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2022 Graduate Instructions

Student Instructions - 2022 University-wide Undergraduate Ceremony

Sunday, May 1, 2 pm | Petersen Events Center

WHERE DO I ENTER AND WHEN?

ALL GRADUATES are to arrive through the Petersen Events Center Thomas E. Richards Family Lobby (LOBBY LEVEL) entrance only:

  • Doors will open at 12:30pm for graduates from the Class of 2022 on Sunday, May 1.
  • Class of 2022 graduates must be in the building no later than 1:30 pm and in their seat by 1:45pm. 
  • Graduates MUST PRINT and BRING their name announcement card with them. This card will be emailed to the graduate in the days leading up to the ceremony. If a student does not bring their card, their name will not be announced.
  • IMPORTANT NOTE: All graduates should refrain from bringing bags, backpacks, or purses with them to the ceremony as they might not return to the same seat after crossing the stage. Please review the CLEAR BAG policy set forth by the Petersen Events Center.
WHAT HAPPENS ONCE I ARRIVE?

GRADUATE CHECK IN:

  • Undergraduate candidates from the Class of 2022 should arrive with their regalia and hood on.
  • Graduates will proceed onto the Petersen Events Center Floor.  All graduates must be in their seats 15 minutes before the start of the ceremony.  Volunteers will be on-site to assist as needed.
DOES EVERYONE WEAR REGALIA?
  • This is an academic ceremony and, as such, academic regalia is required to participate in the ceremony.
  • Only those students in full academic regalia (cap, gown, and hood) will be permitted to participate. 
  • The only exception will be for those graduates in military uniform.
  • Regalia can be ordered in-person, beginning April 12 through May 1, at the University Store on Fifth.
ARE COVID MITIGATION MEASURES IN PLACE FOR COMMENCEMENT?
  • Anyone attending in-person ceremonies will have the option to wear a face covering.  Graduates and guests may check the Pitt’s Health Rules for updates on COVID-19 policies.
  • Hand sanitizing stations are located throughout the Petersen Events Center.
WHAT HAPPENS DURING THE CEREMONY?
  • All graduates should remain in their seats until staff move the students.
  • Graduates will be led to the stage. We ask that all graduates keep electronic devices away and remain aware of their surroundings as they process to the stage.
  • Name announcers will read the graduate’s name and they will be congratulated on the stage by the chancellor, provost and their dean.  It is important for graduates to move swiftly across the stage.
  • IMPORTANT NOTE: All graduates should refrain from bringing bags, backpacks, or purses with them to the ceremony as they might not return to the same seat after crossing the stage. Please review the CLEAR BAG policy set forth by the Petersen Events Center.
WHERE DO MY GUESTS ENTER:
  • All guests will enter the Petersen Events Center through either CONCOURSE A or the LOBBY.  (Guests who enter through the LOBBY LEVEL entrance will be directed to the Concourse Level)
  • Doors to the Petersen Events Center will open to guests at 12:30 p.m.
WHAT ACCOMMODATIONS HAVE BEEN MADE FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES?
  • The entrance for family members (CONCOURSE A) and the entrance for students (LOBBY) are both handicap accessible.
  • For graduates and their families who will be watching the ceremony online, open captioning will be automatically displayed during the broadcast.
  • The Petersen Events Center offers seating for guests with disabilities behind sections L213, L214, L215, L216, L220, L221, and L222. These seats can be accessed by taking the elevators to the Concourse Level (Figure 4).
  • Additional seating for individuals with disabilities is behind sections 101, 102, 103, 104, 124, 125, and 126. These seats can be accessed by taking the elevators to Club Rear.
  • Section 120 of the Petersen Events Center will be reserved for those family members and guests of graduates who are hearing impaired and will be staffed by a sign language interpreter.
  • If a graduate requires special accommodations due to a disability, he/she should contact the Office of Special Events at 412-624-7100. Arrangements will be handled individually.

WHERE SHOULD I PARK?
  • All University Lots will be open beginning at 8 a.m. on both days and will be free for graduates and their guests.
  • Accessible shuttles will begin at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, May 1. The shuttle will run before each ceremony and will continue running until one hour after the ceremony.  A map of shuttle stops is available on the Commencement website; stopping at the Petersen Events Center entrance on Allequippa Street and running in a continuous loop. Visitor Parking Map>>

ANYTHING ELSE?
  • Please make sure to choose a meeting location for after the ceremony with your guests outside of the Petersen Events Center. Guests will be asked to exit immediately after the ceremony.
  • Alcoholic beverages and items that can interfere with the ceremony (beach balls, bullhorns, etc.) are not permitted in the Petersen Events Center and will be confiscated.
  • All commencement related info will be available online at commencement.pitt.edu. 
  • Each ceremony should last between 2 – 2 ½ hours in length. GradImages, an external photography service, will take photos of all students as part of the procession to the stage.  These photographs can be purchased directly from GradImages following the ceremony.
    Learn more here >>
  • The Petersen Events Center has made changes to their security and policies, including but not limited to, the adoption of the CLEAR BAG policy. We ask that all graduates and guests view this policy online prior to attending your ceremony. Again, all graduates should refrain from bringing bags, backpacks, or purses with them to the ceremony as they might not return to the same seat after crossing the stage. Please review the CLEAR BAG policy set forth by the Petersen Events Center.
     
HOW DO I WATCH FROM HOME?
  • The commencement ceremony will be livestreamed for guests who are unable to attend.  Visit commencement.pitt.edu to obtain the link to join at the scheduled time of your ceremony. The ceremony will live permanently on Pitt’s Official YouTube channel for those who are unable to watch live.
PITTSBURGH MARATHON INFORMATION

PARKING DURING COMMENCEMENT WEEKEND (Saturday, April 30, and Sunday, May 1) 

  • The University of Pittsburgh's undergraduate commencement ceremony will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 1, just hours after the running of the Pittsburgh Marathon. As a result, anyone planning to visit the Pittsburgh campus that weekend is advised to plan ahead their driving routes and parking arrangements. 

MORE INFORMATION REGARDING THE PITTSBURGH MARATHON, including maps, alternate routes, approximate times for road re-openings and shuttle service can be found here.