2024 Undergraduate Commencement

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. 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 directions to ADA seating 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.

Disabled-parking spaces: Only vehicles with state-issued disabled parking plates or permits are allowed in these areas. For more information, visit Mariners.com/Parking. 

Captioning and 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 and wrapped packages

All guests entering the arena will be subject to a security check at the main entrances. Balloons, beach balls, other 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 32 oz, 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. Again, only clear bags can be brought into T-Mobile Park. 

Getting to T-Mobile Park

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, 2024
• Register for Commencement events through Banner by May 28, 2024
• Order your regalia
• Pick up your regalia at Grad Fest Friday, April 12, 2024, 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.

Ordering regalia

You must order your regalia (cap, gown, stole, and tassel) by midnight on Sunday, March 3. See the cap and gown section below for more information.

Picking up regalia

If your regalia order is placed by March 3, your regalia will be ready to pick up at Grad Fest on Friday, April 12. If you do not purchase your regalia by March 3, you will be able to purchase it at Grad Fest or through the Jostens website for ship to home. 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 falconcards@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. All undergraduate regalia packages include the SPU stole. 

Ordering

Deadline for ordering regalia from Josten's is midnight on Sunday, March 3. If your order is placed by March 3, your regalia will be ready to pick up at Grad Fest on Friday, April 12. If you do not purchase your regalia by March 3, some items may be available to purchase at Grad Fest or the SPU Bookstore, or by ordering from Jostens and shipping to your home.

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

Honor cords

If you have earned academic honors, you may pick up your honor cords at Grad Fest on April 12, or thereafter in the Bookstore. The Bookstore will have a list of those who qualify for academic honors. Honor cords are paid for by the University in recognition of students’ achievements. 

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, class rings, and affinity stoles

You can order announcements, diploma frames, and class rings, and affinity stoles through the Josten's website. A limited number of affinity stoles and diploma frames will also be available at Grad Fest and 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 Porterfield 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.

2024 schedule of events

Ivy Cutting

Friday, June 7, 10–11 a.m. (PT), Tiffany Loop

Undergraduate Commencement ceremony

Saturday, June 8, 10:30 a.m.–1 p.m. (PT), T-Mobile Park

We are honored to have as our Undergraduate Commencement speaker Esau McCaulley, PhD, associate professor of New Testament at Wheaton College and author of How Far to the Promised Land.