Family and Friends Commencement FAQs

Yes, each guest is required to have tickets. This includes current students who attend to watch a friend graduate. Children 2 years and under do not require a ticket for entry.

Please visit the commencement tab and select the college your graduate is graduating from. This will hold the specific details you need to know for that ceremony. Recommended parking lots are: Lot R, Lot E, & Lot D. You can see a campus map HERE.

The Commencement ceremony will last approximately 1.5 - 2 hours. 

When entering the Ryder Center, there will be signs directing to what college is sitting where in the arena. There will also be many volunteers available to assist you. Seats are in the bleachers of the arena, if someone in party needs accessibility seating, they can turn their ticket into an accessibility ticket by using the Accessibility Seating Form in the Commencement tab.

Graduates will exit the arena during the processional and may return after to find their family and friends.

An accessibility form will be available once ticket registration is announced. To find the accessibility form go to the Ticket section under the Commencement tab. Under the "reserve your tickets" button will be a link to the accessibility form. Note that the graduate needs to fill out this form for their guests.

A professional photographer will take portraits as each graduate cross the stage.  For more information on ordering prints, go to http://gradimages.com.  You will be under no obligation.

During the ceremony, pictures may not be taken from any area of the arena's floor. Guests may take pictures only while remaining in their seats. Do not cross the arena between the seating sections during the processional, the ceremony, or the recessional.

Family members and guests may take pictures only while remaining in their seats.

Please be advised that pictures may not be taken from any area of the arena's floor during the ceremony.

At the entrance of the ramp (Lot E entrance), you will find these items available for purchase.

No, balloons are not permitted in the Ryder Center. You may bring other things to celebrate your graduate, such as flowers or a card.