Philadelphia Commencement Guide

 Schedule:

• 7:30 a.m. Graduate check-in begins in the Maguire Athletic Center (enter through the doors of the side Hagan Arena parking lot).
• 7:45 a.m. Guest seating opens in Hagan Arena
• 8:40 a.m.  Graduates will begin to process to Hagan. All guests must be seated by this time. Any guests arriving after 8:45 a.m. will be asked to wait until the processional is complete and graduates are seated.
• 9 a.m. Ceremony begins

The Commencement ceremony is expected to last no longer than two hours

Please note that guests will not be able to enter Hagan Arena once the processional starts. Doors will be re-open once the entire processional is seated. We ask families and guests of each ceremony to depart the ceremony area promptly after the conclusion of the ceremony.

Schedule:

• 11:30 a.m. Graduate check-in begins in the Maguire Athletic Center (enter through the doors of the side Hagan Arena parking lot).
• 11:45 a.m. Guest seating opens in Hagan Arena
• 12:40 p.m. Graduates will begin to process to Hagan. All guests must be seated by this time. Any guests arriving after 12:45 p.m. will be asked to wait until the processional is complete and graduates are seated.
• 1 p.m. Ceremony begins

The Commencement ceremony is expected to last no longer than two hours

Please note that guests will not be able to enter Hagan Arena once the processional starts. Doors will be re-open once the entire processional is seated. We ask families and guests of each ceremony to depart the ceremony area promptly after the conclusion of the ceremony.

Schedule:

• 7:30 a.m. Graduate check-in begins in the Mandeville parking lot
• 7:45 a.m. Guest seating opens in Hagan Arena
• 8:40 a.m.  Graduates will begin to process to Hagan. All guests must be seated by this time. Any guests arriving after 8:45 a.m. will be asked to wait until the processional is complete and graduates are seated.
• 9 a.m. Ceremony begins

The Commencement ceremony is expected to last no longer than two hours

Please note that guests will not be able to enter Hagan Arena once the processional starts. Doors will be re-open once the entire processional is seated. We ask families and guests of each ceremony to depart the ceremony area promptly after the conclusion of the ceremony.

Schedule:

• 11:30 a.m. Graduate check-in begins in the Mandeville parking lot
• 11:45 a.m. Guest seating opens in Hagan Arena
• 12:40 p.m. Graduates will begin to process to Hagan
• 1 p.m. Ceremony begins

The Commencement ceremony is expected to last no longer than two hours

Please note that guests will not be able to enter Hagan Arena once the processional starts. Doors will be re-open once the entire processional is seated. We ask families and guests of each ceremony to depart the ceremony area promptly after the conclusion of the ceremony.

Schedule:

• 7:30 a.m. Graduate check-in begins in the Mandeville parking lot
• 7:45 a.m. Guest seating opens in Hagan Arena
• 8:40 a.m. Graduates will begin to process to Hagan
• 9 a.m. Ceremony begins

The Commencement ceremony is expected to last no longer than two hours

Please note that guests will not be able to enter Hagan Arena once the processional starts. Doors will be re-open once the entire processional is seated. We ask families and guests of each ceremony to depart the ceremony area promptly after the conclusion of the ceremony.

While the University would like your Commencement events and activities to be fun and memorable, we also would like them to be safe and enjoyable for all in attendance. We encourage you to celebrate responsibly and with consideration to your fellow classmates and their families. Please review the following expectations and know that violations will be addressed:

• Keep track of your Graduate Name Card. Each graduate will receive a Graduate Name Card when they check in at the Mandeville parking lot with their name on it. It will be handed to the announcer as you cross the stage. Do not fold or tear your card, as failure to produce a legible Graduate Name Card will result in your name not being announced.
• No alcoholic beverages are permitted on site, and students who appear to be intoxicated and/or unable to stand on their own will be pulled from the line to be evaluated by EMTs on site.
• Large bags should not be brought into the venue (unless it is needed for a medical reason).
• Coolers, glass beverage containers, weapons of any kind, are not permitted. This includes champagne bottles or the like during the procession line up.
• No whistles, horns, inflatables or large signs. These will all be confiscated.
• We ask that students and guests refrain from loud cheering that could result in another student and their guests missing an important moment.
• All graduates must remain for the entire ceremony. Do not leave after you are recognized. 
• Graduates and guests are asked to leave campus immediately following the ceremony. Parking is limited and additional ceremonies are being held throughout the week/weekend

Guest Information

Congratulations on this momentous occasion for your graduate! We look forward to sharing in the excitement for a special day that will mark the close of this important academic journey. As you prepare to come to campus, please enter through the venue's main doors from the parking lot and into the lobby. 

Additionally, bathrooms are located in the lobby, concourse level, and behind Section 210. Upon entering the lobby, the elevator to the concourse and second level is located to the right, diagonal from the men's bathroom.

Please note that large crowds are expected. Seating will be first come, first served, and overflow viewing areas will be available in Mandeville Hall. 

Expectations

We prohibit bringing in any of, but not limited to, the following items:

• Noisemakers
• Laser pointers
• Blow horns
• Balloons
• Large signs
• Any other distracting noise-making device that could interfere with the integrity of the event.

Strollers are not allowed into the venue. They must be left in the guests' car or may be stationed outside next to the Maguire Athletic Center. Note, the stroller lot is NOT covered in the case of inclement weather.

Additionally, large bags should not be brought into the venue (unless it is a diaper bag or needed for a medical reason). Coolers, glass beverage containers, weapons of any kind, large signs that could block the view of others, etc., should be left in the car.

Those who try to bring these items in will be asked to return them to their car. Graduates have all worked hard to achieve this accomplishment, and we want to make sure that every student's guests are able to see their graduate walk across the stage and hear their name as it is called. 

Saint Joseph's University is not responsible for damaged, lost or stolen items that guests may bring.

Lastly, we ask that guests and graduates refrain from standing on chairs or towards the stage area to try to get a picture; we have hired professional photographers for that purpose.

The following parking lots are open for guest 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 Hall Lot
• Mandeville Hall Lot (limited spaces available/first-come first-served basis)

Driving 

If you are planning to drive to campus for the ceremonies, please allow adequate time for parking. Continuous round-trip shuttle service will be offered throughout the day from the Merion Gardens to Mandeville Hall throughout the day. 

Public Transportation

If you are looking to take public transportation to commencement, please visit the Maps and Directions page. 

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 fill out this form. Additionally, upon entering the lobby, the elevator to the concourse and second level is located to the right, diagonal from the men's bathroom.
Handicapped parking is located in the Mandeville Hall lot, and limited availability is on a first-come, first-served basis. Golf carts will be on-site to transport those in need of assistance to/from the Hagan Arena circle area.