Information for Guests
Palo Alto University is pleased to announce this year’s 2023 commencement ceremony will be held at the Santa Clara Convention Center on Saturday, June 17, 2023, at 10 a.m. PT
More information will be provided as event details are finalized. Please check this page often for the most up-to-date information.
Frequently Asked Questions for Guests
When is the ceremony?
The ceremony will take place on Saturday, June 17, 2023, at 10 a.m. PDT.
Where is the ceremony being held?
The 2023 commencement ceremony will be held at the Santa Clara Convention Center in Halls C & D.
Where can I find parking and transportation Information for the Convention Center?
Where can I find a map of the Santa Clara Convention Center?
How do I request accommodations for guests with a disability?
How can I order Commencement photos of my graduate?
Photos taken by our professional photographer can be ordered through Grad Images to commemorate the special day!
Where and when do candidates line up?
Graduates should arrive at Hall B in the Santa Clara Convention Center, 45 minutes before the start of the ceremony already dressed in their regalia.
Will there be a place where Candidates can store their valuables during the ceremony?
No. Graduates should leave personal possessions with family and friends; we do not have security or space to store them. We are not responsible for lost, stolen, or destroyed personal possessions.
How early should guests arrive at the Santa Clara Convention Center?
The doors to Hall C & D where the ceremony will be held, will open 1 hour prior to the ceremony. You are required to have an Eventbrite ticket. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis as long as have an Eventbrite ticket. Candidates, please be sure to notify your guests of this procedure. If you require ADA accommodations, please complete this request form by June 1, 2023.
Are seats reserved?
No, all seats are general admission and on a first-come, first-served basis, unless requesting ADA accommodations.
How long does the Commencement Ceremony last?
The ceremony will last approximately 90 to 120 minutes.
Can children accompany candidates on stage?
No, children need to be seated in general seating with the candidate's guests. Children two and older will require a ticket for entry.
Will there be a professional photographer onsite?
Yes, PAU partners with GradImages, who will take multiple photos of each candidate as they process across the stage. GradImages will email graduates a few days after commencement when proofs are ready. Graduate nformation is never shared and privacy is guaranteed.
Are there any areas that are restricted or off-limits?
Areas will be blocked off during the ceremony for visibility and safety reasons. We ask that everyone respects these blocked areas and comply with commencement volunteers that may ask you to move away from these designated areas.
Can guests record the ceremony?
Yes, the use of video cameras will be allowed to the extent that they do not obstruct the view of other guests in the audience. Monopods, bipods, and tripods are not allowed.
Will the ceremony be live-streamed?
Yes, the link to access the live-stream will be added as we get closer to the ceremony.
Who can attend the commencement ceremony?
Family, Friends, & Guests with a ticket are welcome to attend.
Is there a limit on the number of guests that graduates can invite?
Yes, at this time all students are limited to 7 guests. All guests two years of age and older, will require a ticket.
How do guests receive tickets to attend the ceremony?
Your graduate will request tickets through Eventbrite and will distribute them to you. A paper or digital ticket will be accepted at the entrance to the ceremony hall. The deadline for graduates to collect tickets is June 3.