FAQ

David Brooks, an internationally acclaimed journalist whose work has shaped timely conversations around controversial and complex issues, will receive Vanderbilt University’s prestigious Nichols-Chancellor’s Medal when he speaks at the university’s 2024 Commencement activities.

Brooks’ Graduates Day address will be on May 9 at 11 a.m. at the David Williams II Recreation and Wellness Center Indoor Practice Facility. Doors will open at 10 a.m. with the event beginning at 11 a.m.

The Commencement Celebration will directly follow the speaker event in the same space. Graduates and their families can enjoy music, dessert, champagne and a time of celebration.

Guests can either park in Terrace Place, Wesley Place, 25th Avenue and West garages. Accessible parking for Graduates Day is limited. There will be a designated drop-off area outside of the entrance of the Indoor Practice Facility on Children's Way.

For accessibility accommodations, please fill out this form by May 1.

We encourage you to use the platform SpotMyPhotos for Commencement activities. Once registered with the service, it can help find candid Commencement photos taken by Vanderbilt photographers. To register, visit our SpotMyPhotos website.

Official photos taken by Grad Images will be emailed directly to graduates in the days after Commencement.

All events will be accessible for those needing mobility accommodations and we encourage guests to bring their state issued handicap placard if applicable.

If you need accessibility assistance, please fill out this form. The submission deadline is Wednesday, May 1. Applicants will receive additional correspondence after the form closes.

Things to note:

Wheelchairs will be available for loan by reservation for Graduates Day on Thursday, May 9, and Commencement on Friday, May 10. 

Credit card information is required for borrowing a wheelchair. If you request the use of a wheelchair, please know that you are responsible for returning the equipment to the designated location; otherwise a potential fee will be levied.

An area within the seating section of all ceremonies will be reserved for wheelchair users. Only one guest is permitted to sit with the user due to limited space. 

The Nichols-Chancellor's Medal is awarded by Vanderbilt University to someone who defines the 21st century and exemplifies the best qualities of the human spirit. The award is presented at Graduates Day.

*UPDATE* Tickets are now needed for Undergraduate Commencement. 

How ticketing works:

• Each graduating student must claim tickets for their guests using their Vanderbilt email address. A link to claim tickets will be emailed to graduating students.
• Graduates do not need a ticket for themselves.
• Children ages 3 and younger do not require a ticket.
• All tickets are digital and are administered by GEODIS / Nashville SC. Graduates can transfer tickets to their guests from within the ticketing site. View a guide for transferring tickets
• Each graduating student is allotted up to eight tickets. Graduating students may request additional tickets by filling out the request form—one request form per graduate.
  Note: Additional ticket requests will be accommodated as efficiently as possible. Please allow up to 48 hours for a response.
• Tickets are free of charge and are general admission. Selling Commencement tickets is strictly prohibited.
• Family and friends who are unable to attend in person can watch the Commencement ceremony online.

For graduate and professional student commencement activities, please check with your respective schools regarding event ticketing.

For international student graduates, letters of invitation are not drafted by the university. Please find more information on the International Student & Scholar Services webpage.

Generally, undergraduate Commencement lasts about three hours. Concession stands will be open for guests to purchase food. We anticipate the ceremony ending around 12:30 p.m. Shuttles will then take graduates and guests back toward campus. Details about shuttle locations will be shared soon. 

All graduating Vanderbilt University students participating in undergraduate Commencement activities at GEODIS Park on Friday, May 10, are required to stay for the entire ceremony.

Only in the case of a personal medical emergency are students permitted to leave the ceremony early. The ceremony typically lasts three hours, and graduates and their guests can expect to begin leaving the stadium at 12:30 p.m.

In the spring semester, all graduates will indicate their attendance for Commencement when they fill out the Graduation Confirmation Form in YES. There is no RSVP for guests.

GEODIS Park is a cashless facility and encourages guests NOT to bring any type of bag to expedite entry. If a bag is necessary, the bag (including all Diaper Bags) must be clear and not exceed 12"x12"x6".

