Commencement 2023: Know Before You Go

Graduates: Mandatory Commencement Rehearsal

Parking and Entry

• Commencement attendees may park anywhere on campus (no fees or permits apply), except the first floor of the Ed Robson Arena parking garage on East Dale St., which is reserved for guests with limited mobility who require parking close to the venue.
• Accessible parking is also available on all levels of the Robson Arena parking garage and in other parking lots on campus. 
• Golf carts will be available from other parking areas across campus to transport guests to Ed Robson Arena.
• Access the parking map here.
• Guests may enter Ed Robson Arena using the entrances on E. Cache La Poudre St. (main entrance) or N. Tejon St., or via the first floor of the arena parking garage.
  
  

Road Closures

• On Sunday, May 28, the following roads will be closed for Commencement activities:
  • E. Cache La Poudre St. from N. Nevada Ave. to N. Cascade Ave.
  • N. Tejon St. from E. Dale St. to E. Cache La Poudre St.
    
    
• Please note that when roads reopen at 1 p.m., parking meters will begin running.
  
  

Important: Ticket Reminders

• Graduates must transfer Baccalaureate and Commencement tickets to their guests via CC Ticketmaster. Guests must create an account at www.am.ticketmaster.com/coloradocollege in order to claim transferred tickets (detailed instructions available here). 
• All tickets are electronic and must be scanned from a mobile device. For guests to access mobile tickets, they must log into their account on CC Ticketmaster (www.am.ticketmaster.com/coloradocollege). Guests must have their ticket bar codes pulled up on their phones in order to enter Shove Chapel for Baccalaureate and Ed Robson Arena for Commencement. 
• Do not use the main Ticketmaster mobile phone app (CC Ticketmaster is a separate system). We recommend that guests add their tickets to Apple Wallet or Google Pay for a smooth process at entry.
• Ticket Troubleshooting: A ticket troubleshooting station will be available at the box office of Ed Robson Arena located within the main entrance at the corner of E. Cache La Poudre St. and Tejon St. 

Inside the Arena

• Ushers will help guests find their reserved seats.
• Concessions (water, coffee, tea) will be available for purchase in the arena from 7:30-10:30 a.m. Guests will also have the option to purchase flowers for graduates.
• Sign language interpreters will be visible from the center-hung video scoreboard in Ed Robson Arena. Guests may also view captions on their mobile devices by pulling up the livestream at www.coloradocollege.edu/live.
• Assisted listening devices and a limited number of wheelchairs will be available at the Guest Services desk.
• American Medical Response will be located at Guest Services in the arena.
• The Commencement ceremony is expected to last approximately three hours.
  Immediately afterward, join President L. Song Richardson on Tava Quad to celebrate with fellow graduates, friends, and families at the President's Reception.

  
  

Ed Robson Arena Policies

• No re-entry.
• No smoking: Colorado College is a smoke-free campus. Smoking is not permitted on campus or in any campus buildings.
  
• The college forbids weapons of any kind to be brought onto campus, including but not limited to firearms, ammunition, pellet guns, air guns, paintball guns, stun guns, tasers, smoke devices, bows/arrows, swords, large knives, explosives, and fireworks.
• Clear bag policy: For the enjoyment of all guests, Ed Robson Arena has a clear bag policy that will be enforced during Commencement weekend. Only clear bags and small clutch-sized purses will be allowed at entry. For more details on this policy, click here. Clear bags can be purchased at the Tiger Store just south of the arena.
• Graduates may bring only their cell phones to Commencement. Every graduate will be required to have gowns unzipped prior to entering into the arena.
  
• Prohibited items: Artificial noisemakers; professional audio/video recording equipment; cameras with lenses larger than 4" or with detachable lenses; beach balls; drones and GoPros; all smoking devices/items; fireworks or any explosives; folding chairs; outside food and beverage; helium balloons; laser pointers; pets (except for documented service animals); promotional items with commercial identification not approved by CC Athletics; selfie sticks; use of umbrellas; weapons of any description; other items that, in judgement of arena staff, pose a hazard or diminish the enjoyment of an event by other patrons shall be prohibited.
• Freedom of Expression: At Colorado College, we understand that freedom of thought and expression are essential to any institution of higher learning and are vital components of academic freedom. Please see this message from Pedro de Araujo, Dean of the College, regarding CC's Freedom of Expression policy and how it applies to graduates and guests during Commencement.
  
  

Livestream

• Remember, for those unable to attend Baccalaureate and/or Commencement, both ceremonies will be streamed live online at www.coloradocollege.edu/live. Recordings of both events will also be available to watch later on the Baccalaureate and Commencement homepages.