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Spring 2019 Commencement General Information

Commencement Phone Line (Office of Special Events): 540-231-5027

Graduation Degree Requirements

In order to receive a degree, a student must have satisfied all academic requirements, must have fulfilled all financial obligations to the university, and must not have any pending charges, active suspensions, or dismissals issued by the Honor or Student Conduct systems.

Academic Apparel Required

Academic apparel is required for all graduation ceremonies. Caps, gowns, hoods, and tassels may be purchased from the University Bookstore on campus (phone 540-231-5991), Volume Two Bookstore off-campus (phone 540-231-9674), and at www.bookstore.vt.edu.

Visit this page for academic regalia colors by college .

Announcements

All graduates may order personalized announcements in advance through the University Bookstore. For more information and deadlines, contact the University Bookstore at www.bookstore.vt.edu or 540-231-5991, extension 139.

Disability Access

Accessible seating for persons with impaired mobility is available at Cassell Coliseum in multiple locations. Accessible and Preferred parking is available in the Cassell Coliseum parking lot on Beamer Way located directly across the street from the Merryman Center. Individuals with mobility impairment are advised to enter Cassell Coliseum through the Merryman Center entrance. Signs will be posted for your convenience.

Requests for disability accommodations for student participants must be made to the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities at least two weeks before a specific ceremony.  Requests for accommodations for guests attending the University-wide Graduate or Undergraduate Commencement ceremony must be made to the Office of Equity and Accessibility at least two weeks before the ceremony.  For accommodations for guests attending individual departmental ceremonies, please contact the individual departmental representative at least two weeks prior to the ceremony.

For additional information concerning accessibility and disability accommodations, contact:

Two weeks prior to the Commencement ceremony, “Preferred Parking”  parking passes will be available for pickup at 310 Lavery Hall above the Turner Place dining facility.  Please contact SSD for preferred parking passes.  Individuals with DMV issued accessible hang tags or license plates do not need a preferred parking pass to park in the Cassell Coliseum lot during Commencement.

Official Photographer

GradImages will be the official photographer for Fall 2018 Commencement ceremonies on the Virginia Tech campus. The photographers will capture photographs of graduates as they cross the stage. They will be the only persons with clear access to the stages.

For participants, proofs will be sent by mail or email approximately one week after the ceremony if an address is provided. If you have any questions about your order, please contact GradImages by phone at 800-261-2576 or online at www.gradimages.com/virginiatech.

Graduate and University Ceremonies Broadcast Live

Virginia Tech will offer live streaming of video of the Graduate School and University Commencement ceremonies. Links to streams of both events will be accessible from www.vt.edu approximately one hour before each ceremony begins. At the conclusion of each ceremony, the video will be archived and accessible from the Commencement website.

Inclement Weather

Should the university be closed due to inclement weather, commencement ceremonies would also be cancelled. Once the decision to cancel has been made, details will be posted on the Virginia Tech homepage (www.vt.edu), the Virginia Tech News homepage (www.vtnews.vt.edu), and the university status page. In addition, a broadcast e-mail will be sent to all students, faculty, and staff; a recorded message will be placed on the University Weather Line (540-231-6668); and information will be shared with other local media outlets. The announcement will also be posted to the VT News page, on Twitter (www.twitter.com/vtnews), and the Virginia Tech page on Facebook (www.facebook.com/virginiatech). The university may use VT Alerts depending on conditions.

Safety

Due to security procedures, wrapped packages will not be allowed in Cassell Coliseum. Virginia Tech changed its stadium security regulations in 2016. Bags that are approved for attending events in Cassell Coliseum can be:

  • Bags that are clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and do not exceed 12" x 6" x12"
  • One-gallon clear plastic freezer bag (Ziploc bag or similar)
  • Small clutch bag approximately the size of a hand, with or without a handle or strap and no larger than 4.5" x 6.5"

For more information, visit the clear bag policy page.