Graduate and Guest Details

Congratulations, graduates! Below is detailed information about what to expect on Commencement day. 

Commencement will take place on Saturday and Sunday, May 11 and 12 on the Mount Carmel Campus Quad

• Saturday, May 11

  • 10 a.m. — School of Business and School of Computing and Engineering Undergraduate and Graduate Commencement

  • 3 p.m. — School of Health Sciences Undergraduate and Graduate Commencement

• Sunday, May 12

  • 10 a.m. — College of Arts and Sciences and School of Communications Undergraduate and Graduate Commencement

  • 3 p.m. — School of Nursing and School of Education Undergraduate and Graduate Commencement

Ceremonies will be held rain or shine and will run approximately 2-2.5 hours in length.

Ceremony Protocol

Commencement is an academic ceremony. All graduates and guests are expected to be respectful by remaining in your seats until the full ceremony concludes and the recessional has taken place.

Entrance/Parking

Graduates should arrive to the Mount Carmel Campus 90 minutes prior to their ceremony. We'll communicate information about parking and drop off arrangements as it becomes available.

Guests should follow the directions of parking attendants and signage.

Food

Please plan to eat a meal before arriving to campus; food in the lineup area will need to be discarded before processing. Note that the dining hall will not be open; however, a light reception of cookies will be provided after the ceremony.

Line-up

We'll update graduates with details about line-up closer to the event. 

At line-up you will be given a card with your name, degree and line-up number. Keep this card with you at all times. You will line up numerically using the number on your card to assist you. Staff will also be on hand to help.

Procession

Approximately 15 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony, the procession will begin. Graduates will be led onto the Quad and to their seats. From here, you will follow the directions the faculty marshals and staff will provide during the ceremony. Keep your name card with you at all times.

Please be advised that the processional route crosses campus; we recommend you consider this when choosing footwear.

Crossing the Stage

When it is your group’s turn to cross the stage, you will be led to the stage area by faculty marshals. Take your name card with you and hand it to the name reader once you come up onto the stage. Your name will be read and you will cross the stage to receive your diploma cover.

Doctorate Candidates

Doctorate candidates follow the above information for crossing the stage. In addition, you should have your hood draped over your left arm. Once you hand the name reader your name card, proceed to the farthest hooder and hand them your hood. They will then hood you and you will take your diploma cover and return to your seat.

Professional Photography

Guests will not be able to approach the stage for a photograph. A professional photographer from Island Photography will be located at the stage and will take your photo. For everyone's safety, guests must not block the aisles in an attempt to take their own photographs.

Use the Restroom Before Procession; Remain Seated During Ceremony

Graduates are encouraged to use the restrooms at the line up location prior to the procession. Once the ceremony has begun, graduates will not be permitted to leave your seats except for the time when you receive your degree.

Inclement Weather

Please be aware that the ceremony is outdoors, rain or shine. In the event of rain, graduates will receive poncho to wear. Guests must bring their own rain gear. Umbrellas will only be permitted at the back of the Quad while standing.

Water

Water bottles will be placed at each graduate's chair. Graduates will not be permitted to process in carrying water bottles.

Attire

Please keep in mind the weather when planning your attire for the day and consider wearing sunscreen. You will be in direct weather.

Post-Ceremony

Once the ceremony concludes, the platform party and faculty will recess to the rear of the Quad; graduates will follow. A light reception will be served under the tent on the Quad. You will be able to meet your guests there. Golf carts will also be available to transport those needing mobility assistance with returning to the parking areas. We ask that you do not stop a cart already moving.

Commencement Livestream

Livestreams of the ceremonies are available on this site. Recordings will remain on the site for several weeks after the ceremonies for viewing and will be available on the Quinnipiac YouTube channel.

Health Guidelines

If you or a guest are not feeling well, we encourage you to stay home and enjoy the ceremony using the livestream link.

We look forward to welcoming you to campus to celebrate your graduate's achievement. Below is detailed information about what to expect on Commencement day. 

Commencement will take place on Saturday and Sunday, May 11 and 12 on the Mount Carmel Campus Quad

• Saturday, May 11

  • 10 a.m. — School of Business and School of Computing and Engineering Undergraduate and Graduate Commencement

  • 3 p.m. — School of Health Sciences Undergraduate and Graduate Commencement

• Sunday, May 12

  • 10 a.m. — College of Arts and Sciences and School of Communications Undergraduate and Graduate Commencement

  • 3 p.m. — School of Nursing and School of Education Undergraduate and Graduate Commencement

Ceremonies will be held rain or shine and will run approximately 2-2.5 hours in length.

