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Information for Seniors

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Commencement Week Information

See below for all of the information that seniors need for Ceremonies leading up to Commencement and Commencement Week.

Founder鈥檚 Day Convocation

On Sunday, April 7, 2024 星空无限传媒 will be celebrating our 157th听anniversary of the University鈥檚 founding. Undergraduates (Traditional and Non-traditional) and Graduates are required to attend this celebration:

Sunday, April 7, 2024
2 p.m.
Jane M. Smith Memorial Church

  • Graduates will assemble in Biddle Hall - Sarah Belk Gambrell Auditorium at 1:00 p.m.
  • Graduates may not process with purses, bags, children, other individuals, or pets.
  • Cap and Gown (NOTE: honor cords, tassels, medallions, fraternity and sorority kente cloth stoles are not permitted for Founder鈥檚 Day. These will be worn during Commencement only).
  • Attire:
    • Dress pants or dress skirts that show below the hem of the gown/robe must be dark in color.
    • Collared shirts that show above the neckline of the gown/robe must be white.
    • Ties must be dark in color.
    • Dress shoes must be appropriately formal and dark in color.
    • Religious headwear, if worn, must be dark in color.
    • Earrings must be small (i.e. pearl or other studs).听 No dangling jewelry (earrings, bracelets, etc.

Commencement Rehearsal

Commencement Rehearsal is required for all graduates鈥攗ndergraduates (Traditional and Non-traditional) and Graduates鈥攚ho plan to participate in the Commencement exercises.听

Thursday, May 16, 2024
11 a.m. 鈥 12:30 p.m.
Biddle Hall Auditorium

Graduation Rehearsal Cookout

The graduation barbecue will take place on the block shortly after the Commencement Rehearsal.

Thursday, May 16, 2024
Starts at 1 p.m.
Trust Atrium in New Science Center

Graduation Packet Pick-Up

Candidates for Graduation who have successfully met all degree requirements will have their packets available for pick-up in Biddle Hall Room 110. The packet will include their official letter with conferral status, honors tassel if applicable, ceremonial hoods, and diploma for those with a zero balance.

Thursday, May 16, 2024
9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Biddle Hall Room 110

Baccalaureate Service

Baccalaureate is a celebration that honors graduates (Undergraduate 鈥 Traditional and Non-traditional) and is a Christian-based, interdenominational service. Attendance is required for graduates (Undergraduate 鈥 Traditional and Non-traditional).

Friday, May 17, 2024
4 p.m.
Jane M. Smith Memorial Church

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  • Graduates (Undergraduate 鈥 Traditional and Non-Traditional) will assemble in Biddle Hall - Sarah Belk Gambrell Auditorium at 3听p.m.
  • Graduates may not process with purses, bags, children, other individuals, or pets.
  • Cap and Gown (NOTE: honor cords, tassels, medallions, and fraternity/sorority kente cloth stoles are not permitted for Baccalaureate. These will be worn during Commencement only).
  • Attire:
    • Dress pants or dress skirts that show below the hem of the gown/robe must be dark in color.
    • Collared shirts that show above the neckline of the gown/robe must be white.
    • Ties must be dark in color.
    • Dress shoes must be appropriately formal and dark in color.
    • Religious headwear, if worn, must be dark in color.
    • Earrings must be small (i.e. pearl or other studs).听 No dangling jewelry (earrings, bracelets, etc.).
  • Marshals will arrange the order of the procession and will lead you to your reserved seats.
  • Graduates will not be permitted to enter the church once the program has begun.
  • Men should remove their caps prior to the invocation and place them on their heads just before marching out after the benediction.
  • Faculty Marshals will also lead the recessional.

Baccalaureate Parking Locations

Parking on campus for the Baccalaureate Service will be available at the following locations:

鈥 Biddle Hall Parking Lot
鈥 Science Center Parking Lot
鈥 Jack S. Brayboy Gymnasium Parking Lot

Commencement Exercises

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Sunday, May 19, 2024
Bojangles鈥 Coliseum
2700 E. Independence Blvd
Charlotte, North Carolina 28205
11 a.m. (Doors will open at 9 a.m.)

