Graduation
Finals Weekend Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions related to the University-wide ceremony can often be answered by
visiting the Major Events website.
A stole is a light cloth worn over your graduation robe and it helps to indicate the school from which you are graduating.
EHD will provide light blue stoles for all graduating undergraduate students. Stoles can be picked up at the Undergraute Graduation Celebration on April 30.
2025 Information
Lawn Ceremony: According to the UVA Major Events website, degree candidates will receive a total of six (6) tickets to Final Exercises on the Lawn for use by family and guests. If Final Exercises is moved to John Paul Jones Arena under the severe weather plan, degree candidates will receive three (3) guest tickets. Degree candidates will need to be wearing academic regalia and show their UVA Student ID Card to gain access to the Lawn or John Paul Jones Arena for Final Exercises. If the degree candidate does not have their student ID card they can download a student ticket to gain entry. Please review the additional information regarding tickets on UVA's Major Events website.
EHD Ceremony: Graduates and guests do not need tickets for guest seating at the EHD ceremony hosted at John Paul Jones Arena.
Tickets are not required for the doctoral hooding ceremony.
Final Exercises is held outdoors. Attire is a personal preference, but guests are encouraged to dress respectfully for the occasion and appropriately for the weather, and to wear comfortable shoes given the considerable amount of walking involved.
Graduates and faculty will wear their caps and gowns which will provide them access to the Lawn and to John Paul Jones Arena (if the ceremony is moved inside due to inclement weather). The grass, as well as ramps and steps located on the Lawn may be damp or slick during Final Exercises. Graduates and faculty are encouraged to wear comfortable shoes with low heels to avoid falling or tripping during the Procession.
Information on obtaining your cap and gown is detailed on the Major Events website.
Diplomas will be mailed within six weeks of your degree conferral date to the “diplomas mailing address” reflected in SIS. Diplomas are not handed out during the ceremony but rather students are handed a scroll. Diplomas are overseen by the University Registrar.
During Finals Weekend, public parking near Central Grounds operates under different policies than during other times of the year. Graduating students and guests are encouraged to park in the locations specified via the UVA Major Events' parking webpage and use the University’s free shuttle service to travel to various ceremonies and events.
You may need a student ID to attend events like walking the Lawn. Please review the UVA Major Events website information under Degree Candidate Entry on the Tickets page. For information on obtaining a student ID please visit the UVA ID Office website.