Guest Information
- Weather
- Guest with Disabilities
- Live Stream
- Seating Availability/Tickets
- Etiquette for Walking Ceremonies
- Parking
Weather Considerations
The month of May can be a warm time in Mississippi, but we have scheduled the Celebration Ceremony on the Quad early in the day for a cooler experience. We recommend that guests dress in consideration of the weather.
Inclement Weather
In the event of rain, the ceremony will move to the A.E. Wood Coliseum. A decision regarding a ceremony location change due to weather will be made by Wednesday, May 6th. Graduates will be notified via email in this event.
Guests with Disabilities
Each venue will provide a section of seating for disabled guests. On the Quad, tents will be provided near the sidewalk for those with disabilities. Due to limited seating, only one family member may be seated with the disabled guest. A shuttle service will be provided between the parking garage and the disability tents.
Streaming Option
The ceremony will be live streamed on MC’s website and Facebook, and a complete recording of commencement will be available on the MC Channel the week following graduation. Link coming soon.
Seating Availability & Guest Tickets
For the Celebration Ceremony on the Quad, approximately 2,500 chairs will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis. Guests may want to consider bringing lawn chairs that can be placed on The Quad in shaded areas. LED screens will be set up on either side of the stage to provide easy viewing across the grounds.
For Walking Ceremony venues, tickets will be required for guest attendance in order to comply with mandated fire codes. Each graduate will receive eight guest tickets at the time they pick up their cap and gown the week of graduation. A system will be set up for students to claim unused tickets (see Ceremony Instructions for Graduates). Check with your graduate on their number of available tickets. Guests must have a ticket in order to attend a Walking Ceremony.
Etiquette for Walking Ceremonies
In order to show respect for each of our degree candidates, please be aware of the following.
- Hold your applause. We ask that you hold your applause and celebration until the end of each department’s full presentation of graduates. That way, other families may hear their students’ names being called.
- Arrive on time. Guests arriving after the Walking Ceremony begins will be escorted to a designated seating area and will not be able to join those already seated in other areas.
- Do not bring signs or noisemakers. Flags, banners, signs, and any kind of artificial noisemaker will not be permitted. Guests should also leave balloons, floral arrangements, and other gifts in their vehicle and deliver them after the commencement.
The university reserves the right to remove from the campus anyone who does not display proper decorum or who causes a disturbance.
Parking
Increased traffic on campus is expected on the day of graduation.
General Parking
General parking can be found in the lots along and north of Highway 80 from Capitol Street to Frierson Field. Other parking will be available in the parking garage and in the commuter lots north of the Coliseum off Capitol Street.
Handicap Parking
Handicap parking will be provided for those with a handicap plaque or a handicap tag. See the Campus Map (Coming Soon!) for handicap parking designations.
Parking for Law School Commencement
Parking is available for guests on President Street, next to the State Capitol. From I-55 North, take the High Street exit towards downtown (West). For Guest Parking turn left on State Street, then right on Mississippi Street (follow the signs). For Christian Life Center Parking, turn left on North Street. Additional parking is available by turning left on State Street.
