Faculty & Staff FAQs
Below you’ll find the answers to commonly asked questions from faculty & staff regarding their role in Commencement. If you have a question that isn’t answered below, please reach out to the Commencement Team by emailing us at usm.commencement@maine.edu.
Commencement 2026 will be held on Saturday, May 9th, 2026 at 9am at the Cross Insurance Arena in Portland.
If the faculty and staff are participating in or volunteering for Commencement, no ticket is needed. You will be able to enter the Cross Insurance Arena from the Center Street entrance.
Faculty and staff who want to volunteer at Commencement can do so by signing up in mid-April. More details will be released as Commencement approaches. Please note for many of the volunteer assignments, there is a mandatory training required during the day on Friday, May 8th. We appreciate your help!
Faculty and staff who are volunteering should arrive at the Cross Insurance Arena no later than 7:00 AM. Student Robing Area Assistants should be in place from 7:30am until 9:30am. Faculty marching in the ceremony are requested to arrive by 8:15 AM.
Faculty and staff wearing regalia should order through the University’s Oak Hall storefront. You will be able to access the link for the storefront once you’ve submitted an RSVP for the event (RSVP form to be shared soon).
Rentals will be paid for by the USM Commencement Committee.
After successfully entering your rental order from Oak Hall’s website, you should receive an email confirmation from support@oakhall.com.
Please note: The last day to order is March 16th.
Rental orders will be available for pickup in Portland, dates TBA. Picking up your rental is not required (unless you are participating in the Nursing Ceremony or Doctoral Ceremony) as these will be sent down to the Cross Insurance Arena a few days ahead of the Saturday, May 9th Commencement.
After Commencement, you will need to return your rental either directly after the event in the Faculty Robing Room or during the following week at 150 Glickman on the Portland Campus.
All faculty and staff will need regalia if you are participating in the ceremony. Large bags and backpacks will not be allowed into the arena and there is no storage for personal items during the ceremony. If you are unsure of what to bring, please check out the Cross Insurance Arena’s list of prohibited items.
Faculty and staff, who are not volunteering or participating in the ceremony, are able to park at any of the pay-to-park areas at their own expense.