Here’s What to Expect as UNC Celebrates Graduation Weekend

Graduation weekend is typically one of the busiest times of the year in Chapel Hill, and despite some dour weather predictions, 2022 will be no different.

Here is everything you need to know to navigate the coming days:

Commencement

UNC’s Commencement Ceremony will take place Sunday, May 8 at 9 a.m. in Kenan Stadium. Registration and tickets are not required to enter. UNC recommends graduates arrive to the Loudermilk Parking Lot at 8 a.m. and enter the stadium through tunnels 2 and 5. Gates 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 will also open at 8 a.m. for graduates and guests. Hydration stations will be available, but UNC also recommends bringing a refillable water bottle. A livestream link will be available here.

The keynote speaker at this year’s commencement will be renowned journalist and author Frank Bruni. Bruni is a 1986 graduate of Carolina who wrote for the student newspaper The Daily Tar Heel. For more information about Bruni, click here. Listen here for a conversation between Bruni and 97.9 The Hill’s Aaron Keck, in which Bruni previews his address.

Parking and Transit Options

There are numerous public parking lots available around campus for Commencement, including Ehringhaus Lot, Craige Deck, Jackson Deck and Dogwood Deck. Weekday parking passes will not be valid for the ceremony.

These are the UNC parking lots open to the public this Sunday for Commencement ceremonies.

Chapel Hill Transit’s Tar Heel Express will also provide transportation to and from campus on Sunday. The service will begin from the Friday Center’s Park & Ride Lot at 6:45 a.m. and will run continuously until 9:30 a.m. Return service from Gate 2 of Kenan Stadium will begin immediately following the ceremony and will last for approximately 45 minutes.

For smaller department ceremonies on Sunday, return service to the Friday Center will begin at 12:30 p.m. and operate until 3 p.m. Pick-up locations are the Old Well, Student Union and Dean Smith Center.

For more public transit and parking information, click here.

Smaller Department Ceremonies

Individual department ceremonies will take place Friday through Sunday across campus. To find your individual department ceremony, click here. UNC recommends reaching out to the individual departments for more information.

What Else is Happening On Campus?

Weather permitting, the UNC women’s lacrosse team will host the ACC Championship Game at Dorrance Field Saturday night against Boston College. The game will begin at 6 p.m. and be broadcast on ACC Network. For those planning to attend the game, please note that the Biology Department’s graduation will be happening at 6 p.m. next door in Carmichael Arena.

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