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Out of Respect for all our Graduates: Graduates and Guests: Must Stay for the Duration 

Commencement Conduct Guidelines

As a part of your Step 4 Apply to Graduate Application and or signing up or requesting to participate in the University of ÌÇÐÄVlog´«Ã½ Commencement ceremony, you agreed to the following:

By attending Commencement as a current graduate or past graduate, I agree to everything outlined on this page and associated with my conduct and the conduct of my guests. I will follow all procedure and understand that if I violate this in any way including but not limited to disrupting the event in any way, leaving my chair without permission, swapping seats, getting out of order, screaming, or yelling or the like, I will be escorted out by Police/Law Enforcement and not allowed to participate in the ceremony. Diploma, Photos and videos and the like will be withheld from me or cancelled automatically and without warning.

Commencement decorum requires a formal, respectful atmosphere honoring academic achievement, lasting two hours. Graduates and guests must celebrate respectfully to ensure a dignified, orderly ceremony for all.

 

Required Diploma Card: Duration Card

• At the end of the ceremony, all graduates and participants MUST turn in their diploma card to ensure diploma will not be withheld or fee accrued.
• Find Blue Baskets at end of ceremony.
• Drop your card in the basket.
• Do not turn in another individual’s card.
• At the conclusion of the ceremony, graduates/participants will exit through the stands.
• All graduates/participants MUST remain for the duration of the ceremony.

 

 

All graduates/student attendees MUST remain for the duration of the ceremony:

 

 

• Respectful Noise: Celebrate respectfully; air horns and excessive, lengthy shouting is unacceptable, and you will be asked to leave the ceremony by Security.
• Stay Seated: Guests should stay in designated areas and not approach the stage for photos. You will be asked to leave the ceremony by Security.
• Duration: Graduates are required to stay for the entire ceremony to honor all graduates. Ceremonies have a 2-hour duration.
• Safety & Security: Follow all instructions from crew, marshals, and security. 

 

Public Event: These are large-scale, free, and public events; therefore, while we work hard to ensure these events are great for everyone there are matters beyond our control. There will be traffic and parking lines. There will be many guests. There may be delays. We recommend working out plans with yourself and guests prior to attending. Remember: An idea you have may be shared by someone else. Someone will be first and someone will be last, and someone will be waiting. This should be expected. Prepare for possible and longer waiting time. Patience and understanding are necessary!

 

• Share these specific guidelines with all your invited guests well in advance of the ceremony.

• The ceremony is free, open to the public, and does not require tickets. Graduates will enter through the P1 Garage VIP Door, while guests will enter at the front door on Beale Street. 

• Designate on a specific meeting spot to reunite with your guests after the ceremony concludes to avoid confusion in the crowds.
• Remind guests to silence their cell phones, remain seated until the entire recessional has finished, and be respectful of all families graduates. Everyone wants to hear their graduate’s name called. 

 

By attending the University of ÌÇÐÄVlog´«Ã½ Commencement Ceremony, you and your guests agree to security checks, a prohibition on unauthorized items and disruptive behavior, and that you are responsible for your guests' actions. Any violation of these rules may result dismissal from the Commencement by law enforcement and graduate's diploma, transcript and photos and videos associated with the ceremony may be withheld.

 

Guests are seated separately from graduates. Guests are not allowed on the floor. Graduates cannot go into the stands during the ceremony. If you must leave the floor for any reason, let a Commencement Crew know so we can assist you.

 

Clear Bag Policy: Guests must adhere to the Clear Bag Policy for entry.

• Clear bags must be no larger than 6x8x2 inches.
• Diaper bags must be clear also and must be no larger than 6x8x2 inches.
• Exceptions may be made for medically necessary items after inspection. 

 

 

Graduates Entrance and Exiting: 

For each commencement, students will enter the P1 entrance of the FedExForum. The P1 entrance of FedExForum is located on the first floor in the Nort East corner of the Gossett Motors parking garage. There will be signs on the first floor of the garage to direct students to the entrance. For each commencement, students will exit from the P1 entrance. Students will need to exit the floor through the marshalling area and then either walking up the staircase by elevators 1, 2, and three or taking elevators 1, 2 and 3 to the plaza level. Once exited, students may meet up with their family/guests etc. in the Gossett Motors parking garage or the front plaza.

