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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, Dec. 13 at 10 a.m. at the Stuart C. Siegel 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 the Stuart C. Siegel Center. 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 VCU December Commencement at the Siegel Center, 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 Siegel Center 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 Monday, October 20, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and at the Monroe Park Campus Barnes & Noble @ VCU on Tuesday, October 21 – Wednesday, October 22, from 11 a.m. to 6 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 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 September 1 to November 16.

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 Siegel Center will be required to pass through security screening. Please allow extra time for entry. All bags are subject to search upon arrival.

The Siegel Center doors will open for guests at 9 a.m. Tickets are not required, and there is no reserved seating. In accordance with the fire marshal regulation, no one is allowed admission once the Siegel Center has reached capacity. If guests exit the Siegel Center during the ceremony, they will not be readmitted as long as the seating capacity has been reached.

Accessible drop-off will be located on the corner of Broad and Harrison streets on the Broad Street side of the Siegel Center.

Graduates should arrive at the Siegel Center by 9 a.m., and enter through the Harrison Street doors. 

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

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

On Saturday, Dec. 13, graduation portraits will be available from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. before the universitywide ceremony at the Stuart C. Siegel Center. Graduates who wish to participate in this final portrait opportunity should plan to arrive early. Registration is not required.

Graduates, we have a unique opportunity for you to share your graduation photos with us so that we can display them for your family and friends during the universitywide ceremony. If you would like the chance for your grad picture to be featured, please fill out this form.

Accessible seating options are available throughout the arena in all general seating categories and view perspectives. Accessible seating is located at the top of Sections 14, 15, 32 and 35.

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. 

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 guests attending the universitywide ceremony at the Siegel Center. 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 Stuart C. Siegel Center is located at 1200 W. Broad St. 

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