Information for Guests

Commencement is a time to celebrate, not just for graduates but also for the family and friends who helped them reach this milestone. Kennesaw State University is proud to welcome you to share in the achievements of your KSU graduate.

Lodging and Dining Visitor's Guide Tickets Know Before You Go 

Ceremony Guidelines

Commencement is an exciting time for you and your graduate. Please follow these guidelines and be considerate of other guests so everyone may have a great experience. Thank you.

  • The ceremony will be held in the Convocation Center.
  • The doors open 1.5 hours prior to the start of the ceremony.
  • There is a clear bag policy for Commencement.
  • No outside food or beverages are allowed inside the Convocation Center. There is a concession stand open once you enter the building.
  • Any unauthorized modifications to regalia will be confiscated and returned to the graduate after the ceremony. Unauthorized modifications include noise-making items on mortarboards, or any language that violates the law, Board of Regents or KSU policies, such as threatening, harassing, obscene, or discriminatory content.
  • Please allow adequate time to arrive at KSU, park, enter the facility, and be seated prior to the ceremony. The ceremony will start promptly at the advertised time. At the start of the ceremony, late arrivals will be held in the Atrium until the conclusion of the processional. Thank you for your understanding.
  • Guest seating is general admission.
  • You must present a ticket to be admitted. Children three and under do not need a ticket for admission.
  • Saving seats in the Convocation Center is allowed up to 15 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony.
  • Strollers are not permitted in the arena, but there will be a stroller check-in located in the lobby.
  • Balloons are not permitted inside the Convocation Center.
  • Following the ceremony, all graduates will be outside of the Convocation Center. Plan accordingly and prearrange a designated area to meet your guests and graduates.

Prohibited Items

Security has the right to inspect any item at any time for the purpose of safety. Prohibited items* must be returned to cars or disposed of before entering the venue. No place will be offered to store any of these items.

  • Alcohol
  • Aerosol/pressurized cans
  • Animals (except service animals and service-in-training)
  • Artificial noisemakers including airhorns, whistles, musical instruments, etc.
  • Flags, banners, posters, or signs bigger than 24”x18” (medium poster size)
  • Flyers, handouts, advertisements
  • Glassware of any kind
  • Glitter
  • Balloons
  • Illegal substances, drugs, and chemicals of any kind
  • Inflatables
  • Instruments of any kind
  • Laser pointers
  • Open flames
  • Outside food or beverages (empty bottles allowed)
  • Poles or staffs of any kind (metal, plastic, wooden)
  • Weapons, flares, fireworks, and smoke devices
  • Use of cigarettes, cigars, e-cigarettes, vapes, juuls, dip, chew, etc.
  • Tri-pods and Cameras with lenses above 4 in"
  • Flower Vases
  • Balloons on Sticks
  • Diaper Bags

  • Exception: Medical bags are only allowed if they are no larger than what is required to transport necessary medical equipment.

Kennesaw State University is committed to the health and well-being of all members of the KSU community. A smoke/tobacco-free campus means that everyone, including guests, are free to travel and visit anywhere on campus without having to avoid potentially health-hazardous situations.

Prior to Commencement ceremonies, KSU offers a bag check for $5 before entering commencement. All proceeds go to support KSU Cares.

support ksu cares

*Event management reserves the right to make exceptions upon its discretion.

 

 

Bookstore and Concessions

During commencement, a smaller version of the KSU Bookstore will be at the Convocation Center where you can purchase apparel, degree frames, and souvenirs. Please visit the Bookstore website for more information.

The concessions stand will be open during all ceremonies and will accept major credit cards.

Outside food and beverages are not allowed (empty bottles allowed). Please keep in mind this setup is a card-only venue for all purchases.

Items the concession stand offers:

  • Light Refreshments
  • Snacks
  • Bottled Soft Drinks
Bookstore

 

Photography

The Grad Team will take the official graduation photos for the commencement ceremonies. This will include candid photographs before and after the ceremonies, as well as an on-stage photo with the President, and a graduation portrait.  

