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 Dean of Students Office by calling (207) 780-4035 or emailing us at usmdeanofstudents@maine.edu.
Commencement 2023 will be held on Saturday, May 6th, 2023 at 9 am at the Cross Insurance Arena in Portland.
For guests and community members who wish to watch Commencement but cannot attend at the Cross Insurance Arena, USM will be holding a Commencement Watch Party at 9 am on May 6th, in Abromson Center, Hannaford Hall on the Portland Campus. Guests and community members who wish to attend can park in the Abromson parking garage.
Yes! Per the Cross Insurance Arena’s policy, every single person attending the ceremony is required to have a ticket.
This information will be found on our Commencement Ticket Reservation page. Please note that tickets for the 2022 Commencement ceremony will not be made available for request until April 7, 2022. Tickets are required for all faculty and staff participating in or volunteering at Commencement, and for those who wish to attend the ceremony as a guest. Tickets can be reserved and printed online starting in April 2022.
Faculty and staff who want to volunteer at Commencement can sign up before Friday, April 15, 2022. Please note for many of the volunteer assignments, there is a mandatory training required during the day on Friday, May 6th. 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 with the University Store.
All faculty and staff will need a ticket, which is required for entry, and if applicable, regalia if you are bringing your own or have already picked it up from the University Store. 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.
Parking options will be announced closer to the date of the event.