FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Spring Commencement at the University of Arkansas will have the largest graduating class in school history and will feature another first as well: three ceremonies will be streamed live. The All-University ceremony, for graduate students only, will begin at 8:45 a.m. Saturday, May 12. The ceremony for the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences will also be carried live on the Internet, beginning at 1 p.m. The College of Education and Health Professions ceremony will be streamed live beginning at 4 p.m. All three commencement ceremonies will be held in the Bud Walton Arena.

“This idea came in response to requests from our students, particularly from our international students,” said university registrar Dave Dawson. “The students wanted their families and friends who couldn’t attend the ceremony to have a way of viewing the event live. With the help of the staff at media services and university relations we can provide a virtual way for our students to share this event.”

A total of six undergraduate ceremonies will be held throughout the day on May 12. The School of Law commencement will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 19.

An estimated total of about 2,700 undergraduate and graduate students are expected to attend the ceremonies, a new record for the University of Arkansas. The official number of graduates for the spring semester will not be known until June, after final exams and papers have been graded and final grades turned in to the registrar’s office.

Public parking for the May 12 ceremonies will be available in campus lots 44, 56, 72, 73, 73A and the Stadium Avenue Parking Garage. People with disabilities may park in lots 60 and 62, or may be dropped off outside designated entrances to the commencement venue. Maps and more parking information can be found at the registrar’s website.

Ushers will be available to assist people with mobility impairments at each venue.

Normal security precautions will be taken at all of the commencement locations. Each person attending a commencement ceremony will be required to pass through a security checkpoint. Cameras and personal items such as handbags will be inspected. Please allow extra time for this process. Please do not bring baggage, backpacks, strollers or noise makers to the ceremony. These items must be left at the entrance.  

Additional commencement information is available on the registrar’s website.

GUEST INFORMATION

All- University Commencement, 8:45 a.m., Bud Walton Arena

Walton Arena doors open at 7:30 a.m. Guests must use the south entrance and all seating will be on the south side of the arena, above the main floor. Guests needing help getting into the arena and to their seats can be dropped off at the south entrance on Leroy Pond Drive.

After the ceremony all those attending will be asked to leave the building using the exits on the east or west sides of the arena. People who need to use the elevator will be directed to the south side exit.

More information and student instructions are available as a downloadable PDF.

Sam M. Walton College of Business, 12:30 p.m., Barnhill Arena

 

Barnhill Arena doors open at 10 a.m. Guests may enter through the north, east or upper deck of the south entrances.  Guests with mobility impairments may enter through the floor level and will have access to seating at the floor level.

More information is available at the Walton College website.  

Fay Jones School of Architecture, 1 p.m., Arkansas Union Verizon Ballroom

The Verizon Ballroom is located on the 5th floor of the Arkansas Student Union, and doors will be open by 12 noon.  Parking for people with disabilities is available on floors 3-5 of the Stadium Parking Garage. There is an elevator in the garage and a covered walkway connecting to the Arkansas Union.

A reception for graduates, families and guests will take place in the Field House Studio building, north of the Arkansas Union, immediately following the ceremony.

More information is available through a downloadable Architecture PDF.

J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, 1 p.m., Bud Walton Arena

Guests will be required to enter through the south entrance of the arena. 

More information is available through a downloadable Fulbright PDF.

College of Engineering, 3:30 p.m., Barnhill Arena

Guests should enter through the north entrance or the top south entrance. Graduates or guests with mobility impairment may be dropped off near the northwest entrance to Barnhill Arena. Limited special seating will be available at court level.

More information is available at the Engineering website

College of Education and Health Professions, 4 p.m., Bud Walton Arena

Guests will be required to enter through the south entrance of the arena.

More information is available through the college's downloadable PDF.

Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences, 6:30 p.m., Barnhill Arena

Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. Guests should enter through the top south entrance of the arena. Drop-off areas for people with mobility impairments will not be accessible before 5:15 p.m. Guests with disabilities may be dropped off at the southwest entrance to Barnhill Arena. Limited special seating will be available at court level for those with disabilities.

More information is available at the registrar's website.

School of Law, 2 p.m. Saturday, May 19, Fayetteville Town Center

Doors to the auditorium will be open at 1 p.m. Public parking is available on and around the downtown Fayetteville Square.

Guests with mobility impairments are asked to contact Mary Herrington at mherrin@uark.edu.

There is a reception immediately following the ceremony on the porches surrounding the Town Center.

More information is available at the Law School's website.