FAQs

Graduates may not bring bags into the Athletic Complex. Please plan accordingly.

For guests, the following types of bags will be allowed into the Athletic Complex:

• Clear bags, not to exceed 14” x 14” x 4″
• Small wallets or purses not to exceed 4” x 6”
• Diaper bags and medically necessary equipment may be allowed after inspection

All approved bags are subject to inspection upon entry. Guests with bags or items that do not satisfy the bag policy are encouraged to return their bags or items to their vehicle.

The following items are prohibited in all university and school ceremonies and events, and are subject to confiscation:

• Air horns and other artificial noisemakers
• Animals, except assistance animals
• Banners or signs larger than 2’ x 3’ (no poles of any kind will be allowed)
• Food and drink (except water)
• Firearms and weapons
• Lasers/Laser lights
• Balloons, glitter and confetti
• Unmanned aircrafts and drones

Yes, tickets are required for guests to attend the December Recognition ceremony. Tickets will be emailed directly to graduating students. Students are responsible for sharing the ticket with their guests. Virtual and printed tickets will be accepted.

Yes, flowers and gifts will be available for purchase at the December Recognition Ceremony. Graduates and guests can also pre-order flowers and gifts through Bear Necessities for pick-up at the ceremony.

Guests are encouraged to park in the Snow Way Garage or Danforth University Center (DUC) Garage. Please visit our Visiting Campus in December page for more information.

ADA drop-off and accessible parking will be available in the surface lot in front of the Athletic Complex. Please display your ADA parking tag when parking.

A limited number of wheelchairs will be available for reservation. Guests in need of a wheelchair should visit our Visiting Campus in December page for more information on how to reserve by December 8, 2025.

ADA seating will be available on the lower level of the Field House.

Graduates may not bring bags into Francis Olympic Field. Please plan accordingly.

For guests, the following types of bags will be allowed onto Francis Olympic Field:

• Small wallets or purses not to exceed 4” x 6”
• Diaper bags and medically necessary equipment may be allowed after inspection

All approved bags are subject to inspection upon entry. Guests with bags or items that do not satisfy the bag policy are encouraged to return their bags or items to their vehicle.

The following items are prohibited in all university and school ceremonies and events, and are subject to confiscation:

• Air horns and other artificial noisemakers
• Animals, except assistance animals
• Banners or signs larger than 2’ x 3’ (no poles of any kind will be allowed)
• Food and drink (except water)
• Firearms and weapons
• Lasers/Laser lights
• Balloons, glitter and confetti
• Unmanned aircrafts and drones

Yes, tickets are required for guests to attend the May university-wide Commencement ceremony. Tickets will be emailed directly to graduating students. Students are responsible for sharing the ticket with their guests. Virtual and printed tickets will be accepted.

For each of the school ceremonies, please see below:

School of Continuing & Professional Studies (CAPS): Graduates will receive an email with their ceremony logistics and check-in instructions. The email will include the ticket as an attached PDF that can be pulled up electronically or printed, whichever is easiest for graduates and their guests. We ask that the graduates forward the email to each guest or print 1 ticket per guest. Currently, we have capped graduates at 6 guests for Recognition Ceremony but will assess our total RSVPs and requests for additional guests after April 11 when the RSVP deadline has closed. If we have not reached the fire-code capacity, we will open up available seating for graduates that have requested additional guests above the 6 currently allotted. On graduation day we will ask that graduates and their guests show their ticket (1 per person) at the CAPS check-in table after they have gone through the security/bag checks.

McKelvey School of Engineering: Students will receive and email and can register for up to 15 tickets in our Tassel ticketing system. If a student needs more than 15 there will be directions on how to request those. Students have immediate access to the tickets they request and need to share them with their guests. On graduation day we will ask that graduates and their guests show their tickets (Digital or Printed) at the doors/check-in tables.

Brown School: Tickets will be required for guest entry. Within two weeks of the ceremony, tickets will be sent to graduates who have registered for this ceremony. If you intend to invite more than 10 guests, please inform us by contacting commencement@brownschool.wustl.edu.

Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts: Students are being directed to Eventbrite to request tickets. They’ve been sent the following message through Tassel: Graduating students may invite a maximum of 6 guests to the Sam Fox School Recognition Ceremony. All guests must have a ticket to attend. Graduating students do not need a ticket. Students were asked to request tickets by April 1, 2025 at the following link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2025-washu-sam-fox-school-recognition-ceremony-tickets-1221390284219?aff=oddtdtcreator Tickets are auto distributed via email at the time of the request. Students are asked to share these tickets with their guests.

School of Law: This year, tickets are required for entry. Graduates will receive a ticketing email, which should be forwarded to all attendees. Tickets can be shown on a phone or printed for entry. All guests must present a ticket to enter. Please allow extra time for the ticket check process. For the latest updates, visit the Law School Commencement page at https://law.wustl.edu/school-of-law-commencement/.

Olin Business School: All graduates and their guests will need a ticket to enter. Olin graduates will receive a copy of the ticket to their respective ceremony two weeks prior to their graduation date. Graduates will then be responsible for ensuring family and friends planning to attend receive a copy of the ticket.  Questions? Email us at olin-graduation@email.wustl.edu

Arts & Sciences: All Arts & Sciences school ceremonies will require tickets for entry. Tickets will be issued by the College Office and Office of Graduate Studies to students via e-mail in May. Students should forward the tickets to their friends and family.

Audiology and Communication Sciences (PACS) @EPNEC: PACS students will receive an email from the Program in Audiology and Communication Sciences with details regarding tickets for this year’s PACS Recognition Ceremony to be held on the Washington University Medical Campus. If you have any further questions or need assistance, please feel free to contact the PACS Office at pacs@wustl.edu

Med Masters Ceremony @EPNEC: Tickets will be emailed to students, and they are asked to share the attached ticket with those guests they RSVP’d for and ensure that they bring a copy to enter the auditorium. All guests will need a ticket (either paper or electronic) to enter the ceremony. Tickets can be shown from the email itself, downloaded, emailed easily to other guests, or printed.

Med MD Ceremony @ Stifel Theater: Be on the lookout for upcoming emails from the school with an RSVP link. You will be requested to provide your guest numbers. We plan to accommodate all guests.

Occupational Therapy (OT): Graduates may register up to 5 guests by April 4, 2025.  Once initial registration has closed, and there is room in the venue, we may be able to approve requests for additional guests. Tickets (virtual or printed) are required for all participants, including graduates and faculty.  Graduates may share virtual tickets with their guests but all guests must show a ticket to enter the campus.

Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences (DBBS) @ 560 Trinity Building: Graduates will be emailed tickets to share with their guests attending the DBBS Hooding and Recognition Ceremony. There is no limit on the number of guests per graduate. Graduates can expect to receive electronic tickets for distribution the week of May 5^th, 2025.

Yes, flowers and gifts will be available for purchase at the May university-wide Commencement Ceremony and at the Commencement Festival.

Pre-orders will be available in Spring 2026.

Guests may park in any campus garage. Space is limited, please arrive early and plan accordingly. Alternatively, guests may utilize Rideshare or the St. Louis Metrolink. Please visit our Visiting Campus in May page for more information.

ADA drop-off will be available in the surface lot in front of Francis Olympic Field. Please display your ADA parking tag when parking.

A limited number of wheelchairs will be available for reservation. Please check back in Spring 2026 for the wheelchair reservation link.

An ADA entrance and seating will be available on Francis Olympic Field.

Guests are encouraged to dress appropriately for the weather. Most guests wear comfortable, business casual clothing. Comfortable shoes and flats are recommended.

All graduates are required to wear regalia at the ceremony.

Yes, graduation regalia is required to participate in all Commencement events, including December Recognition and the May university-wide Commencement ceremony.

Information about diplomas may be found on the Office of the University Registrar website. Any additional questions or comments should be sent to diplomaservices@wustl.edu along with your student ID number.