Graduating students, please review this information so you know what to expect and how to prepare for the big day. 

A few highlights:

•  7–8 a.m. Gather on Norlin Quad. Refreshments will be available for graduating students. Follow the signs to find your college or school for the procession.
• ​ 8 a.m. Procession departs from Norlin Quad. 
• ​ 8–8:45 a.m. Students follow the procession to Folsom Field, pass through security and take seats. The ceremony begins as soon as all students are seated.
• The ceremony lasts approximately an hour and a half. 

With finals week, commencement and summer approaching, the CU Boulder campus is preparing to follow end-of-semester building access protocols. Remember to carry your Buff OneCard, Buffs!

Finals/commencement week: May 3–11

• Most academic buildings will be locked. Students, faculty and staff will be able to access these buildings from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. with their Buff OneCard.
• Outside these hours, you will need to have previously been granted Buff OneCard after-hours access permissions.
• Buildings hosting recognition ceremonies will be open on those days to accommodate attendance.
• Students, faculty and staff who normally have weekend and after-hours access to specific buildings will still have access to those buildings on the weekend of May 11–12.

Summer Session: Starting May 13 

Building protocol will be largely similar to fall and spring semesters:

• Most academic buildings with scheduled classes will be open and unlocked between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, to allow non-affiliates access to scheduled events and other activities.
• CU students, faculty and staff will have extended access (from 7 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. and from 5:30 p.m. until 10 p.m.) to most academic buildings via Buff OneCard swipe.
• On university holidays and administrative leave days during Summer Session (May 27, June 19 and July 4), building access will be available only for affiliates with Buff OneCards who have been provisioned for 24/7 access to their respective facilities.
• Students, faculty and staff who normally have weekend and after-hours access to specific buildings will still have access to those buildings.

University Libraries, the Recreation Center, the UMC and Health and Wellness Services publish their respective hours on their websites.

For more information about building access protocols, visit the campus building access page.

At the commencement ceremony, you will continue an age-old tradition by wearing the same caps, gowns, cords and hoods as generations of Buffs before you.

Undergraduate regalia

If you’re graduating with your bachelor’s degree, you will wear a black gown, a black cap and a colored tassel indicating your field of study.

You can purchase your regalia from the CU Book Store online or in person.

Graduate regalia

If you’re graduating with your master’s or doctoral degree, you will wear a black gown and a hood lined with velvet trim denoting your field of study. Master’s students will wear a mortarboard cap and a black tassel. Doctoral students will wear a tam and a gold tassel.

The deadline to order regalia online has passed, and any online orders placed will not arrive in time for our ceremonies. Jostens will be on-site with a limited supply of graduate regalia available for purchase in Balch Fieldhouse during the below dates/times:

• Wednesday, May 8, 9 a.m.–6 p.m.
• Thursday, May 9, 7 a.m.–5 p.m.
• Friday, May 10, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.

Cords, stoles, honors medals: What are they and how do you get yours?

Looking to add some color to go with your graduation gown? Different colored cords and stoles are worn to symbolize participation in campus activities and groups, and also often represent academic honors, military service and specific academic fields. Learn more.

Drop off your new or gently used textbooks, scholarly materials and clickers at a University Libraries service desk during our end-of-semester donation drive April 29–May 17.

With warmer weather and many events happening at the end of the academic year, you may see more chalk messages on sidewalks around campus. Here are some reminders on CU Boulder’s chalking policy, as part of the Campus Use of University Facilities Procedures (PDF).

• Chalking is permitted for student organizations and university departments to promote events, within guidelines.
• Chalking may not be used to promote organizations or events that are not affiliated with the university.
• Chalking must be done by using water-soluble stick-chalk that quickly fades away with the natural elements within a few days.
• Chalking is restricted to concrete or asphalt exterior sidewalks that are exposed to natural elements.
• Chalking can be erased, without notice, if they do not comply with university policies and regulations. No one other than authorized university personnel may erase or alter chalked messages.

