Rain Plan

Timmons Arena, our typical inclement weather venue for Commencement, is unavailable this year due to construction. The Commencement Planning Team investigated several alternative venue options, both on campus and in the community. After a thorough review, we have determined that McAlister Auditorium is the most effective space for this year. 

Please review the following rain plan carefully.

Utilized if inclement weather is predicted for an extended period on May 10, prohibiting an outdoor ceremony at any time.

The Legacy Dinner event will begin at Noon at the Younts Conference Center.

Two Commencement Ceremonies (3PM and 7PM) will be held in McAlister Auditorium. 

Ceremony 1

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Graduates

Ceremony will begin at 3PM

Students will gather in Daniel Recital Hall in the Daniel Music Building at 1:30PM

Ceremony 2

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Graduates

Bachelor of Music (B.M.) Graduates

Master of Arts (M.A) Graduates

Master of Science (M.S.) Graduates

Education Specialist (Ed.S.) Graduates

Ceremony will begin at 7PM

Students will gather in Daniel Recital Hall in the Daniel Music Building at 5:30PM

Additional Ceremony Information

Both ceremonies will include speakers, music, and award presentations. The only difference will be the graduates whose degrees will be conferred.

B.A. graduates will be included in the 3PM ceremony.

B.S, B.M., M.A., M.S., and Ed.S. graduates will be included in the 7PM ceremony.

Students must attend the ceremony in line with the degree being conferred.

Students can confirm their degree by consulting their student WorkDay records, and it will be listed on the “Graduate Information Card” that will be distributed at the check-in on Friday evening. 

No request to attend the other ceremony will be accepted or honored.

Graduates’ names will only be read at their appropriate ceremony.

Each graduate will be limited to five (5) guests in McAlister Auditorium. Tickets will be distributed to graduates during the check-in on Friday evening. 

Additional guests will be able to view the ceremony through live streaming in Younts Conference Center or from home.

The livestream link will be posted at noon the day of the ceremony. 

Guests should not arrive any earlier than 1 hour prior to their ticketed ceremony.

Guests of B.A. graduates should arrive at McAlister Auditorium between 2PM and 3PM.

Guests of B.S., B.M., M.A., M.S., and Ed.S. graduates should arrive at McAlister Auditorium between 6PM and 7PM.

Guests are encouraged to be in their seats by 3PM and 7PM, respectively, to view the student processional.

Signs will be posted directing guests to parking availability. Transportation options will be provided from designated lots to McAlister auditorium.

Graduates are encouraged to either walk, carpool or be dropped off in order to conserve parking spaces for guests.

THE AFTER PARTY

The rain location for the Commencement After Party will be the Daniel Dining Hall.

The party will begin for graduates and guests of the 3 PM ceremony at approximately at 5:00 PM.

Graduates and guests of in the second ceremony are welcome to join immediately following the 7 PM ceremony, around 9:00 PM.

The After Party will continue until 11:00 PM.

The ceremony will be live-streamed via the Furman YouTube channel. Streaming will start 15 minutes before the ceremony begins. You can view the live-stream here. 

Parking instructions will be provided as rain plans are confirmed.