Travel, Maps, Directions and Hotels

Ceremony Protocol

Commencement is an academic ceremony. All graduates and guests are expected to be respectful by remaining in your seats until the full ceremony concludes and the recessional has taken place.

Entrance/Parking

Please follow the instructions of the parking staff as you come onto campus. They will direct you to parking. If you need accessible parking, please let the parking staff know upon arrival. The entrances to the Quad will open 90 minutes prior to the ceremony. Please plan travel accordingly as there is a large increase in traffic in the area during Commencement weekend.

Food and Water

There will be water available on the Quad and we also recommend that you bring water. There will be a light reception at the conclusion of the ceremony.

Procession

Approximately 15 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony, the procession will begin. Graduates will be led onto the Quad and to their seats.

Professional Photography

Guests will not be able to approach the stage for a photograph. A professional photographer from Island Photography will be located at the stage and will take each graduate's photo. For everyone's safety, guests must not block the aisles in an attempt to take their own photographs.

Restrooms and First Aid

Restrooms are available in the Carl Hansen Student Center and School of Business. Please follow signs.

Use the Restroom Before Procession; Remain Seated During Ceremony

Restrooms are available in the Carl Hansen Student Center and School of Business. Please follow signs.

Inclement Weather

Please be aware that the ceremony is outdoors, rain or shine. In the event of rain, graduates will receive poncho to wear. Guests must bring their own rain gear. Umbrellas will only be permitted at the back of the Quad while standing.

Attire, Weather and Shade

Please keep in mind the weather when planning your attire for the day and consider wearing sunscreen. The Quad does not have shade.

In the event of hot weather, there will be several indoor livestream locations with limited seating.

• In the School of Business Center, available rooms: SB-119, SB-121, SB-123

• In Tator Hall, available rooms: TH-113, TH-114

Limited seating is available indoors. The reception tent at the rear of the Quad also offers shade. Please plan your attire accordingly for weather. We recommend hats and sunscreen if needed and to dress in lighter clothing if the weather calls for sun.

Sensory-Friendly Accomodations

A sensory-friendly room is available in Carl Hansen Student Center, room SC-207.

Lactation/Breastfeeding Accomodations

There is a lactation center in the Center for Communications & Engineering, room CCE-121A.

Post-Ceremony

Once the ceremony concludes, the platform party and faculty will recess to the rear of the Quad; graduates will follow. A light reception will be served under the tent on the Quad. You will be able to meet your graduates there. Golf carts will also be available to transport those needing mobility assistance with returning to the parking areas. We ask that you do not stop a cart that is already moving.

Commencement Livestream

Livestreams of the ceremonies are available on this site. Recordings will remain on the site for several weeks after the ceremonies for viewing and will be available on the Quinnipiac YouTube channel.

Health Guidelines

If you are not feeling well, we encourage you to stay home and enjoy the ceremony using the livestream link.

Congratulations, graduates! Below is detailed information about what to expect on Commencement day. 

Commencement will take place Friday, May 10 in the M&T Bank Arena on the York Hill Campus. 

Travel, Maps, Directions and Hotels

• 1 p.m. — Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine Commencement

• 5 p.m. — School of Law Commencement

Ceremonies will be held rain or shine and will run approximately 2-2.5 hours in length.

Ceremony Protocol

Commencement is an academic ceremony. Please be respectful by remaining in your seat until the full ceremony has concluded and the recessional has taken place.

Entrance/Parking

You should arrive to the M&T Bank Arena 90 minutes prior to their ceremony. Leave all personal belongings in your vehicle and remember to lock your doors. Graduates will not be permitted to carry any items into the ceremony. The graduate should then proceed to the hockey arena floor to line up; signs and staff will direct you.

Food

Please plan to eat a meal before arriving to campus; food in the lineup area will need to be discarded before processing. A light reception of cookies will be provided after the ceremony.

Line-up

At line-up on the hockey floor you will be given a card with your name, degree and line-up number. Keep this card with you at all times. You will line up numerically using the number on your card to assist you. Staff will also be on hand to help.

Procession

Approximately 15 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony, the procession will begin. You will be led to the basketball arena and to your seat. From here, you will follow the directions the faculty marshals and staff will provide during the ceremony. Keep your name card with you at all times.

