There are always a number of things to account for at graduation. Keep things as stress-free as possible with the information below.
Not seeing the answer you need? Feel free to reach out to University Events: 703-993-2853 or gmuevent@gmu.edu
Commencement Details
As a reminder, tickets are required for any guests of Mason graduates to enter EagleBank Arena for Spring Commencement on May 18. Doors will open at 8:30 a.m. for the 10 a.m. ceremony. For non-ticketed guests, additional seating will be available in the Concert Hall at the Center for the Arts on Mason Pond Drive.
Participating graduates who plan to attend the ceremony at EagleBank must check in with their Mason ID or G# at Wilkins Plaza no later than 9:00 a.m. to receive a wristband to enter the arena then line up for the procession to the arena. Security screening prior to entry will include magnetometers. Please avoid bringing bags into the arena to reduce screening times. Graduates will enter the arena through the loading dock entrance
Graduates without a wristband and guests without tickets will be directed to the Center for the Arts.
At the commencement ceremony, doctoral candidates are individually recognized and hooded; bachelor and master graduates are recognized as a group at their seats.
A few important things to note for graduates and their guests before arrival:
- All students and guests are required to follow the EagleBank standard security policy including event code of conduct, policies on disruptions and prohibited items, as well as Mason’s student code of conduct and commitment to safety and freedom of speech. Violators will be asked to leave the Arena.
- Please review EagleBank’s full list of prohibited items.
- Please note that posters and signage larger than 18x18 inches that would obstruct viewing for other attendees are prohibited.
- Arrive early, expect long lines, and be patient. We expect a large number of graduates and guests. We have safety and security protocols in place given the high-profile public official serving as the Commencement keynote speaker.
- All graduates and guests are subject to search prior to entry; please avoid bringing bags into the arena to reduce screening times.
- A ticket MUST be presented by each guest for entry. Ticketed guests are not permitted on the Arena floor at any time.
- Graduates and guests will not be permitted re-entry once they have left the Arena.
Where do I go?
- Parking for graduates and their guests will be at lots A and K.
- Doctoral guests may park in lot L. Guests will be able to enter at the South, West and North arena doors.
- Bachelor's and master's graduates assemble for the procession at the Wilkins Plaza outside of the Johnson Center.
- Doctoral graduates assemble in Dewberry Hall located in the Johnson Center on the ground level.
For disabled parking and drop-off, please use the Roanoke River Road or Nottoway River Lane entrances off Braddock road to access Lot A. ADA parking is located in Lot A.
Frequently Asked Questions
General
What is the difference between the different ceremonies?
Spring Commencement is the University-wide graduation event. This will be taking place in EagleBank Arena. Various speakers will address the graduates at this event. Doctoral candidates will be recognized individually while masters and bachelors candidates are recognized by degree program.
On top of this, every graduate and their family is welcome to attend their College or School's Degree Celebration. These events are specific to the academic units granting the graduate their degree. Graduates of all levels will be recognized individually and allowed to walk across the stage at these events. These events will be taking place in either the EagleBank Arena or Concert Hall. Please check the Degree Celebration page for more information on when and where your celebration will be.
Will the ceremonies be livestreamed?
Yes, all ceremonies will be viewable via livestream on Mason's YouTube channel. More information on live streams will be made available as we get closer to the event dates.
What accessibility accomodations will be available?
For Commencement accessible parking and drop-off, please use the Roanoke River Road or Nottoway River Lane entrances off Braddock road to access Lot A. ADA parking is located in Lot A.
In EagleBank Arena, all seats around the arena at the concourse level are reserved for special-needs access. You can be accompanied by one other member of your party. Guests using wheelchairs can view the ceremony from Portals 4, 8, 13, and 17.
In the Concert Hall, ushers will seat patrons using wheelchairs or those requiring special-access seating.
Sign language interpreters will be present at all ceremonies.
Accessible digital programs for degree celebrations and commencement will be available on the ceremony live stream page.
What should graduates wear to the ceremonies?
Graduates must wear a cap and gown to all ceremonies.
You can buy regalia in the Mason Bookstore on the Fairfax and Mason Square campuses.
Where can my guests find lodging?
