Ceremony Day

All guests entering the arena will need a ticket. This applies to children of all ages, including infants in carriers.

Only mobile tickets are accepted. Forged, printed or photocopied tickets will not be honored. Screenshots of the ticket barcode will not scan at the door. Support for accessing tickets is available inside the entrances at Gates 1 and 2. 

Bring your mailed parking permits with you to the ceremony as you’ll need them to park in lots 4, 5 and 6, which are reserved for graduates.

Arrive at the robing room with your photo ID 90 minutes before your ceremony. You can bring small bags (10 x 10 x 2 or smaller) into the room; leave all other items (including coats, umbrellas and extra shoes) at home or with loved ones.

Once you're in the robing room, you’ll use your photo ID to check in, then follow instructions to check your name pronunciation. Let event staff know if you need accommodations to access the stage. Robing room staff will offer instructions on crossing the stage

TU’s Arena Address is 7500 Osler Drive, Towson, MD.

We recommend that guests park at the Union Garage and then take a short shuttle ride directly to the entrance of TU Arena. This option requires the least amount of walking and standing. 

Shuttles will run continuously from two hours before each ceremony until one hour after each ceremony. Accessible parking is available in lot 8 for individuals with handicap permits.

The printable campus map (PDF) and bus route planner are additional navigational resources. Information about Commencement day parking and transportation services may be found at Parking and Transportation Services Events.

Guests will enter through either Gate 2 (the main guest entrance) or Gate 1 (the mobility entrance). All guests will go through handheld metal detection and bag checks before entering the arena. 

Entrances open 90 minutes prior to the start of each ceremony.

Please arrive by 8:30 a.m. (for the 10 a.m. ceremony) and 1:30 p.m. (for the 3 p.m. ceremony) in the Towson Center and follow directional signage to the faculty robing area in the Athletic Lounge (on the first floor).

Please note: the faculty robing area is not secured during the ceremony to store belongings, so valuable items, as well as briefcases and handbags should be stored in your locked vehicle or left in another secure location. 

STAGE PARTY ARRIVAL

Please arrive by 8:30 a.m. (for the 10 a.m. ceremony) and 1:30 p.m. (for the 3 p.m. ceremony) in the TU Arena Multipurpose Room (on the third floor).

HOODING FACULTY ARRIVAL

The Office of Graduate Studies will provide information about a meeting location and a short rehearsal the prior to the ceremony.

SECURITY SCREENING

All ceremony participants are subject to security screening at the building entrance.

Electronic programs can be downloaded using the QR code on the jumbotron or in the printed sheet handed out upon entry. Graduates may request up to two keepsake printed programs for free that will be mailed two weeks following the ceremony.  

The graduates will be in alphabetical order when they process into the arena, alternating on each side. The jumbotron allows parents and guests to see all graduates well, despite not knowing which side they will enter the arena ahead of time. 

All seats in the upper deck are open and most seats below are open, except section 104, the top three rows of the black club seats and the concourse wheelchair accessible section. These are reserved for guests with disabilities and one companion.

Once the lower seating is full, guests will be directed to sit in the upper level. The elevators do not go to the upper level. 

There is no assigned seating in any section of the arena. Guests will be able to see everything well from any section.

Any seating that is being held or reserved by a guest must be released 15 minutes before the start of the ceremony. Seating in the accessible sections (section 104 and the black club level) can be held until the start of the ceremony.

• Shuttle buses will run continuously between the Union Garage and Towson Center two hours before the ceremony, during the ceremony and an hour and a half after each ceremony. Regular shuttle routes will not be in operation. Note: doors open 90 minutes before each ceremony.
• Accessible parking is available in lot 8 for individuals with handicap permits.
• Wheelchair transport will be available to assist guests before, during and after each ceremony.
• Accessible seating will be located on the concourse level of TU Arena and is limited to individuals with disabilities and one additional guest. Wheelchair seating is available in the glass boxed area even with the concourse level. 
• Sign language interpreters will be available in section 104. These area are limited in seating. Please be courteous to other guests.
• Service animals as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and in accordance with university policy are allowed at the ceremony.  All other animals are prohibited. See the University Policy 06-18.00 for additional information.