Tickets
Tickets are now required for all school ceremonies. Schools will communicate and distribute tickets for their individual ceremonies directly to the graduates. Please see Calendar of Events for school schedules and direct links to school Commencement webpages. Links are highlighted in red.
Bag Policy
Graduates may not bring any bags of any type onto Francis Olympic Field, or into the school ceremonies.
Guests are strongly encouraged not to bring bags. Only the following types of bags will be allowed:
- Clear plastic bags, not to exceed 14”x14”x4”. Clear bags will be available and free of charge in parking locations and at the ceremony entrances, for those who need them.
- Small clutch-type wallets or purses not to exceed 4”x6”. Diaper bags are allowed for those with small children, but will be inspected.
- Medically necessary equipment is permitted after inspection.
Prohibited Items
The following items are prohibited in all university and school ceremonies and events, and are subject to confiscation:
- Air horns and other artificial noisemakers
- Animals, except assistance animals
- Banners or signs larger than 2’x3’ (no poles of any kind will be allowed)
- Food and drink (except water)
- Firearms and weapons
- Laser lights
- Balloons, glitter and confetti
- Unmanned aircraft/drones
The university-wide Commencement ceremony will be held on Monday, May 13, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. (CST).
The university-wide Commencement ceremony will be held on the historic Francis Olympic Field on the Danforth Campus. Gates to the field will open at 7:30 a.m. on Monday, May 13, 2024. No food or beverage, other than water, will be allowed on Francis Olympic Field.
Commencement will begin promptly with the procession at 9:00 a.m. and will conclude around 11:00 a.m. A university-wide festival will take place immediately following the ceremony and will end at 3:00 p.m.
Yes, the university-wide Commencement ceremony will be livestreamed from our main Commencement website on Monday, May 13 at 9:00 a.m.
Yes, water will be available during Commencement and throughout the festival. We will have water-filling stations throughout campus; please bring your own reusable water bottle.
This is the third year for our fun and exciting university-wide festival. Graduates and their guests will have the opportunity to enjoy local food and beverage, entertainment, music, and photo opportunities across campus. The festival will take place immediately following the university-wide Commencement ceremony from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
No, graduates do not cross the stage at the university-wide Commencement ceremony. However, graduates will have the opportunity to have their name called and cross the stage at individual school ceremonies.
You may find the full Commencement schedule here. Schools plan and manage their own ceremonies. Any additional questions should be directed to the school from which you’re graduating.
St. Louis weather can often fluctuate during the month of May. Recent Commencement weekends have had weather extremes, so flexibility and practicality are good planning principles. Dress for the weather and your comfort. Low heels or flats are appropriate for navigating the turf field and walks across campus.
Commencement is a rain or shine event. In the event of rain, ponchos will be available to all graduates and guests. The Commencement ceremony may be shortened.
Jennifer Coolidge, an award-winning actor known for her numerous iconic roles in film and on television, will be the 2024 university-wide Commencement speaker.
Graduates are required to register themselves for the university-wide Commencement. During the registration, we ask graduates to provide us with an estimated number of guests. Nothing additional is required.
Yes, graduation regalia is required to participate in all Commencement events.
Yes, parking will be available in all parking garages located on Danforth Campus. Please review our Visiting Campus in May webpage for more details.
There are several options available for accessible parking. An accessible drop off is located in the lot in front of Simon Hall. Accessible parking is available in the Danforth University Center Garage for those displaying a state-issued accessible placard or license plate. Please review our Accessibility page for more details.
Accessible seating will be available on Francis Olympic Field. When you arrive, there will be accessible seating marked towards the front of the field.
We have a limited amount of wheelchairs available to reserve for the university-wide Commencement ceremony. Please review our Accessibility page for more details.
All student communications are posted to our website here.
Yes, there are a number of ways to honor your graduate’s achievement and celebrate the occasion.
Information about diplomas may be found on the Office of the University Registrar website. Any additional questions or comments should be sent to diplomaservices@wustl.edu along with your student ID number.
If you lose an item during Commencement weekend, please call the Washington University Police Department at (314) 935-5555.
Be sure to check the website frequently for recent communications and updates. If you still cannot find an answer to your question within this FAQ or on the website, please send an email to commencement@wustl.edu. If you are student, please be sure to include your student ID.
Per the Office of International Students and Scholars, invitation letters are no longer required for visa appointments. If you have further questions regarding visa applications for your family, please email oiss@wustl.edu, or you may contact your OISS advisor directly at https://students.wustl.edu/oiss-hours-advising-locations/.