Commencement Guide for
Graduating Students

Register for Commencement

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.
• Audience seating in the arena and the graduate procession assembly area opens at 8:15 a.m.
• All students are asked to arrive at the assembly areas no later than 9:00 a.m.
• Ticketed guests will enter the arena through the front entrance and candidates are asked to move immediately to the assembly areas in the arena parking garage lower level or in the loading dock area at the right rear of the arena. No guests will be allowed into the assembly area.
• 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.
• Flowers will be available for purchase at the arena.
• 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.

Graduate Procession Assembly

• The procession assembly will take place in two areas depending on your school or college: either on the first floor of the parking garage (for Business, Education and HHS graduates) or in the loading dock area at the right rear of the arena (for Arts and Sciences graduates) – see Graduate Assembly Points map (pdf).
• All graduation candidates must have a printed Gradute Card for admittance to the Total Mortgage Arena assembly areas. Candidates will not be allowed into the arena.
• In the assembly area, commencement marshals will direct candidates to their respective schools for line placement. The commencement reader card will enable the school marshals to assist in lining up candidates correctly.
• Please note that personal items such as handbags, cameras, coffee, etc., may not be brought into the assembly area.

Graduate Assembly Points (PDF)

Academic Procession And Ceremony

• You must be in line no later than 9:45 a.m., so that the commencement procession can begin promptly at 10:15 a.m. The ceremony will begin at 10:30 a.m. It will last approximately two and a half hours.
• As you line up for the procession, you will need have your Stage Pass graduate card. The QR code on the graduate card will trigger the automated pronunciation of your name before you walk up across the stage to receive your diploma.
• Degree candidates will line up for the procession by college or school. For your college or school, see the major list below.

Presentation of Diplomas

• You will receive your diploma by school. Your dean will ask you to stand at the appropriate time in the ceremony. You will then be asked to come forward to receive your diploma jacket on stage. Please do not leave any of your belongings at your chair, as you may not end up in the same seat. The university has arranged for a private professional photographer to take photographs of you receiving your diploma jacket and when you descend from the stage. The official photographer for the ceremonies is GradImages. GradImages will contact graduates about their photographs following the ceremony.
• Out of respect for your classmates, you must return to your seat after receiving your diploma jacket and remain there until the president confers your degree at the end of the ceremony. You must not leave the ceremony before it concludes.

Commencement Decorum

• Past classes have established a tradition of dignified behavior befitting an academic event as important as commencement. Our faculty is confident that your class will continue this tradition. We invite you to participate in commencement with the understanding that the faculty will not tolerate disruptive behavior. Remember, more than 7,000 relatives of students and friends of the university attend this ceremony.
• Do not bring alcoholic beverages to commencement.
• For your own safety and the safety of people sitting near you, do not stand on chairs during the ceremony.
• Please silence your cell phone during the ceremony.
• Students who have chosen to participate must plan to stay for the entire ceremony.

Graduation Survey

The Office of Career and Professional Development collects information about the graduating class. The information is confidential and will not be shared externally.

Please take a few minutes to complete the required graduation survey

Commencement Photographs

GradImages^® is proud to support one of the biggest moments in a graduate’s life: walking across the stage and into the next chapter. With over 40 years of experience, we understand the importance of this moment and the desire to preserve these memories for a lifetime. Finding your/your graduate’s photos after the ceremony is easy. Visit GradImages to view and purchase custom photo products like prints, plaques, specialty gifts, and more.

If have any questions or concerns regarding your photos, please contact the GradImages Customer Service Department at (800) 261-2576, online at www.gradimages.com, or email ecc.giservice@gradimages.net. We have a large team of customer care representatives ready to help graduates and family members with anything they may need.