The Class of 2025 Commencement ceremony offers opportunities to come together to celebrate the achievements of our graduates.
Tickets
Tickets are electronic and will be emailed to graduates in mid-May. Students must then forward the tickets to their guests so that they may either print them out or display them on their phone when entering the stadium/arena. If using a phone, everyone should have the tickets open and ready for scanning when they reach the entry gate. Each ticket will only scan once so that electronic tickets may not be duplicated. Children aged two and younger do not require a ticket.
Clear Bag Policy
William & Mary has a clear bag policy in effect for the main Commencement ceremony.
Bags that are allowed include:- Clear tote bags made of plastic, vinyl or PVC that do not exceed 24″ x 12″ x 24″
- One-gallon clear plastic zip-style bags
- Small purses or clutch bags that do not exceed 6.5″ x 4.5"
- Medical or diaper bags – diaper bags must be accompanied by a child
- Backpacks
- Printed or tinted plastic bags
- Cinch or drawstring bags
- Fanny packs
- Camera or binocular cases
- Large purses or bags
Additional Prohibited Items
The prohibited items list is for the enjoyment and safety of Commencement guests. This list is subject to change as conditions warrant.
- Backpacks (exceptions: diaper bags, string backpacks)
- Bags measuring larger than 24″ × 12″ × 24″
- Outside food & drink (except for factory-sealed non-alcoholic beverages, no larger than one liter; juice boxes, factory-sealed infant snacks, and baby food).
- Camera tripods / monopods / selfie-sticks
- Cameras with a lens greater than 4"
- Firearms and other weapons
- Laptop computers
- Alcohol, use of any tobacco products, or illegal substances
- Use of any tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and vaping apparatuses
- Noisemakers, laser pointers, balls, frisbees, inflatable objects
- Coolers, ice chests
- Pets
- Strollers (there will be a stroller parking tent near the entrance)
- Umbrellas
- Signs larger than 24" x 36"
- Anything deemed unsafe by police or event staff
Entry
Gates will open 90 minutes before the ceremony start time.
Seating
- Seating for guests is General Admission
- Children two and younger do not require a ticket
- Graduates will be seated on the stadium or arena floor
- Graduates participating in the ceremony do not require a ticket.
Accessibility Accommodations
- Wheelchair/limited mobility guests will be able to drop-off at an access point (pdf) adjacent to the ceremony location.
- Guests who can climb some steps will be ushered to lower rows of seating we have reserved and may sit with one companion.
- Guests who cannot climb stairs will be ushered to the limited mobility seating area on the floor and may sit with one companion.
- Guests in wheelchairs or scooters will be ushered to the limited mobility seating area on the floor and may sit with one companion.
- We will have American Sign Language interpreters at the Main Ceremony and others upon request. Guests requiring live ASL interpretation will receive a vehicle access pass in order to drop off at the access point. Students must request ASL interpreters from their department heads for their individual degree ceremonies.
- Live closed captioning will be available on the ceremony livestreams.
Ceremony Timeline
- Special coverage that includes the graduates' Walk Across Campus will be available on the stadium screens approximately one hour before the scheduled start time of each ceremony.
- The ceremony will last approximately two hours and begins with the student processional entering the arena.
- Students do not cross the stage at the main ceremony.
- Each graduate will be recognized individually at their departmental ceremony on Saturday, at which time they will have their name read aloud and receive their diploma.