Commencement
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UMMC Commencement
The 70th Annual UMMC Commencement will be held on Friday, May 22, 2026, at 10 a.m. (CST) in Jackson, Mississippi.
UMMC Commencement ceremonies are held at the Mississippi Coliseum. The Mississippi Coliseum is a multi-purpose modern facility, an all-season arena with large capacity seating located on the Mississippi State Fair Grounds in Jackson, Mississippi.
- Student robing and line-up is located in the Mississippi Trade Mart, which is connected to the Mississippi Coliseum.
- Faculty robing and line-up is located in the Blue Room of the Mississippi Coliseum.
- The Platform Party robing and line-up is located in the Gray Room of the Mississippi Coliseum.
- Staff and students assisting with event logistics will check-in at the Red Room of the Mississippi Coliseum.
Lodging | Directions | Parking | Elevators | Seating | Personal Items | Safety and Security
Lodging
Several lodging venues are available in close proximity to the Mississippi Coliseum.
The University of Mississippi Medical Center does not block lodging venues or provide discount codes for lodging.
Directions
Mississippi Coliseum & Fair Grounds
1207 Mississippi Street
Jackson, MS 39202
Phone: (601) 961-4000
Fax: (601) 354-6545
Get directions via Google Maps
From Interstate 55 (I-55)
- Take Exit 98B onto High Street.
- Turn left at the second traffic light (intersection of High Street and Mississippi Street). The Mississippi Coliseum will be directly ahead.
Parking on the Fair Grounds
Free parking is available on all sides of the MS Coliseum on the Mississippi State Fair Grounds.
Free shuttle service from parking lots to entrances will be available.
Designated ADA parking is at the front of the MS Coliseum at the Mississippi Street entrance (north entrance).
All UMMC faculty and staff participating in Commencement services are encouraged to park near the Midway (south entrance).
Mississippi Coliseum elevators
Two elevators are located near the front of the MS Coliseum at the Mississippi Street entrance (north entrance).
Mississippi Coliseum seating
Tickets are not required for this event.
Seating in the MS Coliseum is open to graduating students' families, friends, and guests in the permanent seating areas surrounding the arena floor. The MS Coliseum doors will open at 7:00 a.m. All guests should be seated by 9:50 a.m.
All guests in wheelchairs or with limited mobility are encouraged to arrive early for priority seating. The Mississippi Coliseum does not provide wheelchairs.
- Marked seating for guests in wheelchairs is available but limited. One companion seat per wheelchair is also available.
- Priority seating for guests with limited mobility is available but limited.
An American Sign Language interpreter and reserved seating for the hearing impaired will be available.
Note. Only graduating students and faculty are seated on the arena floor.
Please speak with staff upon arrival for assistance.
Mississippi Coliseum policies
"NO outside food or beverage is allowed inside the Mississippi Coliseum, Trade Mart, or Kirk Fordice Equine Center.
All bags and persons are subject to search. The maximum bag size is 12 x 12 x 6. If your bag is larger than these dimensions, please leave it at home or in your car. Smaller bags are subject to search. Medically necessary bags and diaper bags when caring for a child may exceed the maximum dimension but are still subject to search.
Items may be returned to your vehicle prior to entry or may be forfeited. Forfeited items become the property of the Mississippi Department of Agriculture & Commerce (MDAC) and will not be returned to the individual or show producer. MDAC will not store or hold any item for any reason.
There shall be no consumption of alcohol on Fairgrounds property by minors or as otherwise prohibited by law. IDs are required and may be checked before all alcohol purchases regardless of age. All drinks except unopened water or soda bottles must be discarded upon exit from the Coliseum, Trade Mart, and Equine Center.
Other prohibited items include:
• Animals (with the exception of service animals)
• Banners
• Fireworks
• Glitter
• Laser pointers
• Helium balloons
• Marketing / soliciting / vending items
- Mississippi Fairgrounds Food and Beverage / Bag Policy
Safety and security
Event safety and security signs are located at each entrance of the Mississippi Coliseum. All faculty, staff, students, graduate families, friends, and guests are strongly encouraged to review the posted safety guidelines to help ensure a safe and secure event.
For more information, please contact the Office of the Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs by phone at (601) 984-5009 or by email at AcademicAffairs@umc.edu.