Pre-Commencement Celebrations

University Honors and Departmental Distinctions CelebrationÌý
Departmental Distinctions will be announced, and Latin Honors recipients will receive their cords at this ceremony. Students who will receive University Honors and Departmental Distinctions will be emailed an invitation to attend this ceremony.

Veteran Student and Active Military Graduation CeremonyÌý
Graduating veterans may choose to be recognized and receive a red, white, and blue cord at this ceremony. These cords signify the University’s appreciation for our military and veteran students, and their service and sacrifice. If you are a graduating veteran student interested in participating in this tradition, please emailÌýtransition@unca.edu.

First Generation College Student CelebrationÌý
First Generation College Students: bring your supporters and get ready to celebrate all your hard work! Graduates will receive a cord signifying their status as the first in their family to graduate with a 4-year degree. Graduates must register for this ceremony. Please email Abby Genter atÌýagenter@unca.eduÌýfor details.

Instructions for Commencement Day

Graduates should arrive at the Student Recreation Center one hour before their ceremony begins with their cap and gown, ready to line up for the Commencement procession. There will be reserved parking for all graduates in the upper P9 and P12 lots. Graduates should enter campus via Campus Drive and will need to display their cap in their windshield to be directed to the designated graduate parking areas.

Backpacks are not permitted at the Commencement Ceremony.ÌýSee the Clear Bag Policy and list of prohibited items below. There will not be a bag check, and only clear bags will be allowed. Water will be provided to all guests free of charge.

Accessibility

ÿÈÕ´óÈüÈë¿Ú is committed to providing universal access to all of our events. If you have any questions about access, or to request reasonable accommodations that will facilitate your full participation in Commencement, such as ASL interpreting or captioning, please complete this by Friday, April 24. If you have any questions or concerns, contact Heather L. Lindkvist, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Institutional Integrity and Access, at oiia@unca.edu.

Advance notice is necessary to arrange for accessibility needs. Please submit your request as soon as possible. We will attempt to implement late requests, but we cannot guarantee they will be met.

Livestream

For those who are unable to make it to campus, the Commencement Ceremony will be livestreamed on theÌýÌýThe Commencement program will be uploaded to this website in advance of the ceremony for you to view and enjoy.ÌýTo enable closed captions, select theÌýCC button located in the video’s bottom-right corner.

Guest Information

We welcome families and friends to campus to celebrate Commencement at ÿÈÕ´óÈüÈë¿Ú. Please visit ourÌýAbout Asheville pageÌýfor preferred places to stay. The vibrant Asheville restaurant scene offers wonderful options for family and friends to gather and celebrate their graduates. Here is a link to theÌýÌýwhere the opportunities are endless!

Guest Seating & Security

ÿÈÕ´óÈüÈë¿Ú has a Clear Bag Policy. We are not able to store personal items on site and guests should make arrangementsÌýto secure items prior to arriving on campus.Ìý Exceptions to the Clear Bag Policy are subject to search and include the following:

• Medical bags
• Diaper bags
• Camera bags
• Wallets and small clutches should be no larger than 4.5 in x 6.5 in

Prohibited Items Include:Ìý

• Backpacks
• Food or beveragesÌý(except for in medical bags)
• Alcohol
• Animals (Except Service Animals)
• Tobacco Items
• Weapons
• Selfie Sticks, Tripods, and Noise-Making Devices
• Umbrellas (collapsible umbrellas will be permitted)

Parking

PreferredÌýparking for guests will be available in the following lots (pleaseÌýÌýfor parking lot locations):Ìý

• P8, P10, P11 upper lot, P13, P15, P16, P17, P18, P19, P24, P25, P26, P27, P28, P34

Accessible parking will be available in the following lots:
Please completeÌýto request a parking placard.

• P9 lower deck
• P11 lower lot

Graduate parking:

• P9 upper deck
• P12

ÿÈÕ´óÈüÈë¿Ú Alumni Association

Since the Association’s founding in 1947, lifetime membership has been a gift of the University to its graduates. The association helps alumni stay connected to their alma mater, classmates, friends, faculty, staff, and alumni throughout the United States and in more than 50 countries. To learn more about the Association, its activities, and benefits go toÌý. Stay connected to your alma mater throughÌý,Ìý, andÌý.

Class Notes and Information Update: Help us stay connected by keeping us informed of changes to your contact information and share with us news about your life after ÿÈÕ´óÈüÈë¿Ú.

Questions?