The Political Science Convocation celebrates B.A., M.A. and Ph.D. recipients from Summer 2023 through Summer 2024! The celebration will include departmental undergraduate awards, a speech by an undergraduate, and a speech by the recipient of the Department's Distinguished Alumni Award. Each graduating student will have their name read as they cross the stage and will receive a letter of congratulations from the Department Chair.
Registration is closed (click here if you did not pre-register)
YouTube channel for those who will not attend in person
Seating
Overflow Room
Accessibility and Accommodation
Pre-Paid Parking
Parking Permits
Accessible Parking
Information for the Graduates
If You Did Not Pre-Register
NUMBER OF GUESTS PER STUDENT: Students were notified of the number of guests they are allowed to invite. To comply with fire code and HUB policies, the number attending may not exceed the number of seats. Thank you for understanding this limitation. We invite those who cannot attend in person to watch the livestream of the Convocation on YouTube.
SEATING IN THE HUB: Graduates will be sitting together in a reserved section. Family and friends will be sitting in all other open sections.
OVERFLOW ROOM: Due to limited seating capacity in the HUB Ballroom, there is a possibility that some guests may need to be directed to HUB 250, an overflow room on the same floor, where they can view the Convocation via livestream. Please inform your guests that anyone who does not have a seat will be asked to go to HUB 250 so that we may comply with fire code and HUB policies. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.
ACCESSIBILITY and ACCOMMODATION: The Ballroom is located on the second floor of the HUB and may be reached by stairs or by elevator. Seating is on a flat surface and will face a raised stage.
If you pre-arranged seating accommodation for any of your guests, you will receive a follow-up message with instructions. If you did not indicate that you need a wheelchair or other accommodation for a guest but need accommodation now, please contact us immediately at polsadvc@uw.edu or 206-543-1824.
PRE PAID PARKING: If you ordered pre-paid parking permits through the Commencement website, park in your assigned lot. If you do not have pre-paid permits, we recommend public transportation. Permits can be purchased on June 6th at a campus gatehouse, but plan to arrive early: there will be several events on campus, some gatehouses may be closed, traffic volume may be high, and nearby parking lots may fill quickly. See UW Visitor Parking for additional information.
PARKING PERMITS: If you wish to park on campus, parking permits will be required. Day of parking may be available for additional cost, but lot selection and availability are not guaranteed. All lots are pay per use and have parking codes in each parking area. For additional parking services and resources, please visit: https://transportation.uw.edu/park/visitor
ACCESSIBLE PARKING: See UW’s Accessible Parking webpage.
*** INFORMATION FOR THE GRADUATES***
TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF: On Thursday morning be sure to eat a good breakfast and be well-hydrated.
WHAT TO WEAR: Wear a cap and gown or business attire and comfortable shoes. You will be standing in line before the processional. Later on you will walk up a ramp and down unfamiliar stairs that you may not be able to see well if you are wearing a cap and gown.
CHECK-IN INSTRUCTIONS: Arrive at the HUB Ballroom by 10am. Follow the signs to the registration tables to pick up your name card (these cards include the phonetic pronunciation of your name, if you provided that information) and a program and then get in line. DO NOT LOSE YOUR CARD--you will need it when you go to the stage.
IF YOU DID NOT PRE-REGISTER, we will have blank cards for you to fill out at the registration tables. Because seating is limited, please bring a minimum of guests, no more than 5.
THE PROCESSIONAL: If you will wear your cap and gown, be sure to put them on BEFORE you get in line. At 10:30am, faculty will lead the processional into the hall and ushers will guide graduates to their seats in a reserved section.
THE CEREMONY: After everyone is seated, the ceremony will begin. Undergraduates will process to the stage after the Distinguished Alumni speech. When you get to the stage, hand your name card to Professors Asli Cansunar and Geoffrey Wallace. They will read your name and then you will cross the stage to receive a letter of congratulation from Department Chair Rachel Cichowski.
The ceremony should conclude between 12 and 12:30pm.
We look forward to celebrating your graduation from the University of Washington. If you have any questions, please contact Political Science Advising at polsadvc@uw.edu or 206-543-1824.
UW's June 8 Commencement in Husky Stadium: See the Commencement website