FAQ for Family and Friends | 2022

The University-wide ceremony for the Class of 2022 undergraduates will be held on Sunday, May 1 beginning at 2 p.m. at the Petersen Events Center. Please check the School and College ceremonies listing for graduate and professional candidate ceremonies.

Class of 2022 University-wide Undergraduate Ceremony
Sunday, May 1 - Petersen Events Center, 2 pm

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. Visitor Parking Map>>
  • 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.  Shuttle routes>> Shuttles will stop at the Petersen Events Center entrance on Allequippa Street and run in a continuous loop. 


ACCESSIBLE DROP-OFF POINTS

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.
  • Masks will be optional during the ceremony and COVID-19 vaccinations are not required for guests. For more details on the University’s COVID-19 response, please visit coronavirus.pitt.edu.
  • Each ceremony should last between 2 – 2 ½ hours in length.
  • The University of Pittsburgh has partnered with GradImages to capture an image of each student as they cross the stage. Other shots may be offered, depending on the venue and mitigation policies. Graduates will be sent electronic copies of their photo proofs to the email address used during registration. Picture orders will be placed through GradImages directly. Should you have any questions about your photos, please contact GradImages. Guests are not permitted to approach the stage to take personal photos
  • Only 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.

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 University-wide commencement ceremony will be livestreamed here on the Commencement website AND on the Pitt Official YouTube Channel for students and guests who are unable to attend. 

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.