Spring 2021 Commencement Ceremonies Update

Please read this message completely and share with your guests attending on May 7th. We will provide updates about the ceremonies up to graduation day on the ECU Commencement Website.

This communication includes information about tickets, safety protocols, parking, arrival times, locations and more. It will also address many of the questions we have received from graduates and guests.

Guest Tickets

All ECU graduates from the Class of 2021 as well as the Class of 2020 who completed the RSVP form should now have their tickets for their assigned ceremony on May 7, 2021. If you don’t have your tickets, email commencement@ecu.edu and provide your name, email and Banner ID.

Each graduate was provided four guest tickets. There is no option for extra or additional tickets as we are limited under the current health and safety guidelines related to COVID-19. Guests with children two years old and under will not require a ticket. Everyone else, three years of age and older, will require a ticket for entry.

Live Stream

For family and friends unable to attend in-person, ECU will live stream each ceremony. The links to the live stream will be activated on May 6th from the Commencement website.

Safety Protocols

Masks

All graduates, guests, faculty, staff and volunteers are required to wear a mask at all times while inside Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. Despite the fact that the ceremonies are being held outside, masks are required for these ceremonies.

Social Distancing

Graduates will be seated six feet apart in all directions on the field.  Guests are set up in four person pods throughout the stadium to ensure social distancing between the pods of guests. Any guests with more than four persons in a pod will be asked to move to their assigned seats. Failure to comply may result in removal from the stadium. For the Class of 2020, these will be five person pods that include the graduate with four guests.

Ceremony Times/College Designations

• 9 a.m. — This undergraduate ceremony will include the colleges of Education, Engineering and Technology, Fine Arts and Communication, and Health and Human Performance
  
• 1 p.m. — This undergraduate ceremony will include the colleges of Allied Health Sciences, Business, Nursing and Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences
• 5 p.m. — This ceremony celebrates graduate and professional students from all ECU degree awarding colleges for master’s, doctoral and professional degrees

Entrance Information

Arrival Times

The Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium gates will open one hour before each ceremony (e.g., gates open at 8 a.m. for the 9 a.m. ceremony). All graduates and guests have an assigned seat/section in the stadium so there is no need to arrive and wait in line at the gates before they open. That being said, graduates are encouraged to be in the stadium and in their seats at least 15 minutes before the ceremony starts. Any graduates arriving after the ceremony starts may not be able to sit with their college on the field.

Graduate Gate Entrance Information

All Class of 2021 graduates will enter at Gates 5 and 6. These gates are located near the Murphy Center, which is between Minges and Dowdy-Ficklen. Volunteers will direct graduates once they are inside the stadium.

All Class of 2020 graduates will enter at Gates 7, 8, and 9 with their guests. These gates are located closer to the scoreboard side of the stadium. Guests and graduates will have their tickets scanned and then volunteers will direct them to their assigned section.

Guest Ticket Entrance Information

All guests should enter at Gates 7, 8, and 9 only. Guests will not be permitted to enter with the graduates. Each guest will require a ticket (unless two years old or younger) and the ticket will be scanned at the gates for entry. The ticket can be printed and scanned or displayed on a mobile device for scanning. Each ticket is only able to be scanned one time.

Graduate Seating on the Field

Class of 2021 graduates will be seated on the field by college. For example, all College of Education graduates will sit in the same section. At each graduate’s chair there will be a Commencement program and a bottle of water. There are no assigned seats by person in these sections. Volunteers will direct you to your section and you can choose your seat. The seats are six feet apart and cannot be moved.

Class of 2020 graduates will sit with their guests in sections 3-7. Due to the social distancing requirements, we have limited space on the field.

Class of 2020 Graduates

Attire

Graduates from the Class of 2020 are encouraged to wear your cap and gown to the ceremony.  This will help identify you as you enter the stadium, but we also want you to enjoy the full experience as much as possible.

