All graduates must check in before entering the line-up area. Please arrive at the Greater Richmond Convention Center by 9 a.m. and enter through the Fifth and Marshall entrance of the Ballroom Pavilion. Once inside, follow the signs directing you to the Grand Ballroom.

All graduates are required to bring a VCU Student ID Card or a valid government-issued photo identification (ID), which includes a driver's license, a state-issued photo ID or a passport. 

Photos of IDs will not be accepted.

All graduates will have to check in prior to entering the line-up area. All graduates are required to bring a VCU Student ID Card or a valid government-issued photo identification (ID), which includes a driver's license, a state-issued photo ID or a passport. 

Photos of IDs will not be accepted.

Graduates have the opportunity to celebrate their achievement at multiple ceremonies, including the universitywide ceremony and their school’s or department’s ceremony.

At school or departmental ceremonies, graduates are recognized individually, with their name announced during the ceremony. Graduates will receive information about these ceremonies from their school or department office. 

These ceremonies are separate from the universitywide ceremony held on Saturday, May 10 at 10 a.m. at the Greater Richmond Convention Center. At the universitywide ceremony, graduates are recognized collectively by school, with the exception of Ph.D. and Ed.D. candidates, who will be recognized individually.

All graduates and guests will be subject to security screening when arriving at GRCC. If you are found to have any prohibited items during the screening process, you will be asked to remove those items before entering the ceremony.

For university events at GRCC, VCU strictly prohibits the following: alcohol, backpacks, duffle bags, balloons, coolers, bottles, cans, glass objects, outside food and drink, drones, laser pointers, artificial noisemakers, firearms, weapons, tools, wrapped packages, banners (including flags), signs (other than decorated mortarboard caps), sticks over 8 inches, poles, any object or substance requiring review by the Office of Environmental Health and Safety, including but not limited to any animal (other than a service dog), open flame, firework, pyrotechnic, pepper spray, mace, bear spray, and aerosol spray cans or other flammable or hazardous item, and any item deemed by law enforcement or GRCC personnel to be a threat to public safety.

In addition, graduates are advised not to bring purses or other valuable items, which they may not want to leave unattended during the ceremony.

Regalia will be available for purchase during Grad Fair events. Grad Fair will be held at the MCV Campus Barnes & Noble @ VCU on Tuesday, March 4, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and at the Monroe Park Campus Barnes & Noble @ VCU Wednesday, March 5 – Friday, March 7, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Please remember that you must visit your primary campus’ Barnes & Noble @ VCU to purchase your specific regalia.

Following Grad Fair, regalia will be available for purchase at the Barnes & Noble @ VCU on the Monroe Park and MCV campuses until Graduation day. If you are unable to attend Grad Fair or visit Barnes & Noble @ VCU, please order your regalia online at balfour.com/vcu. Shipping charges will apply to all internet orders. Online ordering will be available through Balfour from March 8th - April 6th.

There is no rehearsal for graduates attending the universitywide ceremony. 

We suggest graduates arrive by 9 a.m. If you plan to take Grad Portraits, please arrive earlier as they close at 9:30 a.m.

Graduates, if you arrive after 9:30 a.m., you may be unable to sit with your school.

Yes. All individuals entering the Greater Richmond Convention Center will be required to pass through security screening. Please allow extra time for entry. All bags are subject to search upon arrival.

GRCC doors will be opened for guests at 8:30 a.m. Guests should use the entrances at Third and Marshall or Fifth and Marshall streets to access the Exhibit Hall Pavilion of GRCC. Guests should allow additional time to travel and park as heavy traffic in the area is anticipated. Tickets are not required, and there is no reserved seating. Seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

An accessible drop-off area will be designated on Third Street, adjacent to GRCC. Family and guests seeking additional information about accessibility/ADA at the GRCC should visit the richmondcenter.com/visitor-amenities.

The ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. and typically lasts two hours.

Students who plan to participate in VCU’s universitywide Commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 10, at GRCC are asked to RSVP.

Visit go.vcu.edu/commencementrsvp to RSVP and reserve your seat. For questions, please email UNIVevents@vcu.edu.

 Yes. On Commencement day, visit the VCU homepage, vcu.edu, for the link.

On Saturday, May 10, graduation portraits will be available from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. before the universitywide ceremony at the Greater Richmond Convention Center. Graduates who wish to participate in this final portrait opportunity should plan to arrive early. Registration is not required.

Accessible seating options are available throughout the exhibit halls of GRCC. In addition, closed captioning will be provided on screens throughout the exhibit halls for persons with hearing impairment. An accessible drop-off area will be designated on Third Street, adjacent to GRCC.

If you are a graduate with a disability and need accommodations at the ceremony, please contact Student Accessibility and Educational Opportunity at (804) 828-2253. 

Family and guests seeking additional information about accessibility/ADA at the GRCC should visit the richmondcenter.com/visitor-amenities.

VCU’s Interim Campus Expression and Space Utilization policy applies to all university property, including property temporarily leased, rented or reserved by VCU, such as the Greater Richmond Convention Center, Siegel Center or other site for Commencement. VCU’s Space Use Regulation, 8 VAC 90-70-10 et seq., states entry upon and use of university property must be in accord with VCU policy. Any person who violates these restrictions may be excluded from university property, subject to criminal penalties for trespassing, or subject to university action under applicable policy, such as the Student Code of Conduct or employee conduct policies. Graduates should be advised that degrees are awarded on or after May 17 once VCU has confirmed that a student has completed all requirements for graduation, which includes conduct consistent with the Student Code of Conduct and other VCU policies governing conduct. Violation of university policy at Commencement may result in a degree hold pending the outcome of the student conduct process.

Faculty who plan to participate in VCU’s universitywide Commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 10 at the Greater Richmond Convention Center should register and reserve their seat using the following link:

Teaching and research faculty can RSVP here. 

Individuals wearing a covering whereby a substantial portion of the face is hidden or covered may be required to identify themselves to a university official upon request, consistent with the VCU Interim Concealment of Identity policy. Failure to comply with a request for identification may be subject to disciplinary action and arrest for violation of Virginia Code § 18.2-422. For more information, click here.

Tickets are not required for those attending the universitywide ceremony at GRCC. Seating for guests is available on a first come, first served basis. There is no reserved seating.

Tickets for school or departmental ceremonies may be required. Graduates will receive information about these ceremonies from their school or department office.

The Greater Richmond Convention Center is located at 403 N. Third Street.

If you need information about lodging and dining accommodations, download a copy of The Official Richmond Region Visitors Guide or visit visitrichmondva.com.