Graduate entry and seating
Prior to accessing the candidate seating area, all graduates need to go through a mandatory screening process. Graduates will be asked to unzip their gowns for screening by Student Affairs staff. No signs, banners, flags, noisemakers, or other prohibited items from the carry-in policy will be allowed.
Degree candidate seating will be in designated areas by school, college, or degree. Seating is not pre-assigned by graduate name and is first-come, first-served. Commencement Marshals wearing cardinal red academic attire, ushers, and posted signs will be present to provide seating directions and assistance upon arrival.
No guests, including children, are permitted in the candidate seating area, except for nursing parents. Graduates should remain seated until the conclusion of the ceremony, which is marked by the platform party recession.
Doctoral, MFA, and Medical Professional Degree candidates
Doors open at 3:30 p.m. and graduates should be seated no later than 4:50 p.m. Graduates should enter the arena at Gate A (West Dayton Street entrance) or Gate B. Access to graduate seating is via the grand staircase located outside Section 127. Degree candidates with faculty escorts should ask their escort to sit on their right.
Bachelor’s, Law, and Master’s degree candidates
Doors open at 10:00 a.m. and graduates should be seated no later than 11:10 a.m. Graduates should enter Camp Randall at Gate 5 (the football student gate). Graduates arriving late will be redirected to late arrival seating sections in the stands.
Guest entry and seating
No tickets are required to attend. Guest seating is general admission, first-come, first-served. There is no limit to the number of guests that graduates may bring. Signage outside the Kohl Center will instruct guests on the building carry-in policy.
Only graduates and faculty escorts are allowed on the floor before and during the ceremony.
Guests should plan to attend the entire ceremony to celebrate all graduates and their accomplishments. Please remain seated until the conclusion of the ceremony, which is marked by the platform party recession.