The Commencement Ceremony will take place on Bellarmine Lawn, behind Bellarmine Hall, high on a hill overlooking Long Island Sound. As you prepare to visit, keep in mind that reaching Bellarmine Lawn requires navigating an uneven grassy surface and walking up a large hill. Entrance onto Bellarmine Lawn will open at 8 a.m.

For those who prefer to view the ceremony indoors, it will be live-streamed in the Leo D. Mahoney Area. Doors will open at 8 a.m.

Yes, the ceremony will be live-streamed and archived on the University website. Links will be posted on the Commencement website the morning of the ceremony.

The ceremony will be approximately three hours in length.

Commencement programs will be distributed on campus at the entrance to the ceremony on Bellarmine Lawn and at the indoor viewing location in the Leo D. Mahoney Arena.

Please come prepared for inclement weather with appropriate gear as every attempt will be made to hold the ceremony outdoors, even in rain. We ask attendees to refrain from using umbrellas during the ceremony so as not to not block the view of others.

In the event of severe or dangerous weather, the University may postpone the ceremony for up to one hour. If conditions are too severe to allow a delay, the ceremony will be relocated to the Leo D. Mahoney Arena. ONLY TWO (2) GUESTS PER STUDENT WILL BE ALLOWED IN THE ARENA. Due to fire safety regulations and building capacity limits, we are unable to make any exceptions for additional guests.

A specially marked indoor ticket is required for entry to the Arena during the in-person ceremony. The three remaining tickets will provide access to an alternate indoor viewing location on a first-come, first-served basis. Exact locations will be posted on the website the morning of the ceremony.

The decision to move Commencement indoors will be broadcast starting at 6 a.m. on Sunday, May 18. Each student will receive a message on their cell phone via the University StagAlert emergency notification system, and full details will be posted on the Commencement website, digital signage in the Barone Campus Center, and recording on the University’s main phone line, (203) 254-4000.

Each student will receive five (5) tickets to the outdoor ceremony on Bellarmine Lawn. Due to space limitations, the University is not able to distribute additional tickets. Students who do not need all their allotted tickets may transfer them to other students.

In the event of severe or dangerous weather, the University may postpone the ceremony for up to one hour. If conditions are too severe to allow a delay, the ceremony will be relocated to the Leo D. Mahoney Arena. ONLY TWO (2) GUESTS PER STUDENT WILL BE ALLOWED IN THE ARENA. Due to fire safety regulations and building capacity limits, we are unable to make any exceptions for additional guests. A specially marked indoor ticket is required for entry into the Arena during the in-person ceremony. For further instructions, please reference the “IS THERE AN INCLEMENT AND SEVERE WEATHER PLAN” section with the FAQ's.

Of the five (5) tickets each student will receive, there will be two (2) tickets that can be used for BOTH the outdoor (Bellarmine Lawn) and indoor (Leo D. Mahoney Arena) ceremony locations. These two tickets will have a red background with a white banner stating “ALL ACCESS”. Please keep this in mind when transferring them to others.

The remaining three (3) tickets can ONLY be used for the outdoor ceremony on Bellarmine Lawn. These three tickets will have a white background with a red banner stating “LAWN ONLY”. Should the ceremony be held inside the Leo D. Mahoney Arena due to severe or dangerous weather, these three tickets will provide access to an alternate indoor viewing location (not the Arena) on a first-come, first-served basis.

On Wednesday, May 7, all students participating in Commencement who have completed the First Destination and College Senior surveys will receive five (5) tickets to the outdoor ceremony*. All tickets will be delivered digitally to students’ online ticket accounts. They can then transfer tickets to their guests and/or other students through their online accounts. Tickets can be downloaded to Apple Wallet and Google Wallet. All guests must present a ticket which will be scanned upon entry. Each ticket has a unique barcode, therefore duplicate tickets will not be granted entry.

Additional information regarding the digital ticket process will be sent to students on Wednesday, April 23.

Students can access their online ticket account through the “University Tickets” task in my.Fairfield or by going to https://fairfield.evenue.net

Additional information will be sent to students on accessing their accounts on Wednesday, April 23.

Students are reminded to safeguard their tickets. LOST TICKETS WILL NOT BE REPLACED.

For those without tickets, the ceremony will be live-streamed on the University website.

Children three years or older need a ticket; those younger will be expected to sit on the lap of a family member for the duration of the ceremony.

