Commencement Information

FAQ’s                            

Where will commencement be held? 

Commencement will be held at VSU Multi-Purpose Center (MPC) 20809 2nd Avenue, Petersburg, VA 23803  

View Campus Maps and Directions   

Will there be a commencement rehearsal? 

Yes. Commencement rehearsal will be 9:00AM – 11:00AM, Friday, May 12, 2023 at MPC for all participants.

How will Name cards, cords, and tickets be distributed? 

Name cards, cords, and tickets must be picked up, in person, by the graduation candidate with a photo ID. on Friday, May 12th immediately following rehearsal at Daniel gymnasium until 1:00P.M.

For students unable to pick during the above time, distribution will resume from 2:00PM- 5:00PM in the following locations:

Colleges

Location

College of Agriculture

Owens Hall, room 103

RFL College of Business

Singleton Hall, room 106

College of Education

4th Avenue Building-20716 (2nd Bldg. on the left)

College of Engineering & Technology

Engineering Building, room 315

College of Hum. Soc. Sci.

Lula Johnson Hall, rooms 004 and 005

College of Natural & Health Sciences

Hunter McDaniel, room 161W (In front of Main entry doors)

College of Graduate Studies

Sponsored Research & Graduate Studies Bldg. (1st Floor)

 

Will tickets be required for guests to attend? 

Yes. Each graduate will be provided with five (5) general admission tickets. No additional tickets will be provided.  

How will tickets be distributed? 

Tickets must be picked up, in person, by the graduation candidate with a photo ID.  Tickets will be distributed on the day of rehearsal.  

How long will the ceremony last? 

The actual ceremony will last approximately two hours. 

Do I need to participate in commencement to graduate? 

No.  All students who meet their academic requirements, regardless of whether they will attend the ceremonies, will still receive their diploma in the mail. 

If I don’t want to participate in the ceremony, do I need to apply to graduate? 

Yes.  You must apply to graduate regardless of ceremony participation. View graduation guidelines and requirements

Will the commencement ceremony be recorded and live-streamed? 

Yes.  The ceremony will be recorded and can be viewed live on the VSU webpage.  More information will be forthcoming. 

Special Needs Accommodations 

Commencement ceremonies at Virginia State University are accessible to all graduates and guests.  Accessible parking is available in designated areas at MPC. 

If you require any assistance beyond what is listed here, please email Commencement@vsu.edu and provide your contact information and particular need and we will make every effort to accommodate you. 

Hearing Impaired 

Sign language interpreters will be stationed on the stage. Please advise the ushers if you need to make use of the interpreters and they will seat you in a section with a clear view of the interpreters.