Spring Graduation Frequently Asked Questions

The UA Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law Spring 2024 Commencement ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, May 11, at 7 p.m. The event will be held at the Statehouse Convention Center.

How do I get there and where do I park?

The Statehouse Convention Center is located in downtown Little Rock at 101 E Markham Street.

The Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau operates multiple parking decks and surface lots in the downtown area:

  • Robinson Center Parking Garage at Markham & Spring Streets: 550-space underground public parking garage at Robinson Center provides guests well-lighted, weather-protected parking.
  • Convention District Parking Deck at 2nd & Main Streets: 650-space public parking deck located only one block south of the Statehouse Convention Center.
  • River Market Parking Deck at River Market Avenue & 2nd Street: 600-space parking deck in the heart of the River Market District.
  • A 50-space surface parking lot located across from the Statehouse Convention Center on the corner of Markham and Scott Streets.
  • There is also a public parking deck operated by the Downtown Little Rock Partnership located at 6th & Scott Streets, as well as multiple surface parking lots and on-street parking available on most streets in the downtown area.

PLEASE DO NOT ARRIVE BEFORE 5:30.

What time do I need to arrive for the ceremony?

Graduates need to arrive at the convention center no later than 6:00 p.m.

How many guests may I have at the ceremony?

There is not a capped number of guests. Seating is first-come, first-served. Seating areas for guests will be clearly designated.

What about wheelchair access?

The ballroom at Statehouse is fully wheelchair accessible.

Parking:

  • There are a few marked parallel parking spots on Markham between the convention center and the Marriott. These parking spots are closest to the convention center’s accessible entrance with a button-assisted door.
  • The parking deck at 2nd & Main Streets is equipped with an elevator.

Once in the convention center, there is an elevator that leads to the ballroom. It is directly to the left of the reception area.

How do I know if I will graduate with honors?

All students who are entitled to an honors designation under the standard in the paragraph above are students who matriculate in fall 2014 and thereafter, shall be eligible for an honors designation based on cumulative grade point average as follows:

  • Summa Cum Laude – 3.70 and above
  • Magna Cum Laude – 3.50 to 3.6999
  • Cum Laude – 3.30 to 3.4999 (Adopted 10/4/2013)

A final determination is made once all grades are received for the last semester of school and class rankings are determined. The honors designation will be printed on the diploma and noted on the student’s final transcript. Graduates will wear the appropriate colored stole based on their honor received.

How can I order my regalia and invitations?

All regalia, rings, and announcements will be ordered online. Regalia must be ordered online by APRIL 16. It is also available for purchase in the Main Campus Bookstore.

Order regalia

Order rings and announcements

Note: You will not be allowed to participate in the graduation ceremony without regalia.

Regalia consists of a tam and tassel, a gown, and a hood that you will own. You MUST order regalia if you are planning to walk in the graduation ceremony. You will not be able to walk without the proper regalia.

Where do I pick up my tam and gown for the ceremony?

Regalia will be shipped to your home.

What about additional attire?

Additional regalia worn by some graduates will represent membership in societies, associations, and organizations. Check your emails on when these can be picked up.

  • Summa Cum Laude
  • Magna Cum Laude
  • Cum Laude
  • Law Review members
  • Law Review Editorial Board
  • Bowen Scholars
  • Dean’s Certificate of Service
  • Dean’s Certificate of Distinguished Service
  • Advocacy (Moot Court and Trial Team)
  • Military Veteran
  • Dean’s Fellow

These cords and stoles are not gifts and may not be kept. They must be returned Saturday evening in the graduates’ robing area after the ceremony. All other student organization cords and stoles will need to come from the student organization’s president.

What are some tips for dressing comfortably on commencement day?

It is okay for men not to wear a jacket. The tie and shirt collar will show, but the robe covers a jacket. For women, an unbuttoned collar can be unruly, so a skirt or slacks with a T-shirt/ sweater/shell may be more comfortable. Low-heeled shoes are recommended so graduates can easily climb the stairs and walk across the stage. The procession will be moving briskly.

Where do graduates go before the ceremony?

Graduates will report to the foyer on the second floor of the Statehouse Convention Center in front of the Wally Allen Ballroom where graduates will be greeted by staff from the Dean’s office. There will be volunteers to direct you upstairs. Graduates will confirm an index card containing their full name, phonetic spelling and contact information. Graduates will then line up alphabetically.

What happens before the ceremony?

6:15 p.m. Graduates arrive with one hour to be robed and to fill out the index card that will be given to the announcer when you walk to the stage. He or she will announce your name. Graduates will then learn how to drape a hood over their arm, so there will be no fumbling on stage.

6:40 p.m. Line up in alphabetical order in the foyer. There are bathrooms and water stations, and staff will be there to assist.

7 p.m. The Processional promptly begins.

What happens during the ceremony?

At 7 p.m., the music will begin and graduates will begin the march into the Wally Allen Ballroom down the center aisle following the Faculty Marshals and the student Honor Marshals. Graduates will proceed to the front of the arena to take their seats. Graduates will march and sit in alphabetical order.

Graduates will hear brief remarks from the Chancellor, the Dean, SBA president, then from the commencement speaker.

Graduates will then stand, one, alphabetized row at a time, starting in alphabetical order, and proceed quickly to the podium to hand their card to the Announcer (right in front of you, to the right of the stage). Graduates will then climb the ramp, where they will have the hood removed from their arm and draped over their head by the faculty hooders. Graduates will then be handed their “diploma” (actually the diploma cover) and will shake hands with the Dean. Graduates will then stop briefly to get their pictures taken, then depart the stage on the left (opposite from where they entered) and proceed back to their seat.

A photographer will be taking photos for graduates during the ceremony as they are hooded and accept their diplomas.

After each graduate has received their diploma, the Alumni Board President will make a few remarks. Graduates will then stand and proceed out of the ballroom, following the faculty and student marshals. Please return your cords (borrowed from the Dean’s Office) at the designated table outside the ballroom during this time. You will keep your regalia.

What happens after the ceremony?

8:30 p.m. Recessional occurs and the ceremony has ended.

Will I receive my diploma at the ceremony?

No. Final grades will not be in before the commencement exercises. Graduates will, however, receive a leather diploma cover. The law school’s registrar will let graduates know via email (your ualr.edu email address) when the diplomas have been delivered. In the email, graduates will be given the choice to pick up their diploma at the Bowen Registrar’s Office or have the diploma mailed to them. The diplomas are expected to be ready the first week of August.

What about the graduation program?

The official program will list everyone who graduates, including the previous fall,  current spring and summer graduates. This list is prepared by the Bowen Registrar’s Office.

What about photographs?

A professional photographer will take the graduate picture during the actual hooding and when graduates shake the Dean’s hand. Family and friends are not allowed on the stage before or during the ceremony.

  • Graduates will be given an index card when they arrive to be completely filled out. This card will be used to announce each graduate’s name during the ceremony.
  • This card will be given to the photography company in order to contact graduates about photos.
  • Photo proofs and ordering information will follow from the photography company if graduates provide their email on the card.

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