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Commencement Office

What to know about Commencement Day?

Everything You Need to Know for Commencement Day

Parking

 

Entry & Exiting for Graduates 

Entrance: For each commencement, graduates will enter the P1 (only graduates permitted to enter at the P1 entrance and on the Event Floor) entrance of the FedExForum. The P1 entrance of FedExForum is located on the 1st floor in the Nort East corner of the Gossett Motors parking garage. There will be signs on the 1st floor of the garage to direct graduates to the entrance. 

Exiting: For each commencement, graduates 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 3 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.  

 

Entry & Exiting for Family and Guests 

Entrance: Guests will enter from the Grand Lobby doors that are in front of South B.B. King Blvd. (All guests will enter at the front door on Beale Street).

Exiting: Guests will exit from the 4-6 doors closest to the Memphis Grizzlies Team Store in the Grand Lobby. Guests may meet up with the students in the Gossett Motors parking garage or the front plaza. 

 

Seating Diagram

FedExForum Arena and ADA Seating

  • Talk with guests about the ceremony plans: including time of arrival, where to meet up after the ceremony concludes, parking, guidelines and more.
  • Watch it all happen live! Commencement Live Stream.
  • To request accessibility accommodations for the University of Memphis commencement, email commencement@memphis.edu with your full name, student ID or details, and your specific needs as soon as possible before the ceremony.

 

Good Tips.

  • Mandatory Pronouncer Card: Grab your Pronouncer Card before leaving the house!
  • Grab your cap, gown, tassel, honor cord, and hood.
  • Bring only the items you need.
  • Bring your cellphone. Leave other personal items with guests or at home.
  • Wear lightweight clothing. We comfortably dressed up!
  • No suit jackets.
  • Wear something with pockets.
  • High-heeled shoes are strongly discouraged. Wear shoes that are comfortable. The gowns are black.
  • Plan for a ceremony of 2 hours. Stay for full duration.
  • Arrive 1 hour before your ceremony start time.
  • Plan for traffic.
  • You can decorate your cap. The decoration must be flat on the top of the surface, only. Top of Cap Dimensions: Approximately 9 ¼ X 9 ¼
  • Any other adornments are not allowed. It will be removed.
  • Honor Cords, Honor Medallions, Stoles, and other academic items are allowed.

 

Lineup at the Ceremony

At the graduation ceremony, line up downstairs on the Event Level in a single file against the wall. Find your number in the lower-left corner of your Pronouncer Card and arrange yourself in numerical order by your college without blocking the hallways.

Lineup Steps

  • Find your Lineup Order number on your Pronouncer Card from cap and gown pickup.
  • Go to the Event Level downstairs and watch for signs.
  • Form a single file line against the wall in numerical order.
  • Keep aisles and hallways clear so people can walk.

 

Important Rules

  • Work together with other graduates in your college.
  • Be patient if you are in the large Business or Arts & Sciences groups.
  • Listen to the crew members for help and instructions.

 

Stage

For Graduates

  • Keep the procession lines moving at a steady pace.
  • Follow all staff directions and staff signals closely.
  • Refrain from dancing, leaping, jumping, or loud yelling on stage or the event floor. Violators will be removed. Review the Commencement Conduct Guidelines for full details.
  • Return directly to your designated seat after your photo is taken to wait for the next instructions.

 

For Guests

  • Always remain in the upper seating areas.
  • Access to the main floor and stage is restricted to the graduate only.
  • Proposals, public announcements, and similar celebrations are not permitted.

 

Gifts for Graduates

  • Custom T-Shirts, Sweatshirts, Flowers and More
  • Parent and Family Graduation Yard Sign -- Are you a proud family member of a soon-to-be graduate? Celebrate your family’s accomplishment with a University of Memphis graduation yard sign! The 18x24 yard signs read “Proud Family of a UofM Graduate” and includes a metal stand. Orders will only be available for pick-up during Cap and Gown Pickup.

 

Invitations 

Invitations are not required for participation in Commencement. If you wish to purchase invitations, here are a few options:

 

Graduation Photos

  • Grad Images will be photographing all graduates at the upcoming graduation ceremony. After graduation, you may order online at gradimages.com.
  • Grad Images will take 2-3 photos throughout your graduation ceremony. These photos will be emailed to your Memphis email address 7 days after the event.

 

Accessibility Concerns

 

For more information about diplomas, visit Diplomas and Diploma Mailing Schedule. 

If your address has changed, you have one month after Commencement to update your mailing address. Contact us at commencement@memphis.edu. 

 

Sharing Information with Family and Friends

  • While Commencement is a family event and we look forward to you participating with family and friends, we do not share participation details with family/friends for any of our participants. It is your responsibility to share your participation with the individuals you want to know. We do not and cannot provide academic details with family and friends either. Please be sure family and friends are aware of this. We can provide general ceremonial details only.  Details about the upcoming commencement will be updated later. For current information, visit: /commencement/.

By reading this information, you understand and agree to all its terms and conditions and that your participation in the commencement ceremony does not mean that students have graduated; degree conferral depends upon successful completion of all the degree requirements described in the Catalog of your Academic Program/College or School. All students are highly recommended to check with your department on all academic requirements. Diplomas are mailed 4 months after each graduating semester. They are not available earlier. There is a process of certification that must take place after each commencement, including checking grades and academic records.