Class of 2023: Important Commencement Information!

Dear UCR Student:

Attending commencement is a big achievement and we understand that you may have a lot of questions about where to go and what to do when you arrive for this momentous occasion. Here’s what you need to know! Please thoroughly read through the important Commencement instructions and information below.

Graduate Parking, Arrival and Check-In:

Graduates should plan to arrive and park at Toyota Arena Lot F 1 hour and 30 minutes prior to your ceremony start time. Graduates must check-in at the Toyota Arena loading dock 1 hour and 15 minutes prior to your ceremony start time.

The Graduate Parking Pass you received with your tickets provides complimentary parking for one vehicle per graduate in Lot F. Your parking pass is only valid for the ceremony you are registered to participate in and will NOT be valid for other ceremony dates and times.

Once parked in Lot F, please cross the street to Gate D to the Toyota Arena loading dock where you will check-in, receive your name card that will be scanned when you cross the stage, and follow Commencement Staff instructions on how you will be lined up. Graduates who are eligible for Latin honors and unofficial honors will receive their honors medal at check-in.

To ensure everyone’s safety, all graduates entering the arena are subject to a metal detector screening by way of walk-thru Magnetometer and/or Wand, visual inspection, and bag inspection conducted by Toyota Arena Security personnel.

Doors Open for Guest Seating:

Doors will open for guest seating 1 hour prior to your ceremony.

To ensure everyone’s safety, all guests entering the arena are subject to a metal detector screening by way of walk-thru Magnetometer and/or Wand, visual inspection, and bag inspection conducted by Toyota Arena Security personnel.

For safety reasons, guests will be refused entry if they are in possession of prohibited items. All entry constitutes consent to search. Illegal items will be confiscated and turned over to the police. If a guest is found inside the venue with a prohibited item, the item will be confiscated, and the guest may be ejected from the facility.

Please visit the Toyota Arena website for the complete list of prohibited items and further details on Arena policies to ensure efficient entry for your guests.

Guest Tickets and Seating:

Tickets are required for entrance to all UCR Commencement ceremonies and may only be scanned once for admittance. Seating for all ceremonies is on a first-come, first-served basis. Saving seats is not allowed, so please have your guests plan accordingly. Children under 2 do not need a ticket but will need to remain on a parent’s lap for the duration of the ceremony.

Seating is on a first-come, first-served and is NOT assigned, so please let your guests know that they can disregard the seat number on their tickets. Tickets guarantee entry and seating for one guest per ticket.

No additional tickets are available for UCR Commencement ceremonies, so please plan accordingly. All UCR Commencement ceremonies will be livestreamed to YouTube for loved ones to tune in! Livestream links will be added to the Commencement homepage by Friday, June 16.

Guest Parking:

Guests can park in any open Toyota Arena parking lot. The parking fee for guests is $10 per vehicle so please have your guests consider carpooling. Please note, Toyota Arena parking attendants accept major credit cards; MasterCard, VISA, American Express and Discover. Cash will NOT be accepted.

Disabled parking spaces are available in each parking lot.

For more information on parking, please visit the Toyota Arena parking guide.

Guest Accessibility Accommodations:

Find accessibility details on the Toyota Arena website. For ADA requests and inquires please reach out to the Toyota Arena Guest Services Manager, Josh Salcedo: JSalcedo@toyota-arena.com.

Concessions:

At least one Toyota Arena concession stand will be open for all UCR Commencement ceremonies with food and beverage available for purchase for guests. Outside food and beverage are not permitted inside the arena. Exceptions may be made for medical reasons. Please have your guests inform the Security Officer checking their bag if this is the case.

Tell Us Your Plans After Graduation!

You've made it to graduation, but what's your next destination? Tell us your next step now!

Please note, the link will only be live to graduating students within their final quarter before graduation and 6 months after graduation.