Fairfield University encourages all guests to participate in its programs and activities. The Commencement Ceremony will take place on the Bellarmine Lawn, behind Bellarmine Hall, high on a hill overlooking Long Island Sound. As you prepare to visit, keep in mind that reaching Bellarmine Lawn requires navigating an uneven grassy surface and walking up a large hill. For those with disabilities who wish to view the ceremony outdoors, a limited number of accessible seats will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note that this reserved location accommodates the guests with accessibility issues and only one additional companion. Guests are welcome to bring their own wheelchairs, as the University does not provide wheelchairs for use during Commencement.

For those who would prefer to view the ceremony indoors, the ceremony will be live-streamed in the Leo D. Mahoney Area.

Per the Academic Regalia Policy and Guidelines, all students participating in the ceremony are required to wear regalia which includes a gown, hood, and cap with a black tassel.

An accessory, such as a cord, pin or stole, can further adorn one’s regalia if the accessory was presented as recognition of one’s academic achievement through either 1) a nationally-recognized honor society, or 2) an academic program sanctioned by the University (e.g., the Honors Program). The Office of the Provost approves all academic accessories prior to their inclusion in Commencement.

There are no accessories for the undergraduate Latin Honors:Summa Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, and Cum Laude. Students who have achieved these honorary titles are noted in the Commencement program. The noted Latin Honors in the program are based on the student’s cumulative GPA at the end of the Fall 2024 semester. Once all final spring grades are cleared (post-Commencement), the student’s transcript and diploma will be updated with the final Latin Honors designation.

All students participating in the Commencement Ceremony are required to purchase regalia online at https://colleges.herffjones.com/college/_fairfield/ by Monday, March 31 so that your items ship and arrive on time to your preferred delivery address.

Ordering online by Monday, March 31 is preferred and recommended, however for those who miss the online ordering deadline, there will be a limited supply of regalia available for purchase at the Stag Spirit Shop the week prior to Commencement.

The Baccalaureate Mass will be celebrated in the Leo D. Mahoney Arena on Saturday, May 17 at 4 p.m. Tickets are not required and doors will open at 3 p.m. Members of the graduating class will gather in the Fieldhouse at the RecPlex, walk in the procession with their classmates (with whom they will be seated), and will offer a prayer of blessing to their parents, guardians, and mentors at the end of the liturgy.

Yes, the Baccalaureate Mass will be live-streamed. A link will be posted on the commencement website in the afternoon on Saturday, May 17.

The Family Dance, a part of the Senior Week Celebrations, will be held on Saturday, May 17 from 7:30 – 11 p.m. in the Barone Campus Center. Tickets are required, and can be purchased starting April 1 at the University Box Office or on-site at the event.

Please contact the Office of Student Engagement at seniorweek@fairfield.edu for additional information.

On Saturday, May 17, beginning at 2pm, the College of Arts & Sciences, the Dolan School of Business, and the School of Engineering & Computing will host receptions for their respective undergraduate students and families. These optional events provide an informal opportunity to meet the dean and faculty members of each school. Tickets are not required. Light refreshments will be served. Invitations and additional information will be sent to students by their respective Deans office.

In order to participate in the Undergraduate Commencement ceremony, please FIRST consult the Undergraduate catalog under the Academic Policies and Procedures section to confirm your eligibility. In addition, all holds on your account must be resolved.

For additional questions, please consult directly with your Academic Dean’s Office.

All students are required to attend the Commencement Guidelines meeting on Wednesday, May 14 at 10 a.m. in the Leo D. Mahoney Arena. This is a non-ticketed event that reviews all aspects of the upcoming ceremony. Additional information to come.

Transportation to campus will be offered to students who currently live at the beach. On Sunday, May 18 at 7 a.m., students may board a bus at the Veteran’s parking lot and then immediately report to their assigned classroom upon arrival at campus.

Procession instructions, including classroom assignments, will be posted during the afternoon on Friday, May 16 in the 75th Commencement Exercises Guide on the Fairfield University Guides app. Important information to remember:

• Arrive to your classroom on Sunday, May 18 no later than 7:30 a.m.
• Upon arrival, check in with your Faculty Marshal.
• Be sure to review your index card to verify the pronunciation of your name.
• Complete the back of the card to receive communication from GradImages™ about your photos. The Marshal will give you your card.

Students should process with their primary major. To double check which major they have listed, students should access the “Student Records” task in my.Fairfield. Once there, they should select their “Academic Transcript” and their primary major will be listed at the top.

Yes, a photographer from GradImages™ will be at your ceremony to take a candid photograph of you at your special moment of recognition. You will receive a free passport-sized digital proof of this photo on an order card within 5 to 7 days following the ceremony. After Commencement, graduates can locate their graduation photos online by visiting GradImages.com

The following pieces of information are required to access their account:

• Last Name of the graduate
• School name
• Graduation Year

Since photographs will be available, family members and guests are encouraged to remain in their seats, relax and enjoy the ceremony.

