Ceremony Instructions
Rotunda Recessional for Undergraduate Candidates
Friday, December 15, 2023
5:00 p.m. Main Quadrangle and Dallas Hall
Undergraduate candidates and their guests begin assembling at the flagpole in the Main Quadrangle at 4:45 p.m. The ceremony begins at 5:00 p.m. with brief remarks from the Chief Marshal and Student Body President. After the remarks, candidates march to Dallas Hall to complete Rotunda Passage.
December Commencement
Saturday, December 16, 2023
9:00 a.m. Moody Coliseum
6024 Airline Road
Dallas, TX 75205
Doors open at 8:00 a.m. and guests are encouraged to be seated by 8:45 a.m. Security screening is in place.
Please note: No outside food or drink is permitted in Moody Coliseum.
Tickets
Guest tickets are not required for this event. Seating is general admission and first come, first serve. If the venue reaches capacity, guests will be directed to a simulcast location. The ceremony will also be live streamed at smu.edu/live.
Students must have a candidate entry ticket to participate in the morning graduation ceremony. Tickets for candidates may be requested beginning Friday, December 1, 2023 at 9:00 a.m. from our Commencement Ticket website.
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
- 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 on the second level of Binkley Parking Center (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 is needed. Otherwise, guests may be dropped off on this level and cars are directed to park on the upper levels.
Please note that mobility-impaired seating is limited. Guests seated in the mobility-impaired seating area are allowed one attendant to accompany them.
Please contact 214-768-6477 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.
Guests are encouraged to dress in layers to manage their comfort level throughout the ceremony 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 floor of the Coliseum 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!
