Commencement

Guests

Parking
Traffic may be congested on commencement day due to other ceremonies on campus; therefore, we recommend that you plan to be in the vicinity of the Bryce Jordan Center by 3:30 p.m. to find parking. Please do not arrive any earlier than this as you may disrupt an earlier ceremony already in progress. Parking is available in Lot 44, Stadium West, and Porter North. Drivers will be directed to the appropriate lot by University Police and event parking staff based on the traffic and parking conditions at the time of their arrival. Please use caution while traveling through this area of campus and allow extra time to reach your destination. There is no fee for parking. ADA parking is available in the section of Lot 44 near Gate B, just across from the All-Sports Museum, and in the first row of spaces along Curtin Road at Stadium West, across from the Bryce Jordan Center’s ticket office. View the Bryce Jordan Center Commencement Parking Interactive Map. Get directions to the Bryce Jordan Center. 

Bag Policy

In adherence to best practices at major entertainment venues, the Bryce Jordan Center utilizes walk-through metal detectors at all entry gates, and there are restrictions on the size and type of bag permitted into the arena for all events. View the Bryce Jordan Center’s Bag Policy website for more information.        

Seating for guests with disabilities
Reserved seat tickets will not be needed, but guests with disabilities should arrive by 3:30 p.m. to avoid the last-minute rush. Inside the Founders Lounge entrance, ushers will be available to assist in taking individuals via elevator to the appropriate seating located on the concourse level. Due to space limitations, only one person may accompany the guest with a disability in the accessible seating area. The chairs in this seating area are plastic, armless, and portable to allow for the movement of wheelchairs. Other family members may sit in the regular seating located throughout the arena. 

Students

Enter the Bryce Jordan Center through Gate B or C. (Your guests may enter through any gate.) Ushers will direct you to your seat on the event floor. Look for signs for your major on the back of the first chair in each row. You may sit in any chair in the appropriate section unless it is marked “reserved.” 

A seating chart is included in the digital program for the event. It is very important to sit in the section designated for your major. 

Students will walk to the stage platform within their major groups. (Students with multiple majors will cross the stage platform only once, with the major group where they are seated.)

Remain seated after the ceremony until your row is called. When called, you will recess single file down the main center aisle. Prior to the ceremony, please arrange to meet your family and guests outside the Bryce Jordan Center after the ceremony. You will not be permitted to re-enter the main event area. Additionally, remember that you are expected to remain in attendance for the duration of the ceremony. It is disrespectful to the college, to the families in attendance, and to your fellow graduates to leave early.  

Cell phone use is not permitted during the formal academic ceremony. If you must bring your phone to the ceremony, please turn it off before the ceremony begins. 

For graduates with disabilities
We encourage all graduates with disabilities to participate in our commencement ceremonies. If you anticipate needing any type of special accommodation or have questions about accessibility, please email Liberal Arts Student Records