Saturday, May 4, 2024 | 11:00am
Outdoors Event | Off-campus at the Narrow Gauge Amphitheater
Rain Location: Fitness & Recreation Center
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have questions that do not appear here, please contact umfcommencement@maine.edu
Student Questions
Caps & Gowns were on sale online or in person from the University Store starting in early April. The University Store website posted a message announcing the availability of Commencement merchandise.
Note: The University Store will be open on Commencement morning, May 10, starting at 8am for your last-minute regalia needs.
Honor Cords are available for those who are eligible (GPA of 3.5 and above) and can be picked up with your cap and gown.
Soon-to-be graduates should arrive at 10am to line up in the parking lot behind the Big Sky Grill at the Commencement site (The Narrow Gauge Amphitheater).
In case of inclement weather, the Commencement ceremony will be held at 11:00am inside the UMF Fitness & Recreation Center, located at the corner of Quebec Street and Lincoln Street on campus.
University officials will make the decision to move the ceremony indoors as soon as early as they can — possibly even the day or evening before Commencement.
Graduates will receive a message from the UMF Text Message Alert System notifying them that the ceremony is being held indoors as soon as the decision is made. A message will also appear on the University’s website and our social media channels (Facebook and Instagram).
Guests will need a ticket to enter the Fitness & Recreation Center venue. Graduates will have received an allotment of indoor tickets for their guests well in advance.
For guests without a ticket to access the indoor Fitness & Recreation Center venue, there are many on-campus livestreaming options.
See the FAQ question below regarding livestreaming.
Yes. Rain or shine, the event will be livestreamed here on our Commencement 2025 Livestream page and our YouTube Channel.
It’ll begin approximately 30 minutes before the start of the event.
If Commencement is held outdoors, at least one movie theater inside Narrow Gauge Cinema will offer livestreaming.
If Commencement is held indoors due to inclement weather, the following on-campus locations will offer livestreaming:
- Roberts Learning Center: Lincoln Auditorium, located on the first floor and Room C-23 on the lower floor.
- Ricker-Preble Hall: Thomas Auditorium on the first floor.
- Kalikow Education Center: classrooms on the first floor.
Parking for Commencement will be available on a first-come / first-served basis for UMF lots along Front Street, including expanded sections in Lot 18 and 274 Front Street (the location of the new Sweatt-Winter Childcare Center). Others will need to park elsewhere on campus and walk to the theater.
See the Campus Map (pdf) for details
Registration for reserved accessibility parking spots will close Wednesday, May 7, 2025 at 4:00pm.
Contact the Commencement Committee for additional information: umfcommencement@maine.edu
Registration for reserved accessibility parking spots will close Wednesday, May 7, 2025 at 4:00pm. To reserve your ADA Accessibility Parking Pass fill out this form or contact the Commencement Committee for additional information: umfcommencement@maine.edu.
Yes. Shuttle locations will be at Parking Lot 11, to the right of the Roberts Learning Center (near the sharp curve on Main Street), and Parking Lot 15, behind the Olsen Student Center (off High Street). These two lots will be the shuttle locations for both outdoor and indoor ceremonies.
See the Campus Map (pdf) for details
Our Commencement ceremony typically runs about 2 to 2 1/2 hours.
Restrooms will be available during Commencement inside the Narrow Gauge Movie Cinema and at the adjacent Blue Sky Grill. Portable toilets will also be available near the Narrow Gauge Amphitheater before and after the ceremony.
Please pause for a moment near the reader’s table so they can familiarize themselves with your name.
Write the phonetic spelling of your name on your provided index card if you feel it will help with the pronunciation (this is recommended).
Remember — Your name will appear as your Preferred Name listed on MaineStreet. Please review it at least a week before Commencement and update this as soon as you can to ensure it is correct.
Academic departments and sports teams are encouraged to make their arrangements in advance of Commencement to take group pictures.
Marching will begin promptly at 11:00am. We cannot not hold up the marching processional due to faculty, staff or students who’ve wandered off to have photos taken before the ceremony.
We’ve found it’s better to do these staged group shoots the day before Commencement or after the ceremony has ended.
No. We’re sure your guest’s dog is wonderful but pets are prohibited at this venue and the Athletics fields during the Commencement ceremony.
Service Animals who are accompanied by their handlers are permitted at all times and places at this venue.
No. Like all UMF-hosted events, there is no smoking allowed at Commencement.
Your diploma will be mailed to you (along with 1 copy of the finalized printed Commencement Program) sometime in July / August. This will happen after notification has been received that you have fulfilled all requirements for your degree and a review of file has been completed.
