The University of Georgia’s undergraduate and graduate Commencement ceremonies will take place this week in Sanford Stadium.
Undergraduate Commencement ceremonies will be held in Sanford Stadium Thursday, May 13, through Saturday, May 15, at 7:30 p.m., rain or shine.
Graduate Commencement will be held in Sanford Stadium on May 14 at 10 a.m. rain or shine.
Eligible spring graduates are provided a ticket to sit on Dooley Field at Sanford Stadium, if they choose, and there will be no limit on the number of guests in the stands.
Only in the case of severe weather will the ceremonies be rescheduled for Sunday, May 16. The decision on whether to hold the undergraduate ceremonies outside or move to the severe weather plan will be made by 10 a.m. the day of each ceremony, and the information will be placed on the UGA home page, uga.edu, by 10:30 a.m. The decision for the graduate ceremony will be made by 5 p.m. on May 13.
The clear bag policy will be in effect for all ceremonies.
East Campus Road adjacent to Sanford Stadium will be closed during the hours of Commencement.
Sanford Stadium gates open at 5:30 p.m. for undergraduate ceremonies and 8 a.m. for graduate Commencement. Guests should enter using Gates 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9 and 10.
All levels of the stadium will be open to promote social distancing. Guests are also strongly encouraged to maintain an appropriate social distance between parties in the stands and when entering, exiting and moving throughout the stadium concourse. Face coverings are strongly encouraged.
Parking for Commencement is free and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Suggested parking areas include Hull Street Parking Deck (W05), South Campus Parking Deck (S11), North Campus Parking Deck (N04), East Campus Parking Deck (E04) and Performing Arts Center Parking Deck (E20). Parking for guests with disabilities is available in the Tate Center Parking Deck located at 705 S. Lumpkin St. Disability parking permits are required to park in the Tate Center Parking Deck.
Visitors may need to walk up to a mile, including moderate hills and stairs, from parking and throughout the stadium.
For guests who are deemed at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19 by public health officials or who do not wish to attend the Commencement ceremonies in person, the ceremonies will be streamed live at commencement.uga.edu.
The undergraduate ceremony will end as usual with a fireworks sendoff. Graduates and guests are requested to remain in place at the conclusion of the ceremony. The announcement will be shown on the video board after the fireworks sendoff is complete.
The university recognizes graduates may want to have their photo taken at the Arch. While the Arch will be available, those who choose to visit campus for photographs are strongly encouraged to promote social distancing and keep 6 feet apart.
For UGA graduates with mobility limitations who want to pass through the Arch, the university will have a temporary platform in place Sunday, May 16, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
For more information on Commencement at UGA, see commencement.uga.edu.
