Commencement : Guest Information
Arrival Time
Traffic will be heavier than usual. Plan to arrive on campus early. Guests should park as directed by Campus Police, then go directly to the Lawn by the Lake. Family and guests should be seated by 10:45 a.m. The academic procession will start at 11 a.m.
Parking
There is ample parking on campus for guests. Campus Police will direct guests to available parking areas. Shuttle buses will run continuously from the gymnasium and the upper parking lots to the commencement site from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Graduates were given 6 tickets to distribute to their family and guests. Ushers will be taking tickets at the top of each set of stairs. Ticket holders will be seated first. Those without tickets will be able to observe commencement exercises from the concourse level. Once the ceremony has begun, empty seats will be made available to others.
Faculty and staff will be admitted to the seating area by showing their campus id card.
ADA seating will be in designated areas around the top of the concourse.
All participants in the processional need to report to the lower level of the Convocation Center for robing.
· Graduates will robe behind the stage on the practice court and should be there before 10.
· Faculty will robe in the large storage room and should report by 10:15.
· Cabinet, College Board and Platform Party will robe in assigned locker rooms and should be there by 10:30.
Signs are posted to direct you to the appropriate location and ushers will be there to assist.
Tickets are not necessary; seating on the lawn is first-come, first-served. Guests are not permitted in the graduate seating area at any time.
Public restrooms are located in all buildings adjacent to the Lawn.
Pets
For the safety of everyone attending Commencement, no pets other than service animals will be permitted on the Lawn and surrounding area.
Guests Need to Know:
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Guests should remember that the Lawn by the Lake is a grassy plot surrounded by sidewalks. Everyone is encouraged to wear comfortable, flat or low-heeled shoes.
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The Lawn can become very warm on a sunny day. Don’t forget your sunscreen, sunhats, sunglasses and water. Water stations will be available, but you may want to bring your own bottled water.
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A first-aid station will be available near the small white tent between Crockett Hall and McCraray Hall. (ADA Check-in)
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Ushers will direct lost children to the small white tent (ADA Check-in)
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All ushers and official Commencement staff will be wearing red vests and nametags. Please look to these guides for assistance.
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The campus bookstore will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. the day of Commencement.
Disability Accommodations
UVa-Wise is pleased to offer services for guests with disabilities during Commencement weekend. The locations for these services are clearly marked with signs posted at the event. ADA services will be available at the white tent located between Crockett and McCraray Halls. In addition, there will be ushers wearing red vests at the event. Please feel free to ask for assistance. Ushers will be available to help guests from their cars to a seating area.
Parking
Handicapped-accessible parking is available in the McCraray Hall lot; however, there are a limited number of spots available. Guests who wish to use the handicapped-accessible parking spots must have a handicapped parking tag or license plate and make a reservation by calling 276-376-4522. Spaces will be held until 10:30 a.m. for those who have made a reservation.
Seating and Wheelchairs
Guests must walk a short distance to be seated. Special seating will be available for guests in wheelchairs, as well as seating for others with impaired mobility. Wheelchair seating is available in a specially designated area. In order to accommodate as many wheelchair users as possible, only one additional family member may sit in the wheelchair seating area.
If you or a member of your family needs assistance from your car to the seating area, go to the ADA Check-in (small white tent between Crockett and McCraray Halls). An usher will provide assistance to the seating area and back to your vehicle after Commencement.
Deaf and Hearing Impaired
American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation is available at Commencement in a designated seating area. Please come to the ADA Check-in (small white tent between Crockett and McCraray Halls) and let an usher know if you need to be seated in this area.
If you need to be seated near a sign language interpreter, please call 276-376-4522 or e-mail commencement@uvawise.edu.
Restrooms
Restrooms in all buildings adjacent to the Lawn are handicapped-accessible.
LODGING AND DINING
For more information or for disability accommodation, please contact:
