Ceremony Instructions
Rotunda Recessional for Undergraduate Candidates
Location and Time TBD
December Commencement
Saturday, December 19, 2020
1:00 p.m. Ford Stadium
5800 Ownby Drive
Dallas, TX 75205
Guests are encouraged to be seated by 12:45 p.m. Security screening is in place. Face coverings are required and must be worn at all times. Candidates are not limited on the number of guests at December Commencement. The ceremony will be long. Given December temperatures and COVID-19, it may be concerning for young children and older adults to attend. The ceremony will also be live streamed at smu.edu/live.
In the event of inclement weather, our backup option is to hold two ceremonies in Moody Coliseum, one for undergraduate candidates and the other for graduate candidates with times to be determined. This location would limit guests to two per candidate. Information on how to request tickets for the backup plan is forthcoming.
Parking and Access
Candidates and guests attending Commencement activities at SMU may park in any of the University's parking facilities:
- Binkley Parking Center- Located at the corner of Binkley Avenue and Ownby Drive
- Mustang Parking Center- Located off Bush Avenue by the Residential Commons
- Moody Parking Center- Located at Airline Road and SMU Boulevard
- Airline Parking Center- Located at Airline Road and Daniel Avenue
- Meadows Parking Center- Located between Bishop Blvd and Ownby Drive
- U Lot- Located at Airline Road and University Blvd
- Hillcrest Parking Center- Located at 5906 Hillcrest Avenue
Maps showing the location of parking lots and campus buildings, and directions to campus are available here:
Guests with Impairments
Guests with limited mobility may park in Lot D (space is limited) located on Ownby Drive. To park here, a current state-issued disabled parking placard and/or license plate are needed. Otherwise, guests may be dropped off by the stadium on Ownby Drive and cars can park in any SMU parking garage.
If Commencement is moved to Moody Coliseum due to inclement weather:
Guests with impairments may park on the second level of Binkley Garage (space is limited) located at the corner of Binkley Avenue and Ownby Drive. To park on this level, a current state-issued disabled parking placard and/or license plate are needed. Otherwise, guests may be dropped off on this level and cars are directed to park on the upper levels of Binkley.
Please note that mobility-impaired seating is limited in Moody Coliseum. Guests seated in the mobility-impaired seating area are allowed one attendant to accompany them.
Please contact 214-768-3417 or ceremonies@smu.edu with questions regarding guests with mobility or sensory impairments.
Decorum and Attire
December Commencement is a true milestone in the lives of our candidates, their guests, and the SMU community at large. Excitement, joy, and enthusiasm are expected and welcomed!
We ask, however, that all graduates and guests respect the importance and dignity of this occasion. Please remain seated throughout the ceremony and do not bring items that might disrupt the ceremony. Cell phones and other electronic devices should be silenced. We ask that you express your excitement in ways that will not prevent others from hearing the speakers and enjoying the ceremony.
Ford Stadium is an outdoor venue. Guests are encouraged to dress in layers due to manage their comfort level throughout the ceremony due to December temperatures. If Commencement is moved to Moody Coliseum, guests are still encouraged to dress in layers as the temperature inside Moody is relatively cool.
Places to Stay
There are many options for a place to stay overnight in the Dallas area. Commencement weekend is a very busy time, so make sure to secure your reservations early! Please visit campus travel for more information.
Photography
Personal photographs may be taken before and after the Commencement Convocation ceremony. No one is permitted in the aisles or on the field during the ceremony. Arrangements have been made with a professional photographer to take candidates' photographs as they walk across the stage. If you have questions concerning photographs, please contact Flash Photography at 214-443-9393.
SMU has a variety of iconic photo opportunities on campus. Be sure to check them out!
