Congratulations and Last-Minute Reminders

Dear Graduating Students:

Congratulations! This weekend, we will officially celebrate you and your families during Final Exercises. We are looking forward to seeing you on the Lawn and celebrating your hard work and achievements.

As you prepare for the weekend, I hope you find the following reminders helpful.

Quick Links and Tips

Website. Be sure to check the Final Exercises website for complete information about the weekend.

Printable Guide. Print this handy guide for schedules, maps, and other helpful information.

University IDs. Graduates must be dressed in their regalia and show their UVA ID or their electronic ticket to gain entry to their school assembly areas.

Tickets. Visit the Final Exercises Ticket Page for information about electronic tickets. Guests should download tickets to their mobile phone wallet prior to arriving on Grounds. Please email any questions to [email protected].

Security. Please pay attention to the reminders about security, clear bag requirements, and items not allowed on the Lawn or at JPJ in case of rain. More details are below and on the Safety, Policies & Security webpage.

Parking and Shuttle Alerts: Text GRADUATION to 434-939-4307 to receive text alerts and reminders regarding parking and shuttle services during the weekend. This service will conclude on Sunday, May 18.

Services. Check the Lawn Overview Diagram for where to find water, medical help, restrooms, and other services.

Accessibility. If any of your guests have disabilities or limited mobility, see the Accessibility webpage for available services.

Water. Complimentary bottled water will be available for graduates in your assembly areas. Guests can bring unopened, factory-sealed beverages (e.g., bottled water, sodas, Gatorade®, etc.) as well as empty containers to utilize the water filling stations on the Lawn. Glass water bottles are not permitted. Additionally, bottled water and other beverages can be purchased at concession stands located on the Lawn and Central Grounds.

Remote Viewing. Remote viewing locations will be available for those without tickets or who prefer to be indoors.

Livestream. Your guests may also watch Valedictory and Final Exercises via the livestream.

Assembly Areas for Graduates

Whether your ceremony takes place on Saturday or Sunday, please plan to be at your designated assembly point no later than 7:45 a.m. The procession will begin at 9 a.m. Guests should be seated no later than 8:15 a.m.
To reach the assembly areas, all graduates will go through a security checkpoint. Diagrams of the assembly areas can be found on the Finals Weekend website.

Security Policies and Reminders

Metal detectors. Metal detectors will be used at the designated entrance points onto the Lawn (for Final Exercises both days) and into John Paul Jones Arena (for Valedictory Exercises on Friday).

Robing. Individuals wearing outer garments, such as academic robes or coats, will be requested to open them for visual inspection. To facilitate a smoother entry into the assembly areas, graduates and faculty are encouraged to robe after passing through the security checkpoint.

Clear Bags. Clear bags are required for all attendees (graduates and guests), and bags will be subject to search. Please review the list of prohibited items at both Valedictory and Final Exercises.

If in doubt, leave it behind. Both graduates and guests attending Final Exercises are encouraged not to bring items that will delay lines to access the Lawn or John Paul Jones Arena.

Expressive Activities. The University’s policy on protests, demonstrations, and other expressive activities during official University ceremonies and events held at the academical village is available through the Safety, Policies & Security website.

1515 Breakfast with Special Host, Ms. Kathy,
Saturday and Sunday, 6-7:30 a.m.

Before lining up at the Rotunda for your walk down the Lawn, be sure to stop by 1515 on the Corner to see Ms. Kathy, a favorite from Newcomb Hall. There will be a gown signing station where graduates can sign each other's regalia, a Polaroid station, fun giveaways and more.

Breakfast burritos, coffee, and water will be available for graduates while supplies last. A tradition for several years now, this informal event provides some quick fuel for the day along with a chance to create one last memory before the road ahead.

Special thanks to the UVA Parents Council for funding this event. Hosted by the Division of Student Affairs.

Celebrating Responsibly

Graduation is here—this is your moment to celebrate all the hard work and unforgettable experiences here at UVA. You’ve earned it! As you head into Graduation Weekend, enjoy your time with friends and family—but do it in a way that makes positive memories, keeps you and your friends safe and present for every moment.

• If you choose to consume alcohol, pace yourself and know your limits.
• Make sure to eat food that contains a balance of protein and healthy carbs—before and while you drink to slow alcohol’s effects.
• Stay hydrated by alternating alcoholic drinks with water.
• If you sense something is wrong, step up, intervene and remember Hoos look out for each other!

Balloons and Glitter

Balloons have long been a part of UVA graduation, but please consider their impact on guests and the environment. Balloons can delay access into the assembly areas, impede the procession, and obstruct the view for many.

Consider bringing only one balloon to the procession, and please:

• Be mindful of others attending the ceremony as well as the environment.
• Do not release balloons into the air. Instead, properly dispose of them in a trashcan when finished or hand them to volunteers who will be collecting them to take to patients at the UVA Children’s Hospital.
• Note, it is illegal in the Commonwealth of Virginia to intentionally release a balloon outdoors.

As with balloons, nonbiodegradable glitter and confetti (bottle corks, too) are harmful to wildlife and the environment. Using these items for photographs creates an arduous cleanup process for our facilities staff who do their best to keep the sidewalks and landscaping looking nice.

Finals Weekend at UVA is a joyous time for all of us. I hope you enjoy each moment with your family and friends. Congratulations on a job well-done, and I look forward to cheering you on this weekend.

Best wishes,

Nicole R. Hall
Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students