The Holmes Center has a Clear Bag Policy in place for all events.

Fall Commencement

9 a.m. ceremony
Beaver College of Health Sciences, Walker College of Business

1 p.m. ceremony
College of Arts and Sciences, Hayes School of Music, Reich College of Education

5 p.m. ceremony
College of Fine and Applied Arts, Cratis D. Williams School of Graduate Studies

Graduates do not need to register and they may invite an unlimited number of guests. Tickets are not required for the commencement ceremonies.

During each ceremony, graduates will walk across the stage in Holmes Convocation Center, have their names announced and be professionally photographed receiving their diploma covers. App State Chancellor Sheri Everts will confer degrees upon graduates at each ceremony.

• Each ceremony will last approximately 90 minutes.
• The university follows Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for COVID-19 safety. Face coverings are required for all attendees and will be supplied to all graduates.
• Accessibility and disability accommodations are available. If accommodations are needed in order to fully participate in commencement events on the basis of a disability, contact the Office of Disability Resources (odr@appstate.edu or 828-262-3056).

Relevant information for guests attending the Commencement Ceremonies: https://www.appstate.edu/commencement/information/#guests

Bags and screening

• Guests are permitted items per the Holmes Center’s Bag and Admission Policy. This includes small, clear plastic bags, small clutch purses, individual seat cushions and medically necessary items.
• All guests entering the arena are subject to a metal-detector screening by way of a wand, visual inspection and bag inspection conducted by security personnel. The purpose of the inspection is to detect prohibited items and is for the safety of our guests and our staff.  Prohibited items will be confiscated upon entry.

Parking

• Free parking for guests attending commencement ceremonies is available in the Rivers Street Parking Deck. All parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Guests should plan to be parked at least 45 minutes prior to when the commencement ceremony is scheduled to begin to allow sufficient time to navigate from the Rivers Street Parking Deck to the Holmes Center and be seated.
• Graduates and guests may be dropped off on Holmes Drive, which will be operating as a one-way street heading south to north from Faculty Street (by Boonie’s Chicago Style Pizza) toward Rivers
• The Holmes Lot adjacent to the Holmes Center is available on a first-come, first-served basis for guests with DMV-issued disability placards.
• Traffic control personnel will be at the intersection of Rivers and Hill streets to direct guests to the appropriate parking area and accessible routes to the southwest entrance of the Holmes Center.
• All lots have designated disability parking options. Guests with displayed DMV-issued disability placards will also have the following close proximity parking options.
• The Holmes Lot adjacent to the Holmes Center is intended for individuals who use wheelchairs/mobility scooters, walkers, etc.
• The John E. Thomas Visitor and Faculty/Staff Lots also have disability parking and are intended for individuals with limited mobility.

ADA Parking

• The Holmes Lot adjacent to the Holmes Center is available on a first-come, first-served basis for guests with DMV-issued disability placards.
• Traffic control personnel will be at the intersection of Rivers and Hill streets to direct guests to the appropriate parking area and accessible routes to the southwest entrance of the Holmes Center.
• All lots have designated disability parking options. Guests with displayed DMV-issued disability placards will also have the following close proximity parking options.
  • The Holmes Lot adjacent to the Holmes Center is intended for individuals who use wheelchairs/mobility scooters, walkers, etc.
  • The John E. Thomas Visitor and Faculty/Staff Lots also have disability parking and are intended for individuals with limited mobility.

Accessible Seating

• The Holmes Center makes every effort to meet the needs of all guests and provides arena accessibility information via its website regarding accessible seating and restroom locations.
• Guests should use the accessible SW entrance off of Holmes Drive, which leads to section 9 in the arena. A passenger elevator is also located at section 9 for use on a per-event basis.
• Slots for wheelchairs are located at sections 2, 4, 10, 12, and 16.  Overflow wheelchair slots are located in sections 6 and 8.  The rows in front and behind the wheelchair slots are reserved for family members of the wheelchair guest.
• We hold two rows in section 1, 3, 5, 9, 11, 13, 15 for “Limited mobility” guests.