Arrival & Ceremony Instructions
All graduating students and guests are asked to review this page in full to know what's expected. Please allow plenty of time to park, arrive, and get situated.
As a reminder, all participants and attendees in the audience are asked to remain seated for the entire duration of the ceremony (leaving early causes disruptions and shows extreme disrespect). Commencement ends after all names have been read, a brief celebration video plays, and the platform party exits the stage (ushers will guide graduates when it's time to leave the commencement floor).
Where is commencement being held? What time should we arrive?
It will take place inside the Amica Mutual Pavilion (AMP), located at 1 LaSalle Square, Providence, Rhode Island 02903. Refer to the venue’s website for their arena policies. Bathroom facilities are available only after passing through security and entering the concourse. Concession stands will be open to guests as well.
Graduate Commencement:
- Grads and guests should arrive at 9am, which is when doors open
- Grads enter the arena via the back entrance (use the left-front service road adjacent to the hotel & Starbucks)
- Guests enter via the main front entrance
- The ceremony starts promptly at 10am
Undergraduate Commencement:
- Grads and guests should arrive at 1pm, which is when doors open
- Grads enter the arena via the back entrance (use the left-front service road adjacent to the hotel & Starbucks)
- Guests enter via the main front entrance
- The ceremony starts promptly at 2pm
Please review the commencement program to see the order of exercises for your ceremony.
Where can we park for commencement?
You may make your own parking plans, but please consider one of the following options. As needed, patrons with physical limitations may be dropped off at the arena's main entrance where ramps are located.
Option 1: Reserve & Prepay Parking for the: Morning Ceremony or Afternoon Ceremony
- Today, get a guaranteed parking spot at a discounted rate, and park 3 hours before commencement starts and stay 2 hours after commencement ends.
- Primary parking is available in two garages adjacent to the AMP and the Rhode Island Convention Center (RICC).
- The parking facility is easily accessible from all major highways and is conveniently connected to the RICC, the Arena, the Omni Hotel and the Providence Place Mall.
Option 2: Use Complimentary JWU Parking
- JWU’s Parking Garage located at 185 Pine Street will be open and free of charge to JWU students and families from 8am to 6pm.
- Wildcat Wheels bus shuttles will provide transportation between the garage and the AMP; however, due to safety restraint requirements, we are unable to transport any infant/child that is under the age of 8 years old or less than 80lbs.
- Alternatively, it is a short walk between the garage and the AMP (approximately 10 minutes).
Where should grads enter the AMP?
Please follow the service road on the LEFT side of the arena (near the hotel and Starbucks). Follow that road to the BACK of the arena and pass through the security check.
If you do not have your name card, pick it up at the welcome table. Otherwise, FOLLOW SIGNS to line up with classmates in your college/program (it's listed on your name card). There is NO ALPHABETICAL LINEUP, so you can assemble with your friends and sit together.
We'll guide you from there, so please LISTEN to the ushers. If needed, use a restroom now, because you CANNOT use one during the ceremony.
Where should guests enter the AMP?
Please use the main FRONT entrance. After passing through the security check, guests may sit anywhere (seats are not assigned). Guests in wheelchairs may be brought to sections 101, 106, 110, 120, or 124 (the arena does not supply wheelchairs).
What things are not allowed inside the AMP?
There are security checkpoints at all entrances. Baggage (such as bags, briefcases, backpacks, luggage), drugs, weapons of any kind, noisemakers, laser pointers, balloons, and outside food/beverages are strictly prohibited.
How and when do grads cross the stage?
When it’s time, USHERS will guide grads row-by-row to the stage. PAY ATTENTION to those in front of you, and keep the line moving.Before walking up the steps to the stage, you will receive a DIPLOMA COVER (yours to keep). Steps are steep, so be careful.
At the top of the stage, hand your NAME CARD to the announcer who will use it to read your name out loud to the arena. WALK to center stage, greet the dean, exit the stage, and return to your seat.
Will grads be photographed during commencement? Can I take photos on campus?
Yes, professional photographers will take a series of quick photos as grads approach and leave the stage. Photos will be available online at gradimages.com 1-2 weeks after the ceremony.
All graduating students, families, and friends are welcome to stop by campus to take photos at popular spots like Gaebe Commons or the Harborside Wildcat Statue.