These instructions are for the main University Commencement ceremony. For information about a departmental event, see the departmental convocation pages.

Instructions for guests attending Commencement

When to arrive

Doors open at 7:30am, and the ceremony starts promptly at 9:00am.
Parking and seating are first-come, first-serve, so early arrival is encouraged, and you should strive to arrive no later than 8:30am.

Park in the large lot across the street from The Pit, accessible from either Avenida Cesar Chavez or University.
More parking information

Enter through the main entrance on the northeast corner of the building.
If you parked with a graduate in the west lot you cannot enter with them on the west side, and must continue around the building to the main entrance.

Ushers will be enforcing the Athletics Program's clear bag policy, and only compliant bags can be brought in.
Comfortable shoes are encouraged, as the floor and stairs are hard concrete.
No glass items or containers are allowed in.
Helium balloons are not allowed in the building.
Weapons or other dangerous items are prohibited.

During the ceremony graduates will walk across the stage and have their names read.
Doctoral students will walk first, followed by Master's students, followed by undergraduates.
Students are not arranged in any specific order and will cross the stage in the order they happen to be seated, so please be alert if you want to see your graduate walk.
Please stay through the full ceremony, even after your graduate walks, out of respect for the accomplishments of the remaining graduates.

The ceremony is expected to end by noon but may run longer or shorter.
Please expect your graduate to remain through the full ceremony and plan to remain in your seats as well as a show of respect for the accomplishments of all the graduates attending.
If you are making plans for after the ceremony, make sure to account for traffic leaving the event.
For your safety and the safety of event workers guests are not allowed on the arena floor at any time, even after the ceremony ends.

Please refrain from flash photography during the ceremony.
Guests are not allowed on the arena floor at any time.
Professional photographers will be at the event, and their photos will be available for purchase a few weeks after the ceremony. Guests are encouraged to stay in their seats and enjoy the show.

ADA seating for guests is only available on the ground floor of the arena. There are no elevators to the bleachers or arena floor.
Signed Language interpreters are positioned on stage throughout the ceremony and video monitors throughout arena will display both interpreters and subtitles.
First Aid is located on the southeast corner of the Arena's concourse level.
EMS and Police are stationed at the northwest corner of the concourse.