Graduates can pre-register their name and email address at www.gradimages.com. By doing so, they will receive a discount of 20% off an order of $50 or more. To pre-register, visit www.gradimages.com and click on Registration.

Question or concerns regarding your photos should be directed to GradImages’s Customer Service Department at (800) 261-2576, online or email ecc.giservice@gradimages.net.

Yes. For information on ordering personalized announcements, diploma frames, and class rings please click here.

Diplomas will be mailed 4-6 weeks after degrees are conferred by Fairfield University. Parchment is the official provider of diplomas for Fairfield University.

Please note that soon after degrees are conferred, students will receive an email from Parchment asking them to confirm the mailing address for their paper diploma.

Guests may park in the assigned lots throughout campus on a first-come, first-served basis. View campus map.

Please note that traffic and parking on campus are expected to be congested. If preferred, guests are welcome to carpool or use a ridesharing service such as Uber or Lyft. When using a rideshare, enter campus via Barlow Road gate and drop off/pick up at the Barnyard Townhouses lot.

A limited number of designated accessible parking spaces will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis in the lot in front of the Dolan School of Business and in the lots by the Barnyard Townhouses. To park in these lots, visitors will need to display government-issued Accessible Parking Permits. Volunteers will provide intermittent transportation from these lots to Bellarmine Lawn to those with accessibility needs.

A continuous shuttle service will be available to transport guests to and from every parking lot to the ceremony venue. Shuttle stops will be clearly marked and the service will run regularly before and after the event to accommodate all guests. Please plan ahead for potential wait times.

To ensure the safety and comfort of all guests, please note that the following items are not permitted inside the Leo D. Mahoney Arena, including balloons, megaphones, lasers, and pets (except certified service animals). Additionally, please refrain from bringing items that may obstruct the view or cause distractions during the ceremony. Backpacks and large bags may be subject to inspection. The Leo D. Mahoney Arena is a non-smoking facility.

The Stag Spirit Shop, located in the Barone Campus Center, will be open as follows:

• Monday, May 12 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Tuesday, May 13 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Wednesday, May 14 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Thursday, May 15 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Friday, May 16 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Saturday, May 17 from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• Sunday, May 18 from 7:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Students must email globalfairfield@fairfield.edu and asimon1@fairfield.edu to determine invitation letters for close family ties only, such as for a mother, father, siblings, or children.

No. Since many events are taking place on campus, we are unable to offer space for private functions. We would suggest you contact a local restaurant or hotel. Visit the area hotels & restaurant page for more details.

There is a wide selection of hotels within two to ten miles of campus. It is strongly recommended that you make reservations as soon as possible. Visit the area hotels & restaurant page for more details.

Did you know that there are nine (9) different regional chapters of Fairfield alumni located across the country from Boston to California? These groups of Stags plan events throughout the year focused on networking, community service, social opportunities, lifelong learning, and more! All you have to do to stay involved is make sure we have your most up-to-date contact information once you graduate. Invitations about, and to, upcoming alumni programs and events are shared via email and are sent based on your geographic location. So be sure to update us so you don’t miss out! It’s quick and easy to do so! Simply activate your profile within our Alumni Online Community by visiting fairfield.edu/alumnicommunity.

From there, click “First Time Login”, Search by your first and last name, enter your student ID when prompted, and follow subsequent prompts to set up your username and password. For questions, email communityhelp@fairfield.edu.

We can’t wait to see you at an alumni event soon! For a full listing of all alumni activities on campus and across the country, visit www.fairfield.edu/alumnievents. To learn about even more ways to get involved – including our affinity groups such as the Alumni of Color Network – visit www.fairfield.edu/getinvolved. There’s a way for everyone to stay connected to Fairfield long after graduation!

If you have any Commencement-related questions that were not addressed on this FAQ page, please email commencement@fairfield.edu.

Alumni Relations
alumni@fairfield.edu
(203) 254-4280

Box Office
quickboxoffice@fairfield.edu
(203) 254-4010

Bursar
(203) 254-4095

College of Arts and Sciences
(203) 254-4000, ext. 2227

Charles F. Dolan School of Business
(203) 254-4070

Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies
(203) 254-4150

Media Relations

Public Safety
(203) 254-4090

Registrar
(203) 254-4288

School of Engineering & Computing
(203) 254-4147

Stag Spirit Shop
(203) 254-4262

Student Engagement
(203) 254-4053