Welcome
Congratulations on nearing the end of your educational journey at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville!
What is the difference between commencement and graduation? Commencement is a ceremony that recognizes your academic achievement. The University Commencement Committee meets regularly to ensure that you and your loved ones have a meaningful experience celebrating your accomplishments at UW-Platteville.
Graduation is the awarding of an academic degree or diploma. The Office of the Registrar oversees the completion of all degree programs. If you have questions about your classes or degree requirements, please contact the Office of the Registrar at 608.342.1321 or email registrar@uwplatt.edu.
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Future Commencement Dates
Save the Date
Further details for each ceremony to be announced closer to the actual date.
- May 12-13, 2023
- Dec. 16, 2023
- May 10-11, 2024
- Dec. 14, 2024
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Parking
Parking for the commencement ceremony in Williams Fieldhouse is available in the following lots:
- Lot 25 – west of Williams Fieldhouse
- Lots 8 and 26 – east of Williams Fieldhouse
- Lot 6 – east of Pioneer Tower
Handicap parking is available in the following lot:
- Lot 9 – Markee Pioneer Student Center
- Note: This lot is for handicap parking only. A vehicle must have a valid disabled placard or license plate to enter this lot.
The area in front of Williams Fieldhouse is for loading and unloading passengers only.
View campus maps and directions and the university parking lot map.
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Who Can Participate
To participate in commencement, you must be a degree candidate and one of the following:
- Completing all degree requirements, including internships or student teaching, at the end of the current semester, or
- Completing all degree requirements during the summer session.
Note: Participation in commencement without permission is considered academic misconduct and subject to disciplinary action.
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Before the Ceremony
Please review the information on the Graduation website. The Office of the Registrar has specific requirements you must meet before being eligible to attend a commencement. If you have questions, contact their office at 608.342.1321 or registrar@uwplatt.edu as soon as possible.
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Countdown to Commencement
Countdown to Commencement is an event sponsored by the University of Wisconsin-Platteville Alumni Association. The program provides information needed to make the most of your commencement experience and take care of details regarding your approaching graduation. If you are graduating soon, you are encouraged to participate in this once-a-semester event.
Please visit Countdown to Commencement for more information.
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Commencement Apparel
Academic apparel (regalia) is required for the commencement ceremony. The University Bookstore, located in the Markee, is the official supplier of commencement attire. Academic dress from other providers may vary in quality, style, and color.
Both undergraduate and graduate students wear black robes and black mortarboard caps.
Undergraduate students wear a colored tassel identifying their academic field of study on the right side of the mortarboard. Only one tassel is allowed, so students with double majors must choose one color to wear.
Graduate students receiving a master's degree wear a black tassel on the left side of the mortarboard. During the commencement ceremony, graduate students are "hooded;" they should carry their hoods over their right arm during the processional. Graduate students should purchase the hood at the University Bookstore early in the semester in which they plan to graduate.
Tassel Color Area Brown Fine Arts (Art and Theatre) Crimson Media Studies Drab (Tan) Accounting; Applied Computer Science; Business Administration (A.S. or B.S.); Computer Science; Industrial Technology Management Gold Chemistry; General Sciences; Geography; Physics Royal Philosophy Light blue Education Maize Agriculture (A.S. or B.S.); Biology; Reclamation, Environment and Conservation Navy Criminal Justice; Forensic Investigation Orange Engineering Black Master's programs Russet Sustainable and Renewable Energy Systems Sage Physical Education White English; Foreign Language; History; International Studies; Mathematics; Political Science; Psychology; Social Science; Associate of Arts and Science Pink Music -
Undergraduate Honors
Degree candidates who have a minimum grade point average of 3.50 or higher and 48 or more credits in residence before the term they intend to graduate will be recognized during the ceremony.
Undergraduate students whose cumulative grade point average is between 3.50 and 3.74 graduate Magna Cum Laude while undergraduate students whose average is between 3.75 and 4.00 graduate Summa Cum Laude. Students participating early by petition will not have honors recognition.
Qualifying degree candidates may pick up an honor cord in the Registrar's Office the week before commencement, or the cord will be available in the graduate line-up area. Graduation honors posted on transcripts are calculated once all coursework is graded and all degree requirements are completed.
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Sashes and Stoles
International undergraduate students may wear a stole featuring the flag of their home country (right side) and the American flag (left side). U.S. undergraduate students who have spent an entire semester in an academic program studying in an international location may wear an international sash. This sash features the colors of the flag of the place where a student has studied. Eligible students purchase these sashes through the University Bookstore.
Students who have qualified for membership in registered student organizations, honor organizations, or campus programs during their studies at UW-Platteville may wear approved cords, stoles, sashes, or pins.
Students may wear only one standard size stole or sash. In addition, students may wear honor cords with a stole or sash.
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For More Information
For more information about commencement ceremonies, please contact:
University Commencement Committee
commencement@uwplatt.eduFor more information about your eligibility to graduate, please contact:
Office of the Registrar
608.342.1321
registrar@uwplatt.eduFor more information about ordering attire/regalia, please contact:
University Bookstore
608.342.1486
platteville@bkstr.com