Entering the Petersen Events Center
All entrances to the Petersen Events Center will open at 1 p.m. and are fully accessible. Please refer to the information below for specific guest and graduate entry points.
Graduate Entrance
Doors open at 1 p.m.; Graduates are to enter through the doors next to the Panther Ticket Office at the Petersen Events Center, located off Terrace Street.
- Graduates must arrive fully dressed in regalia with your Name Announcement Card printed and in hand. This is your ticket to enter the venue.
- If you do not have your Name Announcement Card, you will not be allowed to enter. A digital version of your Name Announcement Card on any device will not be accepted.
Graduates must arrive no later than 2:15 p.m. and be seated within their school by 2:30 p.m. Graduates who are not in their seats by the start of the procession may be held and seated after the formal procession.
Guest Entrances
Doors open at 1 p.m. Guests may enter the Petersen Events Center through the Lobby Entrance or through Concourse A.
- The Lobby entrance is located off Terrace Street and is most easily accessible from the PG Lot and Solider and Sailors. The Lobby entrance is handicap accessible and there is an accessible drop off on Terrace Street in front of the Lobby. The BST garage is located diagonally from the Lobby entrance and this is the Petersen Events Center accessible parking garage.
- The Concourse A entrance is located off Alequippa Street and is most easily accessible from the OC and Towerview Lots. This entrance is handicap accessible and guests can be dropped off on the corner of Alequippa and Sutherland Drive.
Guest Seating
Digital tickets claimed by your graduate are for general admission entrance, and guest seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Commencement Safety
For the safety and enjoyment of all attendees, please review the list of items not permitted at the University-wide Commencement Ceremony.
We are excited to celebrate the achievements of our graduates. Thank you for helping us ensure a safe and stellar commencement experience for everyone.
Petersen Events Center Clear Bag Policy
Please review the Clear Bag Policy that will be in effect on December 13. Below are helpful takeaways:
- Security Screening
Upon entering the Petersen Events Center, guests will undergo appropriate security-based screening. These procedures help ensure all guests have a safe and enjoyable event experience.
- Guests are NOT PERMITTED to carry-in the following items:
- Coolers, backpacks and sealed packages (including gifts for athletes and/or performers)
- Food or Beverage, with the exception of special medical needs
- Cans, bottles, glass or other similar containers
- Video, audio, professional cameras, recording devices, tripods and bipods are strictly prohibited in the building. Anything with a detachable lens is classified as a professional camera and will be prohibited.
- Air horns or noisemakers
- Weapons of any kind
- Spiked or studded jewelry and belts
- Laptops
- Selfie Sticks
- Pepper Spray or Mace
- Laser Pointers
- Go Pros
- Animals, except for those performing disabled service duty
- Electronic Cigarettes cannot be used inside the building
- Signs, banners, flags, posters larger than 3' x 2' or any other item that:
- obstructs the view
- deemed offensive - pose a danger or a possible security risk
- No Poles/Sticks for flags or signs
Petersen Events Center management reserves the right to make the final determination on prohibited items. In the event that the prohibited items are revealed in a search, guests will be asked to dispose of the items or return them to their cars before re-entering the building.
