Ceremony Day Information

Graduate degree candidates will report to the practice gym on the second floor of the Stegeman Coliseum Training Facility by 12:45 p.m. Enter through the doors closest to the Carlton Street Parking Deck on Smith Street.

Hooding professors also should assemble in the practice gym by 12:45 p.m. and enter through glass doors closest to the Carlton Street Parking Deck on Smith Street.

Graduates will be seated by degree.

Seating charts will be available one week prior to Commencement. 

Parking for the Graduate Commencement ceremony is free and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Suggested parking areas include South Campus Deck (S11), Carlton Street Deck (S15), and Foley Field Lot (S14).

The McPhaul Lot (S10) and the Coverdell Lot (S16) are reserved for designated participants by permit only.

For disability parking, see accessbility.

For additional parking questions, please contact Parking Services at 706‑542‑7275.

Stegeman Coliseum is an indoor arena. In case of inclement (severe) weather affecting UGA’s Graduate Commencement ceremony a notice will be placed on the University’s homepage.

First Aid and ambulance services will be onsite to assist with emergency needs. First Aid is located behind Section L in the Stegeman Coliseum concourse.

Security has the right to inspect any item at any time for the purpose of safety.

Prohibited items must be returned to cars or disposed of before entering Stegeman Coliseum and will not be accepted by employees nor stored at the gates.

The CLEAR BAG POLICY is in effect for Fall 2026 Commencement. Please follow the guidelines below. 

Permitted Items

• Bags that are clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC and do not exceed 12″x 6″x 12″
• One-gallon clear plastic freezer bags
• Small clutch bags, with or without a handle or strap, that do not exceed 4.5″ x 6.5″
• Bags that contain necessary medical items, which must be inspected and approved at a designated gate
• Food: items must fit inside the permitted-sized bags
• Beverages, including water, in sealed plastic bottles; items must fit inside the permitted-sized bag
• Umbrellas
• Cameras and video recorders (Clear Bag Policy applies to camera bags)
• Strollers may be stored in designated areas in the concourse but are not allowed in the seating areas.

Prohibited Items

For the safety, security, and experience of all guests, the following items are prohibited.

• Backpacks
• Diaper bags
• Wrapped gifts or packages wherein the contents are not visible
• Alcohol
• Glass and aluminum containers
• Tobacco: UGA is a tobacco-free campus.
• Large items, such as balloons, flags, banners and posters, or amplification equipment, such as bullhorns or megaphones

In addition to watching the ceremony in person, the Fall 2026 Graduate Commencement ceremony will be broadcast live on the Commencement homepage starting at 2:25 p.m.

First Aid and ambulance services will be on site to assist with emergency needs. First Aid will be located behind Section L in the Stegeman Coliseum concourse.