Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, all ceremonies will be live-streamed! Watch on the website or the university's official Facebook page.

Yes, each graduate is allotted a certain number of tickets based upon the number of graduates participating in the ceremony. We are required by Fire Marshall Code to ensure that the capacity of the Convocation Center is not exceeded to protect our graduates, their families and friends, and our staff.

Tickets are distributed to qualifying graduates electronically via their UNG student email accounts.

Unfortunately, we do not have extra tickets for the ceremonies. If a graduate claims their entire allotment but does not need their total number of allocated tickets, they may contact University Events at universityevents@ung.edu to donate them back. After the ticket claiming period has passed, any unclaimed or unused tickets will be electronically distributed to graduates who expressed their desire to receive additional tickets in the initial online ticket claiming process on a first come, first served basis.

You can present your ticket as a printed document or on your mobile device. Once a graduate has claimed their tickets, they will be emailed to the graduate via their UNG student email account. Once graduates have received their tickets, they can print them or share them with a family member who can distribute them to additional guests appropriately.

Yes, any child over the age of two (2) is required to have a ticket.

No outside food or drink will be permitted into the Convocation Center; however, there will be concessions available throughout the ceremony.

Parking will be available across the Dahlonega campus. Some designated lots will have a shuttle that can provide transportation from the lot to the Convocation Center. Visit our event parking page for a detailed map.

Yes, there will be a designated drop off area at the front of the Convocation Center for guests with accessibility needs who do not need ADA parking.

No balloons or noise makers of any kind are allowed inside the Convocation center.

The length of the ceremony depends on the amount of graduates in the ceremony. Typically, ceremonies last between one and a half (1.5) to two (2) hours.

Guests of graduates attending the ceremony who need special accommodations should notify University Events at 706-864-1950 or universityevents@ung.edu as soon as possible. If you do not arrange accommodations before arrival, there will be limited wheelchair accessible seating.

Seating is open and general admission. You may sit anywhere in the Convocation Center that is not reserved.

There will be limited restrooms available at a different building on campus until the Convocation Center is opened. Doors will open approximately 60 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony. Please plan accordingly.

Please refer to the Nighthawks Together site for the most up-to-date information regarding the university’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Appropriate and encouraged attire under regalia is dark colored business attire with dark shoes or Class A uniforms (commissioning cadets only).

Students should wear lightweight, comfortable clothing underneath the gown. Male graduates are advised to wear dress trousers in a dark color, a dress shirt (tie optional), comfortable dark shoes, and dark socks. Female graduates are advised to wear an appropriate day dress or slacks and comfortable dark shoes, and should not carry a purse or handbag.

You need to be in your regalia ready to line up no later than one (1) hour prior to the start of your ceremony.

Unfortunately, we do not have extra tickets for the ceremonies. If a graduate claims their entire allotment but does not need their total number of allocated tickets, they may contact University Events at universityevents@ung.edu to donate them back. After the ticket claiming period has passed, any unclaimed or unused tickets will be electronically distributed to graduates who expressed their desire to receive additional tickets in the initial online ticket claiming process on a first come, first served basis.

All you need is your regalia. We discourage graduates from bringing bags with them. There will be a bag check at graduate check-in. Please note that if you bring a bag, you will be required to have your bag checked.

Please review the list of items that are prohibited at the UNG Convocation Center.

We ask that all graduates refrain from bringing additional parties with them as they walk across the stage to receive their diploma folder (no children, no pets). We ask that you refrain from bringing cell phones or other electronic devices across the stage. All personal belongings should be left in your seat or with your guests while you are participating in the ceremony.

Students are discouraged from decorating their mortarboards; however, if decorated, it must be minimal and non-distracting to the ceremony and other graduates. Mortarboards may be decorated on the top only, and any decorations must lie flat on the mortarboard. Nothing may hang or dangle from the mortarboard other than the University approved tassel. Please refer to the University’s Regalia Policy for more information about decorating your regalia.

The Walker Drive Parking Deck (L32) is designated for graduates and faculty. There will be a shuttle running to the Convocation Center from this lot. Visit our event parking page for a detailed map.

There will be no commencement rehearsal. All necessary information is provided to graduates via email or can be found on the Ceremony & Ticket Information page.

Commencement ceremonies are separated by college. Information about each ceremony is included on the Ceremony & Ticket Information page. If you are unsure of what college your degree is part of, please refer to the degree listing page. During the summer, all colleges graduate in the same ceremony.

Please contact The Center for Global Engagement.