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For Guests Planning Your Visit

Day-of Instructions for Guests

  • Doors will open one hour prior to the start of the ceremony. No entry will be permitted during the processional beginning approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony. Guests should arrive early to ensure entry to the Bender Arena to view the processional.
  • Tickets are required for entry to the Commencement ceremony. All guests (except children below the age of 3) require a ticket to enter the arena. Graduates can access up to six electronic tickets for their guests. Tickets can be printed or presented on the phone for scanning at the entrance to Bender Arena. Tickets may not be sold or duplicated. Each ticket has a unique QR code and can only be used once. There will be no re-entry to Bender Arena permitted for guests.
  • Guests should have their tickets ready to show during line-up outside Bender Arena.
  • No guests are permitted in the graduate line-up assembly areas.
  • We encourage guests without a ticket to view the ceremony online via our live-stream on the commencement website.
  • All bags are subject to search upon entry to Bender Arena.
  • Objects that impede visibility, signs, banners, airhorns, and noisemakers are prohibited.
  • Because of traffic congestion and limited parking, please consider alternative ways to get to campus including the AU Shuttle, Metrorail & Metrobus, taxi, or ride-sharing service. If you plan to drive to campus, please refer to the Parking Instructions for information regarding parking passes and disability parking accommodations. 
  • No alcoholic beverages or smoking are permitted at the commencement ceremonies. This policy will be strictly enforced.
  • Use the commencement hashtag #2025AUgrad for the Spring 2025 ceremonies on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Your posts will appear on the screens inside Bender Arena before the ceremony.
  • A seating section, located next to the ground-level entrance to Bender Arena, will be available for senior citizens and persons with physical disabilities and their families. Reservations are not required. Seating will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Sign language interpreters and closed captioning will be provided. See additional information on disability support services.
  • To create a more sustainable commencement, ushers will only distribute one printed program per family. Graduates will have a program placed at their seat. Graduates may request additional programs following the ceremony by emailing commencement@american.edu.
  • Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
  • Each graduate’s name will be announced during the ceremony. The university requests that guests respectfully honor this momentous occasion in a way that enables family and friends to hear each graduate’s name as it is announced. Please refrain from the use of air horns or any other type of noisemaker during the ceremony.
  • The ceremonies will be live-streamed at american.edu/commencement. The live-stream will begin approximately 45 minutes prior to the start of each ceremony. 
  • Any graduate or guest exhibiting disruptive behavior during line-up or the ceremony, as determined by university commencement staff or AU Police, is subject to removal.
  • To ensure the comfort of our guests and in accordance with local fire safety laws, aisles must be kept clear at all times. Guests are asked to cooperate with ushers and public safety officers and to keep designated areas clear.
  • After members of the faculty have left the arena, ushers will direct graduates from the arena. Guests should remain seated. If the weather is bad, there will be no graduate recessional.
  • It is recommended that you determine in advance where you will meet your party immediately following the ceremony.
  • You can view the archived video online at american.edu/commencement. A link will be available on the website after the ceremony.

This page will continue to be updated as additional Commencement details become available.

Selected
Accessibility
Ticket Information
Transportation & Parking
Hotels & Lodging
Gifts for your Graduate

Accessibility at Commencement

AU is committed to providing universal access to all events. If you have questions about accommodations, contact commencement@american.edu. Advance notice is not necessary to arrange for accessibility needs.

Parking

Guests with valid state-issued handicapped permits or plates requiring accessible parking will be permitted to park in the Sports Center Garage. Drivers may also drop off guests with limited mobility at an accessible entrance before proceeding to their designated parking garage. See the campus map.

Closed Captioning

All ceremonies will have large screens with closed-captioning. An area near the front of the arena is available for those who need American sign language interpretation. An array of speakers for sound amplification will be available throughout graduate and guest seating.

Seating

An ADA seating section, located next to the ground-level entrance to Bender Arena, will be available for senior citizens and persons with physical disabilities and their families. Guests should check in with an usher when they arrive for access to ADA seating.   

Visual Aids 

Bender Arena has an in-room sound amplification system for events. American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters and real-time captioning services will also be available.

Service and Emotional Support Animals 

Only service animals are allowed in university buildings. Only animals who meet the definition of a service animal have access to university facilities. 

Wheelchairs, Motorized Scooters, and Canes 

No wheelchairs or scooters are available for use at inauguration events. Guests may rent wheelchairs and scooters if they need them for an extended period of time. Due to the individualized nature of mobility devices, guests are asked to make arrangements to secure a mobility device that supports their needs before the event. The university has compiled a list of providers for your convenience: 

Lactation, Nursing, and Changing Areas 

The University has lactation rooms available throughout campus.  

Strollers 

Collapsible strollers are allowed in all campus buildings. They must not block any entrances, exits, aisles, or pathways.  

  • Tickets are required for guest admittance to the Spring Commencement ceremonies.
  • All guests (except children below the age of 3) require a ticket to enter the arena
  • For Spring 2025 Commencement, an allotment of 6 tickets will be distributed to students who have registered to participate by ordering their cap and gown. 
  • Registered students will receive a unqiue link to their AU email to access their electronic tickets in April.
  • Graduates will not need a ticket for themselves. 
  • We are unable to guarantee requests for additional tickets. 

 

Visiting AU for the first time? View the campus map and the visitor information page. 
 

Public Transit

We encourage the use of public transportation. The most convenient station is the Tenleytown-AU Metro station on the red line. Shuttle bus service is provided to and from the Tenleytown-AU Metro station. Use Metro’s trip planner and take travel time into consideration.
 

Parking

We urge guests to take the Metro, walk, or take taxis. If you do drive, one (1) parking pass will be issued to each student registered to participate in Commencement at no charge. Additional passes will not be available. Regular parking permits issued by AU Parking and Commuter Services will not be valid. In accordance with our “Good Neighbor Policy,” parking is prohibited on neighborhood streets.
 

Taxis & Rideshare

Taxis are available throughout the city. Please use 4400 Massachusetts Avenue, Washington, DC 20016 when dropping off for the event.

There are many hotels convenient to American University. We encourage you to make reservations as early as possible.

The university has negotiated discounted rates with local area hotels located conveniently to the campus. Reservations for travel can be booked directly with the hotel via the Campus Travel Management Portal.

Grab a Gift for your Grad!

Flowers

Guests can browse our selection and pre-order beautiful bouquets of roses ahead of time or purchase them same-day at the commencement ceremonies. 

AU Gifts and Memorabilia

Check out the American University Bookstore for AU gifts and memorabilia for your graduate!

International Grads & Guests

Students participating in Commencement or their guests who are not in the U.S. at the time of graduation and do not have a U.S. passport may require documentation in order to secure a visa to attend Commencement. 

All documentation requests must be submitted by the graduate via a written request to the Registrar's Office with the following information:

  1. Name of the graduating student
  2. Major or course of study
  3. Date of ceremony

Submission Options:

Mail:

Degree Clearance Team, Office of the Registrar

American University

4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW

Washington, DC 20016

Fax: 202-885-1016

Email: graduation_services@american.edu (Email submissions must have a PDF attachment of the request which includes the student signature)