 

Family and Guests Entrance and Exiting: 

Guests will enter from the Grand Lobby doors that are in front of South B.B. King Blvd. Guests will exit from the 4-6 doors closest to the ÌÇÐÄVlog´«Ã½ Grizzlies Team Store in the Grand Lobby. Guests may meet up with the students in the Gossett Motors parking garage or the front plaza. 

 

Notice: We are not responsible for lost, stolen, or items left behind, theft, damage to vehicles, or personal injury of any kind. No property should be tampered with, destroyed, or mishandled in any way by any graduate or guests attending. Attendance in the commencement ceremony and events is completely optional. Graduating students and guests choose to attend these events of their own free will. No unauthorized items, or weapons of any kind are permitted.

 

• Graduates only on the event level/stage: Only the degree candidates are permitted in the graduate seating area, on the event floor, and on stage (no parents, guests, children, families, friends, or others). This ensures an orderly processional, the correct reading of names, and the smooth flow of the ceremony.
• No proposals or disruptive behavior: Actions that might disrupt the ceremony's dignity, such as marriage proposals, excessive cheering/screaming, dancing, or using noisemakers (e.g., air horns, cowbells), are strictly prohibited. Clapping and respectful cheering are typically allowed.
• Guests are not permitted to save seats: Seating is usually first-come, first-served, and saving seats is prohibited to ensure fair access for all guests. Security or ushers will guide guests to open seats.
• Adherence to rules is mandatory: By attending, both graduates and guests agree to these terms. Violations can lead to individuals being escorted out by security or law enforcement, and potentially disciplinary action against the graduate, including withholding their diploma or transcript.
• Guests must remain in designated areas: Family members and guests should stay in their seating areas and are not allowed to rush the stage or block aisles for photos. Official photographers capture the moment each graduate crosses the stage. 

• You are responsible for the actions of yourself and all your guests.
• All attendees must pass through security measures. Unauthorized items, weapons, and certain disruptive items (like airhorns and large signs) are not permitted.
• Disruptive behavior, such as excessive noise, and pranks are prohibited.
• Anyone in violation can be escorted out by law enforcement. For a participating student, this could lead to their diploma and transcript being withheld, along with possible further disciplinary action.
• Guests and graduates will go through separate security lines and be seated in separate areas.
• Guests are not allowed on stage with a graduate.
• After leaving the stage, the graduate returns to their seat as guided by crew officials. Individuals in violation will be escorted out by law enforcement.

• No interacting with guests from your seats.
• Stay in numerical order as indicated on your Pronouncer Card.
• Ushers and staff will be present to assist guests and graduates upon arrival.
• No waving or tossing up any items on the floor, lineup, or stage. If you are found in violation, you will be escorted out by Law Enforcement.
• No banners, flags, or any other items should be brought with you or hidden! If you are found in violation, you will be escorted out by law enforcement.
• No jumping, leaping, dancing, or the like are permitted. If you are found in violation, you will be escorted out by law enforcement.
• If you have guests who are unable to stand in long lines, etc., we do record and live stream our ceremonies. 
• Speak to guests about appropriate cheering. Over cheering, yelling, and screaming is not permitted. You want your name to be heard by your family and friends, and so do your peers. Speak to guests about cheering too loudly. Ask guests to be respectful of other graduates’ names after your name is called. ALL families/friends want to hear their graduate’s name called. Clapping and respectful cheering is allowed.
• Be respectful of other graduates and the audience by staying in your seat before and after you receive your diploma and until those on the commencement platform exit during the recession.
• Inappropriate behavior for this occasion includes taking selfies while on the commencement platform, pranks, stepping or dancing, and/or vocal or visual disruptions.
• The use and/or possession of outside beverages, food, alcohol, or drugs is strictly prohibited.
• All provisions of the University of ÌÇÐÄVlog´«Ã½ Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities apply to commencement ceremonies.
• The university expects to conduct a meaningful, dignified ceremony. Disorderly and/or disruptive conduct, including, but not limited to the examples provided above, may be grounds for immediate ejection, and may result in your diploma and/or transcript being retained by the university.
• We cannot and do not hold personal items. Bring only the items you need.
• The Commencement Program is available digitally. Each graduating participant receives one in their chair. Guests are encouraged to view our online/digital program available at /commencement/pdfs/program.pdf.pdf.

 

These rules are in place, so everyone has an opportunity to celebrate this significant academic achievement in an organized and respectful environment.