Cullen College of Engineering Commencement
Date: Saturday, May 13, 2023
Time: 9:00 am
Location: Fertitta Center
**IMPORTANT COMMENCEMENT INFORMATION**
The dates for Spring 2023 Commencement Ceremonies advertised by the University of Houston prior to the merging of the Cullen College of Engineering and the College of Technology, will remain the same.
ENGINEERING: For engineering majors graduating in Spring 2023, you will participate in the Cullen College of Engineering Commencement Ceremony scheduled for Saturday, May 13, at 9 a.m. in the Fertitta Center.
TECHNOLOGY: For technology majors graduating in Spring 2023, you will participate in the College of Technology Commencement Ceremony scheduled for Wednesday, May 10, at 7 p.m. in the Fertitta Center.
You can view the complete Spring 2023 Commencement Ceremony schedule here.
IMPORTANT: All graduation candidates report to the Athletic Center promptly at 7:30 am dressed in your cap and gown. You will receive final instructions at that time.
The procession will begin promptly at 8:45 am. Note: If you are late there is no guarantee that you will walk across the stage.
Face masks are optional and may be worn during the ceremony for those who choose to do so.
Tickets are required for the Engineering Commencement and will be provided by University Events. Graduates will receive an email notifying them on how to download tickets.
If you have questions about University of Houston commencement, please email director [at] uh.edu.
Important Parking Information
Due to unforeseen delays in road construction on Cullen Boulevard and Holman Street by Harris County contractors, the University of Houston has been compelled to make necessary changes to UH commencement parking arrangements. This is to ensure the safety and smooth experience of our graduates and guests attending the ceremonies at the Fertitta Center. We apologize for the short notice.
Your well-being and enjoyment of this momentous occasion are of the utmost importance to us, and every effort is being made to minimize any potential inconvenience. Here are the key details you need to know and share with your commencement ceremony guests.
- Cullen Boulevard will be closed to all vehicles between Elgin Street and Cougar Place Drive from 4 p.m., Wednesday, May 10, through Saturday, May 13.
- Guests arriving via I-45 at Scott Street or Cullen Boulevard will be routed to Elgin Street. Parking options include Zone A by the intramural fields, Zone B in front of the Arts District (Lots 16B, 16C and 16D) or the Elgin Street Garage. You can locate these parking options on this map or learn more here.
- ADA-accessible shuttle buses will be available to transport guests between theses lots and the Fertitta Center, ensuring convenience and comfort.
- Shuttle stops are located at the Elgin Street Garage (Visitor Entrance) Zone A (along Elgin), Zone B (at the Blaffer Art Museum and at the Moores Opera House).
- Traffic arriving from south of campus (Cullen Boulevard and N. McGregor Way; Scott Street; Wheeler Avenue) can park in Zone F, adjacent to TDECU Stadium (Lots 12A and 12B located off Cougar Place Dr.)
- Plan to arrive 90 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony.
- Graduate and rideshare drop-offs for Fertitta Center ceremonies will be located in Zone B, Lot 16B, off of Elgin Street.
- Recognizing that rain is in the forecast, umbrellas will be allowed in the Fertitta Center.
Please note that during this time, access to Holman Street from Scott Street will be temporarily closed, and the Stadium Garage will be unavailable for parking. Additionally, Metro buses with stops on Cullen Boulevard between Elgin Street and Cougar Place Drive will be rerouted. Also, as a reminder, the university is currently in Relaxed Parking Rules, which means any parker with a valid University of Houston parking permit is able to park in any non-restricted and non-covered space in any ungated lot, regardless of the day or time.
Ticketing Information
Tickets will be required for all University Commencement ceremonies. Each graduate will be emailed a link to download six (6) electronic tickets. Graduates themselves will not require a ticket. Children two (2) years of age and younger will not require tickets. Additional tickets will not be issued.
Beginning spring 2023, a commencement ticket lottery program will be introduced. This program will give graduates an opportunity to give back unused tickets to the commencement ticket pool. Tickets that are given back will be reallocated to other graduates who need additional commencement tickets for their respective commencement ceremony. To learn more about this program, please click here.
Clear Bag Policy
The Office of Protocol and Special Events has informed that the clear bag policy will be enforced. To learn more about the policy, please click here.
Unable to Attend Commencement? Stream it Live!
To view the live streaming version of the engineering commencement, please click here.
Graduation Deadlines
- Friday, March 3, 2023 — End of regular filing period to apply online for May 2023 graduation with non-refundable $25 fee. Go to myUH to apply.
