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Family & Friends

Spring Commencement

Sunday, April 28, 2024 | 1 p.m. | Petersen Events Center
 

Upon entering the Petersen Events Center, guests will undergo appropriate security-based screening. Please read and share the security and venue policies, including the clear bag policy.

Information about invitations and undergraduate registration can be found on the Undergraduate Information page.
 

HOTELS AND TRANSPORTATION

LOCAL HOTELS

We invite candidates and guests to visit our Local Hotels page for hotel contact information. The properties listed should be booked first before booking at another location because they offer University of Pittsburgh discounts. To view the current discounted rates, visit the "Book online here" link listed for each hotel property listed.

TRANSPORTATION

Various services are available around campus. Visit this page for more links and information.

TICKETING

RECEIVING TICKETS

Each registered candidate will receive (4) electronic tickets for guests via Ticketmaster. Tickets will be sent to the registered candidates PITT email account the week of April 15th. Additional tickets will NOT be available for purchase.

CAMPUS VIEWING LOCATIONS

Family and friends who are on campus may also watch the livestream ceremony in the Fitzgerald Field House and William Pitt Union Assembly Room. Parking and Shuttle service is available in those areas and maps of locations/routes can be found here.  

  • The Fitzgerald Fieldhouse will have a livestream of the ceremony and open concession stands for guests. Tickets are not required for the Fieldhouse.
  • The Assembly Room in the William Pitt Union will have a livestream of the ceremony. Tickets are not required for the William Pitt Union.

PARKING AND SHUTTLE SERVICE

PARKING LOTS AND GARAGES

ON SUNDAY, APRIL 28 ONLY
All University-owned garages and parking lots (map) will be open beginning at 8 a.m. on Sunday,April 28 and will be free for graduates and their guests. 

SHUTTLE SERVICE

Accessible shuttles to transport graduates and their guests to the Petersen Events Center will be running on Sunday, April 28 from 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Maps of the routes can be found here >>

WHAT IF WE USE UBER/ OR LYFT?

Ride Share services (Lyft/Uber) can pick-up/drop-off at Sutherland Hall driveway (3725 Sutherland Drive). Signs will be posted in the area to indicate "Rideshare Pick-up/Drop-off" location.

ENTERING THE PETERSEN EVENTS CENTER

WHEN AND HOW TO ENTER THE PETERSEN EVENTS CENTER

Doors will open to guests at 10:30 a.m. for guests to enter the Petersen Events Center. IMPORTANT NOTE: the CLEAR BAG policy set forth by the Petersen Events Center will be in effect.

ALL GUESTS will enter the Petersen Events Center through either CONCOURSE A or the Thomas E. Richards Family Lobby (LOBBY LEVEL). Both entrances are handicap accessible. These entrances are indicated by blue stars on the figure below. Guests who enter through the LOBBY LEVEL entrance will be directed to the Concourse Level.

ACCESSIBLE DROP-OFF LOCATIONS

DROP-OFF LOCATIONS FOR EASE OF ACCESS

  • REAR ACCESSIBLE DROP-OFF LOCATION: available on the corner of Allequippa St. and Sutherland Dr. 
  • FRONT ACCESSIBLE DROP-OFF LOCATION: available on the corner of Terrace St. and Sutherland Dr. 

 

​ACCESSIBILITY

ACCESSIBLE DROP-OFF LOCATIONS

DROP-OFF LOCATIONS FOR EASE OF ACCESS

  • REAR ACCESSIBLE DROP-OFF LOCATION: available on the corner of Allequippa St. and Sutherland Dr. 
  • FRONT ACCESSIBLE DROP-OFF LOCATION: available on the corner of Terrace St. and Sutherland Dr. 
ACCESSIBLE SEATING

All accessible seating is first-come, first served. The Petersen Events Center offers seating for guests with disabilities behind sections L219, L220, and L222, L223, L224, L206, L210, L211, L218. These seats can be accessed by taking the elevators to the Concourse Level (see figure below)

  • Additional seating for individuals with disabilities is behind sections 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 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. 
  • To access captioning of the Commencement Ceremony via phone or tablet, please log on to ​www.mobileCap.net  |   ID# 7488

PHOTOGRAPHY AND LIVESTREAM

PHOTOGRAPHER

The University of Pittsburgh has partnered with GradImages to capture an image of each student during the ceremony. 

  • GradImages will communicate with the graduates via their Pitt email address about photo selection and printing packages after the ceremony.
  • Contact GradImages for any questions or site troubleshooting.
  • Guests are not permitted to approach the stage to take personal photos
LIVESTREAM

The ceremony will be livestreamed on this website as well as on Pitt's Official YouTube Channel.  The LIVESTREAM button will appear on the main page of the Commencement website the week of April 22. 

For graduates and their families who will be watching the ceremony online, open captioning will be automatically displayed during the broadcast.

Family and friends who are on campus may also watch the livestream ceremony in the Fitzgerald Field House and William Pitt Union Assembly Room. Parking and Shuttle service is available in those areas and maps of locations/routes can be found here.  

  • The Fitzgerald Fieldhouse will have a livestream of the ceremony and open concession stands for guests. Tickets are not required for the Fieldhouse.
  • The Assembly Room in the William Pitt Union will have a livestream of the ceremony. Tickets are not required for the William Pitt Union.

REGALIA (CAP AND GOWN), HONORS CORDS AND DIPLOMA

REGALIA

All students must arrive in their cap and gown to the ceremony. Do not plan on getting dressed at the Petersen. Those who serve in our armed forces are allowed to participate in their ceremonial uniforms in lieu of regalia.

Cap and Gown, along with honors cords, will be available for purchase at Graduation Central.

Beginning April 11, the online store will re-open for orders for in-store pick-up or ship-to-home through April 28, 2024.* Note: In-store pick-up will remain available through all ceremony dates. The University Store on Fifth cannot guaranteed shipi-to-home arrival after April 18.. Order here >>

Pricing is as follows for keepsake regalia ONLY. All regalia sets include cap, gown, hood and tassel.

Bachelor's Regalia Set:  $57
Master's Regalia Set:  $61
Doctoral Regalia Set:  $75

For questions, please call or email the University Store on Fifth. 

HONORS CORDS

You will be able to pick up your Honors Cords at the University Store on Fifth Information Desk. 

Diplomas are not given out at any ceremony during commencement week and are mailed directly to the graduate from the University Registrar’s office. Should you have questions about your diploma or how to apply for graduation, please contact the University Registrar.