Etiquette, Protocols, Security

Respect Your Fellow Graduates

By tradition, the Commencement ceremony is a formal, dignified event to honor the achievement of graduating students. To help preserve the decorum of the event, it is requested that graduates exercise etiquette appropriate to the occasion. We ask that you please observe the following:

• Be on time: Please make sure you are on time to lineup, check in at the registration tent, receive your QR code and are in line for your processional.
• Cell phones should be turned off or operate in silent mode during the ceremony. Do not speak on a cell phone or carry on a conversation during the ceremony as this prevents others from hearing and enjoying the ceremony.
• Graduates are asked to conduct themselves in an appropriate manner that demonstrates respect toward fellow graduates, guests and the speakers on stage.
• It is important that students respect fellow students, faculty, administrators and guests who have come to witness and participate in the conferring of degrees. For this reason, graduates are expected to return to their seats after they cross the stage and remain in graduate seating until all students have crossed the stage. All Commencement participants will remain until the conclusion of the ceremony.
• Please be considerate and clean up after yourself.
• Professional photographers and videographers are prohibited.

Permitted Areas

Only graduates and Commencement personnel will be permitted in graduate areas pre-ceremony.

No children or guests will be permitted in the graduate seating or on stage.

All candidates should plan to meet their guests outside the venue after the ceremony.

Guests will be asked to exit to meet their graduate so we can prepare for the next ceremony.

Prohibited Items

• All alcohol
• Flash photography
• Noisemakers of any kind
• Pets
• Silly string
• Confetti
• Glitter
• Helium balloons
• Drones
• All large signs/banners (max. 11”x17”)
• Any pole-mounted flags/signs
• Laser pointers
• Weapons
• Coolers
• Smoking, including e-cigarettes
• All objects deemed inappropriate

CLEAR BAGS: Guests are only permitted clear bags, no larger than 16”x16”, to enter the ceremony venue. (Clear bags are available for purchase on campus at Titan Shops.)

Security

There will be a walk-through security screening system in place before entering the venue for both graduates and guests.

All bags are subject to search by event staff and University Police. For security purposes, all attendees are encouraged to keep items to a minimum.

There are no secure places to store personal items before or during the ceremony. Small personal items, such as phones and wallets, must be carried in a pocket or a small bag under the gown. Graduates are not permitted to carry items across the stage.