You will receive your empty-but-photogenic embossed diploma holder as you proudly march across the stage during the ceremony. (It looks great in photos.)
You can make changes to your name or address on your application through MaineStreet or you can contact Sue Enman 207-778-7243 or enman@maine.edu
Contact Sue Enman at 207-778-7243 or enman@maine.edu to request a letter indicating you have applied for graduation. When all requirements are met and the final review is completed it will verify what degree you will earn.
Your degree will be posted after final review is done by the Registrar.
You can request a transcript via your MaineStreet Student Center Self-Service (Classic View) > left-hand side > Other Academics > Transcript Request > Indicate Hold for Degree Conferred.
The UMF Merrill Student Services Center runs a report each morning and requests will appear at the time of degree clearance.
You will need to make sure there are no holds or balances on your account, which would prevent printing of the transcript. You may also request a transcript in writing, with your written signature.
Contact Sue Enman at 207-778-7243 or enman@maine.edu for details or questions.
After your degree is awarded, the UMF Field Services Office will recommend you for certification in your subject area on the Maine Department of Education (DOE) online database, MEIS.
You will receive an email with detailed instructions on the steps to follow to apply for certification. Early Childhood Education B-5 only students should consult with their advisor.
See our Maine and Out of State Certification web page for details and other resources.
If you have questions that do not appear here, please contact umfcommencement@maine.edu
Guest Questions
In case of inclement weather, the Commencement ceremony will be held at 11:00am inside the UMF Fitness & Recreation Center, located at the corner of Quebec Street and Lincoln Street on campus.
University officials will make the decision to move the ceremony indoors as soon as early as they can — possibly even the day or evening before Commencement.
Graduates will receive a message from the UMF Text Message Alert System notifying them that the ceremony is being held indoors as soon as the decision is made. A message will also appear on the University’s website and our social media channels (Facebook and Instagram).
Guests will need a ticket to enter the Fitness & Recreation Center venue. Graduates will have received an allotment of indoor tickets for their guests well in advance.
For guests without a ticket to access the indoor Fitness & Recreation Center venue, there are many on-campus livestreaming options.
See the FAQ question below regarding livestreaming.
Yes. Rain or shine, the event will be livestreamed here on our Commencement 2025 Livestream page and our Youtube Channel.
It’ll begin approximately 30 minutes before the start of the event.
If Commencement is held outdoors, at least one movie theater inside Narrow Gauge Cinema will offer livestreaming.
If Commencement is held indoors due to inclement weather, the following on-campus locations will offer livestreaming:
- Roberts Learning Center: Lincoln Auditorium, located on the first floor and Room C-23 on the lower floor.
- Ricker-Preble Hall: Thomas Auditorium on the first floor.
- Kalikow Education Center: classrooms on the first floor.
Parking for Commencement will be available to on a first-come / first-served basis at UMF lots along Front Street, including expanded sections in Lot 18 and 274 Front Street (the location of the new Sweatt-Winter Childcare Center). Others will need to park elsewhere on campus and walk to the theater.
See the Campus Map (pdf) for details
Registration for reserved accessibility parking spots closed Wednesday, May 7, 2025 at 4:00pm.
Contact the Commencement Committee for additional information: umfcommencement@maine.edu
Registration for reserved accessibility parking spots will close Wednesday, May 7, 2025 at 4:00pm. To reserve your ADA Accessibility Parking Pass fill out this form or contact the Commencement Committee for additional information: umfcommencement@maine.edu.
Yes. Shuttle locations will be at Parking Lot 11, to the right of the Roberts Learning Center (near the sharp curve on Main Street), and Parking Lot 15, behind the Olsen Student Center (off High Street). These two lots will be the shuttle locations for both outdoor and indoor ceremonies.
See the Campus Map (pdf) for details
Our Commencement ceremony typically runs about 2 to 2 1/2 hours.
Restrooms will be available during Commencement inside the Narrow Gauge Movie Cinema and at the adjacent Blue Sky Grill. Portable toilets will also be available near the Narrow Gauge Amphitheater before and after the ceremony.
No. We’re sure your guest’s dog is wonderful but pets are prohibited at this venue and the Athletics fields during the Commencement ceremony.
Service Animals who are accompanied by their handlers are permitted at all times and places at this venue.
No. Like all UMF-hosted events, there is no smoking allowed at Commencement.
