Commencement: Frequently Asked Questions

Graduates and guests can park in the Babbio Garage and in River Lot for the Awards Ceremonies (invitation only). No hangtag is needed, and there is no charge for parking. Cars must be removed from these lots by 11 pm each night.

Students graduating with a PhD are invited to attend the PhD Hooding, taking place on Monday, May 19 in Stevens’ DeBaun Auditorium in Hoboken, NJ. Each PhD student will receive tickets for the PhD Hooding.

These tickets are separate from the tickets offered for the Commencement ceremony. PhD students may attend the Graduate Commencement Ceremony on May 21 and the PhD Hooding Ceremony on May 19.

PhD students will receive more information about the number of tickets closer to the event date. Tickets are event-specific for the individual ceremonies.

Gradfest is a celebration of our graduates held on the Stevens campus. Graduates are welcome to bring guests to enjoy an evening connecting with friends, faculty and staff on the evening before the Commencement ceremonies. Dessert food and music are provided, as well as photo opportunities and fireworks over the Hudson River. Dress is casual.

Gradfest takes place on Palmer and Schaefer Lawns from 7 – 10 pm on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. Parking is available at no cost and with no hang tag in the Babbio Garage or in the River Lot.

Graduating students should order their regalia here.

Regalia is required for all graduating students participating in Commencement and must be ordered in advance of the ceremony. If graduates do not order regalia, they will not be able to participate in the ceremony. Regalia will not be distributed at the ceremony, so make sure you obtain attire in a timely fashion. The regalia is yours to keep after the ceremony.

If you miss the April 21 deadline, you may visit the Stevens Bookstore located on the first floor of the Howe Center. The bookstore will have a limited supply of regalia available on a first-come, first-served basis. Pricing will differ from the online order pricing.

Faculty are required to RSVP for Commencement. If a faculty member indicates on the RSVP form that they require regalia rental, they will receive information for ordering regalia immediately after submitting their Commencement RSVP.

Information regarding Regalia pickup and return will be shared as the event date approaches.

No, there is no formal dress code for under your academic attire. Business casual is recommended. We recommend you wear comfortable shoes as you will be standing prior to the ceremony, and you will need to use the stairs to reach the stage. We strongly recommend you do not wear high heels if you are not accustomed to wearing them.

Undergraduates participating in the May Commencement ceremony can claim up to 4 tickets in the theater seats and 5 tickets on the lawn at PNC Bank Arts Center.

Graduate students participating in the May Commencement ceremony can claim up to 2 tickets in the theater seats and 4 tickets on the lawn at PNC Bank Arts Center.

There will be two rounds of ticket distribution. Tickets that remain unclaimed by the stated deadline become property of Stevens and will be made available for redistribution to other graduating students. Stevens offers all graduates within each ceremony the same number of tickets. We do not make exceptions; no additional tickets can be offered to graduates. Graduates can gift the tickets they are not using to another graduate.

PNC Bank Arts Center is an outdoor venue. The theater seating is formal seating with traditional seats located under an overhead covering. The lawn seating is outdoors, without cover, on a lawn area behind the theater seating. Guests may bring lawn chairs or blankets for lawn seating. Only soft-sided folding camp chairs no larger than 32” deep, 25” wide and 34” high will be permitted. In order to accommodate security checkpoints in a timely manner, the chair carry bag must be removed and left in your vehicle. PNC Bank Arts Center has a limited number of lawn chairs that they will distribute to guests sitting on the lawn on a first-come, first-served basis at no cost. Seating in both the theater and lawn sections is first-come, first-served. Guests will be asked to fill in all seats in a row when taking seats in the theater to allow for groups to sit together and to ensure that all seats are utilized. All individuals over the age of one require a ticket for entry to the venue.

Yes. All guests over the age of one require a ticket. We recommend that those with children in their party consider using lawn seats to allow for unrestricted movement.

In early April, graduating students will receive instructions for claiming their guest tickets by a specific deadline.

The ticketing process will also require graduates to RSVP for the Commencement ceremonies, order commemorative Commencement Programs and to reserve seats for the optional buses going to and from campus and PNC Bank Arts Center. Graduates can only claim the number of guest tickets within their allotment. We ask that graduates only claim the number of guest tickets needed so that all unclaimed tickets can be made available to other students. All unclaimed tickets after the specified deadline will become property of Stevens and will be made available for redistribution. Graduates who do not claim any guest tickets by the specified deadline forfeit their right to the guest tickets and are not guaranteed guest tickets for the Commencement ceremonies.

