Graduate FAQ

Yes! The Graduate Commencement ceremony will be livestreamed. The livestream link will be posted on the Commencement homepage as we get closer to the event. After the event, the recording will be viewable on our livestreaming page, but may not be available until a week or so afterward. Note: No other videographers are allowed in any aisle or near the platform. Graduate Hooding ceremonies will not be livestreamed.

There are many hotels in the area, in close proximity to SPU. Additionally, see here for more recommendations on how you can spend your time while visiting Seattle.

You can explore Seattle restaurants by neighborhood and make reservations for your group.

Will there be any campus dining and retail options open on Friday, June 7?

Academic Perks (Student Union Building, behind platform) will be open 7:30 a.m.–12 p.m.

The SPU Bookstore will also be open 8:30 a.m.–6 p.m. on Friday and 8:30 a.m.–4 p.m. on Saturday. 

The rain plan will go into effect if there is a forecast for severe weather, including heavy rain and/or thunder and lightning. Students will receive a notification if the rain plan is put into action.

We recommend pulling into the Ross parking lot, directly behind Subway (off of 3 Ave. W.) to drop off your guests before parking your car.

If you have a guest who uses a wheelchair or walker, or who needs a seat close to the sidewalk, please contact graduationinfo@spu.edu. We can make arrangements for a few companion seats as well.

For guests with impairments, there will be sign interpretation at the Graduate Commencement ceremony. If you have a guest who needs to be seated close to the interpreter, please contact graduationinfo@spu.edu.

There is no official flower vendor, but frequently there is someone selling flowers and leis on the sidewalk near the opening to Tiffany Loop. To be safe, we recommend purchasing flowers in advance, before you come to campus.

There is no place to lock up, secure, or leave personal items and purses during either of the ceremonies. You will need to either leave items with one of your guests or carry them with you.

Grad Images is the official photography company for Commencement. They will take a photograph of each graduate receiving their diploma, and graduates will receive a proof in the mail shortly after the ceremony. You can contact the company at 1-800-628-4509, or by visiting gradimages.com. Note: No other photographers are allowed in any aisle or near the platform.

If you will be a Summer or Fall 2024 graduate, have already applied for graduation, and wish to have your name in the Graduate Commencement program and participate in the Graduate Commencement ceremony, you must register for Summer Session for all needed requirements and have approval of your graduate program coordinator no later than May 1.

Diploma covers, without diplomas, are distributed at Commencement. You will receive your diploma once all requirements are completed, your grades have been posted for your degree, and all financial obligations to the University (e.g., fines) are met. Spring Quarter graduates should receive diplomas by mid-September and summer graduates by mid-December.