CALES graduation convocation

Yes. All events will require a formal RSVP completed by the graduating student to attend. Please pay attention to deadlines.

The RSVP for students will open in mid-October.

Guests do not need to RSVP. 

• For the safety of all the attendees, masks are encouraged, but not required.
• COVID-19 Guidelines: All guests will be required to follow campus health and safety protocols in place at the time of this event, as well as adhere to any existing state and local guidelines. In addition, this event may be canceled or changed on short notice due to public health circumstances. For updates and information, please visit https://covid19.arizona.edu/updates.
• Please review the McKale Memorial Center's security policy here.
• Please review Centennial Hall's security policy here.

• With questions about access or to request any disability-related accommodations for this event, such as ASL interpreting, closed-captioning, wheelchair access or electronic text, etc., please contact Leslie Grignon: lgrignon@arizona.edu
• On the RSVP for to attend, graduating students will be asked to list the accessibility accommodations needed
• Accessible seating is ample in the McKale Center. Wheelchair users should enter through Gates A, B, or C, which are all accessible entrances.

Each student who participates in the in-person convocation ceremony will:

• have their name read
• cross the stage
• be hooded (master's and doctoral students only)
• have a professional photograph taken after crossing the stage (Photography provided by GradImages. All students will receive an email to their UA email account once photos are available. Photos can be purchased at that time.)

Additionally, all guests will receive a print program listing the names of all graduating students.

Each guest who participates in the in-person convocation ceremony will:

• cheer on their graduate from the audience
• be able to take photography and video

Convocations are ceremonies in which students are acknowledged in a smaller setting. Convocations are held each fall and spring and are coordinated by individual schools or colleges. At the CALES Graduation Convocation, all graduating students:

• Can apply to be a graduation speaker (application available closer to graduation date)
• Have their name read
• Cross the stage
• Receive a medallion
• Are hooded (master's and doctoral students only)

Commencement is the university-wide ceremony in honor of the completion of your academic requirements. Commencement is held once a year only, in May. The ceremony ends with a celebration of all Wildcats. Learn more about the University of Arizona's Commencement.

• Tickets are required for graduations held in Centennial Hall. Ticket policies will be communicated to the graduates directly. Seating is not reserved and is first come, first served.
• Tickets are required for graduations held in Crowder Hall. Ticket policies will be communicated to the graduates directly. Seating is not reserved and is first come, first served.
• Tickets are not required for graduations held in the McKale Center; there is no limit on how many guests can attend per student. Seating is not reserved and is first come, first served.

• Cap and gown are required; purchase these items at the UA BookStores. A stole, tassel and cords are optional.
• GradFest makes getting ready for graduation easy and convenient, bringing all grad and post-grad needs into one event. 

• Comfortable shoes are recommended, but there is no required or excluded footwear – wedges, sneakers and heels are allowable. Please note: Comfortable shoes are also encouraged for the University Commencement Ceremony – no high heels.

• No. Diplomas are mailed by the Registrar's Office after all grades post; view more information here. Diplomas are not handed out at the College Graduation Convocation nor University Commencement. All students who participate in the CALES Graduation Convocation receive a college medallion.
• Read more about Diploma Mailing here.

• Yes! All graduating students have the option to submit a photo and a thank-you message or quote. We'll use that information to create a personalized graduation slide. The graduation slides will be displayed in the Forbes Lobby and also before the CALES Graduation Convocation ceremony.
• Submit your personalized slide content when you register for the ceremony. 

• Approximately 2 hours.

• CALES distributes cords to students who have received Academic Distinction and who are part of AgriLife Council/club involvement.
• If you feel like you are missing cords, or have questions about cords, please get in touch with Leslie Grignon at lgrignon@arizona.edu.
• Please review processes for Dean's List in CALES here.

Please reference the UAZ Parking Map.

For ceremonies in Centennial Hall, we recommend Tyndall Ave. Garage or Main Gate Garage.

For ceremonies in McKale, we recommend Cherry Ave. Garage or South Stadium Garage. 

For ceremonies in Crowder Hall, we recommend Park Ave Garage or Tyndall Ave Garage.

We recommend using the Sun Link Streetcar to easily get around University Blvd & 4th Ave. Tucson!

• There are three graduation colors associated with CALES:
  • Maize for all Agriculture/Life Sciences majors (all majors outside of the Norton School of Ecology)
  • Maroon for all majors in the Norton School of Human Ecology
  • Orange for shared majors between CALES and the College of Engineering
• What does this mean for students? When purchasing regalia, select the appropriate combination based on your academic level and major/program:
  • Undergraduate/Bachelor's Students: Based on your major, you have the option of purchasing a Maize, Maroon or Orange stole and also a Maize, Maroon or Orange tassel from the UA BookStores.
  • Master's Students: Based on your program, purchase the Maize or Maroon regalia hood. The master's tassel is black and is included with your cap and gown.
  • Doctoral Students: Purchase the Royal Blue regalia hood (all CALES doctoral students purchase the Royal Blue hood, regardless of program). The doctoral hood is in addition to purchasing your gown and tam.

Both ceremonies will be livestreamed for graduates and families near and far to enjoy! Please scroll to the top of this page to access the link to livestream each event. (These links usually go live 48 hours days prior to the ceremony).

Are you an Online or Distance student who doesn't plan to join us in Tucson for your Graduation Convocation? Fill out this form so we can mail you your graduation mementos! (Closed until RSVP opens in October). 

Congratulations! 

Yes! For our winter ceremony held in December, all degree levels, B.A., B.S., M.S., PhD., will attend the ceremony together.

No. We do not do an event rehearsal. Day-of event details will be delivered to the graduating student's inbox the week-of the event.

Yes! The ceremony will be livestreamed for graduates and families near and far to enjoy! Please scroll to the top of this page to access the link to livestream each event. (These links usually go live 48 hours days prior to the ceremony).