General

Date: Saturday, May 2nd, 2026

Start Time: 10:00 a.m.    Doors Open: 9:15 a.m.

Ceremony Location: Stegeman Coliseum

**This commencement ceremony is only for graduates of the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program.**

For information on the CVM’s undergraduate program commencement, click here

For more information on UGA’s graduate programs commencement, click here

Tickets

The DVM Commencement Ceremony is only open to graduating students and those invited by a graduate. Tickets for family and friends of graduates will be in the student’s regalia packet.

Seating

Seating for guests of graduates will be available on a first come, first served basis. Doors to the Coliseum will open at 9:15 a.m. for guests to begin seating themselves.

Parking

Parking on campus is free on weekend days. Suggested lots are Carlton Street Deck (S15), South Campus Deck (S11), Foley Field Lot (S14), McPhaul Parking Lot (S10), Coverdell Parking Lot (S16), or Hoke Smith Annex Parking Lot (S12). For more information on parking near the Coliseum, refer to the parking map.

Stegeman Coliseum Policies

All guests will pass through weapons detection devices. In addition to weapons, the following items are likely to activate the weapons detection system and could lead to further screening. You are encouraged to leave these items in your vehicle to avoid delaying your entry: sunglasses or eyeglasses cases; Altoids or similar metal cases; metal card holders; cameras; laptops or tablets; laptop chargers; portable phone charger banks; and umbrellas.

Security has the right to inspect any item at any time for the purpose of safety.

**Guests and graduates entering Stegeman MUST follow the Clear Bag Policy.

The policy’s guidelines are as follows:

Permitted Items

• Bags that are clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC and do not exceed 12″ x 6″x 12″
• One-gallon clear plastic freezer bags
• Small clutch bags, with or without a handle or strap, that do not exceed 4.5″ x 6.5″
• Bags that contain necessary medical items, which must be inspected and approved at a designated gate
• Food: items must fit inside the permitted-sized bags
• Beverages, including water, in sealed plastic bottles; items must fit inside the permitted-sized bag
• Umbrellas
• Cameras and video recorders (Clear Bag Policy applies to camera bags)
• Strollers (must be stored in designated stroller parking areas)

Prohibited Items

For the safety, security, and experience of all guests, the following items are prohibited:

• Backpacks
• Diaper Bags
• Wrapped gifts or packages wherein the contents are not visible
• Alcohol
• Glass and aluminum containers
• Tobacco: UGA is a tobacco-free campus.
• Large items, such as balloons, banners and posters, or amplification equipment, such as bullhorns or megaphones
• Weapons detection nuisances (detailed above)

Prohibited items must be returned to cars or disposed of before entering and will not be accepted by employees or stored at the gates.

Disability Access

Visitors with disability concerns are strongly encouraged to arrive early to Stegeman Coliseum. Doors open 45 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony.

The main entrances to Stegeman Coliseum along Sanford Drive and Carlton Street are wheelchair-accessible.

On-site wheelchairs are NOT available. Guests with difficulty walking are strongly encouraged to bring their own wheelchair.

Disability Parking

Parking for guests with disabilities is available in the Hoke Smith Annex lot (S12). The lot is adjacent to Stegeman Coliseum.

Disability Seating

Seating for guests in wheelchairs is very limited in Stegeman Coliseum and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Disability and companion seating is located along the top row of the lower level. Disability seating provides access for one wheelchair user and one companion. Additional family members will need to sit separately in general seating. Please plan accordingly.