General Information
2020 Commencement Ceremony
The ceremony will take place on Saturday, June 20 at 10 a.m. on the Memorial Hall Lawn, weather permitting for all degrees - Associate, Bachelors and Masters. In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held in the Dallas Floyd Phoenix Arena. The nursing pinning ceremony will be held on the evening of Friday, June 19.
Due to COVID-19 precautions, the ceremony will look very different this year than in years prior. We are limiting the ceremony to graduates only, no guests, including family, will be allowed to attend. We ask families and friends to please stay at home and watch the live stream video of the ceremony. This is in an effort to maintain an appropriate distance between graduating students, and ultimately for the health and safety of all involved.
We will also be taking additional precautions to prevent the spread of the virus, including hand sanitizing stations, the elimination of handshakes and the use of gloves for the handling of diploma cases. Graduates are also encouraged to wear masks.
To limit exposure, we will not be having a rehearsal on Friday as previously scheduled. Graduates should arrive at the Dallas Floyd Phoenix Arena by 8:30 a.m. dressed in their regalia where the details of the ceremony will be announced. The processional will begin promptly at 10:00 am.
Rain Plan
In case of inclement weather, a decision will be announced via email, on the CU App, and on the university website. A decision will be made by noon on Friday, June 19 regarding the location of the ceremony. If the rain plan is in effect the Commencement ceremony will be held in the Dallas Floyd Phoenix Arena on campus.
Additional Information
Parking
General parking will be available in all campus lots except for the reserved spaces at Memorial Hall, which will be reserved for VIP guests.
Diplomas
During the ceremony, each graduate will be presented a diploma cover. Graduates will receive diplomas by mail. Diplomas will be mailed approximately six weeks after graduation. To purchase a diploma frame, visit the CU Pride Shop.
Watch Online
If you cannot be on campus for the Undergraduate Commencement ceremony on Saturday, June 20 you can watch the ceremony live here.
Student Information
It is expected that during the Spring 2020 semester all pending graduates will regularly check their Cumberland email for important commencement information.
Participants are required to wear their cap and gown during the commencement ceremony. These are paid for by the university as a part of the graduation fee. Information on cap and gown pickup will be available soon. Students may begin picking up their cap and gown beginning. Please pick up your academic regalia early to allow time for pressing or steaming to remove wrinkles. Undergraduate candidates should wear the tassel on the cap over the right temple. Masters and doctoral candidates should wear the tassel over the left temple.
Finalizing Your Cumberland Account:
If you have any pending financial aid i.e.; loans, scholarships, etc. these need to be received by Cumberland before your account is considered paid in full. It is your responsibility to make sure all financial aid has been received by the University.
An updated billing statement will be mailed to your billing address in mid-March if your account has a balance due. Please review your billing statement to verify that you have received all your financial aid and you do not have an outstanding balance.
If you owe a balance, please contact the business office to pay your account. If your balance is not paid in full, your diploma will be held and no transcripts will be released.
Photos
The University will have a professional photographer from GradImages™ to take pictures during the ceremony of each graduate as they receive their diploma from the President and another photo with their diploma individually. A set of color proofs will be mailed to each graduate at their home address the following week. Registering with GradImages™ ; provides them with the information that they need to deliver your graduation proofs to you in a timely manner. Giving them an accurate mailing address and email address will allow them to get your proofs to you on the first try. You may also provide them with email addresses of up to six friends and family members to allow them to celebrate in the accomplishment. So register now!
