UAB to host in-person commencement at Bartow Arena, Dec. 10, 11

UAB will host in-person commencement ceremonies for the fall 2021 semester on Friday, Dec. 10, and Saturday, Dec. 11. Masks will be required for everyone in attendance regardless of vaccination status.

A UAB graduating female student is wearing green cap and gown while sitting in chair during ceremony.UAB will host in-person commencement ceremonies for the fall 2021 semester on Friday, Dec. 10, and Saturday, Dec. 11. The University of Alabama at Birmingham will host in-person commencement ceremonies for the fall 2021 semester on Friday, Dec. 10, and Saturday, Dec. 11.    

All commencement ceremonies will take place in Bartow Arena. Masks will be required for everyone in attendance regardless of vaccination status. Ceremony options and times are as follows:

  • Graduate student ceremony will be at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec 10.
  • Undergraduate student ceremony for the College of Arts and Sciences will be at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec 11.
  • Undergraduate student ceremony for all other schools will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11.

Students who wish to walk in a ceremony must register to do so. Students who do not register will have to walk in a future semester.

“We are so proud of our students’ accomplishments and look forward to celebrating them in-person this semester,” said UAB Provost Pam Benoit, Ph.D. “It is because of the care of UAB students, faculty and staff in protecting the health and safety of our community through mitigation efforts like vaccinations and masking that we are able to gather together.”

UAB will stay vigilant with all public health regulations to ensure COVID-19 cases are kept to a minimum; the university reserves the right to cancel commencement ceremonies based on the number of COVID-19 cases or at the advisement of our public health experts. 

There is no limit on the number of guests who can attend. Parking will be free. All areas will be professionally sanitized before and in between ceremonies.

There will be no handshake with the president or deans, but graduates will still have their photo taken. Full details are available on the UAB commencement website. Students are asked to wear flat shoes.  

These ceremonies are expected to be longer, with an estimated runtime of up to 2.5 hours, due to inviting 2020 and summer 2021 graduates who would like to participate.

Students and families are asked to stay updated by checking the commencement website, where any updates will be shared.