Frequently Asked Questions for Guests

• Where should I park?

  Parking around the Ritchie Center will be open and available to graduates and their guests.  Parking for commencement is complimentary. 

• How and when do I obtain a ticket?

  Tickets are required for all guests. 

  Upong registering to participate in the Summer Commencement Ceremony, each graduate will automatically be allocated 10 tickets to distribute to guests.  All tickets will be distributed directly to graduates.

  The week of August 19, graduates will receive an email with 10 mobile tickets.  Graduates will then transfer those mobile tickets to their guests via the Ritchie Center’s My Account portal.  Ticket recipients will receive an email notifying them that their graduate has initiated a ticket transfer.  The ticket recipient will then log into the Ritchie Center’s My Account portal to accept those tickets. 

  Anyone having difficulty transferring or accepting tickets is welcome to contact the Ritchie Center for assistance at rcboxoffice@du.edu or (303) 871-4625.  We will absolutely ensure that graduates are able to get their tickets to their loved ones. 

  We encourage graduates who need additional tickets to coordinate with other graduates who will not use their full allotment. 

• Are tickets required for babies or toddlers?

  Guests aged two years and older require a ticket. 

• What are the accommodations for guests who need mobility assistance?

  The drop-off entrance for guests with mobility needs is on the north side of the Ritchie Center, off of Buchtel Blvd.  Guests with mobility needs can then take the elevator up to the main floor of the Ritchie Center.  The ADA sections in Magness Arena for guests are Sections 4, 8, 14, and 18.  For additional disability-related accommodation requests for guests, please contact Office of the ADA Coordinator at 303-871-3941 or ADA.Coordinator@du.edu. 

• What are the accommodations for guests who are deaf and hard of hearing?

  All ceremonies are live captioned.  Additionally, interpreters will be available at Section 18.

• What time will doors open for guests?

  Doors will open at 9:00 a.m. 

• Are there any security protocols of which I should be aware?

  Guests will pass through metal detectors at entry.  Guests will not need to empty their pockets, or to remove jackets or hats. 

  To maximize security efficiency and safety, permitted bags include: (A) clear bags not larger than 12"x 6"x 12", or (B) small clutches, wristlets and wallets not larger than 4.5"x 6.5". 

  Guests entering with a medical or child-care bag will be an exception to the policy and permitted after proper inspection.

  Please limit belongings to only items needed during the ceremony.  All bags are subject to search.

  Items prohibited at the Ritchie Center include:

  • Animals (service animals permitted)
  • Artificial noisemakers: air horns, cow bells, whistles, vuvuzelas, etc.
  • Balloons, balls, confetti, frisbees, and other projectiles
  • Candles or open flames
  • Derogatory/defamatory clothing or signage
  • Firearms, weapons, and dangerous devices
  • Flags
  • Flash photography, video cameras, recording devices, cameras with detachable lenses
  • Fireworks
  • Hard-shell coolers, containers, thermoses (to include hydroflasks and metal water bottles)
  • Illegal drugs or alcohol
  • Inflatable objects: beach balls, latex ballons, “clappers”, etc.
  • Laser pointers or other disturbing items
  • Outside food and beverages, including empty or full plastic bottles, glass bottles, and cans
  • Posters, signs, oversized signs, or banners, to include any signage with a stick or pole attached
  • Other items deemed prohibited by Ritchie Center and Event Staff
• Is guest seating in Magness Arena assigned or can I sit wherever I want?

  All guest seating is General Admission.  There is no assigned seating. 

• How long will the commencement ceremony last?

  The Ceremony will last approximately 2 hours.  A University Reception, with light food and beverages, will be held outside of the Ritchie Center following the Ceremony.

• We are going out for a celebratory lunch after the Ceremony. What time should we make lunch reservations?

  We recommend a lunch reservation at 1:00 p.m. 

  After the Ceremony ends graduates and their guests can have time to take photos, enjoy the University Reception, and then travel away from campus for lunch.  There will be a great deal of pedestrian and vehicular traffic around the Ritchie Center, so please give yourself enough time. 

• Can I bring food or drink with me?

  Water will be available on the Ritchie Center concourse, but no food or drinks are permitted inside of Magness Arena. 

• How can my graduate order a class ring, graduation announcements, a diploma frame, etc.?

  Please visit the DU Bookstore here.

• Will the Ceremony be live streamed for loved ones who cannot attend in person?

  Yes, the Ceremony will be live-streamed from the DU website with captioning available. 

• Is there anything else I should know?

  We are so proud of our graduates and delight in their accomplishments.  We hope that graduates and their guests have a wonderful time celebrating together on campus.  Please contact us if you have other concerns or questions, or if we may be of further assistance.  Congratulations to the Class of 2024!