Be sure to review the GEODIS Park’s stadium policies. Examples of prohibited items and behaviors at GEODIS Park include:

• Abusive, foul or disruptive language
• Anything that creates a nuisance or disruption
• Bags that do not follow the stadium’s “clear bag policy”
• Beverage containers except water bottles that adhere to the stadium’s “container policy”
• Illegal drugs or substances and any alcoholic beverage
• Interference with the progress of the event
• Noisemakers
• Signs, flags or any item with a pole or stick
• Smoking, including e-cigarettes and vaporizers

The undergraduate Commencement ceremony on Friday, May 10, will remain at Geodis Park; however, it will be on a delay. The ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. at the latest.

• Graduates and their families will be notified via email the morning of both events regarding any changes to the schedule.
• Graduate and professional students will be contacted by their schools or colleges about any changes to their Commencement ceremony locations on May 10.

Shuttles and Parking

• In the event of inclement weather for Commencement, shuttles will adjust their routes accordingly. For all other events, parking will remain the same.

All summer, fall and eligible graduates should receive Commencement communications to their Vanderbilt email. Please reach out to the Commencement team if you are not receiving emails.

An email archive is available to access information about Commencement.

Ride-sharing to GEODIS Park is not recommended as there is no designated drop-off point near the park entrance.

We strongly encourage guests to utilize the provided shuttles, as they will drop off directly in front of GEODIS Park. If graduates have guests who need special assistance, please have them fill out the ADA request form, and we will accommodate their needs.

While the history of Vanderbilt's Commencement reflects the university's growth, the traditional icons are the seal, mace, Chancellor's Insignia and the Gonfalons.

Summer and fall graduates should have already received their diplomas. Please reach out to the registrar if you have not. 

Spring graduates who attend Commencement will receive their diploma via mail after the ceremony and will hold a diploma cover when they cross the stage. Spring graduates who are unable to attend Commencement will have their diploma shipped in June to the address on file. Please check with the Registrar's Office for more information.

The undergraduate ceremony will be livestreamed and a recording will be made available on the Commencement home page. Graduate and professional school students should ask their schools about plans to livestream specific ceremonies.

If you had regalia shipped to campus, pickup will be at the Vanderbilt Bookstore on May 7-9, from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Rental regalia can be returned to the bookstore May 10-14. 

Doctoral students who rent regalia can either mail it back to Oak Hall using included shipping labels or drop it off at Vanderbilt Bookstore after Commencement. 

Sign up for text alerts for the undergraduate Commencement by sending VU2024 to 333111. 

Graduates Day Parking - Thursday, May 9

• Terrace Place Garage
• Wesley Place Garage
• 25th Avenue Garage
• West Garage

Commencement Day Parking - Friday, May 10

Shuttles to GEODIS Park will begin running at 7 a.m. from the following approved parking locations.

• Chestnut Lot, Vanderbilt University
• Fort Negley Visitors Center Lot
• Music City Center Parking Garage

Check back soon for graduate and professional school parking locations.

Please find the Vanderbilt adornment policy here: https:/vanderbilt.edu/commencement/adornment-policy/

Graduates will have their pictures taken as they walk across the stage by an official photographer. Details about receiving those pictures after the ceremony will be shared closer to Commencement. 

Yes. Please find a list of hotels and overnight options on our accommodations page of the commencement website.

Regalia for the Class of 2024 is available here. The deadline for ordering was March 29, 2024. 

All graduates taking part in Commencement must wear Vanderbilt's newly designed regalia (cap and gown) to participate in person at Commencement ceremonies. 

• Doctoral graduates may rent or buy regalia. If you wish to buy your regalia, please note the deadline for ordering is March 1, 2024. There is no late order option.
• The Graduate School covers the cost of regalia rentals or provides a $200 discount on the purchase of fine regalia for all Ph.D. students participating in the May ceremony.

For regalia ordered after the deadline, there is a $10 late fee for shipping to Vanderbilt Bookstore.

Summer and fall 2023 graduates are invited to participate in the 2024 Commencement ceremony. 

Summer or fall 2024 graduates will be invited to participate in the 2025 Commencement ceremony.

All undergraduates will receive an empty diploma cover when they cross the stage. Graduates must complete all degree requirements to participate

Vanderbilt Commencement is traditionally on or just before the second weekend in May, though specific dates may change based on the needs of the university community and the graduating class.