What to Expect

Commencement & Convocations

Commencement is the general gathering of all graduating students. This formal ceremony is held at the Marriott Center. Friends and family of the graduating students are invited to attend.

Each college holds convocations the day after commencement. The college dean presides over the convocation. Each graduate is recognized by name and appears on stage.

Tickets are not required for commencement or for college convocations.

When to Arrive

Please plan on arriving 30 minutes prior to convocations and 1 hour prior to commencement. Parking at the Harris Fine Arts Center (HFAC) and Wilkinson Student Center (WSC) is especially limited, so you may want to arrive even earlier to ensure nearby parking.

Venue Seating

Seating at all of the events is general admission (no tickets required) and is first come, first serve. However, keep in mind that most venues host more than one convocation, so seating may not be open until 30 minutes prior to the event.

Seating for guests requiring signing services is provided at the Marriott Center off the concourse level walk-in between Portals H and J on the television platform area.

What to Wear

Sunday dress is appropriate for commencement and convocation ceremonies.

Video and Photography

Video and photography are wholeheartedly encouraged. However, for safety reasons we ask that you do not use tripods. Also keep in mind that due to the size of some of the venues, photographs of the event may not turn out very well. We recommend taking pictures with your graduate around campus during the days of graduation. Some popular locations are the "Enter to Learn, Go Forth to Serve" sign at the entrance to campus, the creek and gardens near the bell tower, the botany ponds at the south side of campus, the Brigham Young statue on the south side of the ASB, and the Gordon B. Hinckley Alumni and Visitors Center.

Please be respectful to graduates and visitors by not interrupting the academic procession to take pictures. We ask that you be seated in the Marriott Center by 3:15 p.m. and view the processional on the the large-screen television.

Making the Most of Your Visit

We invite you to spend time exploring campus with your graduate. BYU has several museums including the Museum of Art, the Monte L. Bean Life Sciences Museum, the Museum of Peoples and Cultures, and the Earth Science Museum.

On-campus dining is available at the Cougareat, the Skyroom Restaurant, the Cannon Center, and Legends Grille.

Your graduate is sure to have many memories across campus. Spend time seeing where your graduate had class, studied, and played.