No, there is no charge for the guest tickets. Students will request and obtain a limited number of tickets at no cost.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Stevens prohibits the direct or indirect sale or auction of tickets for Commencement events. Ticket(s) may not be used for advertising, promotion (including contests, giveaways or sweepstakes) or other trade or commercial purposes. Students engaging in such activities, as well as any other activity that disrupts the administration of the ceremony and/or violates any Stevens student conduct policy, will be subject to disciplinary sanctions, including without limitation the delayed issuance of a degree or diploma.

The Commencement venue is entirely outdoors. The theater seating is formal venue seating with traditional seats, located under an overhead covering that provides some protection from sun and rain. The lawn seating is outdoors, without cover, on a lawn area behind the theater seating. This area still provides excellent views of the stage. When you arrive at the venue there will be signage to guide you as each ticketing section will have its own entrance.

(pictured: theater seats as seen from the stage)

(pictured: view from lawn seats)

Guests are permitted to bring only soft-sided folding camp chairs no larger than 32” deep, 25” wide and 34” high will be permitted. In order to accommodate security checkpoints in a timely manner, the chair carry bag must be removed and left in your vehicle.

Guests may also bring blankets for lawn seating. PNC Bank Arts Center has a limited number of lawn chairs that they will distribute to guests with lawn seating on a first-come, first-served basis and at no cost.

Graduates, faculty, and staff participating in Commencement will enter the venue via the entrance to the far left of the venue. Families and guests will enter using the Lawn Tickets and Theatre Tickets entrances located in the center - please note that those with Lawn tickets will enter through the left gates and those with Theatre tickets will enter through the right gates.

Anyone requiring an accessible entrance can use the ADA Entrance located to the far right of the venue.

Tickets are distributed for either theater or lawn seats. Within each of those sections, seating is first-come, first-served. Guests will be asked to fill in all seats in a row when taking seats in the arena to allow for all arriving groups to sit together and to ensure that all seats are utilized.

Commencement is a time to celebrate and enjoy your accomplishments. However, it is also ceremonial. Graduates and guests are asked to honor the spirit of this important occasion by conducting themselves in a manner that is respectful of everyone participating in and attending the ceremonies.

• Graduates and guests must abide by all policies of the PNC Bank Arts Center, with particular attention to the list of prohibited items detailed in the Commencement FAQs.

• All provisions of Stevens Institute of Technology’s Student Code of Conduct apply to Commencement ceremonies.

• Graduates must arrive on time, as indicated on the Commencement website and in ongoing communication to all graduates via Stevens email. Graduates who arrive late are not guaranteed to participate in the ceremony.

  • Graduates must arrive inside the venue 90 minutes prior to the publicized start of their ceremony

  • All gates to the venue will close 30 minutes before each ceremony begins to allow for an uninterrupted academic processional

  • Anyone arriving after that time will be required to wait outside the venue until the ceremony is underway

  • Gates will reopen for a brief window of time to allow late-arriving graduates and guests to enter

  • Late-arriving graduates may not be seated when they enter the venue; however, they will be able to cross the stage to receive their diploma

  • 30 minutes after the planned start time for each ceremony, the main gates will close for the duration of the ceremony

• Graduates must wear the Stevens-issued academic regalia. Caps may be decorated, so long as the decoration does not obstruct the view of other graduates and guests.

• Although cheering and clapping for speakers and peers is encouraged, the noise level must not disrupt the ceremony. The use of air horns, bull horns, cow bells and any disruptive noise makers is prohibited.

• Cell phones and other electronic devices should be silenced for the duration of the ceremony.

• Graduates should not bring any personal items to the ceremony as they are not permitted in the academic process or on stage when your name is read; there is no storage for these items.

• No guests are permitted near the stage at any time.

• Graduates are expected to return to their seats after receiving their diploma on stage and remain in their seat for the duration of the ceremony to show respect for all graduates.

• All graduates are required to stay for the full length of the ceremony out of respect for all of the graduates. Guests are strongly encouraged to stay for the full ceremony. If their guests need to leave earlier, then the graduate should plan for separate transportation at the end of the ceremony.

• Taking selfies while on the stage is not permitted.

By participating in or attending Stevens Institute of Technology’s Commencement Ceremonies, graduates and guests agree to abide by this Code of Conduct. Graduates are required to share this Code of Conduct with their ticketed guests. Anyone in violation of this Code of Conduct may be escorted out of the venue.

The undergraduate ceremony will last for approximately two hours. The graduate ceremony will last for approximately three hours.

All graduates are required to stay for the full length of the ceremony out of respect for all of the graduates. Guests are strongly encouraged to stay for the full ceremony. If their guests need to leave earlier, then the graduate should plan for separate transportation at the end of the ceremony.

