The University of Oregon's traditional convocation ceremony will mark the start of the academic year at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 29, at Matthew Knight Arena.

The ceremony will welcome both the new UO class of 2017 and faculty members who are new to the university.

UO President Michael Gottfredson, Interim Senior Vice President and Provost Scott Coltrane and Associated Students of the University of Oregon President Sam Dotters-Katz each will speak at the event.

Convocation traditions go back several centuries and vary from university to university. In the 16th century, Oxford University used the term to describe an assembly of master's graduates, welcoming them to the order of scholars.

Convocation is intended to set the tone for a new academic year, and to highlight the appeal of intellectual activity.

The UO convocation includes several elements associated with commencement exercises, including faculty members wearing their academic regalia, banners to identify the academic schools and colleges, and music associated with the university such as the Oregon pledge song and the "Mighty Oregon" fight song.

An academic processional of faculty and staff members in regalia will precede the ceremony. All faculty and staff are encouraged to participate in the processional. Members of the UO community who have bachelor’s degrees or higher are invited to wear academic regalia.

- from the UO Office of Strategic Communications