Commencement

UMMC Commencement

The 69th Annual UMMC Commencement will be held on Friday, May 23, 2025, 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.

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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 Mississippi 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 Mississippi Coliseum at the Mississippi Street entrance (North-facing entrance).

All UMMC faculty and staff participating in Commencement services are encouraged to park near the Midway (East-facing entrance).

Mississippi Coliseum elevators

Two elevators are located near the front of the Mississippi Coliseum at the Mississippi State entrance (North-facing entrance).

Mississippi Coliseum seating

Tickets are not required for this event.

Seating in the Mississippi Coliseum is open to graduating students' families, friends, and guests in the permanent seating areas surrounding the arena floor. 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

Mississippi Fairgrounds Food and Beverage / Bag Policy prohibits the use of balloons, party items, glitter, laser pointers, fireworks, posters, or signs inside the Mississippi Coliseum.

The maximum bag size is 12 x 12 x 6 inches. All bags and persons may be subject to search.

No outside food or beverage is allowed in the Mississippi Coliseum.

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.