Preparing for the Ceremony
There are no student rehearsals for the commencement exercises. Tickets are free, but are required due to limited seating capacity. Tickets cannot be sold or duplicated.
Guests will be allowed to enter the arena approximately one-hour before each ceremony. Please arrive 30 minutes prior to your ceremony to ensure admission. Guests arriving later will be seated as space permits.
The length of the ceremony can range from 1.5 hours to 2 hours.
Before the Ceremony
Arrive one-hour before the ceremony; pick up your name card at the registration table and locate your major to line-up for the processional. You will be given specific instructions regarding the procession. Student Processionals will begin 15 minutes prior to the ceremony start time. Ceremonies will start promptly at the scheduled time. All students must have a name card.
Undergraduate degree candidates wear their tassel on the right side of the mortarboard until directed to move it to the left.
Master's and Ed.D. degree candidates wear their tassel on the left side of the mortarboard, and carry the hood inside the arena on the left arm. Specific hooding instructions will be given when you line-up in the arena basement.
You are requested to silence your cell phone before you march into the arena.
The Ceremony
Graduating Students:
Faculty marshals lead the procession to the arena and will direct you to your seat. Once you reach your seat please be seated until directed to stand by the faculty marshals. Faculty marshals will tell you when to stand and proceed toward the ramp.
Please extend the same courtesy to the last graduate as you did to the first graduate and stay seated until the end of the ceremony.
Candidates for degrees will be recognized individually on stage. When you reach the stage, hand your name card to the faculty reader (this is the card you receive at the registration tables). Your name will be read as you cross the stage to shake hands with President Tomás D. Morales or Provost Rafik Mohamed. Proceed down the stairs return to your seat and stay seated until the end of the ceremony as a courtesy to all your fellow graduates.
The platform party will exit first followed by faculty and graduates.
Toyota Arena Rules, Policies, and Information for 2024 Graduations
Prohibited Items
Toyota Arena prohibits outside gifts and items during this Event. The following are not allowed inside the building, in the parking lots, or on the premises and if found will confiscated or asked to vacate the premises:
- No Bandas or Musical Celebrations allowed on the premises,
- No Cultural or Religious Celebrations allowed on the premises,
- No Balloons,
- No Banners / Signs / Flags,
- No Confetti Cannons,
- No Flowers,
- No Laser Pointers,
- No Noisemakers / Airhorns,
- No Selfie Sticks,
- No Sharpies / Markers,
- No Vendors,
- No Weapons of any kind,
- and similar items to the above are not allowed within the building.
Guests will not be permitted to bring items previously listed inside the building and will be asked to return items to vehicle.
Any item purchased from external vendors are not affiliated with Toyota Arena.
ADA Information
For ADA requests and inquires please have students and guests reach out to our Guest Services Manager, Josh Salcedo, at JSalcedo@toyota-arena.com
Accepted Methods of Payment
We are a cashless venue for all parking and concessions. Cash will not be accepted.
Seating, Ticketing, Will Call
All seating is general admission. There are no assigned guest seats.
Guests must have a ticket to be admitted. There is no Re-Entry into the arena.
There will NOT be a WILL-CALL at the ticket window at the arena.
Children ages 2 and above will require a ticket for entry.
Bag Policy
In accordance with safety and security guidelines, bags and purses will be limited in size. Clear bags are preferred, however, wallets, clutch single pocket purses, or bags must be small, no larger than 4 in. x 5 in.
To accommodate our guests who require a purse/bag, including diaper bags and bags carrying items that are medical in nature, such as prescription medication, breast pumps, and other special medical equipment, will be permitted if they are within 16 in. x 16 in. x 8 in. All bags are subject to inspection.
Guests who require entry with a purse/bag should arrive early to allow ample time to go through the additional security screening.
General Venue Policies and Codes of Conduct
TOYOTA ARENA POLICIES: https://www.toyota-arena.com/plan-your-visit/guest-services/arena-policies
Please visit the above link for a list of all Arena Policies including:
- Code of Conduct
- Disorderly Conduct
- Dress Code
- Smoking
- And additional Prohibited Items