Know Before You Go

Please read this page carefully for important instructions, timing and logistics for all graduates and guests.

Register to Participate

• Apply to Graduate:
  • In order to participate in the University Ceremony at the Lenovo Center or the Poole College Ceremony at Reynolds, you must have been approved to graduate.
  • To apply for graduation, please follow the directions listed here.
• Register for the Poole Ceremony:
  • Once approved, you will automatically receive information about the University Ceremony. 
  • An email will be sent from [email protected] to all students with a link to register for the Poole College Ceremony.
    • Students and their guests will not receive tickets for the Poole Ceremony unless they register.
    • Deadline to register for the Poole Ceremony is: Monday, November 23

Time

• 4:15 PM – Doors open for student check-in 
• 4:15 PM – Doors open for ADA accessibility 
• 4:30 PM – Doors open for general seating
• 5:00 PM – Ceremony begins

Ticket Information

• Each student must register to attend the Poole Ceremony and receive guest tickets. (If you do not receive the registration email, please email [email protected] and they will be able to assist).
  • Students will register for their own ticket, along with up to 8 guest tickets.
  • To ensure everyone’s safety and comfort, tickets are required for all guests over 2 years old.
• Once students register, they will receive a confirmation email with link to their ticket QR code. 
• One QR code for everyone: The same QR code is used for both the student ticket and any guest tickets. Students can screenshot the QR code and share it with their guests.
• Limited scans: Your QR code can only be scanned the number of times equal to your total registered tickets.
• Example: If you registered for yourself and five guests, your QR code can be scanned a total of six times. Anyone attempting to enter after all six scans have been used will be denied entry.
  • Please make sure your group does not exceed the number of tickets you registered for.
• If a student winds up not needing all of the tickets they registered for, they can email the commencement committee to reallocate: [email protected]
• In the event of unclaimed tickets, a lottery will be announced to students the first week of December via email.
• Tickets are not available for purchase, and no additional tickets will be available outside of the potential unclaimed lottery tickets.

Directions and Parking

• Directions: Click here for a map of William Neal Reynolds Coliseum, located at 2411 Dunn Ave, Raleigh.
• Expect Delays: Heavy traffic is anticipated around Talley Student Union and Reynolds Coliseum. Please plan to arrive early, and be prepared to park elsewhere, should there be no available parking in close proximity.
• No Permits Required: Parking will be free and open to the public across campus for commencement.
• Parking Locations: Available in the Coliseum Deck and Dan Allen Deck.
  • Note: The Coliseum Deck fills quickly. If it reaches capacity, vehicles will be redirected to the Dan Allen Deck. 
• ADA Parking: A dedicated area for ADA parking is located in the Jeter Bays parking lot. A DMV-issued placard must be displayed to access this area. To help with traffic flow, please have your placard ready for the attendant.
• Drop-off/Pick-up: A designated area is reserved for drop-off/pick-up. Please follow the signage and direction of the parking staff.

Instructions for Graduates

• What to bring:
  • Personal items should be kept to a minimum since you need to carry them with you as you process into the ceremony.
  • Please click here for a full list of items not permitted inside Reynolds.
  • Jenkins Graduates:
    • Please come wearing your graduation gown and have your hood with you, not on. Do not bring your cap – you will not be wearing it during the ceremony. (You can order your cap and gown here.)
  • Undergraduates:
    • Please come wearing your graduation cap and gown. (You can order your cap and gown here.)
• Check-in:
  • All graduates must enter Reynolds Coliseum through the east side of the building (off Jeter Dr.). Two entrances will be open on the east side, with each one assigned to specific departments.
  • Ticket scanners will be placed at each of the two student entrances to scan student tickets.
  • All Jenkins Graduate students as well as Undergrad Accounting and Economic students will enter through the northeast entrance (doors closer to Dunn Ave).
  • All Undergrad Business Administration students will enter through the southeast entrance (doors closer to Cates Ave).
    A map illustrating these entrance designations can be found here. 
  • Upon arrival, check in at your department’s designated table – there will be signage and staff on site to help navigate.
  • You will receive your name card at this time – please add the phonetic spelling of your name to your card if it is not noted there already. (This will help our name readers during the ceremony.)
    • Please keep this card with you as you will need it to cross the stage.
  • Once checked in, graduates will wait in the area near their check-in table until they are lined up to enter the gym.
  • Restrooms and water fountains will be accessible.
• Ceremony:
  • The ceremony will begin promptly at 5:00 p.m.
  • Graduates will process into the arena by degree and will be seated by members of the Poole Commencement Committee 
  • When it is time for your degree to be recognized, the seaters will release rows one by one to go up to the stage. 
  • Each student will hand their name card to the name reader and walk across the stage as their name is being read.
  • We anticipate that the ceremony will last approximately 90 minutes.
  • Out of respect for your fellow graduates and to allow all graduates and their families to enjoy the ceremony uninterrupted, we ask and expect that you remain for the entirety of the ceremony.
  • Jenkins Graduates:
    • Please keep your hood draped over your arm and do not wear your cap.
    • Graduates will pause at the center of the stage to be hooded and then again at the end of the stage to receive their scroll from Dean Buckless.
      A photo will be taken by a professional photographer when you are being hooded.
  • Undergraduates:
    • Please have your cap on with the tassel hanging down on the right side.
    • Graduates will pause at the center of the stage to receive their scroll from Dean Buckless.
      A photo will be taken by a professional photographer at this time.

Information for Guests

• Guest Seating:
  • All guests must have tickets to enter the coliseum.
    • If you do not have tickets, there will be a livestream room located in Talley Student Union where you can watch the ceremony.
  • Ticket holders must enter Reynolds through the North entrance of the coliseum (off of Dunn Ave).
  • Guest seating is on a first-come, first-served basis – no assigned seats.
  • Families and guests will not be allowed onto the main floor for photos during the ceremony.
• ADA Seating:
  • ADA seating in the Coliseum is limited and available on a first come, first served basis. 
  • To help ensure access, we ask that ADA seats be used by ADA users and one accompanying guest.
  • For help with wheelchair-accessible seating and/or seating with no stairs, please visit the ADA Help Desk located directly inside the front doors of the Coliseum. Attendants will be on-site to assist.
  • Reynolds Coliseum does not have wheelchairs on site for guest usage. 
• Bag Policy:
  • All bags are subjected to search upon entry. Bags should be no larger than 12”x6”x12”.
  • An exception will be made for medically necessary items and diaper bags when accompanied by infants.
• Lactation Room:
  • There is a lactation room located in the northwest corner of the facility, near the Navy ROTC offices, room number 191.
• Service Animals:
  • Service animals are allowed inside Reynolds Coliseum, but there are requirements to fulfill in order to bring them. Please read the Reynolds Coliseum service animal policy.
• Prohibited Items:  
  • Please click here for a full list of items not permitted inside Reynolds.
    The exception to this list is that guests ARE allowed to bring in outside water in a sealed water bottle. 
• Livestream
  • Watch virtually via YouTube

Photography

• As each graduate walks across the stage, images will be taken by a professional photographer.
• Another photo will be taken with a backdrop when graduates exit the stage.
• Each student will receive an email from the photographer with a link to the photographer’s website and instructions to view their graduation photographs.
• If you do not receive an email within ten days of the ceremony, please contact [email protected] or call 919-967-9576

For additional questions, please contact [email protected] up to 24 hours prior to the ceremony.

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