Yes, the names of each graduating student in attendance at the Commencement Ceremonies will be called.

If a graduate is uncomfortable shaking hands or unable to shake hands as they cross the stage to receive their diploma, the graduate should place their right hand over their heart (like what is done during the pledge of allegiance in the United States) as they approach the hand shaker. When the graduate stops, they should bow their head. The hand shaker should do the same. 

No, there is one Undergraduate Ceremony and one Graduate Ceremony; there are no school-specific ceremonies. Ph.D. graduates are invited to participate in the Graduate Ceremony but are also urged to attend a Ph.D. Hooding Ceremony on-campus on May 19 at 12 pm in DeBaun Auditorium - Edwin A. Stevens Hall.

Stevens has partnered with Pro Pics to take professional Commencement photos of all graduates during the ceremonies. Photos will be available for purchase after the ceremony. There is no cost to have your photo taken and no obligation to purchase. If you would like to receive your photo proofs, please go to www.StevensGradPhotos.com to register and upload a selfie. If you have any questions regarding photos, contact Pro Pics at [email protected].

Stevens will also post many professional photos of the ceremonies on our Stevens Events Flickr site after the ceremonies.

We are pleased to share that the Stevens Bookstore will have a concession stand with a variety of Stevens merchandise available for purchase.

The ceremonies will continue as planned in the event of rain. Graduates and guests will be encouraged to dress accordingly due to the outdoor venue. Should there be severe weather and the State of New Jersey issues a State of Emergency, PNC Bank Arts Center will not be permitted to host an event. In that case, we have reserved the venue for Thursday, May 22 and will host the ceremonies at the same times on May 22.

The Commencement Book will be available digitally to all graduates and guests. The digital Commencement Book will be posted on the main page of the Commencement website (https://www.stevens.edu/commencement) before the ceremonies begin. The Commencement Book will be made available through a QR code at PNC Bank Arts Center for all graduates and guests.

Yes, the Commencement ceremonies will be livestreamed on https://www.stevensducks.tv/. This is a great option for those who do not live in the area, or may have difficulties attending the ceremony due to the length of time.

Stevens online graduates from August 2024, Winter 2024/25, Spring 2025 are invited to attend their respective Commencement ceremonies.

The PNC Bank Arts Center is located at 116 Garden State Pkwy, Holmdel, NJ 07733.

Parking lots are available at no cost to Stevens Commencement attendees and staff. There is plenty of parking on-site at PNC Bank Arts Center. Parking staff will direct you. Parking is first come-first served. No saving of parking spaces is permitted.

Accessible Parking is located to the right of the main gates. Let the parking staff know that you need accessible parking, and they will direct you to this lot. Guests must have an accessible placard or license plate to park in this lot. Please be advised that parking is limited. If you do not absolutely need accessible parking, please park in the general lots.

Yes, there will be shuttle buses transporting graduates and guests from the outer parking lots to the front entrance of the venue.

Ride-share pickup and drop off is in Lot #10 at PNC Bank Arts Center. Shuttles will be offered between Lot #10 and the venue entrance.

Guests are permitted to bring in one (1) factory-sealed bottle of water up to one liter in size. Empty aluminum bottles and refillable plastic water bottles are permitted. Camelbacks are not permitted. Water refill stations are available at the North and South Plazas. One (1) clear gallon-sized bag for snacks is permitted. There will be a wide variety of food and beverage options available for purchase on-site.

The PNC Bank Arts Center concession stands will be open for your convenience. The concession stands sell hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken tenders, french fries, nachos, pretzels, popcorn, and cheese cups. Beverages include water, soda, Red Bull, and coffee.

All bags are subject to search upon entry. Guests have the right to refuse a bag search and the venue has the right to refuse entry. If you have any items that are not allowed (see lists of permitted and prohibited items below) into the venue, please return them to your vehicle.

Please note that PNC Bank Arts Center requires either a bag with a maximum size of 12" x 6" x 12".

• No bags bigger than 12"x6"x12” will be allowed inside.

• Cameras – nonprofessional only, no detachable lenses

• Food – in a clear, 1-gallon ziploc bag

• Water – an empty water bottle OR up to 1 liter of water in a factory sealed bottle is permitted

• Diaper bags are okay to bring but will be thoroughly searched. Please use the ADA entrance.

• Small, personal umbrellas.

• Folding lawn chairs. Only soft-sided folding camp chairs no larger than 32” deep, 25” wide and 34” high will be permitted. In order to accommodate security checkpoints in a timely manner, the chair carry bag must be removed and left in your vehicle.

Please note that all guests and personal belongings must go through a metal detector as they enter PNC Bank Arts Center.

