Events and Venues
Commencement Weekend
On May 7 and 8, the Spring Class of 2021 will take their place in a long procession of Chanticleers reaching all the way back to 1959 when Coastal Carolina awarded its first degree and back to 1954 when the institution first opened its doors. Commencement serves not only as a tribute to the enduring vibrancy of Teal Nation but also as a powerful symbol of our global, lifelong connections as Chanticleers.
University Commencements
University Commencement includes many traditional customs including formal addresses from the president, the Board of Trustees, a graduating senior, and CCU alumni; University recognitions; the conferring of degrees en masse to graduate and undergraduate students; and the playing of the alma mater. To accommodate physical distancing and other public health guidelines, some modifications to the ceremony may be necessary. These may include but are not limited to: physically distanced seating for students and guests, no student processional, and face coverings that cover one’s nose and mouth while inside the venue.
Brooks Stadium Venue
Gates open 90 minutes prior to the start of the University Commencement. Gate 1 is the designated entrance for graduates, and guests are to enter at the gate listed on their tickets, which is determined by their seating location. Tickets are required and each student is eligible to claim four (4) tickets. Guests will have assigned seats, which will be issued on a next best available seat basis when the student claims their tickets. Due to mandated guidelines, seating inside the stadium will consist of pods of four (4) seats with each pod physically distanced 6-feet apart. For this reason, tickets are non-transferable and rush/additional tickets will not be available.
University Commencement should last approximately one (1) hour. To ensure a quick and safe exit, graduates are encouraged to make arrangements before commencement to meet family and friends at a designated location after the ceremony. For meeting location ideas, view Chauncey’s photo finish locations.
College Ceremonies
The College Ceremonies are unique in nature to reflect the personalities of each of the five academic colleges at CCU, but all include addresses from the dean of the college or university provost and guest speaker; academic recognitions; and recognition of graduates. These ceremonies are when the graduates’ names will be announced, and they will be given the opportunity to cross the stage and receive their diploma cover. To accommodate physical distancing and other public health guidelines, some modifications to the ceremony may be necessary. These may include but are not limited to: students being individually recognized as they walk in front of the stage, but will not participate in the traditional handshake with Institutional leadership; no student processional; physically-distanced seating for students and guest; and face coverings that cover one’s nose and mouth while inside the venue.
Brooks Stadium Venue
Gates open 90 minutes prior to the start of the College Ceremony. Gate 1 is the designated entrance for graduates, and guests are to enter at the gate listed on their tickets, which is determined by their seating location. Tickets are required and each student is eligible to claim four (4) tickets. Guests will have assigned seats, which will be issued on a next best available seat basis when the student claims their tickets. Due to mandated guidelines, seating inside the stadium will consist of pods of four (4) seats with each pod physically distanced 6-feet apart. For this reason, tickets are non-transferable and rush/additional tickets will not be available.
College Ceremonies should last approximately two (2) hours; however, the length of ceremonies may vary due to the size of the graduating class within each college.
College Celebrations and Receptions
College Celebration Receptions will be occurring around campus immediately following the College Ceremony at Brooks Stadium. The celebration receptions are intimate gatherings that provide faculty and administration from the college an opportunity to congratulate graduates and welcome their families and guests to campus.
Venue Safety Measures
Face Coverings
Guests, graduates, vendors, CCU staff and faculty members, and volunteers are required to wear face coverings/masks at all times. #WeWill - CCU Public Health Education Campaign
Revised Capacities
Venue capacities around campus have been reduced to abide by the CDC and SC DHEC guidelines. #WeWill - CCU Public Health Education Campaign
Clear Bag Policy and Bag Checks
The University will be enforcing the Clear Bag Policy. Clear bag checks will be conducted at each gate entrance. Coastal Carolina University reserves the right to search any person, their bags, and possessions carried into the event facility. A list of prohibited items is displayed at each gate entrance and can be viewed here.
Physically Distanced Seating Pods
Based on 6-feet of physical distance, guests will be seated in pods of four (4) affiliated guests throughout the venues with distancing between pods. #WeWill - CCU Public Health Education Campaign
Graduate Seating
For the University Commencements and the College Ceremonies taking place at Brooks Stadium, graduates will be seated 6-feet apart on Benton Field with their academic college. #WeWill - CCU Public Health Education Campaign
No Stiletto Heels on the Turf Field
Please note that the ceremony will take place on Benton Field inside Brooks Stadium. In order to protect the turf field and ensure the safety of graduates, stiletto heels will not be allowed on the field. Wedges and flats are preferred, but square heels with a width measuring at least 1” will be allowed on the field.
Hand Sanitizing Stations
Hand sanitizer stations will be available at various locations throughout event venues. #WeWill - CCU Public Health Education Campaign
No Re-entry Per Ceremony
Guests will not be allowed to re-enter Brooks Stadium once they have exited.
Restrooms
All restrooms will be open. Max capacities will be identified based on the number of fixtures and the appropriate 6-feet of physical distancing within the restroom area. #WeWill - CCU Public Health Education Campaign
Tobacco-free Campus
Coastal Carolina University is a tobacco-free campus. The use of all tobacco products and all smoke-related products are prohibited in or on all University property. This policy does not restrict or prohibit the lawful possession of tobacco.