05/02/22 local, state

By FHSU University Communications

HAYS, Kan. – Fort Hays State University will recognize approximately 1,650 graduates during its spring commencement ceremonies on Friday and Saturday, May 13 and 14.

Graduates who have chosen to participate in person will be honored in ceremonies both mornings at Gross Memorial Coliseum (GMC). All graduates will be recognized in two virtual ceremonies Saturday afternoon.

Following is a schedule for the 2022 commencement (all times Central):

• 8 a.m. Friday – College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences.
• 11 a.m. Friday – College of Health and Behavioral Sciences
• 8 a.m. Saturday – Robbins College of Business and Entrepreneurship and Werth College of Science, Technology, and Mathematics.
• 11 a.m. Saturday – College of Education.
• 2 p.m. Saturday – Virtual ceremonies for graduates.
• 4 p.m. Saturday – Virtual ceremonies for undergraduates.

All ceremonies – in-person and virtual – will be located on the Tiger Media Network and the FHSU Facebook Page. An individual is not required to sign up for a Facebook account to view the ceremonies.

Recordings of the virtual ceremonies will be archived on the FHSU YouTube channel, with the link provided on the commencement website on the “Programs and Videos” tab.

Doors to GMC and the adjoining Cunningham Hall will open at 7:15 a.m. Graduates will check in at Gate 2 or Gate 3. The graduates will enter the area that says, “Graduate Entrance Only,” and guests will be asked to enter the door labeled “Guest Door entrance” (located at both gates).

Students are asked to wear their regalia into GMC. Graduates may make arrangements to pick up their regalia before Monday, May 9, at the Victor E. Apparel & Gift Co. in the Memorial Union by emailing victore_co@fhsu.edu to arrange a pickup time. Regalia will also be available before Friday’s and Saturday’s ceremonies at the Robbins Center (directly north of the GMC parking lot) from 7 to 11 a.m.

Graduates and faculty will be seated on the main floor of Gross Coliseum. Guests will be seated in the balcony. The elevator is accessible by Gate 3. Seating for persons with mobility impairment and patrons in wheelchairs are available on the main floor; a commencement staff member will escort the individual(s) and one guest to the disability seating area on the GMC floor. There are no reservations for this area, and seating is limited. Drivers will find Gates 2 and 3, at the northwest and northeast corners, most convenient for dropping off passengers with disabilities.

An interpreter for those who are hearing impaired will be located near the left side of the stage and shown within the commencement live stream video feed.

Traffic in the GMC area is anticipated to be high during the transition periods between each commencement ceremony. Parking lots adjacent to the coliseum typically fill up quickly, but parking is available on the main campus. In the event of inclement weather, unpaved lots near GMC will be closed, making it necessary to park on the main campus.

Here are a few suggestions from University Police to help ease the congestion:

• Guests arriving for the second ceremony are encouraged to arrive no more than 15 to 30 minutes before 10 a.m. Arriving too early will result in guests being forced to park further away or face departing traffic from the first ceremony. Delaying arrival will also allow time for departing guests from the first ceremony to clear the area in preparation for the second ceremony.
• Graduates driving themselves are encouraged to arrive early and park on the main part of campus and walk or take the shuttles to GMC. This will better ensure they avoid traffic congestion, get a parking spot, and arrive on time for their ceremony. Shuttles will be available both days before and after both ceremonies with the drop-off station at Gate 3.
• Faculty and staff attending are also encouraged to park on the main part of campus and walk or take the shuttles to the ceremonies.
• All guests are encouraged to carpool when possible. Fewer cars will ease traffic congestion and increase the amount of parking at GMC.
• VIP parking is available on the west side of GMC, with handicapped parking on the east side.