All ceremonies at the University of Vermont's 223rd Commencement are physically accessible and include use of CART (Communication Access Realtime Translation) at all venues. Additional accommodations, including interpreting services, are available upon request by completing the 2024 Commencement: ADA Accommodations & Accessible Parking Request Form.

We make every effort to fulfill all requests. To help us plan and prepare please submit your requests as soon as possible, and no later than Thursday, May 16, 2024.

Graduates & Faculty 

Graduating students and faculty should arrive at the Andrew Harris Commons/Davis Center Green by 8:30 a.m. for line-up wearing their cap and gown (regalia) for the University Commencement Ceremony on Sunday, May 19, 2024. 

Guests & Family 

Guests should arrive on the University Green to be seated by 8:50 a.m. for the University Commencement Ceremony on Sunday, May 19, 2024 for the start of the student procession at 9:00 am.  The University Commencement Ceremony will take place on the University Green rain or shine. 

For information on student line-up and location, as well as when doors open for guests for the individual college/school ceremonies and celebrations, please visit the schedule page. Information is listed for each ceremony.

Graduates 

Academic regalia (cap and gown) for bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees is available to purchase at the UVM Bookstore in the Dudley H. Davis Center. To participate in May 2024 Commencement ceremonies and celebrations, a complete outfit is required for all degree candidates (Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctoral and Medical). Pre-orders are not necessary. Visit here for more details.

Guests & Family

The University Commencement Ceremony and the College of Arts and Sciences Celebration will be held outdoors on the University Green, rain or shine. Guests are advised to dress appropriately for the weather. Temperatures in May can vary greatly. Clothing that can be layered easily is advisable along with comfortable footwear for walking on grass. Please plan for the possibility of strong sun as well as cool or wet weather. For visitor comfort, indoor viewing on large screen display will be available in the Dudley H. Davis Center.

Portable restrooms are located on South Prospect Street, north and south of the Waterman Building. Indoor restrooms are also located inside the north side of the Waterman Building.  The portable units located on the south end of South Prospect Street are handicapped accessible.

Visit the UVM Bookstore or Commencement Group for an assortment of commencement gifts and products, including diploma frames, class rings, graduation announcements and stationery, Class of 2024 t-shirts, Kukui Nut Lei necklaces, gifts and more.

 Information regarding diploma distribution at the ceremonies as well as after commencement weekend can be found here.

The UVM campus is easily accessible by water, air and land: UVM is 90 miles from Montreal, 220 miles from Boston, 290 miles from NYC, 145 miles from Albany, and only 3.5 miles from the Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport. 

From I-89: Take Exit 14W into Burlington. Head west on Williston Road up hill (Williston Road becomes Main Street). Follow signs for commencement parking. 

Heading north from Route 7: Follow Shelburne Road/Route 7 into Burlington. At rotary, bear right onto South Willard Street/Route 7. Travel less than 1 mile to intersection with Main Street (Route 2); turn right onto Main Street. Follow signs for commencement parking. 

From the Adirondack Northway (I-87): Take Exit 20 toward Fort Ann/Whitehall, NY. Proceed north on Route 9 to Route 149 East, headed to Fort Ann, N.Y. In Fort Ann, take Route 4 north to Route 22A in Vermont toward Vergennes. Follow Route 22A north through Vergennes, then follow Route 7 north into Burlington. At rotary, bear right onto South Willard Street/Route 7. 

Travel less than 1 mile to intersection with Main Street (Route 2); turn right onto Main Street. Follow signs for commencement parking. 

In addition, the State of Vermont Agency of Transportation website provides links to traveling safely in Vermont and current road conditions.

As always, we ask that you do not bring large bags, parcels or signs to the ceremonies and celebrations. 

Please see UVM’s policy regarding Unmanned Aircraft (Drones and Model Aircraft) here. 

In the event of a true emergency, dial 911 from a cell phone to be connected immediately with an emergency dispatcher.

More information about UVM event safety can be found here. 

The UVM Rescue Squad is on site and available to provide first aid during the Commencement Ceremony and the College of Arts and Sciences Celebration which follows. UVM Rescue Squad will also be available for ceremonies at Gutterson Fieldhouse and Patrick Gymnasium.  In addition, First Aid Kits will be located at the Information Booths on the University Green, Gutterson Fieldhouse, and Patrick Gymnasium for minor needs. In the event of a true emergency, dial 911 from a cell phone to be connected immediately with an emergency dispatcher.

Flower bouquets will be available for sale near the Information Booths on the University Green at the University Ceremony and College of Arts and Sciences celebration.  Additionally, flower bouquets will be available for purchase at all ceremony locations. Pre-order your flowers in advance. 

Saturday, May 18, 2024 

Snacks and refreshments including hot dogs, sandwiches, fruit, cookies, muffins, chips and beverages, are available for purchase from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm in the lobby of Gutterson Field House. 

Sunday, May 19, 2024 

Snacks and refreshments including hot dogs, sandwiches, fruit, cookies, muffins, chips and beverages made VT products, are available for purchase from 7:00 am to 2:30 pm under the Concession Tents on the University Green. 

