Countdown to Commencement 2024

The University of California, Riverside’s class of 2024 will once again commence at one of two locations.

Graduating seniors obtaining their M.D., Ph.D., and M.F.A. degrees will celebrate on campus at UC Riverside’s Student Recreation Center, or SRC. All other degrees and credentials will be celebrated off-campus at Toyota Arena in Ontario, California.

The move of some ceremonies to an off-campus location was first announced fall 2022 in response to the need for air conditioning, more guest tickets, security, and better viewpoints of the ceremony, among other enhancements. Historically, UCR Commencement was held outdoors on Pierce Lawn or at the Bell Tower where temperatures often crept toward the 100-degree zone.

For the 2023-24 academic year, about 7,000 Highlanders are eligible to graduate and about 5,500 are expected to participate in a series of Commencement ceremonies this spring. There is capacity for about 50,000 guests across all ceremonies.

Visit commencement.ucr.edu for FAQs and details, like graduate check-in times, estimated ceremony durations, etc.

Ceremony schedule, locations, and details

May 31 at SRC: School of Medicine (SOM)
June 1 at SRC: Graduate Division Hooding Ceremony
June 17 at Toyota Arena: Bourns College of Engineering (BCOE), College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences (CNAS), School of Education (SOE), and School of Public Policy (SPP)
June 18 at Toyota Arena: College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences (CHASS) and School of Business

The above information is for main-stage ceremonies. Those interested in participating in specialized audience celebrations can get more information here:

May 29 at SRC: AAPI Grad hosted by Asian Pacific Student Programs
May 30 at SRC: Honors Cording Ceremony hosted by University Honors
June 1 at SRC: Black Grad hosted by African Student Programs
June 2 at SRC: Raza Grad hosted by Chicano Student Programs
June 6 at HUB 302: Lavender Ceremony hosted by LGBT Resource Center
June 7 at Alumni & Visitors Center: Family Grad hosted by Women’s Resource Center

Important steps/deadlines for graduating seniors

Apply to graduate
- Deadline passed in April, but you can contact your academic advisor to inquire about late applications. Once your late application is approved, contact commence@ucr.edu for ceremony details.
Submit Intent to Participate
- Deadline to submit forms is May 10 for SRC ceremonies and May 24 for Toyota Arena.
Purchase cap, gown, and other regalia
- If you didn’t attend Grad Fair in April, you can get what you need anytime at the UCR Campus Bookstore.
Attend Senior Week
- During May 21-23, feast on barbeque at the Barn, enjoy music around the Bell Tower, decorate your cap, and take a Class of 2024 group drone shot around the UCR sign.
Order guest tickets and a complimentary graduate parking pass
- Visit ticketmaster.com on June 5 (Toyota Arena ceremonies) or request via the Intent to Participate form (SRC ceremonies).
Attend senior/year-end celebrations
- Check events.ucr.edu for a list of celebrations hosted by various schools/colleges and departments happening across the campus.
Sign the Class of 2024 Yearbook
- Select posts will be featured on ceremony jumbotrons.
Smile on the Commencement stage
- Grad Images will capture individual images as graduates cross the stage. Proofs will be emailed or mailed directly to graduates and will be available for purchase.
Take the First Destination Survey
- Share your first career steps as a UCR graduate within six months.
Keep in touch with UCR's Alumni Association
- Get your Philanthropy Cord to wear with your cap and gown.
- Continue your journey as an alum through volunteering, networking, career services, and sharing your story.

Venue details to share with guests

Toyota Arena in Ontario

Venue gates will open 60 minutes before each ceremony starts.
- Parking for the car the graduate arrives in is free via the complimentary graduate parking pass you will order through Ticketmaster. All other guests will pay $15 per car. (The venue will only accept credit cards; no cash.)
Security will check all persons and belongings at the entrance to ensure safety.
To streamline entrance into the venue, visit the Toyota Arena website for venue policies and prohibited items, like leis, flowers, confetti cannons, balloons, signs, etc.
Along with free water dispensers located throughout the venue, refreshments will be available for purchase. (Outside food/drinks are prohibited.)
There is air conditioning and restrooms.
Stage will be viewable from all angles on jumbotron.
Find accessibility details on the Toyota Arena website. For ADA requests and inquires please reach out to the Toyota Arena Guest Services Manager, Josh Salcedo: JSalcedo@toyota-arena.com

UCR’s Student Recreation Center (SRC) in Riverside

Parking for everyone is free at UCR Lots 24 and 26. Lot 25 has been reserved for seniors and guests with a disabled plate or placard. Please do not park in reserved, service, or disabled spaces without an appropriate permit.
Security will check persons and belongings at the entrance to ensure safety.
Balloons, signs, and noisemakers are prohibited/not allowed inside the SRC.
Smoking and tobacco use are not permitted on university property.
Water stations, air conditioning, and restrooms will be available.
Request accessibility assistance: commence@ucr.edu

Watch ceremonies online from anywhere around the world

If you cannot attend UCR's 70th Commencement in person but would like to join virtually, the university will have live broadcasts of each ceremony on the UCR YouTube channel. Links will be posted on commencement.ucr.edu one week before each celebration.