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  • Graduates must assemble at 9听a.m. in Bojangles for graduate check-in and final instructions as it pertains to Commencement. There will be a separate entry for graduates and guest.
  • Graduates may not process with purses, bags, children, other individuals, or pets.
  • 听Student who have not successfully completed all degree requirements are not permitted to participate in the processional and are not permitted to wear regalia at the Commencement ceremony.
  • Cap and Gown along with honor cords, tassels, medallions, and fraternity/sorority kente cloth stoles are permitted for Commencement. Tassels should be worn on the right side of the cap. During the Commencement exercises the tassel will be transferred to the left side of the cap, upon instruction from the podium.
  • Attire:
    • Dress pants or dress skirts that show below the hem of the robe must be dark in color.
    • Collared shirts that show above the neckline of the robe must be white.
    • Ties must be dark in color.
    • Dress shoes must be appropriately formal and dark in color.
    • Religious headwear, if worn, must be dark in color.
    • Earrings must be small (i.e. pearl or other studs).听 No dangling jewelry (earrings, bracelets, etc.)
  • Given the formal nature of the Commencement, graduates are not allowed to carry anything in the procession or recession (e.g. no book bags, laptops, blue tooth devices, pocketbooks, pets, children, etc.).
  • The processional will depart at approximately 10:55 a.m. and will be led by Faculty Marshals. Once the line-up is finalized and the processional begins, graduates will not be allowed to enter the line. Graduates will march in by colleges in the academic procession.
  • The recessional will proceed in the same order as at the Baccalaureate service: Platform party first, followed by faculty, then alumni in reunion and graduates.
  • There are no tickets for this event. Bojangles鈥 Coliseum adheres to the American Disabilities Act; all seating is on a first come, first served basis.

Bag policy and prohibited items at Commencement Ceremonies

Attention Guest and Graduates

For security and courtesy purposes, the following items WILL NOT be permitted into Bojangles Coliseum

Air Horns, Backpacks, Balloons, Duffel Bags, Large Gifts, Noise Makers, Outside Food and Beverages.

Approved Bags: Any non-clear bags that do not exceed 4.5鈥 x 6.5鈥 in size, which is approximately the size of a hand bag with or without a handle/strap, such as a small clutch purse. Clear bags that do not exceed 12鈥 x 6鈥 x 12鈥. 

Prohibited Bags: Any non-clear bag larger than 4.5鈥 x 6.5鈥 and clear bags larger than 12鈥 x 6鈥 x 12鈥 are not allowed. 

*All permitted items inside the venue are subject to search upon entry and at any point while on Bojangles Entertainment Complex property. Exceptions can be made upon request for medically necessary items. Please call us at 704.372.3600 to arrange for medical exceptions in advance.*

Accessibility

听Bojangles鈥 Coliseum strongly encourages those needing accessible seating to arrive early. All accessible seating will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Every effort will be made on the day of an event to accommodate those needing accessibility seats, but this is based on availability.

  • Parking attendants will direct guests to accessible parking near the Main Entrance. Anyone using the spaces must display the proper State Identification tag. Spaces are available on a first鈥揷ome, first served basis.
  • American sign language will be offered to guests who are hearing impaired and require interpretation.
  • Graduates participating in Commencement who need accessible seating or accommodations should contact the Office of the Registrar at registrar@jcsu.edu.

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Commencement Parking

There is no fee for Parking at Bojangles鈥 Coliseum during Commencement. The parking lot will be open for graduates and guests at 9 am. To reduce traffic congestion, Bojangles鈥 Coliseum suggests that all guests arrive one hour prior to the event start time.

Shuttle Service

Shuttle service will be provided for any graduate or student who does not have transportation. Shuttle service from campus to Bojangles will begin at 7 am in front of Music Building Annex and will run until 7:30 am for graduates and 9:00 am for all other students. Departure service from Bojangles Coliseum back to campus will start at 1:00 pm until 3:00pm.

