Graduate School Commencement Guest Information
The Graduate School Commencement Ceremony will be held at 4:00 p.m. on May 3, 2024, at the Harold Alfond Arena. Attendees should plan for at least a 3-hour ceremony.
Seating
Graduate School Commencement guest tickets are not required for guests to enter Alfond Arena.
Doors will open at 2 pm and guests should arrive at the Harold Alfond Arena by 2:30 pm for early seating. Seating is general admission.
Ushers will be available if guests have any questions while in Alfond Arena.
Live Stream
The event will also be viewable through a live stream feed on May 3rd. More information to come.
Attendance Policies
Backpacks, large bags, and strollers – Backpacks, large tote bags, and strollers are not permitted in the Alfond Arena.
Re-entry into the arena is not permitted.
Smoking – The University of Maine is a tobacco-free campus.
For safety reasons, no person, other than credentialed photographers and staff, may approach the stage for any reason.
ADA Accessibility
Accommodations are available for guests with disabilities attending Commencement at the Alfond Arena.
Examples of accommodations that are available:
- Ground floor seating area
- Accessible parking and drop off location on the North side of the Alfond Arena
- ASL interpreters present for all ceremonies
- Live captioning displayed on the Arena’s jumbotron
For more detailed information please read below and click on the additional tabs provided on the ADA Accessibility tab on the website.
A ground floor seating area is available for guests who have mobility difficulties or need wheelchair access in order to attend the ceremony. This seating area will be filled on a first come first served basis. This seating area is located on the ground floor (ice level) of the Arena and can be accessed through an elevator located on the South side of the building. In addition, limited accessible seating is available on the main level of the Arena.
Guests with mobility based disabilities (wheelchair access) are encouraged to enter the Alfond Arena via the north side of the Arena. This entrance is located on Branch Road, which is directly off of College Avenue.
The accessible parking area will be available outside of this entrance (North entrance located on Branch Road). Guests with accessible parking placards may park in this area and guests with mobility disabilities can also be dropped off at this entrance and have another guest park the car in this lot. Signs directing guests to the ADA accessible parking and drop off location will be posted on College Avenue.
Assisted listening devices can be requested upon being seated in the accessible seating areas located on the ground floor. ASL interpreters can be made available upon request. Please contact amy.m.sturgeon@maine.edu in order to request ASL interpreters.
Contact Amy Sturgeon with any ADA accessibility accommodation requests amy.m.sturgeon@maine.edu before April 26.
Please contact Kathleen Harding-Heber if you have accessibility questions via email at kathleen.hardingheber@maine.edu or via phone: 207.581.3289.
Parking
Parking is available in the North Gym Lot, Dunn Lot, Corbett Lot, and Steam Plant Lot on a first come, first served basis. Please see the Parking Map (PDF).
University of Maine Merchandise
The University of Maine Alumni Association invites new graduates to stop by their Alumni Welcome Center tent just inside the gates to Morse Field at the conclusion of the ceremony. The Alumni Association has a small gift for each new graduate, and there will be an alumni-branded photo backdrop there where you can take your new graduate photos with family and friends. The UMaine Bookstore will also have UMaine Alumni apparel for sale in the tent.
Additionally, University of Maine merchandise will be available for purchase inside Alfond Arena and at University Bookstore in the Memorial Union.
Photos and Flowers
Photographer
Gradimages will be offering professional photos for graduates. Pre-register for photos before graduation day and receive 20% off your total order by visiting the Gradimages pre-registration site.
Flowers
Flower vendor TBD.