Accessibility

For Deaf & Hard of Hearing

CART (Communication Access Realtime Translation) captioning will be available for each ceremony.

Assisted listening devices and Sign Language Interpreters are also available for graduates and guests upon request (made through the graduate's Commencement Registration account).

Guests with Mobility Concerns

ADA seating accommodations will be provided on the lower level of Trask Coliseum for guests with mobility concerns.

Guests with mobility concerns should enter Trask Coliseum through Gate A4 and will be assisted by a member of the Commencement team.

Graduates with Mobility Concerns

Graduates are not required to use any stairs during the commencement process. Hanover Gym is accessible by a ramp on the Trask side of the building. The path from Hanover Gym to Trask Coliseum is on one level with no stairs. Additionally, all graduates will cross the stage using a ramped entrance and exit. 

Graduates with mobility concerns should indicate this on their Commencement Registration account.

Service Animals

Like all on-campus events, UNCW's Commencement exercises follow the university's policy on Service Animals, Emotional Support Animals, and Pets.

Per this policy, service animals are permitted to accompany their partner during commencement exercises, given they meet all requirements outlined by policy 05.360.

Emotional Support Animals are not permitted in any buildings on campus outside of a student's assigned residential space, and therefore are not permitted in Trask Coliseum.

The Commencement exercises will take place in Trask Coliseum. 

Restrooms

Restrooms are located on both the first and second levels. 

• Women's Restrooms
  • Level 1: Gate E and Gate F
  • Level 2: Sections 201 & 205
• Men's Restrooms
  • Level 1: Gate C and Gate F
  • Level 2: Sections 207 and 221

Concessions and Refreshments

Concessions are not available during Commencement. Guests are encouraged to bring a water bottle. Water refill stations are available near most restrooms. 

No alcoholic beverages are permitted in Trask Coliseum or Hanover Gym during Commencement. 

Directions to Trask Coliseum

If Traveling To Wilmington Via I-40: I-40 becomes US 132/South College Road once the interstate ends. Continue traveling south on South College Road approximately 3 miles. Turn left onto Randall Drive at the traffic light. You are now on the UNCW campus. Take your first right onto Wagoner Drive. Trask Coliseum is located approximately 0.5 miles on your left.

If Traveling To Wilmington via US 74/76: After crossing the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge, US 74/76 is also called Dawson Street. Continue on Dawson Street approximately 1.5 miles. Dawson Street (US 76E) will bear right and become Oleander Drive. Continue on Oleander Drive approximately 2.5 miles until it intersects with US 132N/South College Road. Turn left onto South College Road. Travel approximately 1 mile north, and then turn right onto Hurst Drive at the traffic light. You are now on the UNCW campus. Take your first left onto Wagoner Drive.Trask coliseum is located on your right.

If traveling from North of Wilmington via US 17: US 17 becomes Market Street in Wilmington. Continue traveling south on Market Street. Go under the overpass at the junction of US 117S/132S, and immediately turn left at the traffic light onto South College Road. Continue traveling on South College Road approximately 1 mile. Turn left onto Randall Drive at the traffic light. You are now on the UNCW campus. Take your first right onto Wagoner Drive. Trask Coliseum is located approximately 0.5 miles on your left.

If Traveling From Wilmington International Airport: As you exit the airport, turn left onto 23rd Street. Turn left onto Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway. Continue to the US 132/South College Road intersection, and turn right onto South College Road. Travel approximately 2 miles. Turn left onto Randall Drive at the traffic light. You are now on the UNCW campus. Take your first right onto Wagoner Drive. Take your first left onto Wagoner Drive.Trask coliseum is located on your right.

Learn more about Trask Coliseum