Inclement Weather Plan

The Howard University Commencement Convocation (which is the large, main graduation ceremony) is scheduled for Saturday, May 9, 2026, beginning at 9:45 a.m. on the main campus Upper Quadrangle (The Yard). To ensure a festive occasion, the Howard has developed an inclement weather plan.

Each graduating senior will receive four tickets for seating on The Yard for the normally planned Commencement ceremony, weather permitting. If the inclement weather plan is implemented, the tickets are no longer viable for use on campus.

If the forecast calls for definitive threatening weather, Howard will begin the communication of the inclement weather plan on the Thursday morning (May 7) before Commencement, encouraging prospective graduates and their family and friends to visit Howard University’s Commencement website or listen to Howard University’s WHUT Television or WHUR Radio (96.3 FM) for updates and event advisories regarding the Commencement Convocation.

Our goal is to convene the Commencement Convocation on the Upper Quadrangle (The Yard) of the main campus. However, in the event of inclement weather (heavy rain or thunderstorms), the following conditions will govern the university proceedings.

Scenario One: Inclement Weather Threat With Manageable Conditions

(No change in event plans.)

If there is only a threat of rain (i.e., intermittent showers) or overcast conditions, the Commencement Convocation will proceed as planned. Prospective graduates should proceed (as normal) to Greene Stadium and follow the instructions of the faculty marshals. Ticketed guests will be permitted to enter the gates and gain access to the yard for general seating. The ceremony will follow the regular scheduled timeline.

Scenario Two: Delayed Start Time

Howard will delay the start time of the Commencement Convocation if inclement weather may be resolved within a short period of time prior to the start of the academic processional. Weather delay announcements will be made by Howard University’s radio and television stations, posted to Howard’s website and social media channels, Bison Safe app and email, and shared with local media stations. Status updates will also be available at information booths and from hosts/hostesses who will be stationed around the Commencement Convocation location.

Scenario Three: Intermittent Showers

(Accelerated ceremony on The Yard)

If the weather forecast calls for the possibility of intermittent showers, Howard will proceed with an “accelerated” Commencement Convocation on the Upper Quadrangle (The Yard) with an on-time start and an expedited program. The program will include (but is not limited to) the following: welcomes, honorary degree conferring, degree conferring on graduates, the Alma Mater, and recessional.

Scenario Four: Continuous Showers

(Indoor ceremonies with restricted seating)

If the weather forecast calls for continuous rain showers, the Commencement Convocation will be held in the John H. Burr Gymnasium located at the intersection of 6th and Girard Streets, NW, Washington, D.C. The maximum seating of 2,600 people will be restricted to accommodate only the prospective graduates, the 50-Year Class, the faculty, the choir and orchestra, the platform party, guests of the Convocation orator, and the honorary degree recipients.

Due to the large graduating class and seating capacity for Burr Gym, there will be two individual ceremonies (morning and afternoon) which will be comprised of an approximately equal distribution of graduates from the 14 schools and colleges.

Commencement Convocation Ceremony #1

Time: 8:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Location: Burr Gymnasium
Schools and Colleges: Arts and Sciences, Graduate College, Medicine, Divinity, Pharmacy, Law,
and Social Work
Honorary Degree Recipients: Roz Brewer and Bob Iger

Commencement Convocation Ceremony #2

Time: 1:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Location: Burr Gymnasium
Schools and Colleges: Dentistry, Fine Arts, Business, Communications, Education, Engineering,
Architecture, and Nursing and Allied Health Sciences
Honorary Degree Recipients: Antoine Garibaldi and Representatives for Richard Smallwood

Individual Schools and Colleges Recognition Ceremonies

College of Dentistry 
Time: 4:30 p.m.
Location: Burr Gymnasium

College of Fine Arts 
Time: 4:30 p.m.
Location: Cramton Auditorium

Platform Party and 50th Year Class Transportation and Line-Up

If there are continuous rain showers on the morning of the Commencement Convocation, the platform party and the 50th year class participants will be transported by bus from the Blackburn Center to the Burr Gym. Upon arrival, the platform party and 50-Year Class will be lined up immediately for the processional.

Reporting and Seating for Graduates 

(No processional)

If there are continuous rain showers on the morning of the Commencement Convocation, all prospective graduates should report directly to the Burr Gymnasium based on the start time for their school or college’s ceremony. They will be directed to the area for their school or college and seated immediately. The graduates should not report to Greene Stadium for a processional line-up.

Reporting and Processional for Faculty

If there are continuous rain showers on the morning of the Commencement Convocation, all faculty participants should report directly to Burr Gym to line up for the processional. Upon arrival at Burr Gym, faculty are to locate in the hallway on the left (west) side of the arena to assemble.

Livestream Simulcast Viewing Sites

If ceremonies are moved indoors, seating in Burr Gymnasium will be restricted to ceremony participants only. Howard will livestream the ceremonies and provide limited indoor seating for guests who wish to view the livestream on campus. Seating at viewing locations is available on a first-come, first-served basis until the facility has reached capacity consistent with fire and safety regulations.

On-campus livestream viewing locations:

• Blackburn University Student Center (multiple rooms)
• Cramton Auditorium
• Douglass Hall (multiple rooms)
• School of Business Auditorium
• School of Social Work Auditorium
• Wayne A. I. Frederick Undergraduate Library  Multipurpose Room
• Minor Hall Multipurpose Auditorium
      

Commencement Convocation Broadcast

In the event of inclement weather, graduates are requested to encourage their guests not to come to campus but to instead view the Commencement Convocation in the comfort of a safe and secure location. Howard’s broadcast outlet will carry the ceremonies live. A live webcast of the Commencement Convocation can also be viewed on the university’s Youtube channel or on the Livestreams page.