Commencement Central

• Parking is free and no passes are required for students or guests. Please carpool, as there will be traffic and all guests and gradautes can enter at 8:30 a.m.
• Expect heavy traffic on the day of Commencement.
• ADA drop off points are indicated on the Coliseum parking map here.

Shuttle Service

• As a service to the campus community, Park & Ride buses will transport volunteers, students, staff, and faculty between campus and the Coliseum on commencement day.
• Buses will depart campus every 30 minutes beginning at 7 a.m. with the final shuttle returning to campus at 1:30 p.m.
• Passengers may board the bus on Stirling St. in front of the Elliot University Center.
• Faculty – If you plan to participate in the ceremony processional, as you board the bus, please indicate that you will need to be dropped off in the faculty lineup location.

Maps

• Maps for parking and assembly have been emailed to students, faculty, and staff and will be resent the day of commencement.
• Click the image to the right to view a full parking map for guests and students.

• Commencement is both a joyful as well as dignified event. We ask that you express your excitement in ways that will not prevent others from hearing the speakers and enjoying the ceremony. Any distracting noisemakers, such as air horns, are prohibited and will be confiscated by Coliseum security.
• Guests will be required to enter the Coliseum through a metal detector. Click here to view a full list of prohibited items and the updated Coliseum bag policy.
• We will follow University and UNC System COVID-19 protocols that are in place at the time of the ceremony. Closer to the date, please visit the SpartanSafe.uncg.edu website for the current protocols.
• Alcohol is not permitted in the Coliseum during commencement. Security officers will be present to seize any alcohol and to prohibit from marching any who may have already consumed alcohol. 
• Security and emergency medical personnel will be available to provide a safe environment for all commencement participants and guests.
• All electronic devices should be turned off to help ensure that all guests can hear and enjoy the ceremony.
• Tickets and parking passes are not required for guests attending the event on Friday, May 8th.
• The Commencement Ceremony will begin promptly at 10:00 a.m. and is expected to last approximately 3 hours.
• Click here for a link to the guest parking map and ADA drop off locations.
• Be sure to come back to Commencement Central on May 8th at 10:00 a.m. to watch the Commencement livestream. Following the ceremony, the video will be available on the UNCG Commencement YouTube page.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

For more detailed information about the ceremony, please see the Friends and Family Letter.

Restricted Mobility

The First Horizon Coliseum is equipped with seating to accommodate guests in wheelchairs on a first-come, first-served basis. There is limited accessible seating within designated areas, and we ask that only one supporter sit with an ADA guest. When guests arrive at the Coliseum, they should proceed to one of the following restricted mobility seating area sections: 106, 112, 116, 118, 124, or 128 (see map). Guests with restricted mobility should enter the Coliseum from the ground floor of the East Wing of the Special Events Center (see map). ADA drop-off locations are located in front of the ACC Hall of Champions and in front of the Special Events Center (see map). The elevator will be clearly marked. Contact the Guest Services Manager of the First Horizon Coliseum, 336.373.7461, for more information.

Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Reserved seating for guests who read American Sign Language will be available in section 127; e-mail commence@uncg.edu to reserve seats in this section.

The Coliseum offers Assistive Listening Devices—for those who are hard of hearing but do not read sign language—which work in any area of the Arena. Upon arrival, go to the Guest Services booth on the Concourse at Section 103 to secure an ALD. Guests should be prepared to leave a North Carolina Driver’s License or other form of ID, which will be returned when the device is returned.

For more information about the Greensboro Complex and the ADA standards in place, please visit their website here or contact commence@uncg.edu.

Be sure to come back to Commencement Central on May 8th at 10:00 a.m. to watch the Commencement livestream. Following the ceremony, the video will be available on the UNCG Commencement YouTube page.

• The RSVP link to attend the University Commencement will go live in February.
• Faculty Invitation Letter will be updated by February.
• Parking Information
• If you plan to participate in the ceremony processional and ride the shuttle to the Coliseum, as you board the bus, please indicate that you will need to be dropped off in the faculty lineup location.

Commencement Regalia Protocols

The University of North Carolina at Greensboro has core values of Honesty, Fairness, Trust, Respect, and Responsibility. In keeping with our values of Respect and Responsibility, all graduating students are to respect the dignified nature of the ceremony. Formal academic regalia is required for all degree candidates participating in the University of North Carolina at Greensboro commencement ceremonies. It is the responsibility of the degree candidate to secure academic regalia prior to the ceremony from the University Bookstore and to bring it to the ceremony. Only adornments provided and/or approved by the university, such as stoles and cords, are allowed. 