Crossing the Stage

When it is your group’s turn to cross the stage, you will be led to the stage area by faculty marshals. Take your name card with you and hand it to the associate/assistant dean once you come up onto the stage. Your name will be read and you will cross the stage to receive your diploma/diploma cover.

Hooding - Law

Juris doctorate candidates follow the above information for crossing the stage. In addition, you should have your hood draped over your left arm. Once you hand the associate dean your name card, proceed to the farthest hooder and hand them your hood. They will then hood you and you will receive your diploma cover from the dean and return to your seat.

Hooding – Medicine

When it is your group's turn to cross the stage, you will be led to the stage area by faculty marshals. You should have your name card with you and your hood draped over your left arm when lining up to cross the stage. A photographer from Island Photo will take your photo as you are hooded. You will then continue to the stage for your name to be called.

Professional Photography

Guests will not be able to approach the stage for a photograph; however, a professional photographer from Island Photography will be located at the stage and will take your photo.

Use the Restroom Before Procession; Remain Seated During Ceremony

Graduates are encouraged to use the restrooms at the line up location prior to the procession. Once the ceremony has begun, graduates will not be permitted to leave your seats except for the time when you receive your degree. 

Water

Water bottles will be placed at each graduate's chair. Graduates will not be permitted to process in carrying water bottles.

Post-Ceremony

Once the ceremony concludes, the platform party and faculty will recess out of the arena. Graduates will meet their guests on the concourse or at the front of the arena. A light reception will be hosted at the Rocky Top Student Center across the parking lot and up the stairs. Golf carts will be available for graduates and guests who need mobility assistance; when you exit the building, the golf cart pickup will be to your left. Please form an orderly line at the front of the building and await assistance. Please do not stop a cart that is already moving.

Commencement Livestream

Livestreams of the ceremonies are available on this site. Recordings will remain on the site for several weeks after the ceremonies for viewing and will be available on the Quinnipiac YouTube channel.

Health Guidelines

If you or a guest are not feeling well, we encourage you to stay home and enjoy the ceremony using the livestream link.

We look forward to welcoming you to campus to celebrate your graduate’s achievement. Below is detailed information about what to expect on Commencement day. 

Commencement will take place Friday, May 10 in the M&T Bank Arena on the York Hill Campus. 

Travel, Maps, Directions and Hotels

• 1 p.m. — Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine Commencement

• 5 p.m. — School of Law Commencement

Ceremonies will be held rain or shine and will run approximately 2-2.5 hours in length.

Ceremony Protocol

Commencement is an academic ceremony. All graduates and guests are expected to be respectful by remaining in their seats until the full ceremony has concluded and the recessional has taken place.

Parking, Seating and Procession

Doors open 90 minutes prior to the ceremony. There are no tickets or reserved seats. Follow directions of parking staff when you arrive. If you need access to accessible parking, please alert a parking staff member when you arrive.

Accessible seating is available in the arena. Please alert a staff member when you arrive in the arena.

The Procession begins approximately 15 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony.

Professional Photography

Guests will not be able to approach the stage for a photograph; however, a professional photographer from Island Photography will be located at the stage and will take each graduate’s photo.

Use the Restroom Before Procession; Remain Seated During Ceremony

Restrooms are located in the lobby and inside the arena. First Aid is available in the lobby if needed. Please alert a staff member if you need assistance.

Sensory-Friendly Accommodations

Sensory Friendly bags are located in the lobby First Aid area if needed.

Lactation/Breastfeeding Accommodations

There is a lactation center in room AAL 225 (located in the Event Operations Office/First Aid Area).

Post-Ceremony

Once the ceremony concludes, the platform party and faculty will recess out of the arena. Graduates will meet their guests on the concourse or at the front of the arena. A light reception will be served at the Rocky Top Student Center across the parking lot and up the stairs. Golf carts will be available for graduates and guests who need mobility assistance; when you exit the building, the golf cart pickup will be to your left. Please form an orderly line at the front of the building and await assistance. We ask that you do not stop a cart that is already moving.

Commencement Livestream

Livestreams of the ceremonies are available on this site. Recordings will remain on the site for several weeks after the ceremonies for viewing and will be available on the Quinnipiac YouTube channel.

Health Guidelines

If you are not feeling well, we encourage you to stay home and enjoy the ceremony using the livestream link.