Important Commencement Reminders

Congratulations families of graduating students!

We are enthused to celebrate your students this weekend and are writing to share important reminders for the week. They include:

  • Sending a Tribute message to the graduating class
  • Student tickets
  • Requirements for students attending the in person ceremony at Camp Randall on May 8
  • Ceremony details

Send a Tribute

As our gift to you (and the graduating class), we invite you to upload a short video message to our Tribute Community Page that honors your graduates. Share one word that represents the class of 2021 and/or one wish you have for them as they move on to the next chapter. Uploading a video is simple and easy. Content will be shared with graduates this weekend. Thank you for sharing a Tribute! Read more.

Tickets 

Students were required to complete the online Canvas Commencement Module and request a ticket. Today (Monday, May 3), students will receive an email with information on how to successfully receive their mobile ticket, followed by an email on Tuesday, May 4, with the link to view and download their mobile ticket. Emails will be sent to the email address on file with the Wisconsin Athletic Ticket Office, which may differ from what is being used for graduation registration.

Green Badger Badge: Requirements for Graduates 

Students can have a green Badger Badge either by having a negative test or by being fully vaccinated.

1. Testing

  • Students must test at an on-campus testing site on either May 5 or 6 and receive a negative test result to ensure their Badger Badge is green. Undergraduate students are recommended to test on the following schedule:
    •  Graduates with the last name A–L should test on May 5
    •  Graduates with the last name M–Z should test on May 6
  • If your student has not been on campus or used the Safer Badgers app, they will need to download it on their phone. For more information, see saferbadgers.wisc.edu.
  • Testing sites will be closed on Saturday, May 8. If a student does not have a green Badger Badge on Saturday, they will not be allowed to participate in commencement at Camp Randall. 
  • We recommend that students get tested early in case their test is rejected or comes back invalid and they need to test again.
  • If your student tested positive on campus for COVID-19 on or after February 8, 2021, and before April 28, 2021, they will not need to test. Their Badger Badge will show green. If they tested positive off campus, they will need to submit their test result via the Safer Badgers app.
  • Students in isolation or quarantine will not be permitted to participate in person.

2. Demonstration of Vaccination for Badger Badge

In order to be considered fully vaccinated, two weeks must have elapsed following the last recommended dose. If your student received their final dose in a vaccine series after April 24, their Badger Badge will not be green and they will need to follow the testing requirements and test negative for COVID-19 on campus by May 5 in order to have a green Badger Badge.

If your student is fully vaccinated and a record of their vaccination is on file and approved by UHS, their badge will turn green and they will be exempt from campus testing prior to commencement.

If your student was vaccinated on campus, UHS has their vaccination record and no further action is needed. If your student was vaccinated off campus, UHS will need proof that they have received the final dose in a vaccine series on or before April 24, 2021. This includes the following:

  • Single-dose Johnson and Johnson OR
  • Final dose of two-dose Pfizer or Moderna OR
  • Final dose of internationally approved vaccine OR
  • Final dose of trial vaccines administered in the United States

Students should upload their vaccination proof now – it may take up to 5 days for University Health Services to process vaccination documentation.

If your student is feeling symptomatic, they should not attend the ceremony. COVID-19 symptoms can begin any time, from two days up to 14 days after exposure. Symptoms include: Fever or chills; cough; new loss of taste or smell; shortness of breath or difficulty breathing; fatigue; muscle or body aches; headache; sore throat; congestion or runny nose; nausea or vomiting; diarrhea

Ceremony Details 

  • Commencement for undergraduate students will be held at Camp Randall Stadium at noon on Saturday, May 8. Badger Wellness Ambassadors will begin screening Badger Badges at 10 a.m. Gates will open at 10:30 a.m. The ceremony will last approximately one hour.
  • Unfortunately, guests are not allowed inside Camp Randall Stadium. There are no exceptions. The event will be livestreamed at wisc.edu/commencement.
  • All parking lots on campus will be free for graduate-only parking on Saturday except for the Engineering Drive Ramp (Lot 17).
  • Students will be provided a bottle of water, Class of 2021 face mask, individual-size bottle of hand sanitizer, and a Class of 2021 rally towel when entering Camp Randall Stadium.
  • Students must wear a well-fitting face mask and practice physical distancing. 
  • Students will be asked to show your Badger Badge on the Safer Badgers app. Students must have a green Badger Badge to enter Camp Randall. Badger Wellness Ambassadors will be monitoring the entrances at the stadium. Please see this Camp Randall map for more information and encourage your student to review the Carry-In Policy.

Your students have also received regular communications with the information above. For FAQs and more information about commencement, visit commencement.wisc.edu. Please don’t hesitate to let us know if you have any questions – we’re here to help!

Kind regards,
The UW-Madison Parent and Family Program Team

Read the full article at: https://mailchi.mp/uwmad/commencement5321