Graduates should arrive with their guests and report to the entry gate designated on their ticket at the appointed entry time.
Read more instructions for Commencement Day
Masks for all Attendees
All attendees must wear a mask in all areas of campus, indoors and outside and throughout the entire commencement ceremony. Masks may only be removed, temporarily, for eating and drinking while seated.
Masks must be fabric or disposable surgical-style masks that cover the nose and mouth. Bandanas, scarves, gaiters, buffs and the like are not acceptable. Masks that have exhalation valves with or without filters may not be worn on campus.
If you are unable to wear a mask, you may complete a Disability Needs Request Form to discuss an alternative. Please complete the form 1 – 2 weeks in advance of commencement on May 9. If you do not complete the Disability Needs Request Form ahead of time, you will be required to wear a mask.
Ticketing and Physical Distancing for all Attendees
Physical distancing in all spaces will be required, including while standing in line and by staying in your assigned space.
Tickets are required for everyone who attends spring commencement. The reservation window closed on April 19 and tickets will be available on or around April 30.
Graduates should arrive with their guests and report to the entry gate designated on their ticket at the appointed entry time.
Graduates and their guests must remain seated in their assigned seating pod for the duration of the ceremony. Pods are distanced 6 feet apart in accordance with state and local guidelines.
Negative COVID-19 Test for Graduates
All graduates, including staff members who are graduating, are required to complete a COVID-19 test during the week of May 3, and bring with them proof of a negative test to Ohio Stadium on May 9 in order to participate in the in-person commencement ceremony.
Testing is scheduled using MyChart, and a detailed instruction guide is available on the Wexner Medical Center website. If you need support with your MyChart account, please call MyChart Support at 866-966-6975, option 3, or email MyChartTechSupport@osumc.edu.
Testing takes place at the Jesse Owens North Recreation Center (2151 Neil Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43210) during the following hours the week of May 3:
- Monday: 1 – 6 p.m.
- Tuesday: 1 – 6 p.m.
- Wednesday: 7 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- Thursday: 7 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- Friday: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Graduates may also visit one of the regional campus testing locations to complete a COVID-19 test the week of May 3. Graduates may test at any of the Ohio State testing locations, regardless of the campus in which they are enrolled.
Graduates who filed a virtual learning exemption for spring semester are required to have a negative COVID test from the week of May 3 in order to participate.
Graduates who have tested positive in the last 90 days are not required to test.
If you receive a positive result from your COVID-19 test, a representative from the Ohio State Case Investigation and Contact Tracing Team will contact you with isolation instructions. Individuals with a positive test will not be permitted to attend commencement.
More information on testing is available on the Safe and Healthy Buckeyes website.
If you have questions about testing, please email shs-covidtesting@osu.edu.
Green Daily Health Checks for Graduates
Graduates will be required to show a green status from their Daily Health Check on the day of commencement. The daily check records body temperature and health status and can be reported through the Ohio State mobile app or compass.osu.edu.
For the app to turn to a green status, graduates must have completed their daily health check that morning and must have tested negative the week of May 3.
The university partnered with state and local officials on a plan to ensure the health and safety of all graduates and guests. The university will be unable to grant entry to graduates who are not fully compliant with the below requirements.
- All graduates must wear masks throughout the entire commencement ceremony. Masks must be fabric or disposable surgical-style masks that cover the nose and mouth. Bandanas, scarves, gaiters, buffs and the like are not acceptable. Masks that have exhalation valves with or without filters may not be worn on campus.
- Graduates must remain seated in their assigned seating pod for the duration of the ceremony. Pods are distanced 6 feet apart in accordance with state and local guidelines.
- All graduates, including staff members who are graduating, are required to complete a COVID-19 test during the week of May 3, and bring with them proof of a negative test to Ohio Stadium on May 9 in order to participate in the in-person commencement ceremony.
- Graduates will also be required to show a green status from their Daily Health Check on the day of commencement. The daily check records body temperature and health status and can be reported through the Ohio State mobile app or compass.osu.edu. For the app to turn to a green status, graduates must have completed their daily health check that morning and must have tested negative the week of May 3.
Testing takes place at the Jesse Owens North Recreation Center (2151 Neil Ave Columbus, OH 43210) during the following hours the week of May 3.
- Monday: 1 – 6 p.m.
- Tuesday: 1 – 6 p.m.
- Wednesday: 7 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- Thursday: 7 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- Friday: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Graduates may also visit one of the regional campus testing locations to complete a COVID-19 test the week of May 3. Graduates may test at any of the Ohio State testing locations, regardless of the campus in which they are enrolled.
Yes. All graduates, including staff members who are graduating, are required to complete a COVID-19 test during the week of May 3 and bring with them proof of a negative test to Ohio Stadium on May 9 in order to participate in the in-person commencement ceremony.
Yes. Graduates who filed a virtual learning exemption for spring semester are required to complete a test in order to participate.
All graduates must bring with them proof of a negative test to Ohio Stadium on May 9 in order to participate in the in-person commencement ceremony. The university will be unable to grant entry to anyone who is not fully compliant with the health and safety requirements.
Yes. All graduates, including those who have been vaccinated, are required to complete a COVID-19 test during the week of May 3 and bring with them proof of a negative test to Ohio Stadium on May 9 in order to participate in the in-person commencement ceremony.
If you receive a positive result from your COVID-19 test, a representative from the Ohio State Case Investigation and Contact Tracing Team will contact you with isolation instructions. Individuals with a positive test will not be permitted to attend commencement.
The university partnered with state and local officials on a plan to ensure the health and safety of all graduates and guests. The university will be unable to grant entry to guests who are not fully compliant with the below requirements.
- All attendees must wear a mask in all areas of campus, indoors and outside and throughout the entire commencement ceremony. Masks must be fabric or disposable surgical-style masks that cover the nose and mouth. Bandanas, scarves, gaiters, buffs and the like are not acceptable. Masks that have exhalation valves with or without filters may not be worn on campus.
- Graduates’ guests must remain seated in their assigned seating pod for the duration of the ceremony. Pods are distanced 6 feet apart in accordance with state and local guidelines.
No. Guests are not required to take a COVID-19 test to attend the ceremony.
Masks must be fabric or disposable surgical-style masks that cover the nose and mouth. Bandanas, scarves, gaiters, buffs and the like are not acceptable. Masks that have exhalation valves with or without filters may not be worn on campus.