• Candidates for degrees must wear robes appropriate to their degree. 
• Graduate candidates for master’s or doctoral degrees wear the appropriate hoods around their necks and down their backs. 
• Undergraduate degree candidates who will graduate with Commencement Honors wear colored stoles and tassels provided by the university. Only one tassel is worn during the commencement ceremony. 
• Cords or stoles representing registered student organizations, University recognized honor societies, students with an international affiliation, members of recognized social fraternities and sororities, military and veteran students, and members of athletic teams are allowed. Please refer to the Accessory Policy in the tab below. 
• Undergraduate degree candidates place tassels on the right side of the mortarboard until their degrees are conferred at the commencement ceremonies. The tassels are switched to the left side as a part of the ceremony and are worn on that side any time thereafter. 
• Mortarboards may be decorated on the top only and must be non-distracting to the ceremony and other graduates. 
• No modifications may be made to the regalia gown. 

Accessories Policy

The Commencement Committee of The University of North Carolina at Greensboro supports the wearing of medals, medallions, stoles, and honor cords at commencement ceremonies by students representing recognized academic honors, honors programs, and honor societies; students with an international affiliation; members of UNCG-recognized Greek letter societies; NCAA-affiliated student athletes; military and veteran students; and students with service recognized by the Office of Leadership and Service-Learning. Sashes will be worn by non-graduating University Marshals assisting with the commencement ceremony. Some academic honor societies order through their chapters; otherwise, academic regalia and accessories should be ordered through the University Bookstore.

Accessories Guidelines:

• Gold cords are reserved for graduation honors (assessed by the University Registrar’s Office).
• Other cord colors are available for other honorary societies.
• Sashes and stoles are designated for international students, athletes, service and service/academic organizations, Greek organizations, etc.

If your planned use of an accessory falls outside of the guidelines above, contact your organization’s advisor or sponsor who should submit a request/justification here.

The deadline to request a new accessory for the May ceremony is April 1.

Commencement Participation Policy for Undergraduates

Students completing all degree requirements by the end of the spring semester are encouraged to participate in the May Commencement. Students completing degree requirements by the end of the fall semester are encouraged to participate in the December Commencement. Students completing degree requirements by the end of the Summer Session may participate in either the May or December commencement ceremony by applying to graduate, paying the graduation fee, and notifying the University Registrar’s Office. Please note: degree candidates will not earn degrees nor be graduated from the University until they have completed all degree requirements. The names of August graduates appear only in the December commencement program.

Participation in a commencement ceremony does not presume graduation from the University. Students who do not apply for graduation before the published deadline for any semester must apply for graduation during the next semester. Students who have applied for graduation but fail to meet the requirements must reapply for graduation by the published deadline for the semester in which they will fulfill the requirements. Degrees are conferred only after all requirements are completed and the Board of Trustees has taken official action.

Academic Requirements and Honors

• Honors Information for Undergraduates
• Academic Requirements

Please contact the Registrar’s Office directly for questions about academic requirements and honors.

Diplomas are mailed out approximately 12 weeks after the commencement ceremony. Please contact the University Registrar’s Office for questions and information.

Contact the Cashiers and Student Accounts Office at 336.334.5831 or cashier@uncg.edu.

Contact the University Registrar’s Office to change your name in our system. Be sure to also enter your preferred name in your commencement RSVP to ensure your name is called correctly at the ceremony.

No, tickets are not required for students or guests.

Yes, students that attend the commencement ceremony will have their name called.

The Grad Team is pleased to provide this complimentary service for each graduate during the commencement ceremony. Please do not contact the school with inquiries related to photographic service. For information about commencement photographs, go to The Grad Team UNCG webpage.

Please submit this form if you have guest in need of a visa invitation letter for Spring 2026 ceremonies. Some countries have longer wait times for family members to receive appointments for visas, so please contact commence@uncg.edu if you have additional questions.

There is not a Summer University Commencement ceremony. Summer graduates may choose to participate in Spring or Fall. If you choose to participate in the Spring semester, please contact commence@uncg.edu to be added to the communications list. The names of the August degree candidates/graduates appear only in the December commencement program.