Commencement season marks a significant milestone for graduates, symbolizing the culmination of their hard work and dedication, and the beginning of new opportunities and adventures in their personal and professional lives. Here you’ll find the information you need as you prepare to celebrate your loved one.
Lodging
Visitors attending graduation ceremonies can find a variety of lodging options, from cozy bed-and-breakfasts to modern hotels, ensuring a comfortable stay while they enjoy the festivities. We encourage you to visit Visit Gainesville Alachua County for more information on places to stay.
Event Parking
Parking restrictions throughout campus will be lifted incrementally.
The parking garage and surrounding lots in front of the O’Connell Center are available for PHHP students and their families to park. Campus parking information may be found here.
Please be advised, with multiple ceremonies occurring throughout the week, it is highly encouraged that all graduates and their guests arrive early to the O’Connell Center!
Please also see the campus interactive map for details and locations of parking lots and garages throughout campus.
Safety and Bag Policy
Video, film and digital cameras are permitted, including those with interchangeable lenses. For both the safety and consideration of those around you, the following rules are in place:
- Due to Ben Hill Griffin Stadium’s clear bag policy (bags must be clear and no larger than 12″x6″x12″), camera bags are not permitted in this venue.
- Tripods, monopods, selfie sticks or similar apparatuses that can obstruct aisles or others’ view are not permitted in the Stephen C. O’Connell Center, Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, or Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
- Camera bags are permitted in the Stephen C. O’Connell Center and the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, but they are subject to individual security inspection.
For more safety information including prohibited items, please visit the UF Commencement website.
Accessibility and Accommodations
Information regarding the venue’s accessibility may be found on the Stephen C. O’Connell Center’s webpage. The staff of the O’Connell Center are committed to assisting persons with disabilities. Anyone needing assistance should contact the administrative office at 352-392-5500.
The parking spots closest to the O’Connell Center are reserved for disabled parking (must have proper license plate and/or window tag). These spots are first come, first served and cannot be reserved.
There are parking spots on the ground level of the O’Connell Center parking garage reserved for disabled parking (must have proper license plate and/or window tag). These spots are first come, first served and cannot be reserved.
Honor your graduate!
Custom Engraved Bricks
Custom brick pavers offer a meaningful way to honor loved ones, businesses or special occasions like anniversaries, retirements and graduations.
FAQs
What’s the difference between the commencement ceremony and the recognition ceremony?
Will my loved one’s name be called as I walk across the stage?
Do I need tickets to attend the ceremony?
How many guests can attend for each graduate?
Where do I go once I get to the O’Connell Center for the PHHP Recognition Ceremony?
How can I livestream the ceremonies?
What’s the difference between the commencement ceremony and the recognition ceremony?
The University-wide Commencement Ceremony is where bachelor’s, master’s and specialist’s degrees will be conferred. This event also includes the symbolic “Turning of the Tassel,” where graduates of bachelor’s programs move their tassel from the right to the left to signify the completion of a degree program (master’s students have already completed a degree program so their tassel should be worn on the left at the start of the ceremony).
In addition to the University-wide Commencement Ceremony, PHHP hosts a College Recognition Ceremony where individual names are called to honor each graduate.
Will my loved one’s name be called as I walk across the stage?
Yes! All graduates of the College of Public Health and Health Professions will be recognized by name as they cross the stage at the PHHP Recognition Ceremony in the O’Connell Center.
Graduates will not cross the stage or have their names called at the University-wide Commencement Ceremony in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
Do I need tickets to attend the ceremony?
No, tickets are not required to attend the University-wide Commencement Ceremony or the PHHP Recognition Ceremony.
How many guests can attend for each graduate?
There is no maximum for how many guests can attend, but space is first-come, first-served.
Where do I go once I get to the O’Connell Center for the PHHP Recognition Ceremony?
Guests will enter the O’Connell Center through the main entrance doors near Gate 1 and 3. Doors will open for guests 90 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony. Guests should be seated before the processional begins. Guest seating is first-come, first-seated. No guests will be permitted in the graduates’ seating area.
What time should I arrive?
Doors will open 90 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony and the processional begins 30 minutes prior to the start of ceremony. Due to traffic, parking and crowds, we encourage you to arrive as soon as possible to get settled.
How long is the ceremony?
The ceremony will last approximately 1 ½ to 2 hours.
Will food be served?
Concessions will be open in the O’Connell Center.
How can I livestream the ceremonies?
Live streaming will be available for the PHHP College Recognition Ceremony. The ceremony livestream link will be added above closer to the date of the ceremony.
Learn more
For more information, please visit the UF Commencement Website or email the PHHP Commencement team at events@phhp.ufl.edu.