ETSU Commencement
Commencement Information
Congratulations to our December 2021 graduates!
December 2021 Commencement Highlight Video
Times & Live Streams
All events will be held in the Ballad Health Athletic Center (Ballad Health Athletic Center (Mini Dome)).
The Ballad Health Athletic Center is located on the ETSU Campus along State of Franklin Rd.
The address for GPS is 1081 John Robert Bell Dr, Johnson City, TN 37601.
Links to live streams will be added prior to each ceremony.
Click here to view the digital version of the Commencement Program.
Saturday, December 11
10 a.m. College of Arts & Sciences, College of Business & Technology, College of Graduate & Continuing Studies
2 p.m. College of Clinical and Rehabilitative Health Sciences, Clemmer College, College of Nursing, College of Public Health, College of Pharmacy, Biomedical Science
*We will not be holding a graduation practice/rehearsal.
For information about cap and gown, please visit: https://www.etsu.edu/reg/graduation/studentregalia.php.
Island Photography typically sends picture proofs to the student’s email. If you have additional questions, please contact Island Photography directly. www.islandphoto.com
Ceremony Info
Wifi access in Ballad Health Athletic Center: the network is "Commencement" and no password is required. Please silence all devices during ceremonies.
- Ceremonies will last approximately 2 hours.
- In-person speakers and stage party members will be limited to those participating in ceremony. All seating on stage is assigned and socially distanced.
- Students will cross an ADA-compliant ramp as their name is called. Students will be distanced as they cross the ramp.
- There will be no handshaking.
- All doctoral and professional students will be hooded by a college representative.
- Students will pause at the ramp for a formal photo. Masks may be removed temporarily for the photo.
- Graduates will return to their seats on the field after they cross the ramp. See the exit procedures for graduates and guests listed under Ceremony Information below.
Graduate Entry
- Face coverings are suggested at all times while inside the Ballad Health Athletic Center Ballad Health Athletic Center (Mini Dome).
- Graduates will enter the Ballad Health Athletic Center (Mini Dome) through center doors on ground level.
- Doors will open for graduate entry 60 minutes before the ceremony start time.
- Graduates are asked to bring as little as possible inside the venue with them. This will speed up the entry procedure and reduce chances of lines. The university’s clear-bag policy will be enforced. Metal detectors and wands will be in place and graduates will be screened on entry.
- Graduates will be directed to an assigned seat on the field. All seating is socially distanced.
- Once they have checked in, graduates will be asked to remain in their assigned seats unless they need to use the restroom. Group photos will not be allowed on the field.
Guest Entry
- Face coverings are suggested at all times while inside the Ballad Health Athletic Center Ballad Health Athletic Center (Mini Dome).
- Doors will open for guest entry 60 minutes before the beginning of the ceremony. Entrances will be on the East and West side of the Ballad Health Athletic Center (Mini Dome) for guests.
- Guests are asked to bring as little as possible inside the venue with them. This will speed up the entry procedure and reduce chances of lines. The university’s clear-bag policy will be enforced. Metal detectors will be in place and guests will be screened on entry.
- After entering the Ballad Health Athletic Center (Mini Dome), guests should proceed to the seating areas.
Graduate Exit
Graduates will return to their seat on the field after crossing the stage. As the graduate exits the ramp, they will be directed to the professional photographers who will take a formal graduation photo. Students will receive information about purchasing photos directly from the photography company, Island Photography. The photo area will be distanced and students may remove their face coverings for this photo if they choose to do so. Photography staff will remain in their face coverings. Students will then return to their seats. At the end of the ceremony, graduates will be released to exit the Ballad Health Athletic Center (Mini Dome) at the same place they entered. Graduates are strongly encouraged to make a plan to meet their guests in the parking garage or elsewhere after the ceremony.
Guest Exit
Guests are requested to maintain physical distancing as they exit the Ballad Health Athletic Center (Mini Dome) at the same place they entered. Guests are strongly encouraged to make a plan to meet their graduate in the parking garage or elsewhere after the ceremony.
The building must be clear 30 minutes after the ceremony ends to allow for cleaning.
Graduate Info
Saturday AM Ceremony SEAT/POD Assignments
Saturday PM Ceremony SEAT/POD Assignments
GRADUATE INSTRUCTIONS FOR CEREMONY:
- Please remember face coverings are suggested, but not required.
- Coat rooms will not be available. Please leave non-essential items in vehicles.
- Doors will open 1 hour prior to the ceremony time.
- Please arrive no later than 1 hour prior to ceremony time. Late arrivals will be placed at the end of the line of graduates.
- Grads will enter Ballad Health Athletic Center (Mini Dome) using entrance labeled “Graduates.” This is the center set of doors on the west side main level of the Ballad Health Athletic Center (Mini Dome) (parking garage side).
- Make your way to the field, a staff member will be on hand to direct you.
- Once on the field look for the pod leader for your seating area and they will check you in.
