We're excited to celebrate our Spring 2024 graduates May 1-6! The following will help prepare you for the University Wide Commencement, Doctoral Ceremony and College Recognition Ceremonies during this extended graduation weekend.
- Helpful Tips
Prepare for the weather. The University Wide Commencement is outdoors.
Candidates are on the ground of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Plan attire, especially shoes, accordingly. We'll provide water, and ponchos if needed.
Guests should plan their attire and shoes to meet the needs of being outdoors and walking in a stadium.
Review security policies. Ben Hill Griffin Stadium's policy requires clear bags and no umbrellas, among other prohibited items. The O'Connell Center uses metal detectors. The Phillips Center requires tickets (except for the College of Nursing). Know what is permitted at each venue you will visit.
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 ceremonies you're attending, and find seats in each venue. Also schedule time between the beginning or end of a ceremony and reservations you might be making elsewhere in the community.
- Accessibility
We have accessibility plans for parking and seating. Please see our accessibility page for details.
- Lodging
Visit Gainesville Alachua County provides links to many local hotels, motels, bed & breakfasts, and campgrounds in the area.
- Dining
- Concessions in the stadium will be available when doors are open for the University Wide Commencement.
- Concessions will be available in the O'Connell Center when doors are open for the doctoral and college ceremonies.
- Shands Food Court, nearest Parking Garages 2 and 3, will have a variety of fast food and general food court options available from 11am-8pm.
- The Reitz Union Food Court will have limited options open during graduation weekend.
- Parking
- PARKINGBeginning the morning of Thursday, May 2, parking restrictions at the O'Connell Center will be lifted.Beginning noon on Friday, May 3, parking restrictions will be lifted at the Phillips Center for Performing Arts.Restrictions throughout campus will be lifted on Friday, May 3 starting at 5pm and for the duration of the ceremony weekend; this will be true for all lots and garages on campus unless otherwise labeled.
Detailed parking instructions for each venue can be found on our spring parking info page.
Please also see the campus interactive map for details and locations of parking lots and garages throughout campus. - Safety & Bag Policy
PROHIBITED ITEM LISTS
- Ben Hill Griffin Stadium security policies
*Note: cameras with interchangeable lenses are listed, but we allow an exception for commencement*
- Ben Hill Griffin Stadium security policies
- Tickets
University Wide Ceremony
This ceremony is held in Ben Hill Griffin stadium on Friday, May 3 at 7pm.
We will not require tickets for this ceremony, nor restrict the per-candidate guest count.Doctoral Degrees Ceremony
This ceremony is held in the Stephen C. O'Connell Center on Thursday, May 2 at 9am.
We will not require tickets for this ceremony, nor restrict the per-candidate guest count.College Recognition Ceremonies
- Colleges holding their ceremonies in the Stephen C. O'Connell Center will not require tickets nor restrict the per-candidate guest count for these ceremonies
- Colleges holding their ceremonies in the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts will ticket their ceremonies. The exception to this is the College of Nursing ceremony.
- Colleges holding their ceremonies in college-specific internal venues will determine whether ticketing is necessary for their graduate numbers and the venue they select.
- Weather
- The University Wide Commencement ceremony is a rain or shine event. In the event of severe or dangerous weather, the ceremony will be postponed or canceled.
- The Doctoral Degrees Ceremony and College Recognition Ceremonies are scheduled in indoor venues and will not be impacted by weather.