Questions? Email studentaffairs@cuboulder.edu.

CU NightRide has extended hours to support you during finals week! CU NightRide will be available until 1 a.m. to provide transportation within Boulder city limits May 3–7. Download the CU NightRide app from the Apple App Store or Google Play to request a ride.

“Zen out” while you prep for finals! Stop by the first floor of the UMC to take a break, relax or meditate in a comfy area. Read more healthy tips to finish the semester strong.

CU NightRide is a student-operated program dedicated to meeting the safety needs of CU students, faculty and staff by providing nighttime transportation to support a safe academic and socially responsible environment, both on campus and in the community.

CU NightRide is hiring driver/dispatchers to take calls, coordinate rides and drive within the city of Boulder. We’re looking for students who are confident and safe behind the wheel, friendly, courteous, non-judgmental, caring and skilled at multitasking.

Driver/dispatcher (Student Assistant I)

• $16 per hour, 10–20 hours/week
• Flexible schedule
• Growth opportunities

Help members of our campus community get home safe!

Dive deeper into the world of informal physics education—introducing the next “Humans of JILA” episode for the highly anticipated second part of our PISEC series. PISEC (Partnerships for Informal Science Education in the Community) is an educational outreach and research program within JILA funded by the NSF Physics Frontier Center.

Conflict happens, and it's important to remember that it's normal. Contact the Conflict Resolution program to get support as you face any challenge with others during the stress of finals. Free services include guidance and skill-building to navigate conflicts, facilitated conversations with others and strategies to prevent future conflicts.

Handshake is your new centralized hub to search for on-campus student employment, making it easier to find on-campus jobs. This includes hourly and work-study positions.

Each CU Boulder undergraduate and graduate student already has a Handshake account, regardless of their major or year, so start searching! Remember, you will need to be logged into your account to view posted jobs.

If you are looking for a summer job, continue checking CU Boulder Student Jobs through your Buff Portal. If you're already thinking about fall employment, start planning ahead, because no later than July 1, CU Boulder Student Jobs will be phased out and Handshake will become the main hub for on-campus student employment.

With projects in a wide range of fields, there are many possibilities to connect with meaningful research experiences—and empowering teams. Projects are supported by UROP funding and typically provide financial support to student participants.

Space may be limited, so act quickly to secure your spot! Browse UROP's open opportunities.

Campus Dining Services is growing plants in the Williams Village greenhouse that will be available for purchase to students, faculty and staff for $5 each. Plants can be picked up on May 1, 4-7 p.m., and May 7, 1-4 p.m. at the Grotto in the Village Center. 

Questions about the plants? Contact our greenhouse manager Alex MacMillan at alex.macmillan@colorado.edu. Fill out this form to pre-order your plants.

Plants available (about 50 available of each):

• Helios habanero peppers
• Pantera jalapeno peppers
• Carbon heirloom black tomato
• Speckled Roman heirloom tomato
• Thanos eggplant
• Pancho tomatillo

Are you looking for a job for next year? Do you want to do meaningful work that impacts the health and well-being of your community members? Health Promotion is hiring for a number of positions for the fall 2024–spring 2025 academic year, including peer educators, peer wellness coaches, office assistants and Buffs Discuss facilitators. To find out more about these positions and get an application, click the links below! 

• Peer Educator
• Peer Wellness Coach
• Buffs Discuss Facilitator
• Office Assistant

You can also direct any questions to healthpromotion@colorado.edu or call us at 303-492-2937. We are located on the third floor of the Wardenburg Health Center. We look forward to meeting you! 

Undergraduate students: Don't miss out on two opportunities this week to get a $20 Amazon gift card for giving your feedback to Buff Portal!

We're looking for feedback about your advising experience in Buff Portal. These sessions will be held via Zoom on Thursday, April 25. Sign up to participate.

We're looking for feedback about finances in Buff Portal. These sessions will be held in person Friday, April 26, and include a free lunch. Sign up to participate.

Undergraduate students only please!