Ceremony Plans

There will be a special recognition of the Class of 2020 included in Chancellor Rogers’ remarks. Additionally, as each college name is read by the dean, graduates from 2020 and 2021 will stand together to celebrate.

Water and Programs

There will be large bins of free bottled water for the Class of 2020 graduates as you enter your seating section. Guests can purchase water or soda at concession stands throughout the stadium. Graduation programs will be given to graduates and guests as they enter the stadium at Gates 7, 8, and 9.

ADA Accommodations

For those with guests who have requested specific ADA accommodations through ECU Disability Support Services (DSSDEPT@ECU.EDU), specific instructions are being sent separately to these guests. Those requesting accommodations are encouraged to enter at Gate 9 and then go directly to the Concession Stand named “Lightning.” Volunteers and staff with specific details on locations and seating instructions will be at that location.

Parking Information

All ECU parking lots around Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium will be open and free of charge for graduate and guest parking. Carpooling for guests and graduates is encouraged. Guests with valid state-issued handicapped permits or plates requiring accessible parking should park in the DMV Placard Required area next to Minges Coliseum.

ECU will have multiple volunteers driving golf carts around the parking lots to assist those that have difficulty walking long distances. We prefer guests use the golf carts rather than trying to drop someone off as traffic flow near the stadium will be limited.

ECU Police and event staff will assist with parking guests and graduates. It is recommended to access the parking lots from Charles Boulevard. Click here for directions to Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium from outside of Greenville.

No Processional for Ceremonies

Typically during the University Ceremony, graduates will be staged together at a location under the stadium and walk onto the field one college at a time. Due to COVID protocols and the fact that all graduates may not be fully vaccinated, we can’t have graduates stand in close quarters waiting to enter the stadium. Once Class of 2021 graduates arrive and enter at Gates 5 or 6, Class you should report directly to the field. Volunteers will help direct you to your college’s section.

Graduates Walking on Stage/Reading of Names

ECU doesn’t read the names of graduates nor have graduates walk across the stage during the University Ceremonies. This is not related to COVID-19 protocols. With between 4,000-5,000 graduates each spring, it is simply not feasible to read each graduate’s name and have them walk across the stage. We will, however, read the names of the doctoral / professional graduates during the 5 p.m. ceremony as this has traditionally been part of University Ceremonies.

The reading of names/walking on stage for undergraduate and master’s students typically happens during the college and departmental ceremonies each fall and spring. However, and this is due to COVID-19, since those ceremonies would have been held indoors, we regret that we are unable to have the college and departmental ceremonies this spring.

Weather Plans

Commencement ceremonies will be held rain or shine. Unless severe weather occurs, we will have all ceremonies as planned. In the unlikely event of severe weather, a ceremony may be canceled. However, please be aware, we may cancel one ceremony but that may not impact the other ceremonies. For instance, if we have lightning in the area and the 9 a.m. ceremony were canceled, the 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. ceremonies will continue provided the weather has cleared out. Stay tuned for updates related to weather throughout the week on the Commencement website.

How long will the ceremony last?

Each ceremony will last about an hour.

Is there a keynote speaker?

Yes, Peter Hans, President of the UNC System, is the keynote speaker. Click here for more information about the speaker.

Dowdy Student Store/Caps and Gowns

The Dowdy Student Store, located in the Main Campus Student Center, will be open throughout graduation week. You can also still pick up caps and gowns at the store this week. Shipping for caps and gowns is no longer available.

Student Store Hours of Operation

• Monday-Thursday – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Friday – 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Saturday – 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

No Stadium Re-entry

Re-entry will not be permitted for any guest or graduate leaving the stadium. Ensure you have everything you need prior to entry.

Concession Stands

Concession stands will be open throughout the stadium for those interested in purchasing water or sodas. There will be no food nor alcoholic beverages served.

Check the ECU Commencement website throughout the week for updates. Also, feel free to share this information with your guests attending the ceremony. For additional questions, contact Commencement@ecu.edu.