Arrival and Assembly
Graduates attending the Fall University Commencement Ceremony at PNC Arena should review the information below. Updates may be made closer to the ceremony date.
Arrival and Assembly at PNC Arena
When to Arrive
The Commencement ceremony processional begins promptly at 9 a.m. Bachelor’s and Master’s degree candidates should begin arriving by 8 a.m. Candidates for Doctoral degrees (including Doctor of Veterinary Medicine candidates in the Spring) should arrive no later than 8:15 a.m.
Where to Assemble
All degree candidates must enter through the delivery entrance on the north (back) side of the arena. There is no candidate access from the concourse level to the floor level.
For the easiest access to the graduate assembly area, parking is available in the North Lots. There is no charge for parking at PNC Arena for commencement. Be advised that there may be a heavy flow of traffic into and out of PNC Arena on commencement day, and you and your guests should plan accordingly.
All students and guests are subject to search upon entering the arena.
Bachelor’s Degree Candidates
Assemble on the north side, lower-level delivery entrance of the arena. Bachelor’s candidates do not assemble alphabetically or by department.
Master’s Degree Candidates
Assemble on the north side, lower-level delivery entrance of the arena. Master’s candidates do not assemble alphabetically or by department.
Doctoral Degree Candidate
Report to the assigned area at the front of the processional line-up on the north side, lower-level delivery entrance of the arena. Signs will designate where Doctoral candidates are to assemble. Candidates must report on time in order to assemble alphabetically with your sponsors, who will sit directly behind them.
Commencement Exercise
Processional
The processional begins promptly at 9 a.m. Commencement marshals will lead candidates to the floor.
Recessional
At the conclusion of he ceremony, there will be a recessional for the Platform Party, faculty, and doctoral candidates only. Bachelor’s and master’s candidates will exit up the stairs with their guests.
Regalia, Caps, and Tassels
For information on how and when to purchase your commencement regalia, see the Academic Regalia page.
Bachelor’s candidates will enter with the tassel draped over the right side of the mortarboard (cap), and will ‘turn’ it at the conclusion of the ceremony.
Master’s and Doctoral candidates will enter with the tassel draped over the left side of the mortarboard, and will not turn them during the ceremony.
Graduate Regalia Instructions
The NC State Graduate School provides video instructions on how to properly wear graduate student regalia, as well as tips on how to keep it wrinkle free.
Fall Ceremony Reminders
- The Fall University Commencement Ceremony will be held in PNC Arena at 9 a.m. and should end no later than 11:30 a.m.
- The possession of or use of alcoholic beverages in the arena is prohibited.
- Smoking is strictly prohibited inside the arena.