Commencement Ceremonies

Day-of celebration

Find helpful information below about arriving at the ceremony, and the ceremony experience.

Parking

Campus Parking

Public parking will be permitted in all general, student, faculty, and staff parking lots during commencement weekend. However, parking in any reserved space is still restricted to permit holders. Unauthorized vehicles parked in any reserved spaces may be towed. Use of accessible parking spaces is restricted to vehicles with the proper permit. For more information on obtaining an accessible parking permit, contact Parking Services at 785‐532‐7275.

 

Bramlage Coliseum Parking

Accessible Parking for Bramlage Coliseum is available in the east and west parking lots. Attendants are available to assist patrons with mobility impairments up the exterior ramps to the main entrances. Upon request, attendants will provide assistance to help patrons to seating areas.

To relieve traffic congestion between ceremonies, it is recommended that graduates and guests attending commencement for the College of Architecture, Planning and Design, Graduate School, Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Business Administration and Health and Human Sciences park in the west coliseum lot; graduates and guests attending ceremonies for Veterinary Medicine, Colleges of Education, Agriculture and Engineering should park in the east coliseum lot.

 

Grad Pass

Approximately one week prior to commencement, the Grad Pass will be sent to the K-State email address of each graduate. Graduates should print and bring their Grad Pass with them to the commencement ceremony.

At the top of the Grad Pass will be the graduate's name and under the name will be the phonetic pronunciation of the graduate's name. If the generated pronunciation is not how the graduate would like their name pronounced, the graduate can cross out the generated pronunciation and write on the Grad Pass how they want their name pronounced. Graduates will keep their Grad Pass with them through the processional to their seat and beginning of the ceremony. The Grad Pass is scanned prior to crossing the stage to allow the graduate's name to be read and displayed. Click Here to see an example image of the Grad Pass.

Bramlage Entry

Graduates enter through the southwest and southeast doors.

Guests enter through northwest and northeast doors.

Assembly order

Graduates will assemble on the concourse of Bramlage Coliseum in the Southwest and Southeast corners. Signage will be displayed to direct graduates to their correct position in line. Graduates are asked to arrive one-hour prior to the start of the commencement ceremony.

Regalia

Graduates are encouraged to wear their regalia to the ceremony as there are not changing stations available.

Bachelor- purple gown, purple cap and tassel

Master- black gown, black cap, hood and tassel

Doctoral- gown, hood, tam and tassel

Visit the Wearing Academic Apparel page to learn more.

Personal items

There is no checking area. Leave all valuables (purses, wallets, cameras, etc.) at home, in the trunk of your car or with a trusted member of the audience.

Photography

Photographers will be on site during the ceremony to capture graduates as they walk across the stage. A staged photo in front of the K-State backdrop will also be taken. Students will receive an email following commencement weekend containing information on how to purchase photos.

Prohibited Items

Please note that there is no clear bag policy for the commencement events.

  • Signs, posters, banners, etc.
  • Alcoholic beverages or controlled substances
  • Cans, glass, bottles, ice chests, coolers, picnic baskets and insulated beverage containers (see Containers and Coolers)
  • Possession or use of explosives (including fireworks)
  • Food and/or beverages
  • Noisemakers and laser pointers
  • Live animals (except Guide and Service Dogs)
  • Large flags, flagpoles and items obstructing sightlines
  • Oversized strollers
  • Throwing of any objects
  • Standing in aisles
  • Umbrellas