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.
Accessible Parking for McCain Auditorium is available north of McCain, north of Fairchild Hall and west of Nichols Hall. McCain’s north entrance, has power assisted doors at grade level.
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 colleges of Arts and Sciences, Business Administration and Health and Human Sciences park in the west coliseum lot; graduates and guests attending ceremonies for the colleges of Education, Agriculture and Engineering should park in the east coliseum lot.
Please note, there will be construction on the east lot during Spring 2022.
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.
Assembly order
Graduates will assemble on the concourse of Bramlage Coliseum in the Southwest corner. 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.
Graduates at the Aerospace and Technology campus should assemble on the second-level of the Student Life Center.
Regalia
Graduates are encouraged to wear their regalia to the ceremony as there are not changing stations available.
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.