Commencement FAQs

Yes, the 2026 Commencement ceremonies will be ticketed for guests. When a graduate RSVPs to confirm their attendance to their ceremony in Tassel, they will be able to claim their tickets in the same portal. These tickets are unique to the corresponding ceremony of the graduate’s primary major.

Each graduate can claim up to six (6) tickets, which can be emailed to guests from the portal. Each ticket is unique and may only be used by one (1) guest. Attempts to use the same ticket for multiple guests will be denied.

Yes. Graduates are welcome to give their claimed, unused tickets to fellow graduates via directions in their Tassel portal; these exchanges are not handled by the University. Tickets may not be reclaimed once exchanged.

Tickets transferred between graduates only apply to the original ceremony for which they were intended. For example, tickets to the Haub School of Business Ceremony are not transferable to attend the College of Arts and Sciences Ceremony.

SJU will not be involved in the transfer process; graduates can email their tickets to each other though the Tassel Portal. 

A limited number of Student Passes will become available after the graduate RSVP process is complete; these passes will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, and will grant the student access to the specified ceremony. Please continue to revisit this page in the spring as details unfold.

Yes, children are welcome to attend the ceremonies. Small children who will be sitting on an adult's lap do not require a ticket.

Saint Joseph’s is committed to ensuring that all members of the community are able to celebrate with us. If you or your guests require accessible seating, please complete this form. Note that accommodation requests must be made at least one week in advance.

For guests attending a ceremony on Hawk Hill, accessible parking is located in the Mandeville Hall lot, with limited availability on a first-come, first-served basis. Golf carts will be on site to transport those in need of assistance to/from Hagan Arena’s entrance. 

Yes. On Hawk Hill, guests are welcome to utilize one of our locker rooms as a lactation space. Details on this room assignment will be made available closer to each ceremony, and may change based on ceremony.

We are in the process of verifying accommodation for lactation space in the Lancaster Convention Center. Please visit this page closer to the ceremony for evolving details. 

No. Concessions are not open during the ceremonies. To allow for expedited event turnover, we request that guests refrain from eating and drinking. Water fountains are available to guests as needed.

All guests’ bags will be checked upon entry. Large bags are not permitted in the venue unless it’s a diaper bag or medical necessity.

Prohibited items include alcohol or illegal substances, firearms, knives or other weapons, video cameras or other recording devices, coolers or other outside food or drink, pets (unless service animals), laser pointers, artificial noisemakers, or any other device that may interfere with and/or distract the ceremony. 

No. Please refrain from bringing any items that might block the view of guests or distract graduates.

Directions to order graduation regalia will be messaged directly to graduates in the spring. Visit the Graduate Salute page for more details.

Cords and stoles are not organized at the University level. If individual schools choose to add these to their regalia, it is handled at the school level. Information about cords and stoles will not be included in the Commencement program.  Please reach out to your department chairs with any questions on cords and stoles. 

Yes! We love seeing our students celebrate their creativity.

The Commencement scroll tube that graduates receive on stage during the ceremony will contain a generic English translation of the diploma; the actual diploma will be mailed to each graduate approximately six weeks following graduation. 

Yes. Livestream links will be made available on the website prior to each ceremony. 

For Hawk Hill guests, the ceremonies will also be livestreamed from a designated room on campus. More details will be made available in the spring.

Yes. There will be a professional photographer on the premises. 

Ceremony photography will be provided by Melissa Kelly Photography. Please visit the gallery website or text SJU2026 to 90738 to receive graduation photo communications via text. You can also subscribe to email updates here. Photos will be available to view and purchase on or before May 30. For more information, please email Melissa Kelly Photography.

No. Students with multiple majors will be invited to attend their primary major ceremony; this information is available by logging into the Nest and navigating to the Student Profile. Undergraduate students are only awarded the degree of their primary major regardless of if they have multiple majors. Students will receive tailored emails with which ceremony they are invited to attend. They are welcome to attend their secondary ceremonies with their peers in the Student Section. A limited number of Student Passes will become available after the graduate RSVP process is complete; these passes will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Fall diplomas are awarded each year on Jan. 15; fall graduates are invited to attend the spring ceremony in May. We only hold Commencement ceremonies once per year in May. 

Summer diplomas are awarded each year on Aug. 31. Students must have no more than two courses remaining at the end of the spring semester to be eligible to attend Commencement in May. Students with outstanding requirements must be registered for the remaining two courses in the summer semester by March 15. Students are required to apply to graduate by March 1 for the summer term if they plan to participate in Commencement.