The university's December commencement ceremony will take place from 9 to 11 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 17 in the Athletic Complex Multipurpose Facility.

John Bramley, interim president, will address an expected 250 graduates, and a reception will follow the ceremony in the Davis Center's Grand Maple Ballroom.

The December ceremony recognizes those students who completed their coursework at the end of the summer or who will complete degree requirements at the end of the fall semester. Students may choose to participate in December commencement or return for the spring ceremony in May 2012. Students with questions about eligibility may contact their dean's office or the registrar's office.

This year, for the first time, students will wear academic regalia and will be recognized individually as they receive a diploma cover -- and graduate students will be hooded -- on stage. Diplomas will be mailed in January, after final grades are submitted and Faculty Senate votes on the conference of the degrees. Latin honors -- cum laude, magna cum laude and summa cum laude -- will be awarded in May when all grades are tallied. Caps and gowns are available at the UVM Bookstore now, along with announcements. Photographs will be take of each student upon crossing the stage.

Students will line up for the ceremony in the indoor track, and faculty will line up in the dance studio.

Parking for the event is located on the main campus in the parking lots at Jeffords Hall and Given Medical Building near the Davis Center where the reception will be held. Campus shuttle buses will transport students and guests to and from the commencement ceremony on the Athletic Campus. Buses will run every 5-7 minutes from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. to the Patrick Gym/Multipurpose Facility (ceremony), the front door of the Davis Center (reception), and parking lots (bus stops located at the east door of Jeffords Hall and the lobby of the Given Medical Building).  Both Jeffords Hall and the Given Building will be open to provide shelter from the weather.

In the event of severe weather that would make travel unsafe, the December commencement ceremony will be cancelled. An announcement will be posted on the UVM homepage and on the recorded message at (802) 656-3309 or toll free (800) 903-6601.

The ceremony will be webcast live by Vermont Public Television. Visit the webcast site beginning at 8:30 a.m. on Dec. 17.