Family & Guest Info

• Things to Do: Explore Cincinnati during your visit with our guide to local attractions and activities.
• Local Events: Discover exciting events happening around town during Commencement weekend.
• Hotels: Find comfortable accommodations near campus for a restful stay during your visit.

Graduating students are responsible for securing their student ticket and guest tickets through our online ticket site. The Commencement Office emails graduates details on the ticket process, including a link to the ticket site and the deadline to claim tickets. Tickets must be claimed by the deadline.

Each guest aged 4 and older must have a ticket for entry. Children aged 3 and under can attend without tickets but must sit on another guest's lap.

Once inside, guest seating is general admission.

Fifth Third Arena has a clear bag rule in place for all events. Please ensure you review the Approved Item Policy before attending your ceremony.

Strollers and balloons are not permitted in the venue.

Guests are permitted to bring signs which are hand-held and no greater than 11" x 17". Any signs of a larger size are prohibited. This is to ensure a clear view of the ceremony for all attendees. Signs, banners, and flags may not be hung or fastened anywhere. The staff reserves the right to remove any flag, banner or sign that fails to comply with University rules and policies. 

A free pass will be required to park on the day of the ceremony. Graduates will be emailed information on securing a free parking pass for Commencement.

Accessible parking is available in all parking facilities on a first come, first served basis. 

Valid parking permit holders may utilize their UC parking permit. 

Please direct parking pass questions to Parking Services at 513-556-2283 or parking@uc.edu.     

For guests with accessibility needs, passenger drop-off is available by entering Woodside Drive from Martin Luther King Drive. Golf carts will shuttle guests with accessibility needs from the drop-off point to the ceremony venue. A limited number of golf carts will be available specifically to shuttle guests with accessibility needs from Calhoun, Campus Green, CCM, and Corry Garages to and from the ceremony venue. This option is reserved for those who require accessibility assistance.

Once inside the venue, staff will be available to offer guidance on seating and accommodations.

Guests are welcome to bring their own wheelchair to the venue if needed.

 ASL interpreting and live captioning are provided during the ceremony.

For anyone who is unable to attend the ceremony in person, we're pleased to offer a live stream of the event on the day of the ceremony. You can celebrate from wherever you are! A link to the livestream will be posted to our home page on the day of the ceremony.

Graduates will be photographed at the ceremony by professional photographers. A link to purchase photos will be sent to their UC email address from the photography vendor after Commencement.

Graduates can find information on Diplomas and Transcript Ordering from the Registrar's Office.