University of Redlands
The Students of Color Recognition Ceremony is a commencement event to honor students of color who have completed undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs at the University of Redlands. This ceremony commemorates and honors graduates as their families and loved ones celebrate their dedication and hard work. The Students of Color Recognition Ceremony reinforces the mutual pursuit of scholarship, extends the sense of a multi-dimensional community, and introduces U of R Bulldogs to their newly earned alumni status.
Registration to participate in the Students of Color Ceremony is required. You can anticipate ceremony information, details, and updates will be emailed to you upon registration. The registration deadline is Monday, April 15.
For immediate questions, please email campusdiversity@redlands.edu.
While this annual commencement event is different every year, the organizers' goals are to ensure that there is a student speaker, a U of R alum speaker, and a cording ceremony.
You have choices. You may dress business casual, attire significant to your heritage and culture, or your commencement regalia (cap and gown). Most often, graduates wear business casual. Graduates who wear their regalia do so if they are coming from or going to a commencement ceremony where regalia is required.
Students and family may be seated rows 11 and on of the West and East columns and rows four and on in the center rows. Please see the seating chart. Seating together allow graduates and their guests to participate in heartfelt moments of the event. Since seating is on a first-come basis, we recommend that you arrive at the Memorial Chapel at least 40 minutes before the start of the program.
For two important reasons: First, maintain contact via emails with registrants. The registration process allows us to ensure that we stay within the capacity of the Chapel.
University faculty & staff may sit in the first 10 rows of the West and East columns of the Chapel. Refer to the seating chart.
During the Cording ceremony portion of the event, the emcee(s) will request families and loved ones to stand up with their graduates, where they are seated, to say something heartfelt about their accomplishments and future. Then, they will place the red, black, white, and gold cord on the graduate. The emcee will start with the graduates of the College of Arts & Sciences, the School of Business & Society, and the School of Education.
The 2023 Students of Color Recognition planning team felt that the four colors are symbolic throughout Black, Indigenous, and people of color communities. Carlos Chavez '23 shared with the participants the purpose of each color and how it ties into celebrating the educational milestone of students of color. He shared that red symbolizes action, strength, and passion. Red draws attention like no other color and radiates intense energy that motivates us to act. In this context, it can represent the ancestors' blood, which can evoke anger and a call to action.
Yes, a cord costs $6.00, which is available to purchase online only. Once you have ordered your cord, you will bring a copy of your payment confirmation that you will receive in your email box.
You will take your email confirmation to the campus bookstore to pick-up your cord.
Times of operations: Monday - Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Friday - 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday - 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Location: Hunsaker University Center
Contact: 909.748.8950
There are no limits on the number of guests you may invite, but we do ask you to be considerate of your peers.
The one-hour pre-commencement event does not allow time for students to walk across the stage.
Please refer to the following seating chart :
