December Commencement

December 2023 Commencement

Congratulations, UT Spartan! After years of challenging and rewarding work, you will earn your degree. The December commencement ceremony will take place at 9:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 15, at the Expo Hall at the Florida State Fairgrounds. Please follow this step-by-step guide to ensure you are set to graduate on time and/or participate in the commencement ceremony.

Please read the “Commencement Frequently Asked Questions” guide and “Commencement Brochure” for additional information.  You can also email Orientation and Family Engagement at commencement@ut.edu or call us at (813) 257-1999 with any questions you may have. 

Step 1: Apply to graduate on Workday no later than Thursday, Oct. 26.

Log into your MyUTampa and use the Workday widget to apply to graduate and have your degree conferred. Please note, in order to graduate from UT you still need to complete this step, even if it is past the deadline.

Students are highly encouraged to apply prior to Oct. 26 to confirm their name will be included in the commencement program. If you do not fill out the graduation application by Oct. 26, your name will not be included in the physical program.

If you have any questions regarding your status please reach out to diplomas@ut.edu.

Step 2: Register to attend the ceremony through the Commencement Application, no later than Wednesday, Nov. 15.

Within this separate application from step one, you will provide the Office of Orientation and Family Engagement information relevant to your commencement ceremony experience. This information includes the phonetic spelling of your name to be read, accommodations for you or any of your guests, the commencement speaker application, etc.

Please apply to participate in December commencement here!

Step 3: Pre-order your cap/gown and more at the Grad Fair Oct. 10-11.

Visit the Grad Fair taking place at the University Bookstore Tuesday, Oct. 10, to Wednesday, Oct. 11, from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. to pre-order your cap and gown, graduation announcement, class rings, etc.

Caps and gowns are free to all UT graduates. It is highly recommended you complete a pre-order to ensure you have the correct sizing available to you for the ceremony. 

Step 4: Pick up your cap, gown and honor cords from the University Bookstore (Dates TBA).

Visit the bookstore for cap, gown and honor cord pick-up before the ceremony at the University Bookstore! Pick-up information will be made available in early Fall 2023.

Please note, academic regalia will not be available for on-site pickup at the commencement ceremony and must be obtained before coming to the fairgrounds.

Directions and Parking: Florida State Fairgrounds

The Florida State Fairgrounds is located at 4800 U.S. Highway 301 North in Tampa. Cellular GPS directions to the fairgrounds vary within each app. Please use the following links to ensure you have the correct location for entrance/parking at fairgrounds – Apple Maps, Google Maps, Waze 

Directions from the University (Plant Hall): Turn left onto W Kennedy Blvd (towards Downtown Tampa), Turn left onto N Ashley Drive, Merge right onto I-275 N and take exit 45B towards I-4 E/Orlando, Take exit 7 onto US-92 E/Riverview, Merge right onto US-301 S/Riverview, Turn right into Fairgrounds entrance. If you go past the light at the intersection of US-301 S and Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, you have gone too far.  

There is no fee for parking and disability parking is available with appropriate hangtags to students, families, and guests.  

*Please note: Take proper precautions for Tampa rush-hour traffic/Commencement traffic and leave with plenty of time to arrive at the Fairgrounds. 

Hotel Information

For the December 2023 commencement ceremony, the University is partnering with Hyatt Place Tampa Downtown, 325 N. Florida Ave, Hilton Tampa Downtown, 211 N. Tampa St., and Home2 Suites, 1155 East Kennedy Blvd. to serve as our host hotels.

Please use the following to make a reservation:

Hyatt Place/Hyatt House Tampa - The rate of $269/night (valid Thursday, Dec. 14 - Sunday, Dec. 17) includes a one-bedroom king or double queen room, hot breakfast, wi-fi, outdoor heated pool and terrace. Valet parking is an additional charge of $33 a night.

Please book Hyatt Place/Hyatt House Tampa online here or call Hyatt Reservations directly at (800) 233-1234 and mention you are with the University of Tampa 2023 December Commencement group or utilize code G-ASTN. The deadline to make reservations at this rate is 11:59 p.m. local time Friday, Nov. 17.

Hilton Tampa Downtown - The rate of $155/night (valid Thursday, Dec. 14 - Monday, Dec. 18) includes a one-bedroom king pool view, wi-fi, outdoor pool, fitness center and business center. Valet parking is an additional charge of $37 a night.

Please book Hilton Tampa Downtown online here. The deadline to make reservations at this rate is 11:59 p.m. local time Tuesday, Nov. 14.

Home2 Suites - The rate of $209/night (valid Friday, December 15 - Sunday, December 17) includes a queen bed studio pool view, hot breakfast, wi-fi, outdoor pool, fitness center and business center. Self-parking is an additional charge $25 a night.

Please book Home2 Suites online here. The deadline to make reservations at this rate is 11:59 p.m. local time Wednesday, Nov. 15.

Find additional hotels located close to the UT campus. Families should make reservations directly with the hotel.