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Schedule and Ticket Allotments

Arrival and Parking

• Free parking is available in , and ADA-accessible shuttles run regularly to and from the ³ÉÈË´óƬArena (Bldg. 34).

• Download a PDF version of the campus map .  

• The Arena doors will open one hour before the ceremony. Graduates must check in at the Field House (Bldg. 26). 

Seating

• Guest seating is first-come, first-served. Ushers will help direct guests to their seats. 

• There are designated seating areas for guests with mobility, auditory, or visual limitations. ADA ushers at the Arena entrance will direct your party to these areas. 

• Guests are not permitted in the students' seating area at any time. Guests will not be seated during the processional. Late arrivals must wait until the procession ends. 

Ceremony

• Program: The digital program can be accessed via QR codes in the Arena or by visiting our homepage.

• Live Stream: All ceremonies are live streamed with chyrons and captions on YouTube. Guests can access our channel . 

• Length: Each ceremony will last approximately between 1.5 and 2.5 hours. 

• Diplomas: Graduates will receive a diploma cover during their stage-crossing. Their diploma will arrive to their mailing address on file about a month after the ceremony.

• Regalia return: Graduates should ship their regalia back within a week of the ceremony. Shipping is free and they can print a shipping label . 

Tickets and Younger Guests

• All guests must present a ticket for entry into the ³ÉÈË´óƬArena. Tickets may be scanned from your mobile device or printed at home. Each ticket scans only once. No extra tickets are available for the May 2 ceremonies.

• Children's tickets and seating: Children 4 years of age and younger are not required to have a ticket. Children in a car seat/carrier (not recommended), will need a ticket because the carrier would take the space of a seat. 
  
  
• Strollers and car seats: Be advised that strollers brought into the ³ÉÈË´óƬArena cannot be taken into the upper and lower-level seating area. It is recommended not to bring child seats/carriers or strollers if possible. 

Photo and Video

• All graduates will have individual photos taken by Flash Photography and videos of their stage crossings will be available through StageClip. 
  

• Photographs are encouraged, but only from either your seat or the two locations in the upper level of the Arena that are designated for photography.

• Be mindful of others, and do not stand along the walkway on the second level at any time. This is an essential safety measure to ensure that all graduates can be seen by their guests.
  

Safety and Security 

• All graduates, faculty, staff, vendors, and guests will be screened by metal detectors. 

• To expedite entry, we ask guests to not carry large bags with them, unless they are medically or otherwise necessary. Clear, gallon-size bags are permitted. Bags will be subject to search upon entry into the ³ÉÈË´óƬArena.

• It is recommended that all guests arrive early. Doors will close ten minutes prior to the ceremony start time.

Accessibility 

• Graduate accessibility: Participating graduates requiring accessibility accommodations, such as an interpreter or escort, should email commencement@unf.edu at least two weeks prior to the ceremony. 

• Deaf and hard-of-hearing guests: ³ÉÈË´óƬCommencement designates a section of the ³ÉÈË´óƬArena for our deaf and hard-of-hearing guests. Spectators sitting in this section will have an unobstructed view of an ASL interpreter signing for the ceremony. Guests needing access to this section should notify an usher once inside the ³ÉÈË´óƬArena.  

• Seating for limited mobility guests: Guests with limited mobility should notify an usher inside the Arena who will direct them to designated ADA seating. There will be limited wheelchair seating on the floor.

• Captioning and Visual Aids: While in the ³ÉÈË´óƬArena, the commencement ceremony will be displayed on its jumbo-tron and include open captions, name display when graduates are crossing the stage, and picture-on-picture of the ASL interpreter.  

• Shuttles: ADA accessible, complimentary shuttles run between Lot 18 to the ³ÉÈË´óƬArena.

• More information can be found on the ³ÉÈË´óƬStudent Accessibility Center webpage.
  
  

Prohibited Items

• Any firearms, edged weapons (including pocket knives), replicas, tasers, and pepper spray
• Smoking, vaping or tobacco use
• Pets unless clearly marked as service animals
• Any sign, banner, or poster larger than 8.5" x 11"
• Bull horns or artificial noisemakers
• Drones
• Laser pointers or light pointers
• Unapproved pamphlets, handouts or advertisements
• Skateboards, roller blades, roller shoes, etc.
• Backpacks and bags, including large camera bags (See below for bag exceptions) 

Permitted Items

• Bags that are clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and do not exceed 12” x 6” x 12".
• One-gallon clear plastic freezer bag (Ziploc bag or similar).
• Diaper/baby bags.
• Small clutch bags, approximately the size of a hand (no larger than 4.5” x 6.5”), with or without a handle or strap.
• Any medically necessary items. 
  
  

Appropriate Conduct

• Please silence cell phones and other devices during the ceremony.

• Please remain seated for the entire ceremony as a sign of respect for all graduating students.

• Hold all applause and refrain from loud celebrations so every family can hear their graduate's name announced.

• Dispose of of any concessions or trash before exit in the designated receptacles.