Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony

T-Mobile Park security

T-Mobile Park has implemented a clear bag policy for all events.

• Clear plastic or vinyl bags no larger than 12" x 6" x 12" are permitted. One gallon clear plastic zip-top bags are also allowed.
• Security must be able to see inside and identify items to the bottom of the bag. Items may not be used to obscure the view of bag contents, including but not limited to non-clear bags, pouches, etc. Bags with interior contents obscured from view are not allowed.
• Small clutch bags no larger than 4.5" x 6.5" are permitted. (Bags do not have to be clear plastic or vinyl.)
• Backpacks, multi-compartment bags, duffle bags and purses larger than 4.5"x6.5" are not permitted. Exceptions will be made for medically necessary items or single compartment diaper bags (child must be present).

Guest arrival

The main guest entrance is the "Home Plate Gate" on First Avenue S.

Student arrival

Students must present their SPU ID to enter T-Mobile Park. Student entry is through the Right Field Gate across from the parking garage on Edgar Martinez Drive S. Students should arrive by 9 a.m.

Photography

Grad Images is the official photography company for Commencement. They will take a photograph of each graduate receiving a faux diploma, and graduates will receive a proof in the mail shortly after the ceremony. SPU will be covering the cost of one ordered print. You can contact the company at 1-800-628-4509, or by visiting gradimages.com. No other photographers are allowed on the arena floor or in any aisle in the stands.

ADA seating

For guests using a wheelchair or walker, ADA seating (with one companion seat) is available. Graduates must make requests for accessible guest seating by contacting graduationinfo@spu.edu.

Please ask a staff member for direction upon arrival at Commencement.

ADA drop-off

Guest Parking is available in the Mariners Parking Garage and at numerous surrounding locations near the ballpark. The Mariners Parking Garage can accommodate vehicles with a height of 7' or less.

Parking spaces: Only vehicles with state-issued disabled parking plates or permits are allowed in these areas. To pre-purchase disabled parking, please call (206) 346-4001. For more information, visit Mariners.com/Parking. 

Captioning & hearing devices

Assisted listening devices that transmit ballpark audio are available for Guests with hearing or visual impairments for complimentary use during games. Please stop by the Main Guest Service Center at Section 128 to pick up the devices or for more information.

Balloons & wrapped packages

All guests entering the arena will be subject to a security check at the main entrances. Balloons, beach balls, inflatable items, and wrapped packages are not allowed inside the arena. There will be a place to tie balloons outside, but we cannot guarantee they will be there when the ceremony is finished. 

Concessions

Outside food is permitted in single-serving sizes. Sealed, clear plastic water bottles up to 32oz, baby bottles, beverages related to medical needs, and unopened, soft-sided single serve containers like juice boxes are permitted. Soda, coffee or other beverages are not allowed. Guests may also bring in one empty plastic reusable bottle 32 ounces or smaller. These items will be subject to a security check. Only clear bags can be brought into T-Mobile Park. 

Bookstore

There will be an SPU Bookstore table, available inside the student entrance, with any remaining regalia (caps, gowns, and tassels) available for purchase.

Getting there

Please refer to the directions and parking page for more information.

Before you graduate

There are important steps you must take before you graduate (further instructions provided below):

• Apply to graduate in Banner by February 1, 2023
• Register for Commencement events through Banner by May 30, 2023
• Order your regalia
• Pick up your regalia at Grad Fest Friday, April 21, 2023, in Gwinn Commons. 
• Close out your Falcon Card account

Registration

You must register online for Commencement. If you have applied to graduate in Banner, instructions for Commencement registration will be sent to your SPU email address.

Tickets

T-Mobile Park has adequate capacity that ticketing is not required for 2023 Commencement. We are asking each grad to limit their guests to 10 or less people.

You will receive up to four electronic Ivy Cutting rain plan tickets, in case we need to move Ivy Cutting indoors. Please note that, due to venue size restrictions, it is still first-come, first-served for guest entrance, until capacity is reached. If we need to move to a rain plan, graduating students will not need a ticket for themselves.

If you have any issues or questions associated with registration or tickets for Commencement, please contact the Office of the Registrar at 206-281-2031 or registrar@spu.edu.

Ordering regalia

You must order your regalia (cap, gown, stole, and tassel) by Friday, March 10. See the cap and gown section below for more information.

Picking up regalia

If your regalia order is placed by March 10, your regalia will be ready to pick up at Grad Fest on Friday, April 21. If you do not purchase your regalia by March 10, you will be able to purchase it at Grad Fest or the Bookstore. See the cap and gown section below for more information.

