Commencement Guests & Seating Accomodations

Tickets are required, regardless of age, to view the ceremony in Carver Gym.  All guests should be seated 15 minutes before the posted time of the ceremony. The procession begins 15 minutes prior to the ceremony time.  All guest entrances are closed during this time and will reopen when the procession is complete. 

Fall/Winter/Summer quarters:  Carver Gym opens at 9:00 AM.
Spring quarter:  Carver Gym opens at 8:00 AM for Ceremony One, 11:30 AM for Ceremony Two and 3:00 PM for Ceremony Three.

The lecture halls in the Science, Mathematics & Technology Education building (SMATE located on the south side of Carver Gym) are a comfortable alternative for guests without tickets, elderly guests, and guests with small children.  The ceremony will be broadcast live on large viewing screens.  Tickets are not necessary for admittance to the lecture halls. 

You do not need to contact us if your guest:

• is unable to climb stairs
• is in a wheelchair
• or needs sign language interpretation as arrangements have been made for them.

The first 4 rows of bleachers are reserved for those who have difficulty climbing stairs. In order to accommodate everyone we must request that only one family member accompany guests using these seats. Ushers are available to assist guests in wheelchairs. Sorry, but we are unable to provide wheelchairs for use on commencement day.

For guests requiring sign language interpretation, seating is available in section C/D until 10 minutes prior to the ceremony. At that time, unused seats in section C/D will be released. Guests attending the ceremony should remember that Carver Gym has bleacher seating, is not air conditioned, and may be uncomfortable.

To request other disability accommodations for your guest, contact commencement staff in the Registrar's Office, 360-650-3701 (Washington State TDD Relay Service, 800-833-6388) or by e-mail, at least 14 days in advance of the ceremony.