NOTE: Graduates must assemble at 9 a.m. in Bojangles for graduate check-in.

Photos
 Students processing during Commencement 2023
Commencement Photos

星空无限传媒's Commencement exercises will be professionally photographed and videotaped. Family members and guests will not be allowed to access the coliseum floor area during the program.

Graduates and family members can order photos directly from Grad Images. After graduation, order online at  or call 800.261.2576.

First Aid

Licensed First Aid Technicians/EMT鈥檚 are on staff for the event.听 If you need first aid assistance contact the nearest Usher, Security Guard or Police Officer. The Bojangles鈥 Coliseum First Aid station is located on the lower level. In the event of an emergency, please follow the directions of the emergency personnel and staff.

Accommodations

星空无限传媒 has negotiated special rates for our guests at area hotels just a short drive from campus. Please visit for a list of participating hotels.

For any questions, please contact Tenessa Moore, Conference and Event Services Manager at 704.330.1495 or Tavia Smith, Event Services Coordinator at 704.330.1438.

Directions to JCSU

星空无限传媒 is located at 100 Beatties Ford Road near the intersection of West Trade Street, Fifth Street and Rozzelles Ferry Road in Charlotte, N.C. Charlotte is served by the major airlines, by Greyhound and Trailway buses and by Amtrak. The campus is easily accessible from Interstate 85 and 77.

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Driving directions from Atlanta

  • Take听I-85 North
  • Take NC-16 Brookshire Blvd (Exit 36) toward / US-74E/Downtown
  • Merge onto NC-16 S toward Charlotte/Bank of America Stadium
  • Take the ramp toward Beatties Ford Rd/JC Smith University
  • Merge onto French Street
  • JCSU campus is on your left.听

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From I-85 North

  • Take I-85 South to I-77 South
  • Merge onto I-77 S/US-21 S (Exit 38) toward Columbia听
  • Take Fifth St./West Trade Street (Exit 10C)
  • Turn right onto W. 5th Street
  • Turn right onto Beatties Ford Road
  • JCSU Campus is on the right.

Directions to Bojangles Coliseum

Bojangles Coliseum is located at 2700 East Independence Boulevard Charlotte, North Carolina 28205.

From I-77 Driving South

  • Take the听Exit 11听for听NC-16/I-277/Brookshire Freeway
  • Merge onto听I-277 S/NC-16 S
  • Take听Exit 2B听on the听left听to merge onto听East Independence Blvd/US-74 toward NC-27/Independence Blvd
  • Take听Exit 244听for听Briar Creek Blvd

From I-77 Driving North

  • Take听Exit 9听for听I-277/John Belk Freeway/US-74
  • Merge onto听I-277 N/US-74 E
  • Take听Exit 2B听to merge onto听East Independence Blvd/US-74 toward Independence Blvd
  • Take听Exit 244听for听Briar Creek Blvd

From I-85 Driving South

  • Take听Exit 38听to merge onto听I-77 S/US-21 S
  • Take听Exit 11听for听NC-16/I-277/Brookshire Freeway
  • Merge onto听I-277 S/NC-16 S
  • Take听Exit 2B听on the听left听to merge onto听East Independence Blvd/US-74 toward NC-27/Independence Blvd
  • Take听Exit 244听for听Briar Creek Blvd

From I-85 Driving North

  • Take听Exit 36听for听I-85/NC-16/Brookshire Blvd toward US-74
  • Keep听right听at the fork, follow signs for Charlotte and merge onto听Brookshire Blvd/NC-16
  • Slight听left听at听Brookshire Blvd/NC-16 S. Continue to follow NC-16 S
  • Continue on听I-277 S
  • Take听Exit 2B听on the听left听to merge onto听East Independence Blvd/US-74听toward听NC-27/Independence Blvd
  • Take听Exit 244听for听Briar Creek Blvd