Commencement Participation

• Apply to Graduate:
  • In order to participate in the University Ceremony at Carter-Finley Stadium 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 you are approved to graduate, you will automatically receive information about the University Ceremony. If you wish to attend the Poole College Ceremony, you must fill out this registration form.

Time

• 5:00 PM – Doors open for student check-in 
• 5:00 PM – Doors open for ADA accessibility 
• 5:30 PM – Doors open for general seating
• 6:30 PM – Ceremony begins

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.
  • 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 hood and gown here.)
• Check-in:
  • There will be two entrances into Reynolds for student check-in (one on the east side and one on the west side) that correspond to specific departments.
    • Please click here to access the map and identify the correct entrance for your degree program.
  • At this time, please add the phonetic spelling of your name to your card if it is not noted there already. Please keep this card with you as you will need it to cross the stage. 
  • Once checked in, graduates will wait in designated areas of the Coliseum according to their department. (There will be signage and staff on site to help navigate.)
  • Restrooms and water fountains will be accessible.  
•  Upon arrival, check in at your department’s designated table to receive your name card.
• Ceremony:
  • The ceremony will begin promptly at 6:30 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.
  • Please keep your hood draped over your arm and do not wear your cap.
  • Each student will hand their name card to the name reader and walk across the stage as their name is being read.
  • Graduates will pause at the center of the stage to be hooded and then again at the end of the stage to receive their diplomas from Dean Buckless.
    • A photo will be taken by a professional photographer when you are being hooded.
  • 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.

Information for Guests

• Guest Seating:
  •  Guests must enter the coliseum through the North entrance (off of Dunn Ave) and will be ushered to the second floor for seating.
  • 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.
  • 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 info@photospecialities.com or call 919-967-9576

For additional questions, please contact poole_graduation@ncsu.edu up to 24 hours prior to the ceremony.

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