Commencement Guide for
Family and Friends

Commencement Site

• The university will hold its undergraduate commencement at the Total Mortgage Arena, 600 Main Street, Bridgeport, beginning with an academic procession at 10:15 a.m.
• The indoor arena is fully air-conditioned and can seat up to 8,000 guests. It is wheelchair-accessible and will provide services for guests with disabilities.
• For friends and family who are unable to attend, the ceremony will be livestreamed on Southern’s YouTube Channel.
• All guests are required to have a ticket.
• All guest seating is unreserved.

Parking and Transportation

With another event scheduled at the same time on May 22, 2025 in the venue adjacent to Total Mortgage Arena, we strongly encourage all guests to arrive early for Commencement—ideally before 8:30 a.m.

Southern has secured use of the Housatonic College Parking Garage, a short walk from the arena. This garage is easily accessible from the Merritt Parkway and Route 8, helping to avoid the traffic bottlenecks that often occur when exiting I-95. For those driving, this is the fastest and most efficient parking option, especially since multiple events will be releasing at the same time, and delays are expected when leaving the area.

You might also consider carpooling or taking Metro-North to the Bridgeport Transportation Center, located just two blocks from the arena. This is the quickest and most convenient option for avoiding traffic altogether. Train schedules can be found on Metro-North's website.

Arrival times from Union Station to Bridgeport: 8:12 AM, 8:20 AM, 8:39 AM, 9:12 AM, 9:47 AM, 10:15 AM

Given the anticipated volume in the area, please plan ahead and arrive as early as possible on Commencement day.

Commencement Directions and Parking (PDF)

Arrival

• Expect traffic delays, so plan extra travel time. To alleviate traffic congestion, students and families are encouraged to travel together or carpool. Persons with state-issued handicapped parking permits may park in the handicapped parking areas of the garage or as directed by traffic personnel.
• Audience seating in the arena and the graduate procession assembly area opens at 8:15 a.m.
• Ticketed guests will enter the arena through the front entrance. Seating is unreserved, and all attendees must present a valid guest ticket to obtain entry.
• All rules and security regulations of the arena apply to all participants in the commencement ceremony. Please note that oversized bags, helium balloons, and alcoholic beverages are not permitted in the arena. All candidates and guests will be stopped at the doors for a security check.
• Please note that there will be no specific health and safety protocols in place at the event. The wearing of masks is optional. Vaccinations and booster shots are strongly encouraged.

Services for Persons with Disabilities and Emergency Services

• The arena is wheelchair-accessible and will provide services for guests with disabilities. These services, available on a first-come, first-served basis, include handicapped parking, wheelchair locations with companion seating, sign language interpreting, and programs in large-print and alternative formats.
• First-aid medical assistance is staffed by EMT professionals. The first-aid station is located on the first floor of the arena below sections 107 and 108.

Attending the Ceremony

• Please silence your cell phone during the ceremony.
• You will not be allowed to take photographs near the stage or in the graduate seating area. The university has arranged for a professional photographer to take photographs of your graduate receiving his or her diploma jacket on stage. The photographer, GradImages, will contact students before the ceremony about these photographs.
• For your own safety, and the safety of people sitting near you, do not stand on chairs during the ceremony. Out of respect for the graduates, you are asked to remain seated until everyone has received his or her degree and marched out of the arena at the end of the ceremony. Students who have chosen to participate in the ceremony will not be allowed to leave early. Out of respect for all of the graduates, please plan to stay for the entire ceremony.

Memorabilia, Gifts, and Family Photographs

Student organizations, the university bookstore, and the SCSU Alumni Association will be on site offering students and their guests the opportunity to purchase flowers and other merchandise. Please consider supporting their efforts, as proceeds from sales benefit student clubs. After the ceremony there will also be opportunities to take photographs with graduates at SCSU-themed backdrops on the concourse or outside the arena.