Concessions will also be available in the lobby of Gutterson Field House from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm and the lobby of Patrick Gym from 11:00 am – 6:00pm. 

Snacks and refreshments can also be found at:

• The Marketplace, located on the 2nd floor of the Davis Center. It is open from 7:00 am to 2:00 pm serving deli sandwiches, salads, fruits, snacks, and beverages. 
• Henderson’s Café, located in the UVM Bookstore in the Davis Center, serves a variety of specialty coffees and snacks. Hours are 9:00 am to 2:00 pm on Sunday, May 19.”

Water Stations are located on the UVM Green. 

Families and friends may view the University Commencement Ceremony indoors on large screen display in the Davis Center.

Latin honors (summa cum laude, magna cum laude, cum laude) are determined when all grades for seniors have been submitted. The Registrar’s Office anticipates making these names available on the Thursday prior to commencement. Students graduating with honors will receive an Honors Medallion from their college/school to wear at commencement to signify their achievement. Their diploma will also include this distinction. For more information about how honors are awarded please consult the University Catalogue.

All ceremonies will be livestreamed and recorded. The livestream link can be found here. Recordings of the ceremonies will be posted on the commencement website the week of May 20. 

Please share the link to this page with your friends and family who won’t be able to celebrate with you in person on Saturday, May 18 and Sunday, May 19.

Lost and found for people and property is located at the Information Booths on the University Green both north and south of the Waterman Building. After 3:00 p.m. please contact the Davis Center at (802) 656-4636 or at dclstfnd@uvm.edu. You may also visit: uvm.crowdfind.com to submit a claim online.

Parking assignments for graduates and guests can be found here. Please view the Commencement Parking Map (PDF) for reference. Shuttle buses will bring guests to and from all commencement events. 

Please respect our neighbors. Parking on area residential streets is by city-issued permit only. Violators will be subject to City of Burlington policy of ticketing and towing vehicles parked in these areas.

Pets are not allowed at the ceremony sites and should be left at home. The only exception to this would be service animals in accordance with the University’s Operating Procedure for Service and Emotional Support Animals. 

GradImages, a professional commencement photography business, will individually photograph each graduate in their regalia when they cross the stage at the college/school ceremonies and celebrations on May 18 and May 19. Students are encouraged to pre-register online with GradImages for easy tracking of their Commencement Day proofs and to order prints. Enter "UVM" or "University of Vermont" in the "School/Organization" search box. The GradImages graduation package price list can be found here.

In keeping with UVM’s commitment to environmental sustainability, the commencement program will be available electronically. The downloadable PDF of the program will be posted on the commencement website on Friday, May 17 at 12:00 pm. 

Graduates and families who would like to receive a printed copy of the 2024 Commencement Program can submit a request through this form. 

Programs are limited to one copy per graduate or requestor. Program orders should be submitted by Friday, May 31, 2024. The 2024 Commencement Program will be shipped mid-June.

The University Commencement Ceremony and College of Arts and Sciences Celebration will be held outdoors rain or shine on the University Green on Sunday, May 19, 2024. 

If severe weather is expected Sunday, an updated commencement plan will be posted on UVM’s Commencement website by 1 p.m. on Saturday.

Seating for the University Commencement Ceremony on the University Green and for all college/school ceremonies and celebrations on Saturday, May 18 and Sunday, May 19 will be provided. Guests do not need to provide or bring their own seats. Ushers will be onsite at all venues to assist guests with seating.

Share your photos and good wishes for graduates throughout commencement weekend with the hashtag #uvmgrad 

Don't forget to stop at one of our four campus Selfie Spots.

On January 31, 2012 the University of Vermont announced that it would become the first public university in the nation to end the sale of bottled water on campus.

Water stations can be located on South Prospect Street, north and south of the Waterman Building. In addition, canned and bottled beverages are available for sale in the concession tents on the University Green.

Water stations will also be located: 

• Patrick Gymnasium Lobby
• Gutterson Fieldhouse Lobby
• Andrew Harris Commons/Davis Center Green during line-up for the academic procession for the University Commencement Ceremony and College of Arts and Sciences Celebration on Sunday, May 19.

Guests are encouraged to bring their refillable bottles from home.  Cups will also be provided at each station. 

FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2024

Get the Scoop!
3:00 - 5:00 p.m.

UVM Alumni House | 61 Summit Street, Burlington, VT

Upon graduation, students transition from being a part of the Student Alumni Association to being a part of the Alumni Association. Join us with your graduates to learn more about who we are and enjoy frozen treats from some local ice cream trucks: Ben & Jerry's, Lake Champlain Chocolates, Sisters of Anarchy and VT Maple Creemee. Visit here for more information.

This event is open to members of the graduating class and their families and friends.

Limited free Wi-Fi will be available commencement weekend for your wireless devices. To access, select the UVM Guest network.

Please note Wi-Fi will NOT be available at ticketed event venues.