Event Policies and Procedures

All guests (with the exception of children under one year old) need a ticket to attend the Weitzman Graduation Ceremony in Irvine Auditorium. Guests do not need a ticket to attend the University Commencement Ceremony on Franklin Field. Graduates do not need a ticket for themselves at either ceremony.

Only the graduating student can request guest tickets through their Penn email address; guests may not request tickets for themselves. Eligible graduates will be sent ticket information in early spring.

Family and friends who do not have a ticket but will be on campus may watch the broadcast of the ceremony that will be live-streamed in the overflow room. Seating in the overflow room is available on a first-come, first-served basis; there are no tickets for overflow seating.

Graduates who need an invitation letter for international guests can download a template from ISSS and request an enrollment verification letter from Weitzman Student Services by contacting des-studentservices@design.upenn.edu. 

There are separate processes for reserving wheelchair seating at the Weitzman Graduation and University Commencement ceremonies:

• Graduates must request wheelchair seating and other disability accommodations for the Weitzman Graduation Ceremony on behalf of their guests; instructions will be sent to students in the spring semester.
• Instructions for requesting accessible seating at the University Commencement ceremony on Franklin Field are available here.

Guests or graduates attempting to enter with any prohibited item(s) will be asked to dispose of such items prior to entering. Security personnel reserve the right to deny access to any individual who does not comply with the following policies. 

Policies

• Alcohol and smoking are prohibited.  
• Cell phones must be silenced while in the auditorium. Disruptive patrons will be asked to leave.   
• The aisles must remain clear during the event. Standing or having any equipment obstructing the aisles or blocking the fire exits is prohibited.  
• Irvine Auditorium is not responsible for lost or stolen items.

Items prohibited in Meyerson Hall B-1 and Irvine Auditorium:

• All bags and packages (wallets and small clutches are ok).
• Artificial noisemakers and wireless speakers, including airhorns or bullhorns.
• Balloons, signs, posters, banners, or flags.
• Strollers.
• Large golf-style umbrellas (small collapsible umbrellas will be permitted).
• Sticks or poles, including tripods or selfie sticks.
• Glass and plastic bottles, soda cans, and all outside food / beverages (bottled water is ok).
• Alcoholic beverages.
• Coolers or large containers. 
• Firearms, knives, scissors, needles, razor blades, or weapons of any type.
• Multiuse or similar tools, or screwdrivers.
• Toy guns, toy weapons or similar props.
• Fireworks and open flames.
• Pepper spray/mace.
• Laser pointers. 
• Aerosol containers.
• Hazardous, chemical, radiological, or biological materials.
• Sports balls or sporting equipment of any type.
• Animals or pets – except for service animals with the proper identification.
• No face coverings or ski masks. KN95 style masks for health reasons are permitted. 

Tips

• The auditorium climate control can result in varying temperatures; consider bringing a jacket or sweater to the ceremony.

There will be a professional photographer at the Weitzman Graduation Ceremony and the pre-ceremony reception. Each graduate will be photographed. Photos will be available for viewing and downloading on the Weitzman Flickr at the end of May. Graduates will be notified via email when they are available.