- When you check in, please note any special pronunciation of your name.
- You will then be given a name card and shown to your assigned seat. Please remain in your seat.
- Your pod leader will lead you to stage when it’s time. BRING YOUR NAME CARD WITH YOU. As you make your way to the front, please stay in line, in the order you were seated.
- Hand your card to your pod leader and they will hand it to the announcer. (You do not need your card returned to you.)
- You will make your way across the stage. As you cross the stage, your name will be read.
- President Noland will hand you your diploma tube. There will be no physical contact with the President.
- Then make your way to the other side of stage the stage.
- Stop where the staff tell you to stand for a picture. You may remove your face covering for your picture, if you would like. Once you have had your picture taken, return to your seat.
- At the close of the ceremony, platform party will exit stage followed by faculty and then pod leaders will direct graduates when to join line to process.
- Please exit and make your way outdoors.
- Make sure to plan a spot outdoors to meet your family following the ceremony. No guests
are allowed onto the dome floor at any time.
DOCTORAL CANDIDATES:
- You will be going to the stage first and it’s important to follow your pod leader’s instructions.
- Your pod leader will lead you to stage at your time. As you make your way to the front, please stay in line, in the order you were seated. At this point, you carry your hood draped over your right forearm.
- Your faculty member hooding you will be in a separate line. They will make their way to the stage and each of the grads they are hooding will line up and take turns being hooded.
- You will make your way across the stage. As you cross the stage, your name will be read.
- Once on the stage, your hooder will take the hood from you. Stand in front of your hooder and face the audience.
- The hooder will open the hood and place it over your head where it will come to rest at your collar, draping the length of the hood down your back. (Depending on your height, you may need to stoop slightly.) Smile and enjoy the moment.
- You will turn to face your hooder and thank them. This is a special moment to acknowledge the mentoring relationship you have shared with your hooder.
- You will proceed across the stage to the President who will present you with your
diploma tube and then stop where the staff tell you to stand for a picture. You may
remove your face covering for your picture, if you would like. Once you have had your
picture taken, return to your seat.
Security
Clear-Bag Policy:
- Guests will be allowed to enter the stadium with one clear plastic bag.
Allowed:
- Small clutch purses no larger than 4.5 inches by 6.5 inches (approximately the size of a hand). May include handle or strap.
- Mobile phones
- Binoculars, cameras, and video cameras (without cases)
- Diapers and non-medically necessary items for babies and young children (must be carried in a clear bag)
- Medically necessary items that must be carried in a specific bag. The bag can be non-clear and will need to be sized proportionately to the size of the medical items.
- Umbrella strollers
- A clear sealed plastic bottle of water. Concession stands will not be open.
Prohibited:
- Non-clear bags of any size except as listed for medically necessary items
- Drawstring bag
- Fanny pack
- Large purse mesh bag
- Oversize tote bag
- Pattern plastic bag
- Tinted plastic bag
- Diaper bags
- Backpacks of any size
- Alcoholic beverages
- Tobacco products
- Outside food, snacks, beverages
- Open umbrellas
- Selfie sticks
- Unmanned aircraft
- Parcels or presents
- Weapons, including pocket knives
- Hover boards
- Segways
- Artificial noisemakers
- Large travel strollers
- Posters and signage
- Pets or animals of any kind, with exception of documented service animals.
ETSU Campus and Buildings are tobacco-free facilities. No smoking/vaping is allowed in the Ballad Health Athletic Center Ballad Health Athletic Center (Mini Dome) or on premises.
All bags and patrons subject to search. ETSU reserves the right to eject patrons for failure to adhere to policies and/or unruly and unlawful behavior.
Health & Safety
- Face coverings are suggested at all times for graduates, guests, and staff while inside the mini-dome.
- All graduate and guest seating is assigned by section and physically distanced.
- All graduate check-in processes are contactless.
- The graduate experience crossing the stage is contactless.
- Reduced numbers of commencement staff will be present in the building. Staff members undergo a health screening before they begin work.
- Enhanced cleaning protocols are in place:
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- During and in between ceremonies, all common spaces, including restrooms and touch points throughout the building, and all seating on the field will be cleaned.
- All venue spaces and surfaces will be thoroughly cleaned following each ceremony.
Parking
- Guests can park at any of the campus parking garages or parking lots adjacent to the mini-dome.
Disability Services
ADA Parking: A portion of the ETSU Parking Garage will be designated for disability parking. Proper credentials are needed to access this area. There is a drop-off area at the intersection of State of Franklin and Harris Drive.
There is limited disability-accessible seating on the gym floor. Only one person in your group will be allowed to sit with the party member requiring accommodations and the other 2 guests will be directed to sit in the stands. This area of seating is on a first come, first serve basis.
ASL sign language interpreters will be present for each ceremony and closed captioning will be featured on screens.
Graduates needing special accommodations on the field should contact commencement@etsu.edu so we can connect you with the appropriate services.