Commencement

Upcoming Commencement Dates

• May Commencement: Saturday May 13, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. at Merrill Auditorium, 20 Myrtle St, Portland, ME 04101.          

Important to-do list for May Graduates 

• Step 1 – Apply to Graduate: Application is open now and closes on May 1. Your name will not appear in the commencement program if you apply to graduate after the May 1 deadline. Please login to your student portal to complete the Application for Degree. This is not the same as indicating that you are attending Commencement which you will do in Step 3. 
• Step 2 – Pay the graduation fee: $100.00 must be paid no later than May 1, 2023. Students can pay this fee by logging into their student portal.
• Step 3 – RSVP & Reserve Guest Seats for Commencement: Fill out this simple form to confirm that you are attending commencement, and also indicate the names of the up to 6 guests you are bringing by May 1.
• Step 4: Order Regalia. Undergraduate and master’s regalia orders are made online. Only students who have applied to graduate will be able to order their regalia. Students who plan on attending the in-person ceremony should order their regalia here. Orders must be placed by April 14, 2023 in order to receive it in time for the ceremony. Regalia will be delivered to your provided address.
• Step 5: Check Unity College Store: This is your one-stop shop for Unity College apparel and more!
• Step 6: Tell your hometown newspaper you are graduating. Download the template.

What to do and expect on the day of Commencement

The ceremony will begin with a processional of all graduates followed by greetings and speeches, the conferring of degrees, the tassel-turning ceremony, and the recessional. The ceremony lasts around 1 hour.

• The event will be held inside the Merrill Auditorium, 20 Myrtle St, Portland, ME 04101 on Saturday, May 13, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. 
• The venue opens at 11:30 a.m. All graduates and their guests should arrive by 12:00 p.m. to ensure ample time for parking and to find your seat. The closest parking lot to the venue is at 385 Congress Street.
• Seats are reserved in advance and are only available for graduates and their 6 registered guests. 
• Commencement programs will be provided in a digital, print-ready format on the day of commencement and online here. Names of all May 2023 graduation candidates who have completed the application for degree by May 1, 2023 will be included in the program. 
• Only the names of graduates who are in attendance will be read aloud.
• ​​Please note that participation in the ceremony does not presume graduation from the College. Degrees are conferred only after all academic requirements are met and the Board of Trustees has taken official action. We congratulate you on your accomplishments and look forward to seeing you at the ceremony!

How can I watch if I can’t attend?

The ceremony will also be live-streamed on the Unity College Facebook Page for those who cannot attend the in-person ceremony. The ceremony will also be recorded and posted after the ceremony. 

Checking in

• All graduates and guests must check in at the registration table inside the Merrill Auditorium.
• Only those who have registered in advance will be allowed into the venue.
• Masks are optional, but encouraged for anybody who is unvaccinated.

For graduates

• Make sure to bring your regalia to commencement. Regalia is required to walk at commencement and must be ordered in advance by April 14, 2023. 
• Master’s degree recipients must bring their regalia and hood.
• Honors and military cords will be distributed upon arrival.
• Signing of the Green Pledge.
• Make sure to check your email for information regarding instructions for the ceremony.

For all registered guests

• All packs, bags, and purses will be subject to visual inspection upon entry to the venue. In order to speed entry into the event, please consider leaving any bags at home or in your vehicle.
• Any items deemed inappropriate or disruptive by Unity Environmental University or Merrill Auditorium staff will not be allowed inside.

Items to leave at home

• Alcohol
• Coolers
• Backpacks
• Large handbags
• Metal folding seat cushions
• Seats that clamp onto bleachers
• Noise-making devices
• Mace, pepper spray, aerosol cans or similar substances
• Signs
• Banners
• Balloons
• Sticks or poles
• Weapons or items that mimic weapons
• Any item deemed dangerous or inappropriate
• Wrapped gifts or packages
• Outside food

Items that will be permitted

• Cameras
• Video recorders
• Binoculars
• Small handbags
• Cell phones (set to silent)
• Strollers that can be stowed at your seat (stroller storage is not available)
• Umbrellas 

Location & Parking

• There are several paid lots to choose from near Merrill Auditorium.
• The 385 Congress Street Parking lot costs $7/hour. You are able to use the pay by plate app.
• The 119 Pearl Street Parking lot costs $4/hour or $16/day.

Special Accommodations

Restricted Mobility

Wheelchair accessible seating will be available to registered guests who require accommodations. Please make sure to request this accommodation when registering.  

Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Reserved seating for guests who read American Sign Language will be available. Please make sure to request this accommodation when registering.  

Diplomas and Graduation

Degree candidates will not earn degrees nor be graduated from the College until they have completed all degree requirements.

Participation in a commencement ceremony does not presume graduation from the College. Students who do not apply for graduation before the published deadline for any term must apply for graduation during the next term. Students who have applied for graduation but fail to meet the requirements must reapply for graduation by the published deadline for the term in which they will fulfill the requirements. Degrees are conferred only after all requirements are completed and the Board of Trustees has taken official action. Once confirmed, students are mailed their diplomas to the address on record.

Transcripts

Information about transcripts can be found here. 

Questions

If you have any questions, please reach out to marketing@unity.edu.