Guest Information
Accommodations
The following hotels offer a discounted rate to Saint Joseph's University graduates and their families on a limited number of rooms:
If you have specific questions about accommodations, please contact the hotel you are interested directly.
Arrival
Seating on Sweeney Field for families and guests opens at 7:45 a.m. for the undergraduate ceremony and at 11:45 p.m. for the graduate ceremony on May 20, 2023. Seating in Hagan Arena for families and guests opens at 3:00 p.m. for the doctoral ceremony on May 18, 2023. Seating is first come, first served, and no tickets are required. The bleachers on Sweeney Field will not be opened for seating for the ceremonies.
We ask families and guests of the undergraduate ceremony to depart the ceremony area promptly after the conclusion of the ceremony.
Parking
- Hawks’ Landing Garage
- Duperreault Hall Lot
- Moore/Townhouse Lot
- Ashwood Apartments Lot
- Merion Gardens Lot
- McShain Hall Lot
- St. Mary’s Hall Lot
- Claver Hall Lot
- Arrupe Hall Lot
- Behind Bronstein
- St. Albert's Hall Lot
If you are planning to drive to campus for the ceremonies, please allow adequate time for parking. Additionally, shuttles will run from Merion Gardens to Mandeville Hall throughout the day.
Additional Parking
If you have trouble finding parking on campus, the University has reserved two parking lots at the Bala Cynwyd Shopping Center on City Ave, where ACME, LA Fitness, and Honeygrow are located. Guests must use the Belmont Ave or St Asaph’s Road entrances. The first parking lot is straight ahead and to the right when using the Belmont Ave entrance. The second parking lot is to the right using the St Asaph’s Road entrance. Shuttles will run throughout the day from the parking lots to Mandeville Hall. Public Safety officers and additional support members will be on hand to assist you with any parking issues.
Handicapped Accessibility
Saint Joseph's is committed to ensuring that all members of the community are able to celebrate with us at this special time of year. If you or your guests are in need of handicapped seating, please contact Patricia Gregg at 610-660-1620. Handicapped Parking is limited and available on a first-come first-served basis.
For your convenience, the Commencement will also be visible over TV monitors in different locations on campus in Mandeville Hall.
In addition, handicapped guests may be dropped off on 54th Street. Vehicle operators will then be directed to the closest available parking areas.
Rideshares
Uber and Lyft patrons may be dropped off and picked up at Cardinal and Overbrook Avenues.
Celebrate Your Grad
Commencement Day is a pivotal moment for your graduate. Celebrate your Hawk with a gift that honors their achievements and welcomes them to the ranks of the University’s more than 95,000 alumni.
SUPPORT FUTURE HAWKS
Make a gift in honor of your graduate that supports future generations of Hawks.
GIVE THE GIFT OF SWAG
From hats to t-shirts, tote bags to travel mugs, there’s something for every graduate at Hawks' Landing.
SHOW YOUR PRIDE
These fun, easy-to-display signs come in a variety of designs to help you share your grad’s success with friends and neighbors. Order now to receive them in time for Commencement.
PURCHASE AN SJU LAWN SIGN OR BANNER
RINGS, DIPLOMA FRAMES AND MORE
Gift your graduate a Class of 2023 ring, diploma frame or graduation announcements to commemorate their big day.
Weather
The Commencement ceremony is a rain or shine event. Should weather conditions be severe and deemed unsafe for graduates and guests, the ceremony will be held indoors. The decision to move the ceremony indoors will be communicated via the Commencement website and in an email to all graduates by 8 p.m. the night before the ceremony. Additionally, Hagan Arena will be open as an alternative viewing area for guests as there are limited shaded areas.