Closing out your Falcon Card account

You must have a $0.00 Falcon Fund balance on your Falcon Card Account when you graduate. There are a few ways to achieve this. If you have Falcon Funds, you can start by spending down your balance on campus. All retail locations on campus take split payments to help you spend even your last pennies in Falcon Funds. If you cannot spend down your balance, you will need to complete the Falcon Fund Refund Request Form online. This form allows you to request a refund of your remaining balance or gift your remaining balance to SPU. A paper copy of the form will also be available for you to complete at Grad Fest, and Campus Card Services will reach out with a link to the form the week before Commencement - so keep your eye on your SPU email address. Contact campuscards@spu.edu with any questions.

Caps, gowns, and stoles

Regalia (caps, gowns, stoles, and tassels) is required for participation in the Ivy Cutting and Undergraduate Commencement Ceremonies. All caps and gowns are black, and tassel colors depend upon your degree.

Ordering

Deadline for ordering regalia from Josten's is Friday, March 10. If your order is placed by March 10, your regalia will be ready to pick up at Grad Fest on Friday, April 21. If you do not purchase your regalia by March 10, you will be able to purchase it at Grad Fest or the SPU Bookstore at a higher price point.

If you would like to order a tassel only, without cap and gown (i.e. you are borrowing a black cap and gown from a friend), they will be available for individual purchase at Grad Fest on April 21, and thereafter at the Bookstore.

On the day of Commencement, there will be a table at T-Mobile Park, run by the Bookstore, with any remaining regalia available for purchase on a first-come, first-served basis.

If you have any issues or questions associated with ordering regalia, please contact the Bookstore at 206-281-2137 or bookstore@spu.edu. 

Honor cords

If you have earned academic honors, you may purchase honor cords. Please note you will not order the cords in advance when you order your regalia online. Instead, they can be purchased separately through the SPU Bookstore either at Grad Fest on April 21, or thereafter, in the Bookstore. The Bookstore will have a list of those who qualify for academic honors.

Honors fall into three categories:

            Cum Laude                           GPA: 3.5 – 3.74                    White Cord

            Magna Cum Laude               GPA: 3:75 – 3.89                  Silver Cord

            Summa Cum Laude              GPA: 3.9 – 4.0                      Gold Cord

Announcements, diploma frames, and class rings

You can order announcements, diploma frames, and class rings through the Josten's website. Affinity stoles and diploma frames are also available in the SPU Bookstore.

Wearing your regalia

For Ivy Cutting and the Undergraduate Commencement ceremonies, you will wear your tassel on your cap (also known as a mortar board) on the right side. At the Commencement ceremony, once all degrees are conferred, President Menjares will instruct all undergraduates to move their tassels from the right to the left side.

Remember to wear comfortable footwear, as you will be on your feet quite a bit.

2023 schedule of events

Ivy Cutting

Friday, June 9, 10–11 a.m. (PT), Tiffany Loop

Undergraduate Commencement ceremony

Saturday, June 10, 10:30 a.m.–1 p.m. (PT), T-Mobile Park

Directions to T-Mobile Park

1250 1st Ave S, Seattle, WA 98134

FROM SPU

• Depart and head toward 5th Ave W
• Turn left onto 5th Ave W
• Turn left onto W Dravus St
• Turn right onto 3rd Ave W
• Turn left onto W McGraw St
• Turn left onto 2nd Ave W
• Keep straight to get onto W McGraw Pl
• Continue on W Smith St
• Road name changes to Smith St
• Bear right onto Queen Anne Dr
• Keep left to get onto Raye St
• Keep right to stay on Raye St
• Turn right onto WA-99 / Aurora Ave N
• Take the ramp on the left for WA-519 / S Royal Brougham Way
• Turn left onto WA-519 / S Royal Brougham Way
• Turn right onto 1st Ave S
• Arrive at 1st Ave S
• Arrive at T-Mobile Park

*Check traffic and current construction around T-Mobile Park before planning your trip! 

Parking at T-Mobile Park

Parking is available in the Mariners Parking Garage across the street from the ballpark on Edgar Martinez Way, and at numerous surrounding locations near the ballpark. SPU has bought out the entire Mariners Parking Garage for families and guests, and there is no charge for parking in the Mariners Parking Garage. For more information on parking and transportation options, including public transit, visit mariners.com/transportation or call 206-346-4000.  

We are honored to have Schools for Africa Director Phyllis Sortor join us as our Undergraduate Commencement speaker. Read more.