Commencement Ceremonies and Livestream

Yes, the Freeman Coliseum has parking available for graduates and their guests. Graduates receive one complimentary parking permit for Lot 9. Information will be sent to each graduate by email.

Guests may use lots 1 and 2, and parking is $15 CASH ONLY per vehicle. Please see the map detailing which gates to use to access the correct lots.

Map of Parking Freeman Coliseum

Students will receive 15 commencement tickets each.

If there are any unclaimed tickets, an email will be sent to graduates to claim extra tickets (no more than two additional tickets) on a first-come, first-serve basis.

For Guests:

Doors will open one hour prior to each ceremony. In order to avoid missing the processional, guests should be seated twenty minutes prior to the start time.

For Students:

Graduates must check in with the Office of the Registrar at the Expo Hall behind the Joe and Harry Freeman Coliseum. When planning your arrival time, please expect increased traffic through the West Gate entrance which may delay parking access.

The 3 p.m. ceremony will take place for the following schools: School of Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences, Dreeben School of Education, H-E-B School of Business and Administration, Ila Faye Miller School of Nursing and Health Professions, Rosenberg School of Optometry, School of Mathematics, Science and Engineering, School of Media and Design and School of Professional Studies

• 1:30 p.m. Student Arrival
• 2 p.m. Line-up Check and Faculty Arrival
• 2:40 p.m. Processional Begins
• 3 p.m. Ceremony Begins

As with every commencement ceremony, Sunday best attire is encouraged under your commencement regalia (cap and gown).

Your participation was noted in the Statement of Intention to Graduate form at beginning of the semester. No further confirmation is required.

All cars with graduates should follow the Graduate Parking and Arrival instructions.

Map of Parking and Freeman Expo Hall

Yes, graduates will gather in the Expo Hall behind the Coliseum to line up for the processional one and a half hours prior to the ceremony start time.

• Processional begins at 2:40 p.m. for the 3:00 p.m. ceremony

Yes! The Grad Team photographers will be on site to take photos as graduates cross the stage. An email to purchase your images will be sent to your UIW email address following the ceremony.

Event photographers will also be on-site, documenting the occasion. By participating in the ceremony, you agree to having your photo taken during the event.

We kindly ask that graduates meet their guests outside following the ceremony. Guests will not be allowed on the floor of the Freeman Coliseum.

A livestream will be available on the University's YouTube channel.

UIW YOUTUBE CHANNEL

Please be advised that both of this year’s Spring Commencement Ceremonies on December 14, 2024 will conclude with a confetti cannon, which will be loud. These elements will go off directly after Dr. Evans’ speech. If you prefer to avoid being present when the cannons go off, you are welcome to remain in the backstage area after you cross the stage and have your picture taken. You may then depart through the back ramp doors early to avoid the loud bursts associated with the cannons. Thank you.

Accommodations

The University of the Incarnate Word provides reasonable accommodations for special events with adequate notice. To request disability accommodation for events, please complete the online form.

Request for Event Accommodations