Commencement 2024 – Important Guest Information

Bottom Line, Up Front

• The Commencement ceremony lasts approximately three-and-a-half hours and is held outdoors on Hearn Plaza. Temperatures can vary widely, so check the local weather forecast. Most seats are in full sun, so plan accordingly.
• Arrive early. On-campus parking during Commencement weekend will be extremely limited. On Monday, Commencement guests are encouraged to park at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial (LJVM) Coliseum and ride shuttles to campus.
• The Polo Road entrance to campus will be closed to vehicular traffic on Monday; this entrance is for shuttles only.
• Clear bags are required. Please note the list of prohibited items. Guests will pass through magnetometers and/or will be screened.
• The University shared guidelines that apply to all Commencement weekend attendees.
• As you make plans to attend Commencement, please be aware of the comfort of your family members, particularly the elderly, those with mobility issues or special needs, and young children. 
• We hope your family will join us for the Celebration of the Class of 2024 on Saturday, May 18, from 8-11 p.m. on Manchester Plaza (Mag Quad).

Dear parents and families of 2024 Graduates,

Congratulations on your student’s upcoming graduation! Please read this entire message for pertinent information regarding Commencement.

Preparing for the Weather

Please pay attention to the Winston-Salem weather forecast for Commencement weekend so you can pack for the appropriate weather. Here are some other tips:

• For Monday’s Commencement ceremony, we will be outside for three-and-a-half hours, and while there are some trees, most of the Quad will be sunny. Consider sunscreen and/or a hat.
• Temperatures are likely to be cool in the early morning, but can warm quickly with the sun. Lightweight, layered clothing is a great option.
• It is perfectly acceptable to remove jackets or ties (or not to wear a tie at all) as you see fit.
• You will be walking in the grass during Commencement. High heels can sink into the ground, which will be wet with dew and can be muddy. Consider that as you plan your shoe choices.
• Be aware of the comfort of your family members, particularly the elderly and young children. Be sure they stay hydrated and do not get overheated. Commencement will be livestreamed in Wait Chapel on Monday, which might be a desirable place for elderly relatives to sit out of the sun and with A/C.
• If the forecast calls for rain:
  • Our goal is to hold University Commencement on the Quad (Hearn Plaza) if at all possible. If it is raining but safe to be on the Quad per our emergency planner, we will be on the Quad in the rain. If there are risks of high winds or lightning or other potentially unsafe conditions, we will move to the LJVM Coliseum. A final decision should be made on the potential to enact the Inclement Weather plan by Sunday afternoon, May 19.

Clear Bag Policy, Security, Conduct and Disruptions, and Prohibited items

• As part of Wake Forest’s security measures, a clear bag policy is in effect. 
• Not bringing a bag will expedite your entrance into Commencement events. If you plan to bring a bag, please factor in time for bag checks as you travel to campus for Commencement weekend events:
  • Friday, May 17 and Saturday, May 18 – Bags will be checked outside Wait Chapel’s entrance for the graduate and professional school hooding and commencement ceremonies.
  • Sunday, May 19 – Bags will be checked outside Wait Chapel’s entrance for the 11 a.m. Baccalaureate service and the graduate and professional school hooding and commencement ceremony later in the day.
  • Monday, May 20 – Bag checks will be conducted at all entrances to Hearn Plaza. The checks will begin at 6 a.m. University Commencement is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m.
    • Note: Bag checks will be conducted at the LJVM Coliseum if the University were to implement the Commencement rain plan.
• Magnetometers: All guests will pass through metal detectors and/or be wanded. Graduates will also be wanded.
• Conduct and disruptions: The University shared guidelines that apply to all Commencement weekend attendees.

 Prohibited Items

• Air Horns
• Alcohol
• Coolers
• Mace/Pepper Spray
• Oversized bags (please see the clear bag policy)
• Pets
• Pocket knives, firearms, or weapons of any kind
• Signs of any kind, including signs on sticks, flags and fatheads
• Tripods
• Umbrellas
• Wrapped Gifts (gift bags are allowed)
• WFU Commencement Staff reserves the right to remove any item that impedes guests’ views and/or experience

During the University Commencement Ceremony on Monday, May 20

• • During the ceremony, the center aisle and the platform will be closed to all except those in the processional. Please observe the rope barricades.
  • Limited restrooms will be available in Reynolda Hall and Wait Chapel. Executive portable restrooms will also be available. Wheelchair-accessible restrooms are available at Zick’s restaurant.
  • There will be designated seating for guests with Special Needs on Hearn Plaza near the crosswalk on the Zick’s side of the plaza. This seating is for guests in wheelchairs and for those who have difficulty walking. We ask that only one other guest sit with the Special Needs guest as seating in this section is limited. See more about Special Needs accommodations.
  • Note that Wait Chapel will be available on Monday for indoor viewing of the Commencement ceremony via livestream, with closed-captioning, for guests who prefer to be out of the sun.
  • You may wish to bring a bottle of water or other drink with you. There are water bottle refill stations in Reynolda Hall, so you can replenish if needed.

• You can purchase drinks on the Quad, but they will be cash sales only (no credit/debit card). Complimentary water will be available.

• You can also purchase flowers and small gifts on the Quad; those are card sales only (no cash).

For guests with special needs

We encourage you to have a realistic, honest conversation with family members who have mobility issues, are elderly, or have other special needs to ensure they will be comfortable attending the weekend’s events. 

Commencement weekend typically involves:

• a fair amount of walking;
• being outdoors in warm (or cool, or damp, etc.) weather for extended periods;
• waiting in lines for restrooms, food, seating, etc.;
• walking over unfamiliar terrain, or in crowds where you can’t see the ground in front of you (which can be a fall risk).

We do not supply wheelchairs, walkers, golf carts, or other medical/mobility equipment: In the event you have a family member or guest who needs personal medical equipment, they will need to bring their own or procure a rental. The Events office recommends this vendor for rentals, though you can use any you prefer.

While we do our best to make everyone comfortable, if you have relatives for whom the physical requirements of the weekend would be difficult to bear, please consider that before you come. The ceremony will be livestreamed and available for anyone who does not make the trip to Winston-Salem.

 Photography

• A photographer with Photo Specialties will photograph undergraduates during the University Commencement ceremony on Monday, May 20. Graduates receiving BA and BS degrees will be photographed on stage. Photo Specialties will send free color proofs and ordering instructions to each graduate’s email.
• Visit our Photography page for more details.

Celebration of the Class of 2024

The Office of Alumni Engagement and the Office of Student Engagement cordially invite the Class of 2024 and their parents/families to the Celebration of the Class of 2024: 

Saturday, May 18, from 8-11 p.m.
Manchester Plaza (Mag Quad)
Remarks at 9 p.m.

Join us on Saturday night on Manchester Plaza* for a night of music, dancing, food, fun, and forever memories as we kick off Commencement weekend! We can’t wait to see our ‘24s and their parents/families! 

Remarks and a toast to the Class of 2024 are scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. We hope that parents/families will make this a part of their Commencement weekend plans and remind their graduates to pick up their Senior Gift. Registration requested. 

* in the event of rain, registered guests will receive an email on Friday about rain location

We encourage all graduating families to review the Commencement website, paying particular attention to the Family and Guest Information section.

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Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at commencement@wfu.edu. We look forward to celebrating your students’ achievements!

– Wake Forest Commencement Office