Graduates will receive a notification from The Grad Team when the photos are ready to be viewed and ordered on The Grad Team’s portal. To view the commencement photos, graduates should visit The Grad Team website.

The Grad Team’s customer support number is 833-469-4723 (833-4MYGRAD). Their hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 10:00 am through 6:00 pm. Graduates can also email The Grad Team’s customer support at: gradteam@thegradteam.com.

As an additional keepsake, KSU has partnered with StageClip to give you a short, personalized video of your graduation moment on the stage. Within a day after your ceremony, you will receive an email from StageClip with a link to view the video. Please be sure to check your KSU email, and share your video clip on social media, email it to friends or family, and enjoy it as a gift from KSU. 

Graduate Photos Personalized Video

 

Accessibility

Wheelchair Accessible Seating 

For guests in wheelchairs, seating is reserved on the entrance level to the arena and will be marked with signage. Due to high demand, the wheelchair-accessible seating area is strictly reserved for one person in a wheelchair and one additional family member. All other members of your party will need to sit separately in general seating. These reserved seats are on a first-come, first-served basis. Guests needing this accommodation are encouraged to arrive early. The University does NOT provide wheelchairs to assist with entering the facility, so please plan accordingly.

Guests with mobility concerns who do not require wheelchair-accessible seating should arrive early to sit in the general admission seats. The Convocation Center will open one and a half hours before the ceremony. Guests with difficulty may also choose to participate by viewing the live stream of Commencement on https://kennesaw.edu/commencement/index.php

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Guests

Sign Language Interpreting Services are provided at all ceremonies. Interpreting services will be best viewed from Section 105. Guests are encouraged to arrive early to ensure good visibility.

Real-time captioning will be provided on four new screens distributed throughout the venue as well as through the ceremony Livestream at https://commencement.kennesaw.edu/. Livestream can be accessed inside the venue with an internet-enabled device using this link.

  • Please park in the Faculty/Staff parking lot for guests who have limited mobility and do not have a valid Disabled placard or tag; please park in the parking lot (Lot B). Directions are below, and there will be large signage on Chastain Road for guidance.

    Golf cart service will be provided to transport guests to the front of the Convocation Center from this location only. Wheelchairs are NOT provided by the University to assist with entering the facility, so please plan accordingly.

    From the North:

    • Take I-75 South to Exit 271, Chastain Road
    • Turn right onto Chastain Road
    • Turn right at the second light onto Kennesaw State University Road
    • Turn left at the stop sign and take a right into Faculty/Staff Lot B


    From the South

    • Take I-75 North to Exit 271, Chastain Road
    • Turn left onto Chastain Road
    • Turn right at the second light onto Kennesaw State University Road
    • Turn left at the stop sign and take a right into Faculty/Staff Lot B

Lost and Found

Any items lost or left behind during the commencement ceremonies will be taken to the Information Table located in the Convocation Center lobby. After the ceremonies have concluded, all unclaimed lost and found items will be delivered to the Fifth Third Stadium Box Office. Please call 470-578-4849 or email with any questions.

Kennesaw State University is not responsible for any lost or stolen items.

Email Fifth Third Stadium Box Office

Emergency Information

In case of inclement weather during the ceremony, directions will be given from the video board or a voiceover. In case of inclement weather prior to the ceremony date, please tune into local news outlets or visit the Kennesaw State University Advisory Notice for closings or delayed start times.

In case of an emergency, please contact KSU Public Safety at 770-423-6666.

Directions and Parking

East Deck Parking Address:
305 Hopkins Dr NW, Kennesaw, GA 30144

From the North

Take I-75 South to Exit 271, Chastain Road
Turn right onto Chastain Road
Turn right at the next light onto Frey Road
Turn left into the East Parking Deck located behind the Convocation Center

From the South

Take I-75 North to Exit 271, Chastain Road
Turn left onto Chastain Road
Turn right at the next light onto Frey Road
Turn left into the East Parking Deck located behind the Convocation Center

Limited Mobility Parking

There are directions and information for limited mobility parking under the Accessibility link on this website.

Campus Map