If you have questions that do not appear here, please contact umfcommencement@maine.edu
Faculty & Staff Questions
In case of inclement weather, the Commencement ceremony will be held at 11:00am inside the UMF Fitness & Recreation Center, located at the corner of Quebec Street and Lincoln Street on campus.
University officials will make the decision to move the ceremony indoors as soon as early as they can — possibly even the day or evening before Commencement.
Graduates will receive a message from the UMF Text Message Alert System notifying them that the ceremony is being held indoors as soon as the decision is made. A message will also appear on the University’s website and our social media channels (Facebook and Instagram).
Guests will need a ticket to enter the Fitness & Recreation Center venue. Graduates will have received an allotment of indoor tickets for their guests well in advance.
For guests without a ticket to access the indoor Fitness & Recreation Center venue, there are many on-campus livestreaming options.
See the FAQ question below regarding livestreaming.
Yes. Rain or shine, the event will be livestreamed here on our Commencement 2025 Livestream page and our YouTube Channel.
It’ll begin approximately 30 minutes before the start of the event.
If Commencement is held outdoors, at least one movie theater inside Narrow Gauge Cinema will offer livestreaming.
If Commencement is held indoors due to inclement weather, the following on-campus locations will offer livestreaming:
- Roberts Learning Center: Lincoln Auditorium, located on the first floor and Room C-23 on the lower floor.
- Ricker-Preble Hall: Thomas Auditorium on the first floor.
- Kalikow Education Center: classrooms on the first floor.
First of all, thank you for volunteering to help on our students’ very special day!
Commencement volunteers and workers should report by 9:00am to the stage area at Narrow Gauge Amphitheater to meet and receive assignments. Arriving even earlier is encouraged.
Marching will begin promptly at 11:00am.
Faculty are expected to arrive by 10:00am inside Narrow Gauge Movie Cinema. There, you’ll do robing. If you rented regalia, yours will be there for you to pick up. Some refreshments will be provided.
After Commencement, rented regalia must be returned to the robing area inside the Narrow Gauge Movie Cinema.
Marching will begin promptly at 11:00am.
Regalia robing will take place inside the movie theater. If you ordered regalia, yours will be there. See volunteers for directions.
Faculty are expected to arrive by 10am, some refreshments will be provided. After commencement, rented regalia will be returned to the robing area inside the movie theater.
No. Parking for Commencement will be available to everyone on a first-come / first-served basis at UMF lots along Front Street, including expanded sections in Lot 18 and 274 Front Street (the location of the new Sweatt-Winter Childcare Center). Others will need to park elsewhere on campus and walk to the theater.
Registration for reserved accessibility parking spots will close Wednesday, May 7, 2025 at 4:00pm. To reserve your ADA Accessibility Parking Pass fill out this form or contact the Commencement Committee for additional information: umfcommencement@maine.edu.
Registration for reserved accessibility parking spots will close Wednesday, May 7, 2025 at 4:00pm. To reserve your ADA Accessibility Parking Pass fill out this form or contact the Commencement Committee for additional information: umfcommencement@maine.edu.
Yes. Shuttle locations will be at Parking Lot 11, to the right of the Roberts Learning Center (near the sharp curve on Main Street), and Parking Lot 15, behind the Olsen Student Center (off High Street). These two lots will be the shuttle locations for both outdoor and indoor ceremonies.
See the Campus Map (pdf) for details
Academic departments and sports teams are encouraged to make their arrangements in advance of Commencement to take group pictures.
Marching will begin promptly at 11:00am. We cannot not hold up the marching processional due to faculty, staff or students who’ve wandered off to have photos taken before the ceremony.
We’ve found it’s better to do these staged group shoots the day before Commencement or after the ceremony has ended.
Our Commencement ceremony typically runs about 2 to 2 1/2 hours.
Restrooms will be available during Commencement inside the Narrow Gauge Movie Cinema and at the adjacent Blue Sky Grill. Portable toilets will also be available near the Narrow Gauge Amphitheater before and after the ceremony.
No. We’re sure your guest’s dog is wonderful but pets are prohibited at this venue and the Athletics fields during the Commencement ceremony.
Service Animals who are accompanied by their handlers are permitted at all times and places at this venue.
No. Like all UMF-hosted events, there is no smoking allowed at Commencement.
If you have questions that do not appear here, please contact umfcommencement@maine.edu
Contact Us
UMF Commencement Committee
University of Maine at Farmington
Merrill Hall
224 Main Street
Farmington, Maine USA 04938
tel 207-778-7276
TYY (via Maine Relay Service) dial 711
umfcommencement@maine.edu