What You Need to Know Before UGA’s 2022 Spring Commencement Ceremony

The graduate commencement ceremony will take place on the same day but in Stegeman Coliseum at 9:30 A.M. 

With family and friends traveling to Athens to honor those graduating, it can become stressful if you are unsure of the plans revolving around the commencement ceremony.  

Information You Need to Know Before UGA’s Spring Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony: 

General Information:

Unlike in past years, no tickets are required to attend the undergraduate ceremony. 

The gates will open promptly at 5:30 P.M. for guests to secure their seats. Guests will enter using gates 2, 4, 6, and 9.

Graduates are supposed to arrive by 7 P.M. and enter through gate 10 from the Tate surface lot. They will then be seated by corresponding degrees. 

Who is the Commencement Speaker?

According to CNBC, Delta Air Lines was the best U.S. airline to travel with in 2021. This could not have been done without the leadership of CEO Ed Bastian. 

Bastian will be taking the stage as the commencement speaker, spreading his wisdom to students who are about to enter the working world.  

He has a long list of awards and honors, including being named among “The World’s 50 Greatest Leaders” by Fortune in 2018. 

It will be interesting to hear his experiences running the world’s most awarded airline and will provide great insight for those graduating. 

Disability Accommodations:

Though on-site wheelchairs are not available, there are other options for those with disabilities. 

Parking for those with disabilities is available at the East Campus Deck (E04) with ADA shuttles making trips to the stadium. 

There are two disability seating areas, one in the east end zone and the other in the press box.

For those with heat sensitivity, the press box is the ideal location because it is enclosed and air conditioned with televisions to view the ceremony. 

If you are planning on utilizing the offered disability seating, you must reserve seats beforehand on UGA’s Wheelchair Disability Seating Reservation Google Form. 

Tips Before Attending the Ceremony:

Everyone attending the ceremony must follow the clear bag policy outlined on UGA’s website. The bags must not exceed 12”x6”x12”.

If bringing necessary medical items, these bags must be inspected at gate 2 or 6. 

Food and water (sealed in plastic bottles) are allowed if they fit inside the permitted-sized bag. 

No alcoholic beverages or tobacco products are allowed inside the stadium. Amplification equipment, like bullhorns or megaphones, is also prohibited. 

It is recommended to wear shoes that will be comfortable walking and standing in for a long period of time.

In the case that rain or severe weather conditions are present on the day of commencement, any changes to the ceremony will be announced by 10 A.M. that day on the UGA homepage.

Parking is free and on a first-come, first-served basis. Below are suggested parking areas for commencement:

• Hull Deck (W05)
• North Campus Deck (N04)
• South Campus Deck (S11)
• Performing Arts Center Deck (E20)