Commencement
Graduate and family facing away from the camera

For family and guests

The university looks forward to welcoming you to campus throughout the week to recognize this milestone in your student's life and to celebrate their accomplishments.

Parking

Shuttle buses will run from West Campus parking lots to the Coffey Road fields beginning at 9:00 a.m. until one hour after the ceremony. The Coffey Road fields are approximately 0.5 miles, or a 10 minute walk, from Ohio Stadium. Guests are strongly encouraged to use the West Campus lot parking and shuttles. It is a very efficient way to and from the ceremony.

Parking is also available on a first-come, first served basis in the Sisson Hall Lots and any of the permit zones around Ag Campus, the Schottenstein Center, or the student residence halls. No Ohio State parking permit is required. The Arps, Ohio Union, Neil Avenue and Lane Avenue garages will be available at no charge. These parking areas will fill quickly. Again, guests are encouraged to use the shuttle buses from the West Campus parking lots.

  • Disability parking is available in the East Stadium lot on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • A permanent or temporary Ohio or other state-issued disability placard is required.
  • Guests arriving by car service or an app-based car service, should be dropped off at the Schottenstein Center. Pickup after the ceremony will be at Neil Avenue and 19th Avenue.

Doors and seating

  • Ohio Stadium opens at 10 a.m. on commencement day.
  • Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • Tickets are not required for guests.
  • Open gates: Gates 7, 9, 11, 13, 23 and 25 on the west side; Gates 8, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 and 22 on the east side.

Seatbacks/Seat cushions

Seat cushions are permitted that are foam and do not have back supports, zippers or storage slots.

Seatbacks are permitted for those with a doctor's note and are 16" wide or less. Seatbacks may not have metal framing or clamp to a seat. Guests with a doctor's note must enter through the Steinbrenner Band Center entrance (glass doors between Gates 10 and 12) or at the Press Entrance (glass doors between the Huntington Club and Gate 23) to have their chairback and note inspected

Accessibility accommodations

American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation

An American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter will be present during the ceremony. Seating for guests who would like the interpretation services will be in section 16A. Due to space limitations, we again ask that only one companion be seated with the guest requiring ASL interpretation.

On commencement day, guests needing interpreting services should go to the Guest Services Station in the main concourse near Section 14 on the stadium's east side. Event staff will be available to distribute access passes to guests at these designated stations. No prior arrangements are necessary, but, on commencement day, guests must first go to one of the stations to receive access passes for entry into these designated areas.

Live captioning of the ceremony will also be available on the south stadium scoreboard, which can be viewed from seating areas on the east and west sides of Ohio Stadium.

First aid

First aid rooms are located at sections 16A and 17A on A deck, 12B on B deck, and 23C and 24C on C deck. Redcoat ushers can provide directions.

Photography

A professional photographer will take a picture of each graduate as diplomas are awarded. A complimentary photograph will be mailed via the U.S. Postal Service to the address provided by the graduate on commencement day approximately one month after graduation. Graduates will also receive an email with proofs of their photos. You are not obligated to order photographs; this is merely a service.

  • Photographs must be taken from the stands.
  • Only press photographers with proper credentials are permitted on the field.

Security precautions

Important notes

All items and persons entering Ohio Stadium are subject to security screening and inspection via a walk through metal detector and/or a hand wand metal detector. Arrive to Ohio Stadium early in order to avoid lines and delays getting into the arena. Guests will not need to remove any items (wallet, keys, phone, etc.) from their person as they pass through.

Prohibited items

Guests should expect a visual inspection of person, bags and clothing capable of concealing prohibited items. Your cooperation is appreciated.

  • Alcohol
  • Coolers
  • Bags of any type, including but not limited to backpacks, purses, handbags, fanny packs, cinch sacks, camera bags, messenger bags, binocular cases, duffel bags, grocery bags, suite cases, or any other bags.
    • Only wallets, wristlets, or clutches no larger than 5”x8”x1” are permitted. To reduce touchpoints with staff and lengthy inspections, guests are encouraged to not bring a bag to the venue.
  • Noisemaking devices
  • Mace, pepper spray, aerosol cans or similar substances
  • Banners or signs
  • Sticks or poles
  • Weapons or items that mimic weapons including, but not limited to: lighters, matches, firearms (including Concealed Carry Weapon permit holders), fireworks, pocket knives, knives, spiked bracelets, brass knuckles, martial arts weapons, stun guns, squirt guns, super soakers, rope and chains
  • Any item deemed dangerous or inappropriate

Permitted items

  • Cameras
  • Video recorders
  • Binoculars
  • Seat Cushions
  • Wallet, Wristlet, or Clutch (with or without strap) no larger than 5″ x 8″ x 1″. Bags of any type/size are not permitted.
  • Clear water bottles
  • Pagers
  • Cell phones
  • Umbrellas (permitted, but use during the ceremony is discouraged)
  • One 14x14x4 bag per person will be permitted for:
    • Dietary or medical needs (medications, single serving snack for medical needs, medical equipment etc.)
    • Child care needs (diapers, formula, baby food, baby bottle, pumps, etc.)
    • Guests with medical, dietary, or childcare needs may enter through their assigned gate location and have their items inspected by the security staff.

Inclement Weather

If commencement cannot be held in Ohio Stadium due to inclement weather, the ceremony must be canceled. No indoor facility on campus can accommodate the graduating class and 60,000 guests. Every reasonable effort will be made to hold commencement as planned.

If it is raining or rain is forecast on commencement day, graduates and guests should come prepared with appropriate rain gear, ponchos, and. raincoats. Something to cover wet bleachers is also advised. Umbrellas are permitted in Ohio Stadium, but their use during the ceremony is discouraged.

If weather is severe enough (heavy rain, thunderstorms, tornado watch/warning) to necessitate a delay in the start of the ceremony, instructions will be announced on site to graduates and guests. After delaying the ceremony for as much as one hour, if the forecast still indicates no change in the severity of the weather, cancellation of the ceremony will be announced, and diplomas will be distributed from other campus locations. Instructions will also appear in the commencement program.

If the ceremony is underway but is interrupted by sever weather, graduates and guests should follow instructions as annonced. It is advised that you prearrange a meeting place with your family and guests in case the ceremony is canceled. Graduates only will be admitted to the diploma distribution sites, which will be noted in the commencement program. St. John Arena and various locations on West Lane Avenue are suggested meeting sites.