No, tickets are not required. There is not a limit on how many guests may attend. Graduates are encouraged to bring as many families and friends as they would like to Commencement.
All graduates and guests will pass through a security screening before entry to the commencement venue. For quicker entry, you are encouraged to not bring bags. The clear bag policy is in effect at all commencement venues. To view a list of prohibited items, visit our Safety Protocols page.
Please be sure to wear clothes beneath your regalia as security will require you to unzip your gown at the metal detectors. If a graduate leaves the venue for any reason after going through security, they will be required to go through security again.
Caps and gowns are required for all graduates. If you have not yet purchased your regalia, you may do so by visiting the Jostens Sooner Shop, located on the first level of the Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium Parking Facility (1185 Asp. Ave., Norman, OK 73069). Visit the following link for the Jostens Sooner Shop Hours. Tribal regalia and military attire are also allowed.
Parking is available in any of the general parking spaces at Lloyd Noble Center.
Graduates may enter through any of the main venue entrances, located on the east, west, and north sides of the building. Please allow adequate time to get through security screening. Upon entry to the arena, graduates should report to the graduate seating areas on the arena floor. Only graduates will be allowed on the arena floor. Diploma covers will be distributed to graduates after the ceremony as you exit Lloyd Noble Center.
Doors open one hour prior to your ceremony. Please allow adequate time to get through security screening.
Guests may enter through any of the main venue entrances, located on the east, west, and north sides of the building.
All ceremonies will be livestreamed. Links to each ceremony are available at ou.edu/commencement.
Ceremonies will be approximately two hours in length.
Services are available to graduates and guests who may require specific accommodations based on accessibility needs.
Yes, graduates must register to attend their commencement ceremony (this is an additional process from their graduation application). All students with a graduation application on file will be added to the Graduate OU Canvas course. Students must register to attend their Commencement ceremony via this course. If you have successfully applied for graduation and find that you are not automatically in the Canvas course after the 4th week of the semester, please email commencement@ou.edu.
Graduates may enter through any of the main venue entrances, located on the east, west, and north sides of the building. Please allow adequate time to get through security screening. Upon entry to the arena, graduates should report to the graduate seating areas on the arena floor. Only graduates will be allowed on the arena floor. Diploma covers will be distributed to graduates after the ceremony as you exit Lloyd Noble Center.
No. There will be no storage available for graduates or guests attending commencement. You will need to carry all items that you bring with you to the ceremony and return any prohibited items to your car.
No. Make sure you take everything you brought with you as graduates will not return to the same seat after they walk.
Yes, you are welcome to wear additional regalia items that represent your identities or affiliations! These items are not coordinated centrally by the University, so we recommend contacting an advisor for the organization you're a part of, or contacting your external association directly (Tribal Nation, National Affiliation, etc.).
Yes! We encourage students to have fun decorating their caps in a tasteful manner.
Graduates will be seated by college. Within each college, graduates will be seated by degree level (doctoral, masters, bachelors). You will not be seated alphabetically or by program area.
Yes, graduates are welcome to attend the ceremony of each college from which they are graduating.
Yes, each graduate will have their name read at their commencement ceremony.
Yes. As an example, if you are finishing coursework in Summer 2025, you are welcome to take part in the Spring 2025 ceremony. You could also choose to attend the Fall 2025 commencement ceremony instead.
Students who will finish in Fall 2024 but want to postpone attendance in their ceremony will need to contact graduateou@ou.edu.
No. For the safety of everyone, only graduates are allowed in the floor seating area. Graduates who need to care for infants may leave the arena floor to do so and then return to your seat.
No. Alcohol is prohibited at all commencement ceremonies. Guests or graduates caught with alcohol may be removed from the ceremony.
No, Academic Records will mail diplomas to you 6 - 8 weeks after the ceremony.
Yes, each student will receive their diploma cover when exiting from the ceremony.
Party Pics is the official photographer of OU Commencement. At your seat, you will fill out a name card with your contact information. This card will be used to announce your name as you walk the stage and match pictures to the appropriate graduate. To complete this card, you will need to scan the QR code with your phone and complete the information on the survey. Party Pics will then reach out to you with information about how to view and purchase your photos.
At the end of the ceremony, the platform will recess followed by the faculty and then the graduates. Stay in your seats until the line leads release you. Graduates will recess one row at a time down the center aisle until all graduates have been released. Families and graduates that wish to meet and mingle outside are asked to do so away from the exit of the building.
For students wishing to invite international guests to graduation ceremonies, you will need to prepare a separate letter for each individual you wish to invite and send the letter directly to them. Please click this link to be directed to the the International Student Services website to find the steps to write letters of invitation to your guests.
Guests may enter through any of the main venue entrances, located on the east, west, and north sides of the building.
Concession stands will be open with limited menu items.
No. Only graduates and credentialed commencement staff may enter the arena floor.
Only service animals will be allowed in the commencement ceremony venues.
At the end of the ceremony, the platform party members will recess followed by the faculty and then the graduates. Once completed, guests will be allowed to leave the building. Families and graduates that wish to meet and mingle outside are asked to do so away from the exit of the building. Guests will not be allowed onto the area floor.
