Commencement Weekend Questions

View the schedule of events, and sign up today.

Yes, you will need to sign up for the Commencement ceremony on Sunday, Oct. 10. We are requesting an estimate of guests attending with you, so that we can plan accordingly. Please enter the number of guests (not including the graduate) who will attend on your registration form.

Graduates who need accommodations for seating for themselves or their guests should contact access@unc.edu.

Accessible Stadium Seating

Accessible seating for wheelchair users or those who cannot ascend or descend stairs is available in Kenan Stadium with a reservation. Additionally, limited mobility seating is available without a reservation. NOTE: Accessible seating is limited and requests will be processed as they are received.

If your student requested accessible seating, the pre-assigned guest ticket area will reflect that.

• Concourse Level Wheelchair Seating (Reservation and Permit Required)

The Concourse Level Wheelchair seating is reserved for wheelchair users or those who cannot ascend or descend stairs and is available with a reservation. This section is reserved, and each reservation is for one wheelchair user plus one companion and a parking pass. Reservations are first-come, first-served. Visitors in need of accessible seating are strongly encouraged to arrive to the stadium no later than an hour before the ceremony begins in order to ensure you are in your seat for the start of the ceremony.

This section is located near the Kenan Football Center between Gates 3 and 5. ADA accessible restrooms will be located near the seating, as well as water stations. Feel free to bring a water bottle to fill or to bring your own water.

This seating area will not be covered or enclosed, and guests will be subject to the elements. Please prepare appropriately for direct sun.

NOTE: Once the Concourse Level Wheelchair Section is filled, those requesting wheelchair seating will be assigned to a secondary wheelchair seating area.

• Limited Mobility Seating (No Reservation Required)  

Guests who can ascend and descend limited stairs are asked to arrive early and identify a seat near the concourse level that best fits their needs. Seating is available on a first come, first serve basis.

If students or their guests need accessible seating, they should fill out the survey sent on September 24^th no later than October 6^th. This survey is now closed. Please email access@unc.edu.

Accessible Stadium Parking

• Graduates and guests who requested Concourse Level Wheelchair Seating will receive prearranged parking in advance of the ceremony.
• Graduates and guests with the permit associated with Concourse Level Wheelchair Seating will park in the Bell Tower Parking Deck  or other specially prearranged areas by displaying assigned parking permits.
• Limited Mobility Seating and non-prearranged parking for patrons with state ADA parking permits will also be available in Bell Tower Deck.
• Bell Tower Deck  will open 1.5 hours prior to the ceremony.
• Bell Tower Deck  is ADA compliant to Gate 5 of Kenan Stadium.

• There are also handicapped accessible parking spaces in each of the lots on a first come first serve basis.

Accessible Restrooms

Accessible restrooms are located throughout the stadium.

Wheelchairs and other mobility aids

We are not responsible for any wheelchairs, walkers, crutches or other mobility aids left at the stadium. To help ensure your medical device is not taken accidently, we ask that you please tag or label your items with name, address and phone number. When the ceremony concludes, we ask for your patience as individuals retrieve their mobility aids and exit the area.

Neither ARS, EOC nor the University maintains a supply of wheelchairs for commencement ceremonies. Guests with difficulty walking are strongly encouraged to bring their own wheelchair or to rent one. Wheelchairs are generally available for short-term rental from medical supply stores and some pharmacies.

Livestreaming

The commencement ceremony will be livestreamed with captioning and available for viewing.

Captioning

Each ceremony will have open captioning in the Stadium. A live streaming transcription of the audio portion of the ceremony audio will be displayed on the large reader boards for guests with difficulty hearing.

Sign Language Interpreting

A sign language interpreter will be provided. If you or your guest require access, please contact access@unc.edu.

Commencement Accessibility Services

If you have any questions about any other accessibility-related issues, please contact: access@unc.edu

The livestream is available for viewing  here.

Enjoy the digital commencement program.

• Deadline to request football tickets: July 21
• Deadline to participate in Commencement ceremony: Sept. 24
• Registration for all other events: Oct. 1

Parking options for Friday are posted on the visitor parking website.

Parking options for Saturday are posted on the football event parking website.

All guests and their belongings are subject to screening by entry personnel. The following items will NOT be permitted in Kenan Stadium:

• Backpacks, duffel bags or oversized purses or computer cases
• Alcohol, bottles, cans, food, thermoses, coolers, drugs, chains and fireworks
• Weapons, noisemakers, laser pointers and other items deemed inappropriate by Kenan Stadium personnel
• No signs larger than 8.5 inches by 11 inches

Please leave wrapped gifts at home or in your car. Guests with health-related conditions such as diabetes, the elderly and those with young children will be permitted to bring in limited food and beverage.

Commencement Parking Information

• Graduate check in starts at 12 p.m. in the Loudermilk parking lot. This small lot is located just below the Loudermilk Center for Excellence.
• Please arrive at least 30 minutes before the ceremony start time.
• If you arrive after 1 p.m., you may be asked to wait until the platform party is seated before entering the stadium.
• Graduates will walk through the tunnels and be seated on the field as soon as they arrive.
• There will be no processional for graduates and seating is first come, first served.
• Please arrive with those that you’d like to sit with during the ceremony.

• Gates open at 12 p.m.
• The ceremony is open to guests of the Class of 2020.
• Tickets are not required, and guests are currently not limited.
• Guest seating will be located on the North side of the stadium only (Gates 1-3).

• Graduates will be asked to exit the stadium through the stands as soon as the ceremony is over.
• Please decide on a meeting place with your guests outside the stadium.

• Keeping people safe in the midst of the current COVID-19 pandemic requires all members of the Carolina community to do their part to help prevent the transmission of COVID-19.
• We are taking necessary precautions consistent with all University, state and CDC guidance to encourage as responsible and safe of a Commencement as possible. As a condition of your attendance, your cooperation is greatly appreciated.

Guests must follow all of the University’s COVID-19 Community Standards, including but not limited to:

• Wearing masks. Masks are strongly recommended while outdoors and required while inside any University buildings, including elevators, public transportation and other indoor spaces.
• Monitoring your symptoms prior to coming to campus and remaining at home if you are experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19.

Our plans are contingent on current public health guidance and policies. You can do your part to help stop the spread of the virus by getting vaccinated. This will go a long way in ensuring we all stay safe. The Class of 2020 Commencement ceremony may be altered or canceled to adhere to all University, state or CDC guidan

Each class of 2020 graduate will receive one (1) complimentary football ticket. You may be able to purchase up to three (3) guest tickets (price range $45-$60), depending on availability and interest from other 2020 graduates. It is our intent to let graduates have first access to the tickets and then guests. In the upcoming weeks, you will receive additional football information.

Deadline to request tickets is July 21.