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Graduation Day Details for Students and Guests

We look forward to celebrating graduates’ achievements and welcoming their families to campus.

CEREMONY TIMES

UNDERGRADUATE

Friday, May 15, 2026
Start time: 8 a.m.
Alumni Stadium
Graduates report for lineup by 6:30 a.m. to the Wellness and Recreation Center

GRADUATE

Friday May 15, 2026
1 p.m.
DeLauder Theater, E.H. Building
Graduates report for lineup by 11:30 a.m. to the Bank of America Building’s Longwood Auditorium

Venues will open for guests 1.5 hours before the start of each Commencement ceremony. 

In order to ensure that our graduates and their guests have the best possible experience, heightened security will be in effect during each ceremony. We ask for the community’s cooperation and understanding with the following:

Large presence of police and security personnel

  • The Delaware State University Police Department and surrounding law enforcement agencies will be posted throughout the DSU campus monitoring all entry points to each designated Commencement venue; and

  • Bomb-detection canines from local law enforcement will sweep designated venues and open areas.

BAG SEARCHES AND PROHIBITED ITEMS GUIDELINES

  •  Normal-sized handbags, purses, clear bags, and camera bags will be allowed.

  • All bags will be physically inspected prior to entry and are subject to search at any time.

  • No firearms, knives, explosives, or other weapons are allowed.

  • No cans, coolers, and other containers (except in cases of medical need, as certified by a physician) are allowed.

  • No artificial noise makers, air horns, or megaphones may be used.

  • No promotional items with commercial slogans or identification.

  • No large signs, flags, poles, banners, balloons, or laser pointers.

  • No luggage, extra-large bags, or wrapped gifts.

  • No umbrellas.

  • No smoking products (i.e. vapes, cigarettes, lighters, etc.)

  • Any item that may be deemed a security risk will not be allowed into the venues.

As part of the DSUPD’s security efforts, magnetometers will be used at each venue. There are no designated bag checks or holding areas. We recommend that you refrain from bringing a bag to campus or to the Commencement venues. If you choose to bring a normal-sized bag, law enforcement personnel will search it before you are permitted to enter the designated venue. These policies are consistent with security plans at colleges and universities throughout the region and are meant to provide security and comfort for those who will be in attendance.

RIDE SHARE/STUDENT DROP-OFF/PICKUP LOCATION

International Flags/Circle — For students and guests using ride share programs or being dropped off for the events, the designated drop-off/pickup location is at the International Flags/Circle adjacent to the Martin Luther King Student Center.

Traffic Operations

The Delaware State University Police Department is anticipating heavy and congested traffic through the campus and adjacent roadways. We encourage students, faculty, staff, volunteers, and guests should expect delays and plan accordingly to arrive early. 

Campus Entry/Exit

  • The Main Gate located at the front of the campus, off South DuPont Highway (U.S. Route 13) and adjacent to the University’s Welcome Center, will be CLOSED during this event. All traffic will be diverted to the following campus gates located off College Road.

    • GATE 1 — Designated Accessible Parking Entrance (ADA Placard/DAV License Plate/DSU ADA Placard) and Ride Share Programs ONLY

    • GATE 2 — Graduate and Designated General Parking Entrance

Road Closures

  • Loop Road adjacent to Alumni Stadium will close at 7 a.m. (Shuttles will have access.)

  • Old College Road adjacent to the William C. Jason Library and the Bank of America Building will be closed.

All road closures shall remain in effect until conditions no longer warrant the closure.

Event Parking

ADA Accessible Parking and Drop-Off Area 

  • Each parking lot on campus has designated accessible parking spaces. In addition to those spaces, to best serve our guests and graduates who require accommodation for disabilities, for the Undergraduate Ceremony a large portion of Lot 1 will be designated as accessible parking only. Only vehicles that have the appropriate accessible parking placards, license plates, or a DSU-approved accessible parking pass shall be permitted to park in this designated area. This includes guests with Disabled Veterans license plates. Available accessible parking spaces will be “first come, first serve.”
  • Graduates and guests can request a Courtesy ADA Parking Pass through the Center for Disability Resources
  • More information for individuals with disabilities is available
     
  • For vehicles that do not have the required placard but have passengers with accessibility needs, there is a designated Accessible Drop-off Zone within Parking Lot 1. Once the passengers have been dropped off, your vehicle must be parked in the areas designated as general parking.

Vehicles found to have been parked in the accessible parking areas without the required placards are subject to being towed at the owner’s expense.

General Parking

  • A portion of parking lot 1, and all of parking lots 16, 18, 19, 24 and 25, have been designated as general parking areas. 

Overflow Parking

  • The AG Lot and the grassy area adjacent to the Village Apartments and Lot 25 are designated overflow areas.

Shuttle Services

Delaware State University will provide transportation services throughout the event. The shuttles will pick up and drop off at the following locations:

  • Shuttle Bus #1
    • Parking Lots 16 and 25
  • Shuttle Bus #2
    • Parking Lots 18 and 24
  • Shuttle Bus #3
    • Parking Lots 16 and 25
       
  • In addition, there will be 3 ADA-accessible 5-passenger vans. The vans will pick up and drop off at the following locations:
    • Parking Lots 1, 14, 16, and 18