

When will I get my diploma after I graduate?

Diplomas will be mailed if you do not have any holds by the end of January for fall graduates, and by the end of June for spring graduates, and the end of September for summer graduates. Update your phone number and “diploma” mailing address in ASSIST: https://my.utrgv.edu before you graduate. 

If I am invited to participate in the ceremony and choose not to attend, can I attend another ceremony in the future?

No, students are invited to attend the ceremony in which they are expected to complete degree requirements. Deciding not to attend would not give you the opportunity to attend another ceremony. 



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