Information for Commencement Guests

Fall 2019

Bank of Colorado Arena

• GPS location and directions (PDF)
• UNC map
• Bank of Colorado Arena
• Parking map for Graduate Ceremony

Graduate Fall Commencement - Bank of Colorado Arena

IMPORTANT: Doors for each ceremony will open one hour prior to the ceremony, and seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Once the Bank of Colorado Arena reaches occupancy limitations, guests will be redirected to the Champion's Room #193 in Butler Hancock for live streaming of the event.

International Fire Code (IFC) Section 1004 determines the occupancy limitations of this facility while considering the means of egress. Due to these regulations, the occupancy rating cannot exceed the established limitations.

Undergraduate Fall Commencement - Bank of Colorado Arena

IMPORTANT: Doors for each ceremony will open one hour prior to the ceremony, and seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Once the Bank of Colorado Arena reaches occupancy limitations, guests will be redirected to the Champion's Room #193 in Butler Hancock for live streaming of the event.

International Fire Code (IFC) Section 1004 determines the occupancy limitations of this facility while considering the means of egress. Due to these regulations, the occupancy rating cannot exceed the established limitations.

 Ceremony

• The ceremony will be approximately two hours
• Order of activity at ceremony
  • Processional
  • Student farewell address
  • Welcome and Introductions
  • Charge to the graduates
  • Presentation of the graduates
  • Conferring of degrees
  • Recessional

Ceremony Etiquette

• The area near the stage is restricted before and during the ceremony for safety and access reasons
• For your own safety and that of others please do not block the emergency exits or aisles
• As a courtesy to the other guests, we ask that when taking photographs do not block the view of those around you
• Please silence your phone during the ceremony
• Guests should remove hats or ball caps during the National Anthem, Alma Mater and Honor Guard presentation of colors
• Do not stand on bleachers or chairs during the ceremony

What is allowed into the ceremony

Note: All personal items are subject to search by security and the UNC Police Department.

Allowable:

Personal items (purses, camera bags, diaper bags)

Prohibited Items:

Alcoholic beverages, marijuana, tobacco or illegal drugs
Glass bottles or metal cans
All bags that exceed 12"x6"x12"
Animals (other than certified guard dogs/service animals)
Artificial noise makers (i.e. whistles, air horns, thundersticks)
Coolers, beverages, Bota bags, wine skins or outside food
Firearms or weapons
Fireworks, drones, or laser pointers
Selfie sticks, tripods, monopods, flags or poles
Strollers in the seating area
Umbrellas (except compact, less than 34")
Wheel conveyance (i.e. skateboards, bicycles)
We ask that guests refrain from bringing back packs to the venue

Special Needs for Guests at Butler Hancock Athletic Center

The University offers disability parking, a guest drop off location near the venue and a courtesy cart on the west side of Butler Hancock Athletic Center (see courtesy cart locations on the parking map) to accommodate guests with mobility needs.

Note: UNC offers sign language interpretation at all commencement ceremonies. For more information, visit our FAQ page.

Webcast viewing

• UNC's Commencement ceremonies will be webcast live on the Commencement homepage.

Facebook, Twitter or Instagram

Join UNC’s Virtual Commencement Experience!

Use the tag  #UNCBearGrad when you share your graduation stories and images on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Then, go to www.unco.edu/commencement to find  the collective commencement celebrations  of your fellow UNC Bears.

Need More Information?

• Visit the FAQ page
• For questions regarding undergraduate commencement: Contact the Registrar’s Office at (970) 351-4862, option 3 or email graduation@unco.edu
• For questions regarding graduate commencement:
  Contact the Graduate School at (970) 351-1803 or laura.hulsey@unco.edu

Spring 2020

Graduate Commencement –Bank of Colorado Arena

• GPS location and directions (PDF)
• UNC map
• Bank of Colorado Arena
• Parking map

IMPORTANT: Doors for each ceremony will open one hour prior to the ceremony, seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Once the Bank of Colorado Arena reaches occupancy limitations, guests will be redirected to the lower level of Michener Library and the Lindou Auditorium for the live broadcast.

International Fire Code (IFC) Section 1004 determines the occupancy limitations of this facility while considering the means of egress. Due to these regulations, the occupancy rating cannot exceed the established limitations.

Undergraduate Commencement – Nottingham Field

• GPS location and directions to Nottingham Field
• UNC map
• Nottingham Field parking map

Nottingham gates will open one hour prior to the ceremony seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Spring Inclement Weather:

• GPS location and directions for Bank of Colorado Arena
• UNC map
• Bank of Colorado Sports Arena
• Inclement weather parking map for Undergraduate Ceremony
• Inclement weather information

IMPORTANT: If the weather for the undergraduate ceremony requires the University to use the inclement weather plan, Butler Hancock Athletic Center doors for each ceremony (refer to UNC's Inclement weather plan for ceremony schedules) will open one hour prior, seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Once the Bank of Colorado Arena reaches occupancy limitations, guests will be redirected to either Lindou Auditorium or the University Center Ballrooms for streaming.

International Fire Code (IFC) Section 1004 determines the occupancy limitations of this facility while considering the means of egress. Due to these regulations, the occupancy rating cannot exceed the established limitations.

Ceremony

• The ceremony will be approximately two hours
• Order of activity at ceremony
• Processional
• Student farewell address
• Welcome and Introductions
• Charge to the graduates
• Presentation of the graduates
• Conferring of degrees
• Recessional

Ceremony Etiquette

• The area near the stage is restricted before and during the ceremony for safety and access reasons
• For your own safety and that of others please do not block the emergency exits or aisles
• As a courtesy to the other guests, we ask that when taking photographs do not block the view of those around you
• Please silence your phone during the ceremony
• Guests should remove hats or ball caps during the National Anthem, Alma Mater and Honor Guard presentation of colors
• Do not stand on bleachers or chairs during the ceremony

Special Needs for Guests at Nottingham Field

The University offers disability parking and a guest drop off location on the west side of Nottingham Field  (see parking map) to accommodate guests with mobility needs.

Note: UNC offers sign language interpretation at all commencement ceremonies. For more information, visit our FAQ page.

What is allowed into the ceremony?

Note: All personal items are subject to search by security and the UNC Police Department.

Allowable:

• Personal items (purses, camera bags, diaper bags)

Prohibited Items:

• Alcoholic beverages, marijuana, tobacco or illegal drugs
• Glass bottles or metal cans
• All bags that exceed 12"x6"x12"
• Animals (other than certified guard dogs/service animals)
• Artificial noise makers (i.e. whistles, air horns, thundersticks)
• Coolers, beverages, Bota bags, wine skins or outside food
• Firearms or weapons
• Fireworks, drones, or laser pointers
• Selfie sticks, tripods, monopods, flags or poles
• Strollers in the seating area
• Umbrellas (except compact, less than 34")
• Wheel conveyance (i.e. skateboards, bicycles)
• We ask that guests refrain from bringing back packs to the venue

Webcast viewing

• UNC's Commencement ceremonies will be webcast live on the Commencement homepage.

Facebook, Twitter or Instagram

Join UNC’s Virtual Commencement Experience!

Use the tag  #UNCBearGrad when you share your graduation stories and images on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Then, go to www.unco.edu/commencement to find  the collective commencement celebrations  of your fellow UNC Bears.

Need More Information?

• Visit the FAQ page
• For questions regarding undergraduate commencement: 
  Contact the Registrar’s Office at (970) 351-4862, option 3 or email graduation@unco.edu

For questions regarding graduate commencement: 
Contact the Graduate School at (970) 351-1803 or laura.hulsey@unco.edu