Commencement Ceremony Schedule

Saturday, May 9
10 a.m. | School of Education & School of Nursing
3 p.m. | College of Arts and Sciences & School of Communications

Sunday, May 10
9 a.m. | School of Business & School of Computing and Engineering
4 p.m. | School of Health Sciences
*If the ceremonies move indoors due to severe weather, the School of Computing & Engineering ceremony will be 1 p.m. Other ceremony times remain the same.

Ceremonies are located on the Mount Carmel Quad. In the event of severe weather, the ceremonies will move indoors to the M&T Bank Arena on the York Hill Campus.

Entrance/Parking

Graduates should arrive 60 minutes prior to their ceremony to line up. Graduates driving themselves should enter via the South Entrance on New Road (by Facilities) and proceed to the Hilltop Lot for parking. Graduates being dropped off by someone else should also use this entrance and will be dropped off by The Grove. Follow the directions of parking attendants and signage as you arrive to campus. Accessible parking will be available. There will be signs directing you to line up. Please see information below for your line up location.

Traffic Advisory

A large number of guests come to Quinnipiac for Commencement. Traffic will be heavy and extra time will be needed to get to your destination. We appreciate your patience as our staff work to ensure a safe arrival and departure.

The Wallingford Police Department has notified us that beginning Monday, May 4, Toelles Road in Wallingford will be closed to all traffic as part of a bridge replacement project. This closure is expected to remain in place through the end of November. A full closure will be in effect at the intersection of Hartford Turnpike and Toelles Road. If traveling in this area, it is recommended you use Exit 10 off of Interstate 91 or Exit 58A off of Route 15 (Wilbur Cross Parkway).

Line Up Locations

See below for where you should line up for your ceremony:

Saturday, May 9 Morning Ceremony
ARRIVE BY 9 a.m.
All School of Education | Line up: SITE
All School of Nursing | Line up: School of Business

Saturday, May 9 Afternoon Ceremony
ARRIVE BY 2 p.m.
All College of Arts & Sciences | Line up: SITE
All School of Communications | Line up: School of Business

Sunday, May 10 Morning Ceremony
ARRIVE BY 8 a.m.
Undergraduate (Bachelors) School of Business | Line up: School of Business
Graduate (Masters) School of Business | Line up: SITE
All School of Computing & Engineering | Line up: SITE

Sunday, May 10 Afternoon Ceremony
ARRIVE BY 3 p.m.
Undergraduate (Bachelors) School of Health Science | Line up: SITE
Graduate (Masters) & Doctorate School of Health Science | Line up: School of Business

Procession

Approximately 20 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony, the procession will begin. Graduates will be led to their seats to start the ceremony at the scheduled time.

Ceremony Protocol

Commencement is an academic ceremony and you have worked hard to get to this moment. It is expected that you remain in your seats until the conclusion of the ceremony. Ceremonies are expected to last 2 - 2.5 hours. After brief remarks from our president, student speakers and keynote speaker, graduates will begin to approach the stage. Each graduate in attendance will have their name read by a professional name reader as they cross the stage. You will have an opportunity to pronounce your name for the name reader prior to the name being announced. Once the ceremony concludes, there will be a recessional followed by a light reception. You will be able to meet your guests at the reception.

Professional Photography

When you check in to line up, you will see a QR code to scan for photography. Scan the code and fill out your contact information to receive your photo proofs. You will receive your photo proofs within 72 hours.

Guests will not be able to approach the stage for a photograph. Professional photographers from Island Photography will be located at the stage and will take graduate photos. For everyone's safety, guests must not block the aisles in an attempt to take their own photographs.

Restrooms and Movement During Ceremony

Except for the time that you receive your degree, all graduates remain seated throughout the ceremony. Restrooms are available in The Dome and Carl Hansen Student Center at Mount Carmel Campus. Sensory-friendly accommodations for guests are available in SC 207.

Post-Ceremony

Once the ceremony concludes, there will be a recessional followed by a light reception. You will be able to meet your guests there. Golf carts will also be available to transport those who need mobility assistance with returning to the parking areas. We ask that you do not stop a cart already moving.

Commencement Livestream

A livestream of the ceremonies will be available at commencement.qu.edu. Recordings remain on the site for several weeks after the ceremonies and will also be available on the Quinnipiac YouTube channel.
The ceremonies are outdoors on the Quad and only move indoors if there is severe weather.

Weather Considerations and Water

Please be aware that the Saturday and Sunday ceremonies are outdoors, rain or shine and only move indoors in the case of severe weather (e.g. heavy rain, wind, thunder, lightening, etc.). It is strongly recommended that you and your guests eat a meal prior to the ceremony, hydrate, wear light clothing under your gown, and use sunscreen. There will be water at graduate seats. Your guests will have access to water as they enter the ceremony.

In the event of rain, graduates will receive a clear poncho. Umbrellas will not be permitted in the graduate seating areas.

Tickets

No tickets are required for outdoor ceremonies on Saturday and Sunday.

In the case of severe weather, the ceremonies will move indoors to the M&T Bank Arena and require tickets. All eligible graduates have received 3 tickets to the basketball arena (for the live ceremony) and 3 tickets to the hockey arena (for the livestream). These tickets were sent to you by the Quinnipiac Ticket Office.

Cap & Gown

If you have not yet picked up your cap and gown, you can pick it up in the Mount Carmel Bookstore during their store hours. If you can not pick up your cap and gown before your ceremony, the Bookstore will have a table set up at your check-in. If you are missing a piece of your regalia or have something that is incorrect you can also visit the Mount Carmel Bookstore or visit their table at check-in the day of your ceremony.

Safety

Commencement ceremonies are outdoors and only moved indoors in the case of severe weather. The Quad is outdoors and unshaded. Please dress appropriately for the weather.

For the comfort and safety of all guests, graduates and staff, large bags, coolers and backpacks will not be permitted. All bags are subject to search.

In order to ensure that all graduates and guests are able to fully enjoy the ceremonies, anything that might be a disturbance or obstruct the views of others (e.g. signs, balloons, noisemakers, etc.) are not permitted. Do not bring these items to the ceremony.

Guests are not permitted to approach the stage or obstruct walkways.

Congratulations on your Commencement and we look forward to celebrating with you!