Possible Rain for 2023 UM Commencement Saturday; Read for Schedule, Parking and More

Thousands of University of Mississippi graduates and their friends and family are expected to attend Saturday’s morning Convocation ceremony planned currently to take place in the Grove.

It was still a bit unclear whether Mother Nature will be cooperative, however.

Morning Convocation will be held at 8 a.m. in the Grove — and with luck, the showers will hold off until it’s over.

According to the National Weather Service, there is a 30 to 50 percent chance of rain for Saturday.

Right now, the highest chance for showers with thunderstorms is after 10 a.m. on Saturday. When the sun is shining, the high is expected to reach 86 degrees. The chance for rain increases toward the afternoon.

If it is raining, the Convocation moves to 8:30 a.m. and will take place in the Pavilion.

UM alumna Stephanie Hickman, president and CEO of Trice Construction Co., will give the 2023 Commencement address. A 1991 graduate of the UM School of Law, Hickman left a career as a labor attorney, utility executive and lobbyist to buy the construction company her father and three uncles started in 1967.

Some 3,400 May graduates, more than 640 December 2022 graduates and more than 980 August 2023 graduates will be among those participating in ceremonies throughout the week.

For complete details on the events, visit the university’s Commencement website. The site includes important travel, parking and schedule information to help graduates and their guests enjoy the ceremonies.

All ceremonies will be live-streamed and can be found here.

Full Commencement Schedule

All events will be held at The Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss, unless otherwise noted.

Friday (May 12)

• 9:30 a.m. – Business School master’s degrees, Gertrude C. Ford Center for the Performing Arts
• Noon – School of Education
• Noon – College of Liberal Arts master’s degrees, Gertrude C. Ford Center for the Performing Arts
• 3:30 p.m. – School of Applied Sciences master’s degrees, Gertrude C. Ford Center for the Performing Arts
• 4 p.m. – School of Business Administration
• 7 p.m. – School of Engineering

Saturday (May 13)

• 8 a.m. – Convocation, the Grove (in the case of inclement weather, Convocation moves to 8:30 a.m. in the Pavilion)
• 10:30 a.m. – School of Journalism and New Media
• 11 a.m. – General Studies, Gertrude C. Ford Center for the Performing Arts (tickets are required for this event and may be requested by emailing the UM Box Office at umbo@olemiss.edu)
• 2 p.m.– Patterson School of Accountancy
• 6 p.m. – School of Applied Sciences

Sunday (May 14)

• 9:30 a.m. – College of Liberal Arts

Parking and Transportation

Parking for ceremonies in the Pavilion will be available in the Pavilion Parking Garage and in lots along Hill Drive.

Complimentary shuttles to the Pavilion will pick up from surrounding lots and drop off at a shuttle tent in front of the Pavilion. Guests may gather at this tent to be returned to their vehicles after the ceremonies conclude.

For ceremonies in the Ford Center, guest parking will be in surrounding lots.

Carpooling is strongly encouraged and parking is not permitted along roadways, sidewalks or grassy areas.

No parking or drop-off will be available on University Avenue or the Circle for Convocation. Once Convocation starts, vehicle access to the Grove is limited until the ceremony concludes.

The Memphis International Airport serves the Oxford community. The University-Oxford Airport has closed its runway through May 15, and there will be no flights in or out during this time. Contact the University-Oxford Airport for more info.

Accessibility Services

Accessible seating is available at both the Pavilion and Ford Center. Speak with the ushers upon arrival for assistance.

ADA Parking: The university’s Department of Parking and Transportation will offer courtesy shuttle services Saturday to the Grove for Convocation. All guests who require assistance are asked to park at the Pavilion Parking Garage on Hill Drive.

• ADA parking for all Pavilion ceremonies is recommended in the Pavilion Parking Garage, off Hill Drive.
• Complimentary shuttles will be available in all lots surrounding the Pavilion. A shuttle tent will be in front of the Pavilion, where guests can wait for the shuttles that will return them to their vehicles after ceremonies conclude.
• ADA parking for ceremonies at the Ford Center is available in ADA parking spots in the Ford Center lot.

ASL interpreters and closed captioning: Each ceremony will be interpreted by ASL interpreters, and closed captioning is available.

• If you are a graduate and have accessibility questions about your ceremony, contact your dean’s office.

Emergency Medical Services

All information booths and ceremony venues will have basic first-aid kits. EMS will be staged at various locations and available for rapid response. For immediate assistance, dial 911 or call the University Police Department at 662-915-4911.

Dining Options

All campus dining locations will be open during regular hours on Monday and Tuesday (May 8-9).

Friday (May 12)

• Student Union: 7 a.m.-9 p.m.
• Chick-fil-A: 7 a.m.-8 p.m.
• Panda Express: 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
• Blenz Bowls: 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Qdoba: 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
• McAlisters: 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
• Food trucks along Galtney Plaza: The Tea: 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m.; Hotbox Hibachi: 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m.; Wiggly’s: 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Saturday (May 13)

• Student Union: 6:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Chick-fil-A: 7 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Panda Express: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Blenz Bowls: 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Qdoba: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
• McAlisters: 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Food trucks along Pavilion Plaza: The Tea: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; Blenz Bowls: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

For more information, visit the UM Commencement website.

Staff Report