photo by: Mike Yoder/Journal-World

University of Kansas graduates sit on the field at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium on Sunday, May 14, 2023, during commencement ceremonies for the class of 2023.

There will be pomp, there will be circumstance, and, of course, there will be the walk down the Hill when the University of Kansas’ commencement ceremony takes place on Sunday.

But there will be something else this year: A big screen for a big day.

KU’s commencement ceremony, just like last year, will take place in the partially renovated David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, which remains under construction. But the stadium’s construction is much further along than it was for last year’s ceremony, and one big, new piece of equipment will play a role in the event.

“This year’s ceremony will be able to make use of the video board in the south end zone,” KU spokeswoman Erin Barcomb-Peterson told the Journal-World.

That’s no small thing. The ceremony will be the public debut for the massive board, which at 5,280 square feet, is about twice the size of an average Lawrence home.

While the video board will be functioning, don’t expect the other portions of the renovated stadium to be up and operating for Sunday’s ceremony. Those sections — which primarily include the west side and north end of the stadium — are still under construction and will be closed to the public.

So, where can you go, what should you do? Here’s a look at several key items of note for Sunday’s commencement ceremony.

photo by: Shawn Valverde/Special to the Journal-World

David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium is pictured on Tuesday, April 15, 2025.

When: 10:30 a.m. on Sunday. Gates to the stadium will open at 9 a.m.

Where: David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, 1101 Mississippi St. Be aware, the area still will have many of the hallmarks of a construction zone. Construction crews are scheduled to complete work on the first phase of renovations at the stadium in August. But that means there still will be construction equipment and materials at the site, although construction crews will be taking the day off from actual work during the ceremony. The $400 million plus construction project focused on the west side and north end of the stadium, so be particularly aware if you are approaching the stadium from those directions. Also know that you will have to enter through the stadium’s east gate. All other gates will be closed due to construction.

Weather: Sunday’s weather forecast calls for about a 30% chance of rain, but but it’s most likely to happen later in the day. If there is a little bit of rain on Sunday morning, it won’t delay the ceremony, but a full-on thunderstorm with lighting would. Check commencement.ku.edu for updates on any delayed start time, in addition to LJWorld.com and various social media. If weather is a problem on Sunday morning, KU officials would seek to move the start time to later in the day to avoid the weather. However, if bad weather persists throughout the day, KU will cancel the ceremony. The university contends there is not a suitable indoor space in Lawrence that could accommodate all the graduates and guests that a commencement ceremony produces.

Parking: KU has lifted most parking restrictions on campus for the entire graduation weekend. That means lots that normally require a certain permit will not require one on Sunday. Parking garages that normally charge a fee for parking will be available for free parking. Restrictions on handicapped-marked spaces will still apply. Lots are scattered throughout campus, and there are literally several thousand parking spots on campus. While they are not particularly close to the stadium — which is on the north end of the campus — there are large numbers of parking spaces on the southern end of KU’s campus, near Allen Fieldhouse, the KU law school and the engineering school. One place you should not plan on parking is Memorial Drive, which is just up the hill from the football stadium. That is a staging area for students. It will be closed to all vehicular traffic from 10 p.m. Saturday to 11 p.m. on Sunday.

Shuttle: Catch a shuttle: Once you find a parking space on campus, you can flag down a KU transit bus and ride it for free to the stadium. The service will run from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Sunday. In addition, there will be a shuttle service available for people who would rather park in downtown Lawrence and make the short ride to the stadium. The free shuttle will run from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday. People can catch the shuttle at the following downtown locations: designated bus stops at 900 New Hampshire St.; the intersection of Sixth and New Hampshire streets; and the intersection of Eighth and Vermont streets.

The walk: The greatest tradition of KU commencement is the procession of graduates through the Campanile and the walk down the Hill to the football stadium. If you want to line the processional path and see a particular graduate — which is the most popular viewing option for many attendees — you need to plan ahead. There are two lines — an east line and a west line — that traverse down the Hill. Here’s how to know which line your graduate will be in. The east line will include graduates from the following schools: law; medicine; engineering; business; journalism; health professions; nursing; music; professional studies. The west line will include graduates from: pharmacy; education & human sciences; architecture & design; social welfare; and the college of liberal arts & sciences. Be aware that the walk will take a while. KU will confer degrees on about 6,000 students, although not all of them are likely to participate in the actual commencement ceremony.

Seating: All seating will be on the east side of the stadium, given that the west side has been demolished. That may create a more cramped seating environment than normal. However, KU is not requiring tickets for entry. The university, though, is asking graduates to limit stadium attendees to six people, although KU couches that as a recommendation rather than a strict requirement. This is the second year KU is hosting commencement in the stadium while it is under construction, and seating was not problematic last year. Accessible seating will be available in sections 22, 24, and 26.

Party tips: Some of the things you might want to bring to a party technically aren’t allowed on the KU campus for graduation weekend. KU states that tailgating in KU parking lots or elsewhere on KU campus is not allowed. KU also states that all alcohol is “strictly prohibited” on campus. Be particularly aware of what you bring into the stadium, as the event normally does have screeners at the entry gates. Prohibited items in the stadium include: signs that are attached to a stick or pole; strollers; horns, whistles or other noisemakers; glass bottles; metal cans; and coolers. If you are carrying a bag, it should either be a clutch purse that is no larger than 5.5 inches by 8.5 inches, or a clear bag no larger than 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches. Camera and computer bags, backpacks and purses larger than clutch bags are prohibited.

Programs: KU does produce a commemorative program that lists the names and degrees of each student. Those are available on a first-come-first-served basis from ushers near the entrance gates.