Commencement FAQ
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.
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.
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 Third and Marshall or Fifth and Marshall streets 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.
GRCC policy strictly prohibits alcohol, backpacks and duffle bags, balloons, coolers, bottles, cans, outside food and drink, drones, laser pointers, artificial noisemakers, firearms, weapons or tools, wrapped packages, and banners and signs. In addition, graduates are asked not to bring their purses or other valuable items, or flammables of any form. 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.
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.