Commencement FAQ
All graduates will have to check in prior to entering the line-up area. Graduates should arrive at the Greater Richmond Convention Center by 9 a.m. Graduates should proceed to the line-up area at the Fifth and Marshall entrance of the Ballroom Pavilion of GRCC. Once inside, follow the signs located throughout directing graduates 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. A picture of your ID will not be accepted.
Yes. All individuals arriving at the Greater Richmond Convention Center will pass through security screening upon arriving at the facility. Please allow a few extra minutes to enter the facility. All bags are subject to search upon entry.
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. A picture of your ID will not be accepted.
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.
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 11 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.
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 12, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and at the Monroe Park Campus Barnes & Noble @ VCU Wednesday, March 13 – Friday, March 15, from 10 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 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 17 to April 19.
Wearing a mask for the purpose of concealing one’s identity is not permitted on university property including an off-campus commencement venue, as defined by the VCU Reservation and Use of Space policy. University officials will request identification from any individual wearing a mask. Failure to comply with a request is subject to disciplinary action and arrest for violation of Virginia Code § 18.2-422. For more information, click here.
VCU’s Reservation and Use of Space policy applies to all university property, including property temporarily leased, rented or reserved by VCU, such as the GRCC or other site for Commencement. VCU’s Space Use Regulation, 8 VAC 90-70-10 et seq., 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 trespass, 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 [date] 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.
There is no rehearsal for graduates attending the universitywide ceremony.
Graduates, please be cautious wearing tall heels as you will be navigating stairs and escalators during the processional.
Graduates, if you arrive after 9:30 a.m., you may be unable to sit with your school.
GRCC doors will open for guests at 8:30 a.m. Guests should allow additional time to travel and park as heavy traffic in the area is anticipated. Guests should use the entrances at Fifth and Marshall St. to access the Exhibit Hall Pavilion of GRCC.
Accessible drop-off will be located on the GRCC side of 3rd Street.
Graduates should arrive at the Greater Richmond Convention Center by 9 a.m. Graduates should proceed to the line-up area at the Fifth and Marshall entrance of the Ballroom Pavilion of GRCC. Once inside, follow the signs located throughout directing graduates to the Grand Ballroom.
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 11 at the Greater Richmond Convention Center are asked to RSVP.
Visit this link to RSVP and reserve your seat. For questions, please email UNIVevents@vcu.edu.
Commemorate this momentous occasion, your college graduation, with individual portraits by Balfour/Grad Images. They will be available at the MCV Campus Barnes & Noble @ VCU on Tuesday, March 12, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and at the Monroe Park Campus Barnes & Noble @ VCU Wednesday, March 13 – Friday, March 15, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m You must purchase or provide your own regalia for the pictures.
On Saturday, May 11, 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.
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 https://www.richmondcenter.com/faq.
Faculty who plan to participate in VCU’s universitywide Commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 11 at the Greater Richmond Convention Center should register and reserve their seat using the following link:
Teaching and research faculty can RSVP here.
Tickets are not required for those attending the universitywide ceremony at the Greater Richmond Convention 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 Greater Richmond Convention Center is located in downtown Richmond at 403 N. Third St., Richmond, Va. 23219. VCU Commencement will be held in the first-floor exhibit halls.
For information about lodging and dining accommodations, download a copy of The Official Richmond Region Visitors Guide or visit visitrichmondva.com.