Commencement

Carolina Law’s 2024 Commencement took place on Friday, May 10, in Carmichael Arena at 12:30 p.m.

Commencement will also be available for livestream at the following link – https://youtube.com/live/PM8yt6T7EKU?feature=share

No. Tickets are not needed. You may bring as many family members and friends as you like. It is open to the public.

The University is employing additional safety measures to support safety for all graduates and guests. These policies apply to all ceremonies.

Graduates should leave all bags at home, as there is no safe place to store them.

Guests are encouraged to leave all bags at home, but the following items will be allowed into Commencement venues:
– Any clear plastic or vinyl bag no larger than 12″ x 6″ x 12″, including gallon freezer bags.
– Small clutch purses no larger than 4.5″ x 6.5″
– Necessary medical items following inspection at entry gates.
– Up to two unopened 20 ounce or smaller bottles of water per person and empty drink containers that can be filled up at drinking fountains.

Prohibited items: Alcoholic beverages, artificial noise makers, baby seats, large bags, balloons, banners, flags and signs (larger than 8 ½” x 11”), signs on sticks or other devices, beach balls, coolers or containers, explosives, fireworks, folding chairs, food and beverages (except sealed plastic water bottles), illegal drugs, laser pointers, pets (except service animals), strollers (non collapsible), umbrellas, weapons of any kind, any other item that in the judgment of management staff poses a safety hazard or detracts from the ability of others to enjoy the event.

All permissible bags and containers are subject to search upon entry.

Approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes.

Please be sure to arrive early and be patient, as Friday, May 10 is a workday for UNC employees and there are numerous commencement ceremonies happening across campus. Guest parking is available at the Friday Center South Park and Ride Lot. Shuttles, which will accommodate strollers, walkers, and wheelchairs, will run continuously from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. from the Friday Center to Carmichael Arena. Please be sure you are on the shuttle for Carmichael, as there are also shuttles for other ceremonies on May 10. Graduates with parking permits may park in their assigned weekday parking lots. Graduates without parking permits should park in the Friday Center South Park and Ride Lot and take the shuttles. Carpooling or ridesharing is encouraged. A limited number of passes are available to guests with an ADA parking placard/tag who are unable to use the accessible shuttles and need to park in the School of Government parking lot. The guest’s graduate may request a pass and that pass must be displayed in order to enter the lot. Anyone without a pass will be required to park at the Friday Center as described above. There will be a reception at the School of Law immediately following the Commencement ceremony – it is a short walk from Carmichael to the Law School and those needing assistance may take one of the golf carts from Carmichael Arena to the School of Government parking lot. Following the reception, shuttles will pick up at the bus stop on South Road in front of the School of Government and return guests and graduates to the Friday Center lot.

Yes. ADA accessible parking will be available in the School of Government parking deck for those with passes approved by the School of Law. Golf cart service is available to / from Carmichael Arena and the School of Government Lot. Most guests will need to park at the Friday Center South Park and Ride Lot and take an accessible shuttle to Carmichael Arena. We will provide staff and wheelchairs to assist individuals from the golf carts and the shuttle drop off to either the guest entrance or all the way to the seating area. Reserved seating is available for individuals who cannot use stairs and graduates will be provided with information in early spring to request accommodated seating. Only one companion is permitted to sit with each wheelchair user. Guests with accessibility issues but not requiring wheelchair access or seating will be able to use the first row in front of the wheelchair rows. Please note this row does have a few steps for access.

Since the ceremony is held indoors, there are no rain provisions made. The ceremony will be held as planned.

No. Since there is no rehearsal, it is imperative you follow all directions given to you by the School of Law Administration and student marshals.

Individuals who purchase their regalia may keep their caps (tams) and gowns. Those who rent/borrow regalia will need to return the gown but may keep the tam and tassel.

Your diploma will be mailed to you in early fall and is sent by an outside vendor. Graduates will need to indicate the appropriate address on their application for graduation. The U.S Postal Service will not forward diplomas.

Yes. A representative from Photo Specialties will take two individual photographs of each graduate during the ceremony. The School of Law Registrar will provide graduates’ law school email addresses to Photo Specialties. Photo proofs will be emailed during the summer. You will have an opportunity to order photographs directly from the company at that time.

As soon as possible! All UNC undergraduate and professional/graduate schools have commencement ceremonies on the same weekend, as does Duke University, NC State, and other local colleges and universities. There are also athletic events happening on-campus that weekend. Hotel accommodations fill up fast. Sooner rather than later.

Each year, the graduating class selects a professor to receive the Fredrick B. McCall Award for Teaching Excellence. The award is given to a professor in recognition of excellence in teaching, contributions to the UNC academic climate and commitment to the student body of Carolina Law. The winner of the McCall Award will be announced during the commencement ceremony.

If you are not participating in commencement, please notify the Office of Student Development.