- Friday, March 24, 2023 — End of late filing period to apply online for May 2023 graduation with non-refundable $50 fee. Go to myUH to apply.
Graduate Students
PhD Dissertation and Master Thesis students must submit your first draft for review two weeks before you defend or the latest by Tuesday, April 18, 2023 to Miranda Vernon-Harrison by email at mavernon-harrison [at] uh.edu. Graduation candidates must successfully defend the thesis/dissertation by Tuesday, May 2, 2023. After being approved by Miranda Vernon-Harrison, your thesis or dissertation must be submitted for binding to her by Tuesday, May 9, 2023.
Grad Fair
The bookstore will host a Graduation Fair on March 7–9 from 10:00 am–4:00 pm. It will be held in the bookstore in the UC, lower level, or call them at 713-748-0923.
Graduation Celebration
Date: April 21, 2023
Time: 9:00 am–4:00 pm
Students can pick up grad fair orders. Bulk orders will be available for those that did not order online or at the grad fair. These are first come, first serve on sizing.
Cap and Gown
All graduates participating in the Commencement ceremonies are required to wear academic regalia. Graduation regalia may be ordered at the UH Bookstore Graduation Fair or directly from Herff-Jones online. Last day to order online is April 4, 2023. Orders will be shipped to the student. Any student trying to order after the cut-off date can purchase from the UH Campus Store once we receive our bulk order. For questions regarding regalia purchase or rental, call the UH bookstore at 713-748-0923.
Invitation
Students may order personalized announcements from Herff Jones at the UH Bookstore Graduation Fair or directly from Herff Jones at 281-379-3825 or online.
Cougar Spirit Cord
The Cougar Spirit Cord is a red and white honor cord that graduating Coogs wear at the commencement to show pride and support for your university. More information here.
Undergraduate Students: Graduating with Academic Honors
Academic honor is determined upon final completion of all degree requirements.
Undergraduate students who complete their degree requirements under catalogs beginning in Fall 2010 will graduate with the stated academic honors if they achieve the following grade point averages earned in the last fifty-four (54) hours (all of which must be A, B, C,…letter grade courses) completed at the University of Houston. Grades of S, U, I and W are not assigned grade point values and are not used in the computation of the grade point average. (See Catalog for Honors)
| 3.90 to 4.0 | Summa Cum Laude (with highest honors) |
| 3.70 to 3.89 | Magna Cum Laude (with high honors) |
| 3.50 to 3.69 | Cum Laude (with honors) |
Further, the honors calculation will include all hours completed in the semester in which the first of those final fifty-four (54) hours was completed.
Undergraduate Students: Walking with Academic Honors at Commencement
For the graduation ceremony, the final semester is not factored into the calculation because final semester grades are not completely posted until after the ceremony.
Honors announced during the graduation ceremony are calculated using the last 54 hours less the number of hours taken in the final semester.
After the graduation ceremony and when final semester grades are fully posted then honors eligibility is recalculated using the final 54 hours. This will then be the official honors if any that will be listed on the transcript and diploma.
Commencement Program
Unless privacy protected, all student names will be included in the Commencement Program regardless of participation. Every effort is made to include the names of all official graduates in the printed Commencement Program. We also will include any honors earned by the student. However, please be aware that the program is not an official document with regard to eligibility for graduation or any honors conferred. Inclusion of a name in the program is not a guarantee of graduation or honors.
Photography
There will be a professional photographer on stage during the ceremony who will take photos of each graduate. You will receive proofs at the mailing address on your walk card. You will then be able to order photos directly through the commercial firm. The website link for the professional photographer: www flashphotography.com. Please ask your family and guests to take their photographs from their seats or before/after the ceremony. The Fire Marshall asks that we keep the aisles of the Fertitta Center clear at all times.
Diploma
Diplomas will be mailed out 6-8 weeks after graduation. If you do not receive your diploma, call the Office of the University Registrar at 713-743-1010.
Commencement Name Pronunciation Meeting
Location: Engineering Building 2, Room E421H — Dean's Conference Room
Dates: May 3, 2023 (9:00 am–11:00 am); May 8, 2023 (1:00 pm–3:00 pm)
Additional Questions
If you have any questions regarding the Engineering Commencement ceremony you may contact:
- Undergraduate students may contact Monica Padilla at msanchez [at] central.uh.edu and Jemal Moore at jmoore [at] central.uh.edu
- Graduate students may contact Miranda Vernon-Harrison at mavernon-harrison [at] uh.edu