Families & Guests

Commencement Week is an exciting time for graduating students and an equally exciting time for their family members, friends, and guests. We look forward to welcoming you to campus throughout the week to recognize this milestone in your student’s life and to celebrate their accomplishments.

COMMENCEMENT LOCATION AND TIME

Spring Commencement Exercises will be held on Thursday, May 16, 2024, in the Murphy Fine Arts Center, and on Saturday, May 18, 2024 at Hughes Memorial Stadium*. The Commencement procession will begin promptly at 9:30 am with the ceremony starting at 10:00 am.

*pending inclement weather

UNIVERSITY COMMENCEMENT PARKING LOCATIONS

  1. Commons Garage (Student Center) – Event Parking/ President’s Guests
  2. Lot Y (lower level behind Fine Arts) – Event Parking
  3. Lot Z (lot adjacent to the Alumni House) – Event Parking
  4. Lot U (Montebello) – Event Parking
  5. Lot QN (School of Business) –Event Parking
  6. Lot BSSC (Behavioral and Social Sciences Center) – Event Parking
  7. North Campus Garage (CBEIS)– Event Parking (overflow)
  8. Lot CC/LR (Christian Center/Library Roadway)– Handicap Parking
  9. Lot X (Fine Arts) – Overflow handicap parking (shuttle bus will transport to venue)

PROHIBITED ITEMS AT COMMENCMENT

The following items are prohibited for ALL individuals (faculty, administration, staff, graduates, other participants and patrons, etc.) attending the Commencement Ceremonies:

  • alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs carried in by patrons
  • glass bottles or metal containers
  • ice chests or large coolers
  • bota bags or wine skins
  • sticks, bats, or clubs, including any attachments
  • fireworks, firearms, or other weapons or simulated weapons
  • bullhorns or other artificial noisemakers
  • framed backpacks
  • animals other than certified guide dogs for the disabled
  • balloons, drones, or other airborne devices
  • food and beverages
  • cell phones that are not turned off or placed on vibrate

See also: Clear Bag Guidelines for All Campus Visitors

ALTERNATE VIEWING AREA

For guests who need to move indoors (during outdoor ceremonies), there will be an alternate viewing area where the ceremony will be live streamed.  This area is in the Morgan University Student Center Theater.

INCLEMENT WEATHER 

In the event of inclement weather, announcements will be made via the University website, the Commencement homepage, and social media to provide information about the delay or cancellation of the University Commencement Exercises.

DRESS FOR WEATHER

Baltimore weather can vary widely from sunny and hot to cold and rainy in mid-May. When Commencement is outdoors, dress comfortably, keeping in mind the weather. Please bring umbrellas, hats, sunscreen, raincoats, etc. as necessary.

GUEST ADMIT TICKETS REQUIRED WHEN WE MEET INDOORS

Guest Admit tickets are required for all whenever the commencement ceremony is held indoors. If a ceremony is held in Hughes Stadium, no guest tickets are required.

The Graduate School Commencement in the Spring is held in the Murphy Fine Arts Center and tickets are required.

FIRST-AID SERVICES

For first-aid services, graduates should see the marshals, and guests should see the ushers. Ambulance service will be available for emergencies.

COMMENCEMENT LIVESTREAM  

Guests without Guest Admit Tickets may view the ceremony via the live stream on the University website.

A livestream of each ceremony will be accessible via the University’s Commencement page to accommodate those family members and friends who exceed the number of Guest Admit Tickets available.