The ballroom will open one hour prior to the start of each ceremony.

Parking at Riverside Convention Center is $20 per vehicle. Please park in Lot 33 (map below)

Please enter via the Belltower location located at the NW corner of the center near 5^th street. All attendees are required to pass through a metal detector/security check before entering the center. For guests needing assistance, please enter through the student entrance location for elevator access. CUSM staff will be available to direct guests to the proper entrance.

Please do not bring balloons, confetti, or noise makers to the convention center.

Guests are asked to proceed to the ballroom and to NOT visit the student and faculty preparation areas.

We kindly request guests not to approach the stage location to take photographs. Professional photographers are capturing the event, and all photographs will be made available to students.

Due to the formality of the occasion and safety concerns, please wear appropriate footwear. Flip flops, clogs, loose-fitting shoes, and high heels are not recommended. You will be using an escalator, as well as ascending and descending stairs around the stage.

Flowers and corsages may not be carried or worn with your regalia.

Ceremony Guests

Each graduating MD student may invite up to 10 guests to the ceremony. Please enter guest information into the commencement portal. Attendees over the age of two require a ticket.

If you wish to share tickets with a fellow student, please enter their name and email into the guest information fields. They will receive the ticket and can share with their guest.

 

Arrival

Please arrive at the student staging area in the convention center by 9 a.m.

The student staging area is located downstairs from the ceremony ballroom.

BRING YOUR REGALIA. Extra regalia is NOT available. You may not participate in the ceremony without regalia.

 

Ceremony Essentials

Please follow all instructions from university staff regarding line-up, procession, and recession during the ceremony.

Each student will be given an index-sized card prior to the processional. This card is essential for your name to be read and listed on the livestream during the ceremony.

Light refreshments will be available in the student preparation room. Please eat a meal prior to the ceremony.

 

Hooding

Each student may request one family member or friend to conduct the ceremonial hooding. Faculty members are also available and honored to present student hoods.

If you choose to have a guest perform the hooding, PLEASE coordinate this ahead of time. Your hooder will proceed to the front of the ballroom when your row rises and proceeds to the stage.

Only the hooder should proceed to the front of the room. A professional photographer will capture the ceremonial hooding for each student.

Instructions for the hooder: The hood will be placed over the graduate’s head, so that it lays against the front of his/her neck and drapes over the back of shoulders. The velvet side, signifying the degree type, should be most visible on the outside, with the satin side, signifying the school colors, should be less visible on the inside of the hood.

It is recommended that family hooders search out videos on YouTube to familiarize themselves with the proper technique.

Regalia Return

Please return your regalia to the student stage area following the ceremony. Please be sure your name is checked off on the return sheet prior to leaving the convention center to avoid regalia charges.

There is no cap on the number of guests each MBS student may invite to the ceremony.

 

Arrival

Please arrive at the student staging area in the convention center by 1 p.m.

BRING YOUR REGALIA. Extra regalia is NOT available. You may not participate in the ceremony without regalia.

Guests are asked to proceed to the ballroom and to NOT visit the student and faculty preparation areas.

 

Ceremony Essentials

Please follow all instructions from university staff regarding line-up, procession, and recession during the ceremony.

Each student will be given an index-sized card prior to the processional. This card is essential for your name to be read and listed on the livestream during the ceremony.

Light refreshments will be available in the student preparation room. Please eat a meal prior to the ceremony.

 

Regalia Return

Please return your regalia to the student stage area following the ceremony. Please be sure your name is checked off on the return sheet prior to leaving the convention center to avoid regalia charges.

Tam/Cap: Wear the tam/cap horizontally so that it is parallel to the ground and sits about an inch above the ears. Place tassel on the left side of the cap. (Changing the tassel is only done for undergraduate degrees).

Gown: All candidates for graduation are required to wear the exact academic regalia for their degree. The gown must be worn closed/zipped.

Hood: All students will carry their hood into the ceremony draped over the left arm.

Step 1: Hold the hood in both hands with the velvet edge at the front.

Step 2: Fold the hood once in half.

Step 3: Drape the folded hood over the left arm, narrow (neck) end in front, velvet edging to the front with the string on the outskirt.