• Signs, banners, and flags larger than 8.5 X 11 in are not permitted. This size is a standard sheet of paper. PNC Bank Arts Center does not permit banners or signs that are larger than this due to the potential to block other guests' view of the performance. All signs must be appropriate in nature and not be a distraction to the graduates.

• Bags larger than 12” x 6” x 12”

• Lawn chairs that do not meet the specifications listed above

• Balloons

• Weapons of any kind - knives, guns, mace, pepper gas or any other item deemed a potential weapon.

• Alcohol

• Illegal drugs/substances

• Glass, metal, cans (regardless of contents)

• Hard/soft coolers

• Average sized bags/backpacks

• Pop-up tents or tents of any kind

• Large umbrellas or awnings (only small, personal sized umbrellas are permitted)

• Laser pointers

• Balloons

• Animals (except ADA approved service animals)

• Fireworks or other incendiary devices

• iPads/tablets

• Selfie sticks

• Spiked rings or collars

• Go Pros

• Strollers are NOT permitted on the lawn; they will be ticketed and held next to the seating areas until after the ceremony.

• Any other item that may pose a threat to other guests and staff.

Please note that all guests and personal belongings must go through a metal detector as they enter PNC Bank Arts Center.

Service animals are permitted inside the venue during events. Only registered working animals are permitted.

Like many venues and other large places of assembly, PNC Bank Arts Center has a “no pets” policy. However, PNC Bank Arts Center/Live Nation’s policy explicitly permits guests with disabilities to use dogs as service animals. PNC Bank Arts Center's policy, consistent with ADA’s revised guidelines, defines “service animal” as limited to a dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability. The task(s) performed by the dog must be directly related to the individual’s disability.

PNC Bank Arts Center requires, consistent with the ADA, that service animals must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered, unless these devices interfere with the service animal’s work or the individual’s disability prevents him or her from using these devices. Individuals who cannot use such devices must maintain control of the animal through voice, signal, or other effective methods.

Stevens strives to host inclusive, accessible Commencement ceremonies that enable all individuals, including individuals with disabilities, to engage fully in the experience. For inquiries about accessibility at Commencement, please email [email protected] no later than Monday, May 5, 2025.

All guests who require a wheel-in accommodation (who must remain in a wheelchair) must contact [email protected] as soon as possible so we can provide you with additional details. Wheelchairs will not be provided by Stevens or by PNC Bank Arts Center. If you have a guest who has difficulty walking at least 50 yards without assistance, we highly recommend renting a wheelchair for the day. Local Rental options include Home Pro Medical and Scootaround. Wheelchairs will be checked by the venue staff. The ushers at the PNC Bank Arts Center will escort your guest(s) to the designated area. The venue only permits one additional guest to accompany this guest.

Accessibility accommodations already in place include:

• A wheelchair ramp is available to access all stages for event participants.

• Accessible parking is available in front of the venue. Accessible Parking is located in the North and Southparking lots in front of the Premier Parking lot. Let the parking staff know that you need accessible parking, and they will direct you to this lot. A blue accessible placard or license plate is required for access to the accessible parking.

• Accessible entrances and seating are offered at the venue.

• All venue bathrooms, concession stands, and merchandise stands are accessible.

Yes, baby strollers are permitted inside the venue, but strollers will be held by PNC Bank Arts Center staff immediately outside of the seating area during the ceremonies; babies will need to be positioned on an adult’s lap during the ceremonies.

Graduates and guests may drive to the PNC Bank Arts Center, use a ride-share service, or take an NJ Transit train (which requires a cab/car service between the train station and the venue). Please see the details about parking and public transportation in the PNC Bank Arts Center – Venue Information section. 

Take NJ Transit to Aberdeen/Matawan station, and then call a cab or car service to take you from the train station to PNC Bank Arts Center (distance is about 4 miles). More info on NJ Transit available here: https://www.njtransit.com/

No. Unfortunately, we do not offer the option to postpone your graduation ceremony to a future Commencement for any circumstances. Once you complete your program, you are only eligible for the ceremony being held that year.

The Office of International Students and Scholars Services (ISSS) at Stevens offers the following information regarding inviting someone to the U.S.: Inviting Someone to Visit You.

Summer and Fall graduates: It is critical that you update your secondary address in order to get all of your Commencement information. If you are within 90 days of your conferral date, you can update your secondary address on Workday. After the 90 day period, you must update you secondary address in MyStevens.

Alumni Email Forwarding (Stevens Student Support Portal) Instructions

Chat with our chatbot in the bottom right corner of any Commencement page. All questions regarding Commencement can be emailed to [email protected].