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Emergency Alert
UDC Operating Remotely on Friday, Jan. 30

The University of the District of Columbia’s academic and administrative offices will conduct business remotely on Friday, Jan. 30. All on-campus activities, including athletic-related activities, are cancelled.

Campuses will reopen on Monday, Feb. 2.

Staff: Contact your immediate supervisor with questions or for further instruction regarding remote work expectations. 

Faculty: Reach out to your immediate supervisor and/or the dean for questions and further instruction regarding the transition to emergency remote instruction (ERI).  The Center for the Advancement of Learning (CAL) is available to support faculty with instructional continuity, including support for Blackboard, Zoom, Webex and other teaching and learning technologies. 

CAL Faculty Support Resources

calhelpdesk@udc.edu 
Virtual Office Hours
Consultation Request Form

For learning technology tools and on-demand faculty resources, please visit CAL’s website.

Students: Due to inclement weather, the university will be closed to face-to-face operations. Instruction will be moved to emergency remote, including synchronous and asynchronous methods. Certain laboratory, clinical, and other hands-on classes for which in-person instruction is a requirement may necessitate a make-up lesson, but every effort will be made to pursue virtual learning to the extent possible. Where synchronous virtual instruction is intended, published class meeting times must be observed so that students’ schedules are not disrupted.

The safety and security of our students, faculty, staff, and the broader community remain our top priority. We will continue to provide updates regarding the status of the university’s academic and administrative offices as conditions change.

Please continue to check our website and social media channels for the latest information.

If you have any safety concerns, contact OPSEM at 202-274-5050. For all immediate emergencies, call 911.

Thank you for your continued dedication to our students and to UDC’s mission. 

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students walking in cap and gown

Graduating Students

2026

Commencement Information for Graduating Students

Commencement 2026 will take place on Saturday, May 9, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center at 10 a.m. Each graduate will be given six tickets for guests. You will receive communication regarding Commencement as details are confirmed. Please continue to check your UDC inboxes throughout the Spring Semester.

Visit the Commencement website

Graduation Rehearsal

May 8
11 a.m.
Walter E. Washington Convention Center

Regalia Information — Cap, Gown, Hood and Tassel

Check back here later in the spring to access the Herff Jones regalia portal.

Graduation event flyer for the UDC Graduating Class of 2026, featuring details for cap and gown photo sessions.Cap and Gown Photos

Earl Howard Studios is this year’s official class photographer. Students will be able to take pictures at the Lamond-Riggs and Van Ness Campuses. If you are taking your cap and gown pictures on campus (March 10 or 11), you do not need to schedule an appointment. All you must do is come to campus.

Fee for Pictures

The sitting fee is $25 for photos taken on campus or in the Earl Howard Studios. Cash and credit card payments are acceptable.

Cap and Gown Picture Attire

Earl Howard Studios will provide cap, gown, hood and tassel for your photos. Gentlemen, a shirt and tie are required. Ladies, please be mindful of your nails and hairstyles as you will take pictures with your caps on and off and various poses. Also, do not wear any attire that covers your neck.

On-Campus Photo Schedule
Graduation photo schedule
Van Ness Campus Lamond-Riggs Campus
Tuesday, March 10
2–6 p.m.
Student Center, 1st Floor, Towers Conference Room

Wednesday, March 11
2–6 p.m.
Auditorium
Pictures Taken Off-Campus

You may schedule an appointment directly with Earl Howard Studios. To schedule an appointment: 

  • Visit the Earl Howard Studios website
  • Select “schedule appointment” 
  • Scroll down to “UDC Students” and select “Book”

Graduation Tickets

Each graduate will receive six guest tickets. Please check back later in the spring to learn more about acquiring graduation tickets.

Requirements for Guests Attending UDC Commencement

  • Tickets are required for admittance to the Commencement Hall.
  • Guests must have their tickets. Children three and older will require a ticket. An adult must accompany children at all times.

Announcements

Please check back later in the spring to learn more about ordering announcements.

Commencement Decorum

students at graduations in cap and gowns The graduation ceremony is a festive occasion, but also a formal academic event. The celebration manifests itself in the dress of the students and faculty, adorned in academic regalia, and the joy and satisfaction of accomplishment. The ceremony is also marked by seriousness, where the actual conferring of degrees signifies the hard work of everyone involved: students, faculty, administrators, and family. Given the ceremony's serious nature, students and their guests are expected to maintain a measure of decorum consistent with the occasion.

  • Expect to dedicate most of the day to your special day. The ceremony will begin promptly at 10 a.m. and last approximately 3 hours.
  • Graduates and their guests are expected to stay for the duration of the event.
  • All graduates are expected to attend the entire ceremony and to participate in both the processional and recessional.
  • Plan any after-Commencement events for after 2 p.m.

You have spent many years earning your degree, so you can take 3-4 hours to honor your achievement.

Commencement begins with the academic procession. The audience is asked to rise as the procession enters and remain to standing until the platform party has taken its place.

Commencement closes with the recessional. After the singing of the Alma Mater, the audience is asked to take their seats and remain seated for the retrieval of colors and the recessional of the platform party, faculty and students.

Other University-Related Information

Transcripts 

Learn more about requesting transcripts here. You can also review page 37 of the university course catalog. 

Academic Standing and University Honors 

For information regarding Academic Standing and University Honors (Dean’s List, High Honors, Highest Honors and Top Student), please refer to pages 38-40 of the university course catalog. University Honor Cords (High, Highest and Top) will be provided by the Office of the Registrar. For inquiries regarding Dean’s List Honor, please contact your College Dean. For questions or additional information, please contact the Office of the Registrar at uregistrar@udc.edu.

Honor cords and name cards (needed for commencement) may be picked up at the Office of the Registrar, Van Ness Campus, Building 39, A-Level. The Office of the Registrar is located in the Enrollment Services Suite and is open on the following schedule:

Tuesday, May 5 – Friday, May 8
9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 10
Morning of commencement at the convention center

FAQ’s

Student Resources

Contact Us

Office of Student Life

Van Ness Campus
4200 Connecticut Ave. NW
Building 56, Suite 107 
202-274-7213
studentlife@udc.edu

Percy Henry, III

Director of Student Life and Services
percy.henryiii@udc.edu

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