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, Dec. 9 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.
Regalia will be available for purchase during Grad Fair events. Grad Fair will be held at the MCV Campus Barnes & Noble @ VCU on Tuesday, Oct. 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the Monroe Park Campus Barnes & Noble @ VCU Wednesday, Oct. 11 – Friday, Oct. 13 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Please keep in mind 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 Oct. 14 to Nov. 18.
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.
The Siegel Center doors will be opened for guests at 9 a.m. Tickets are not required, and there is no reserved seating. Guests should allow additional time to travel and park as heavy traffic in the area is expected.
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. Graduates enter through the doors on Harrison Street. All Graduates will line up in the Auxiliary Gym.
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, Dec. 9 at the Stuart C. Siegel Center are asked to RSVP.
Visit this link to RSVP and reserve your seat. For questions, please email UNIVevents@vcu.edu.
For a list of prohibited items, please visit this website.
All bags are subject to search upon entrance.
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, Oct. 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the Monroe Park Campus Barnes & Noble @ VCU Wednesday, Oct. 11 – Friday, Oct. 13 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. You must purchase or provide your own regalia for the pictures.
On Saturday, Dec. 9, 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 arena. Persons with hearing impairment may want to sit in Section 8, where an interpreter can be seen easily.
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 Siegel Center please visit this website.
Faculty who plan to participate in VCU’s universitywide Commencement ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 9 at the Stuart C. Siegel 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 Stuart C. 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.
For information about lodging and dining accommodations, download a copy of The Official Richmond Region Visitors Guide or visit visitrichmondva.com.