Virginia Commonwealth University is excited to celebrate its graduating class at the university-wide commencement ceremony this Saturday, May 11th, at the Greater Richmond Convention Center, located at north 3rd street richmond va. This guide provides essential information for graduates, their families, and guests to ensure a smooth and memorable event at the Greater Richmond Convention Center.
Getting to the Greater Richmond Convention Center
Navigating to the Greater Richmond Convention Center at north 3rd street richmond va is the first step to a successful commencement day. Here’s what you need to know about arrival, check-in, and guest entrances.
Arrival and Check-in for Graduates
Graduates are required to check in before entering the lineup area. Plan to arrive at the Greater Richmond Convention Center by 9:00 a.m. and proceed to the Ballroom Pavilion entrance at Fifth and Marshall streets. After checking in, graduates should follow the signs to the Grand Ballroom, where the lineup area is located.
Don’t forget to bring either your VCU Student ID Card or a valid government-issued photo ID (driver’s license, state-issued photo ID, or passport). Please note that photos of IDs will not be accepted.
Guest Entrance
For guests attending the commencement, the doors to the Exhibit Hall Pavilion at the Greater Richmond Convention Center will open at 8:30 a.m. Guests should also use the Fifth and Marshall streets entrance. It’s advisable to allow extra travel and parking time due to anticipated heavy traffic in the area surrounding the Greater Richmond Convention Center. No tickets are required for guest admission.
Accessible Drop-off
For attendees needing accessible drop-off, this will be conveniently located on the Greater Richmond Convention Center side of Third Street.
Parking and Transportation
Understanding parking and traffic flow is crucial for a stress-free arrival at the Greater Richmond Convention Center, north 3rd street richmond va.
Parking Options
Public parking is available for a fee at two Greater Richmond Convention Center parking locations: the Third and Marshall streets parking deck and the Fifth and Marshall streets garage. Again, it is recommended to allocate extra time for travel and parking due to expected high traffic volumes.
Traffic and Road Closures
To ensure pedestrian safety after the commencement ceremony, planned intersection closures will be in effect:
- North 3rd and East Marshall Street: Expect closures at this intersection near the Greater Richmond Convention Center.
- North 5th Street and Jackson Street
Safety and Security Measures
VCU prioritizes the safety and security of all attendees at the commencement ceremony held at the Greater Richmond Convention Center.
Security Screening
All individuals entering the Greater Richmond Convention Center will undergo mandatory security screening. This includes metal detection and bag checks. All bags are subject to search upon entry, so please factor in extra time to enter the facility. Re-entry is not permitted after the ceremony begins.
Prohibited Items
To maintain a safe environment, certain items are strictly prohibited at university events within the Greater Richmond Convention Center. These include:
- Alcohol
- Backpacks and duffle bags
- Balloons
- Coolers
- Bottles and cans
- Glass objects
- Outside food and drink
- Drones
- Laser pointers
- Artificial noisemakers
- Firearms and weapons
- Tools
- Wrapped packages
- Banners (including flags)
- Signs (other than decorated mortarboard caps)
- Sticks over 8 inches and poles
- Items requiring review by the Office of Environmental Health and Safety (including animals other than service dogs, open flames, fireworks, pyrotechnics, pepper spray, mace, bear spray, aerosol spray cans, or other flammable or hazardous items)
- Any item deemed a threat to public safety by law enforcement or Greater Richmond Convention Center personnel.
Graduates are also advised against bringing purses or valuable items that they may not want to leave unattended during the ceremony.
Maintaining a Respectful Environment
Commencement is a celebration of academic achievements. Disruptive behavior will not be tolerated at this official university event. Attendees are expected to behave respectfully to ensure everyone can enjoy this important milestone. Anyone causing disruptions may be asked to leave the ceremony or be removed from the Greater Richmond Convention Center by VCU Police or law enforcement partners. Clear guidelines will be provided to all attendees to ensure a respectful and celebratory atmosphere. Remember, re-entry is not allowed after the ceremony commences.
Commencement Ceremony Details
Commencement Speaker
This year’s commencement address will be delivered by Gov. Glenn Youngkin, continuing a tradition of Virginia governors speaking to VCU graduates. He joins a distinguished list of past gubernatorial speakers, highlighting the importance of this event.
Livestream Information
For those unable to attend in person at the Greater Richmond Convention Center, the ceremony will be livestreamed. Visit the VCU homepage, vcu.edu, on commencement day for the livestream link.
Further Information
For more comprehensive details about the commencement event, please visit the official event website: commencement.vcu.edu.
Enjoy this special day celebrating the achievements of VCU graduates at the Greater Richmond Convention Center, north 3rd street richmond va!
