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UNC Public Policy Commencement
Saturday, May 13, 2023 at 1:30PM & 4:00PM
The William and Ida Friday Center for Continuing Education

 

You may also want to visit the spring commencement page  and the doctoral hooding ceremony page.

 

Due to the large number of Public Policy graduates and limited UNC facilities available during commencement weekend, graduates will be limited to 4 ticketed guests at the departmental ceremony. We realize this can make things challenging for you and your family, and we will do our best to accommodate requests for additional tickets (instructions on making requests below). 

In order to maximize the number of tickets each graduate may receive, there will be two departmental ceremony sessions—Commencement 1 from 1:30-3:00 PM and Commencement 2 from 4:00-5:30 PM.  While this is not an ideal scenario, it does allow students to have more guests, which was a top priority during the planning process. 

 

How does it work?

Only students who have completed the RSVP form will be able to get tickets (which will be issued electronically). Students are guaranteed 4 tickets but may request fewer. As part of the RSVP, students will request their preferred session time—1:30 PM or 4:00 PM—and be able to request additional tickets.  In the past, the 4:00 PM session has had more ticket availability than the 1:30 PM.  After April 15th, we will provide information about availability of additional tickets.

Please note, it is essential that you attend your assigned commencement session. The order of graduates will be set by your ticket’s assigned session and your name and bio will only be read at your assigned session.  If you attend the wrong session, you will not have a place in the processional line or a seat in the ceremony room!

 

Finally, it’s May 13:

Please arrive at the Friday Center 30 minutes before your ceremony time.

If you are in Commencement 1:

Please head to the Bellflower Room by 1:00 PM to check in and receive your processional order number.  Doors to Grumman Auditorium, where the ceremony takes place, will open for guests at 1:10.  Please remind guests to bring their tickets either printed or on a phone!  After lining up in order in the Bellflower Room, students will proceed to Grumman at 1:30 PM for the ceremony.

  • 1:00-1:10 PM- check in at Bellflower Room
  • 1:10 PM- Grumman Auditorium doors open
  • 1:30 PM- Commencement 1 begins
  • 3:00 PM (estimated)- Commencement 1 ends

If you are in Commencement 2:

Please arrive at the Bellflower Room by 3:30 PM to check in and receive your processional order number.  Doors to Grumman Auditorium, where the ceremony takes place, will open for guests at 3:40 PM.  Please remind guests to bring their tickets either printed or on a phone!  After lining up in order in the Dogwood Room, students will proceed to the Trillium Room at 4:00 PM for the ceremony

  • 3:30-3:40 PM- check in at Bellflower Room
  • 3:40 PM- Grumman Auditorium doors open
  • 4:00 PM- Commencement 2 begins
  • 5:30 PM (estimated)- Commencement 2 ends


FAQ:

What time and where is the ceremony? Saturday, May 13th, at the Friday Center Grumman Auditorium.  Commencement 1 is at 1:30PM and Commencement 2 is at 4:00PM. You may request your preferred time—given on a first come, first served basis–when you RSVP to Meredith Albright’s email.

Will there be parking? Yes! The Friday Center lot and the commuter lot will both be open on Saturday, May 13th. No parking permit is required.

What time should graduates arrive? Graduates need to arrive 30 minutes prior to the start time to check in and line up for the processional.

How do I RSVP? Graduating Public Policy majors must RSVP by completing the form sent by Meredith Albright by March 31st. Please include a brief bio and up to three photos to share at graduation. An RSVP is necessary to claim tickets and to be allowed to participate in the ceremony.

How many guests can I bring? Will they need tickets? Yes, tickets are required to enter the ceremony. (Small children who can sit on a ticket holder’s lap for the entire ceremony do not need a separate ticket.)  Each student is guaranteed 4 tickets.  Please see info above. We realize that many of you have more than 4 loved ones who are coming to Chapel Hill for commencement weekend and will do our best to accommodate requests for additional tickets. Please remember that there is no guest limit for the main commencement ceremony at Kenan Stadium on Sunday, May 14th, at 9:00am.

How do I get my tickets? Instructions to access e-tickets will be emailed.

What if I need more tickets?  Requests can be made in the RSVP.  We regret that we cannot guarantee the availability of more tickets.

What time should guests arrive? Please ask your to guests arrive at least 20 minutes early to allow for any delays and so we can start the ceremony on time. There will be reserved wheelchair seating and seating with limited mobility for ticketed guests–please let us know your needs in advance on the RSVP form.

Do I need to wear my cap and gown? Yes! Please wear your full graduation regalia to the ceremony.

Will there be a reception? There will not be a formal reception but with an hour between ceremonies, we hope that all graduates and their families can mingle in the Friday Center’s lobby area or outdoors.

What are the COVID 19 protocols? Given the ever-changing nature of the pandemic, please utilize public health resources and any UNC guidelines and policies close to the ceremony date.  We want to ensure everyone feels safe, comfortable, and welcome.

I have additional questions. Who should I ask? Please contact Terry Tamari.