Terms and Conditions

All graduates and guests will need to adhere to the following Terms & Conditions related to the 2023 commencement ceremonies.

 

UMass Global follows the guidance set forth by the state of California, and the counties of Orange (CA) and Sacramento (CA). Notwithstanding our efforts, an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present; we cannot guarantee you will not be exposed during our ceremonies. COVID-19 is an extremely contagious disease that can lead to severe illness and death. Graduates and their guests should evaluate their risk in determining whether to attend our ceremonies.

At the time the 2023 ticket process opens, attendees were not required to be fully vaccinated or to wear a mask to attend the ceremonies. The university will monitor federal, state, local, and venue guidance/regulations, key indicators, and risk levels, and may enforce mask and/or vaccination requirements closer to the ceremony. Graduates will be notified of any changes to our health and safety protocols related to attending commencement via their university email account.

Tickets are not guaranteed, and the event is subject to change.

 

Health and Safety Protocols

All graduate and guest attendees of our commencement ceremonies will be required to adhere to the following health and safety regulations:

• Face masks are highly recommended, but not required.
• Attendees are encouraged to remain 6' apart from anyone not in their guest pod while attending the event.
• Attendees are expected to perform a health self-assessment on the day of the event, prior to attending, where they would need to verify:

• They are not currently experiencing or have experienced COVID-19 symptoms* within the last 10 days
• They have not been exposed to anyone with a confirmed case of COVID-19 within the last 10 days
• They have not tested positive for COVID-19 within the last 10 days
• They are not awaiting results of a COVID-19 test
• They have not been presumptively diagnosed or treated for COVID-19 within the past 10 days
• They are not under current quarantine or isolation orders (visit the CDC website for Quarantine and Isolation information)

*COVID-19 symptoms include cough, sore throat, congestion, runny nose, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, fever, chills, muscle pain, body aches, headache, loss of taste or smell, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

If graduates or guests are not willing or able to adhere to the above protocols, they should stay home and watch the livestream of the ceremony. Graduates not able to attend may ask to be invited to the 2024 ceremony instead.

 

Guest Seating

Guest seating is handled on a first come, first serve basis. In an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19, we encourage all our guests to leave an empty seat between your group and other groups. Both graduate and guest tickets will be distributed to graduates attending the Southern and Northern California ceremonies the week of the event via their university email account. The university recommends printing each ticket prior to arrival.

Ticket policy

Guest tickets cannot be reassigned, transferred or sold. The unique bar code on graduate and guest tickets allows only one entry to the assigned ceremony. The first person presenting a ticket (if there are multiple copies made) will gain entry after scanning and validation. Other persons presenting a copy of that ticket will be denied entry. Any person occupying a seat may be asked to present their ticket to confirm admittance. Children under the age of 2 who will sit on the lap of an adult during the entire ceremony, do not require a ticket. Guests who do not have a valid ticket will be turned away. There will be no exceptions.

 

Livestream

Family and friends who do not have tickets to our Southern and Northern California ceremonies may watch a livestream of the ceremony on our university Facebook page - www.facebook.com/UMassGlobal/.  The JBLM base plans to livestream their ceremony as well, which can be found on the JBLM Education Center Facebook page. A link will be emailed to grads registered to attend JBLM ceremony the week prior to the event.

For more information, please visit www.umassglobal.edu/commencement.

 

Admittance

All graduates and their attendees of the Southern and Northern California ceremonies will be required to enter the event through metal detector and bag search level security. Please do not bring any large bags or prohibited items to this event. Strollers will not be allowed inside the venue. Guests are asked to remain seated for the duration of the ceremony.

 

Clear Bag Policy

The Southern and Northern California venues require mandatory inspection of all items carried into the venue, including appropriately sized bags.

Approved bag sizes include:

• Clear plastic, vinyl or PVC tote bag not exceeding 12" x 6" x 12"
• Small, clutch-style bag no exceeding 4.5" x 6.5" with or without handle / strap (not required to be clear)
• One-gallon clear plastic freezer bag (Ziploc style) or smaller

If a bag exceeds size or style restrictions or the Bag Inspector discovers prohibited items that are not deemed harmful or dangerous (e.g., outside food and beverages, bags that are larger than the permitted size, etc.), the Bag Inspector will ask the individual to dispose of the items or remove the items from the bag screening areas. Any bag that leaves the premises and then returns will need to be rescreened upon entry. Those who refuse to comply with any part of the Clear Bag Policy will not be permitted entry to the Venue.

 

Prohibited Items

The university requests the cooperation of all grads and guests in observing strict regulations required for the protection of the venue. No food, beverages, chewing gum, cigarettes, party novelties, confetti, balloons, or nonservice pets are permitted. Possession of weapons at a university-sponsored event is prohibited, including but not limited to all types of knives, firearms, and fireworks.

 

Exiting

When the ceremony concludes, we ask that all guests remain seated until the graduate recession has completed. Guests are encouraged to remain in their seats until the row prior has fully emptied, in an effort to maintain social distancing. Please gather your belongings and be prepared to leave the venue completely once instructed to do so. In Southern and Northern California, graduates will not be permitted to return to the seating area following the ceremony. We recommend that grads make plans to meet their guests outside the venue at their vehicle following the ceremony.

Since grads will not be allowed to remain in the venue following the ceremony, we encourage our families to find a nearby park to take photos if you wish to commemorate this special occasion.

 

Photo and Video Release

UMass Global Commencement and Hooding ceremonies are public events that are videotaped, photographed, and recorded for personal and commercial use. By participating in and/or attending these events, you give UMass Global, their affiliate universities, and venue partners permission to use visual images (photo, video, digital in any form) of you for any lawful purpose related to the university or venue's business activities, including marketing, advertising, and promotion. By participating and/or attending these events you understand that you have waived any rights that you may have to inspect or approve of the images or wording in the final product that may be used in connection with the university's business activities.

 

Cancellation Policy

If you need to change or cancel your registration or any of your guest tickets, please log into your account on the Marching Order website and change your registration form accordingly. If you have any trouble or you are cancelling after the registration period is closed, please email [email protected]