Family and Friends Information

UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT
College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources & Ratcliffe Hicks School of Agriculture Commencement Ceremony

Harry A. Gampel Pavilion
Saturday, May 4, 2023, 6:00 -7:30pm

Timeline

Guests Admitted into Gampel: 5:00 pm
Student Procession forms in Field House: 5:00 pm
Procession Begins: 5:30 pm
Ceremony Begins: 6:00 pm

Tickets

Guest tickets will be available for the CAHNR/RHSA Commencement Ceremony at the UConn Bookstore
beginning in April. Each student will be receive 10 guest tickets. If students need additional tickets, they were emailed a link to request tickets.
All student names will be added to a waitlist, and as Commencement grows closer our office will contact students regarding their additional ticket request.

Please note: Being placed on the waitlist does not guarantee extra tickets, we will however do our best to meet all reasonable requests.

Reception

Graduates and their guests are invited to attend CAHNR & RHSA long standing reception tradition immediately prior to the ceremony.

The reception will be held on the back patio/terrace of the Student Union from 3:00-5:00 pm.

There is no need to RSVP for this event.

Photography

There will be a professional photographer at the ceremony taking photographs of candidates as they receive their diploma covers (real diplomas will be mailed by the Registrar’s Office after a few months). Graduates will receive proofs of photos taken following Commencement and may order prints if they so choose.

*No tripods will be allowed in Gampel Pavilion. Members of the audience using hand-held cameras may take pictures during the ceremonies, but not in processional paths or presentation areas. To accommodate everyone, individuals are requested to take a few photos and then return to their seats. Guests will not be permitted on the Pavilion floor or in the aisles below the Plaza level.

Traffic

Traffic in the Storrs area is extraordinarily heavy on Commencement Day. Please allow extra travel time and/or utilize alternate routes to arrive on campus, park, and be seated in Gampel Pavilion on time. Due to other ceremonies already in session, guests attending the CAHNR/RHSA ceremony will not be allowed to enter Gampel Pavilion before 5:00 pm.

Parking

Parking will be available at no cost in the North and South parking garages on Commencement Day. On Saturday, May 4th, shuttle buses will run from the parking lots to ceremony venues throughout the duration of the Commencement events. For specific information please refer to http://commencement.uconn.edu. Some traffic areas may be restricted, particularly during the time of the processional.

For a campus map please go to: http://maps.uconn.edu

Guests with Disabilities

The following accommodations will be available:

  • A sign-language interpreter and special seating for people with hearing disabilities, or those in need of assistive listening devices (please inform the staff at Gampel upon your arrival).
  • Special seating area for individuals who use wheelchairs or those unable to climb stairs. To allow sufficient space for all guests who use wheelchairs or those unable to climb stairs, we ask that only one family member or friend accompany this individual in the area set aside for people needing this accommodation (ushers will direct you; these are available on first-come-first-served basis).
  • Modified bathroom facilities
  • Parking is available for vehicles with official permits from a state Motor Vehicle Department for handicapped parking on the ground level of the North and South Parking Garages.
  • Individuals may be dropped off near Gampel Pavilion. All entrances to Gampel Pavilion are accessible for those who use wheelchairs.
  • Accessible Van Service – On Saturday, May 4th, handicapped accessible vans will be located outside of the North Parking Garage waiting to drive guests to the proper Commencement venue. Once the ceremony concludes, they will be waiting outside of the venue to return guests to the North Parking Garage. To obtain this service, please call (860) 486-4991.

Please note: The University does not have wheelchairs available to loan on campus. If an individual needs a wheelchair, they must provide one themselves.

Further Information

Helpful information can be found on our website listed below or you may contact us at 860-486-2919.

https://cahnr.uconn.edu/graduation/

You may also review the Commencement website at: http://commencement.uconn.edu for more information.