Plan Your Weekend

Give yourself extra time. Graduation weekend is fun and exciting, but it’s also busy. Give yourself plenty of time to find parking, ride the shuttle or walk to the ceremony. Also, schedule time between the beginning or end of a ceremony and reservations you might be making.

Pre-plan. Decide as a family where you’ll meet after the ceremony, finding each other in a crowd can be challenging. Remember the Heisman statues and Bull Gator are the most chosen meeting spots, so consider choosing alternative meeting locations.

Review security policies. The O’Connell Center uses metal detectors and does not allow oversized bags (bags must be 12” x 6” x 12” or smaller). Check your pockets and bags before getting in line to enter the building.

We have accessibility plans for our shuttles, parking, and seating at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center. Please see our accessibility page for details.

Visit Gainesville Alachua County provides links to many local hotels, motels, bed & breakfasts, and campgrounds in the area.

PARKING
Parking for the ceremonies is in the O'Connell Center lot and garage (garage #7). Parking restrictions will be lifted in those areas on Friday, December 15 starting at 12pm.

Parking restrictions throughout campus will be lifted on Friday, December 15 beginning at 5pm through the rest of the weekend. 

SHUTTLES
Shuttles will run on Friday, December 15 from 5:30pm-9:30pm and Saturday, December 16 from 8am to 9:30pm and from the an overflow lot to the O’Connell Center and back. There will be two buses and one Campus Connector (ADA accessible bus) running during this time. The shuttle information can be found on the Charts, Diagrams & Maps page.

PROHIBITED ITEM LISTS

• Stephen C. O’Connell Center security policies

At this time, we do not plan to ticket these ceremonies nor limit the per-candidate guest count. 

Concessions will be available for guests in the O’Connell Center both Friday and Saturday before and during the ceremonies.