When and how will I get my diploma?
Diplomas will be mailed six to eight weeks after commencement. Notify Mason if you need to update your diploma mailing address.
What happens in the case of inclement weather?
Updates will be posted on the website.
Where can I get regalia and other graduation items?
Regalia can be purchased online and at the Mason Bookstore, which is in the Johnson Center on the Fairfax Campus.
You can also buy regalia online, as well as order a diploma frame or additional Mason products.
What can I bring into the graduation venue?
The Commencement ceremony and Degree Celebrations will be following the rules and policies of the EagleBank Arena and Center for the Arts respectively regarding what can be brought into the venues.
All students and guests are required to follow the EagleBank standard security policy including event code of conduct, policies on disruptions and prohibited items, as well as Mason’s student code of conduct and commitment to safety and freedom of speech. Violators will be asked to leave the Arena. Please review EagleBank’s full list of prohibited items. Please note that posters and signage larger than 18x18 inches that would obstruct viewing for other attendees are prohibited.
Commencement
When and where will Spring Commencement take place?
Commencement is May 18, 2023. The ceremony starts at 10 am in the EagleBank Arena. Doors open for guests at 8:30 a.m. The procession lineup starts at 8:30 a.m. before moving to EagleBank Arena.
Bachelor's and master's graduates assemble for the procession at the Wilkins Plaza outside of the Johnson Center.
Doctoral graduates assemble in Dewberry Hall located in the Johnson Center on the ground level.
How long is the commencement ceremony?
Typically the ceremony lasts two hours.
Who will be recognized during the commencement ceremony?
Doctoral graduates will be individually recognized and photographed on stage. All other graduates will be recognized as a group by major.
Are tickets required for Commencement?
Tickets are now required for the Commencement ceremony. An email with the ticket link was sent to all graduates who have applied for Spring Graduation. Graduates will not be required to have a ticket to attend, but will need to have their Mason ID/G number for check in at the Wilkins Plaza procession lineup.
We are currently redistributing Commencement tickets. If you requested Commencement tickets but no longer need them or need fewer tickets than requested, please transfer your extra tickets through your Ticketmaster account to gmuevent@gmu.edu.
If you are a Bachelor’s or Master’s graduate in need of Commencement tickets please contact the Office of University Events (gmuevent@gmu.edu or call 703-993-2853 between 9am-5pm M-F).
Please keep in mind that Bachelor's and Master's graduates will not be individually recognized or walk across the stage during Commencement. Bachelor's and Master's graduates will only individually recognized at their college's degree celebration.
If you are a Doctoral candidate in need of tickets, please email Jenny Wen (zwen2@gmu.edu).
Unticketed overflow seating will be available at the Center for the Arts.
When should graduates arrive?
For Commencement, graduates should arrive at the Wilkins Plaza for the lineup procession by 8:30 am. The procession will move to the EagleBank Arena no later than 9:20 am.
At what time do the doors open for guests?
Main doors open for guests at 8:30 a.m. Please arrive early, expect long lines, and be patient. We expect a large number of graduates and guests. We have safety and security protocols in place given the high-profile public official serving as the Commencement keynote speaker.
All graduates and guests are subject to search prior to entry; please avoid bringing bags into the arena to reduce screening times.
A ticket MUST be presented by each guest for entry. Ticketed guests are not permitted on the Arena floor at any time.
Degree Celebrations
Where can someone get information about degree celebrations?
Learn more on our degree celebrations page.
Are tickets required for the degree celebrations?
Tickets are required for CVPA and School of Law ceremonies at the Concert Hall. These are the only degree celebrations currently ticketed.
When should graduates arrive?
For Degree Celebrations, graduates should arrive one hour before the ceremony.
At what time do the doors open for guests?
Main doors open for guests one hour prior to the ceremony.
Where are Degree Celebrations held?
Depending on which degree celebration you are attending, it will be in either EagleBank Arena or the Concert Hall.
Is someone taking on-stage photos?
GradImages will take photos on stage and a head shot off stage and will email graduates who provided an address to purchase photos. Only photos taken by GradImages will be sent to students.
For more information, contact GradImages at 1-800-261-2576.