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Parking
Graduates and guests should plan to park either around UW Tacoma campus and take the Tacoma Light Rail, or around the Tacoma Dome. Parking at the Tacoma Dome ranges from $15-$30.
Disability Parking
Parking lots E and K are for guests with disabilities and are van accessible. These lots are on a first-come, first-served basis. Vehicles utilizing accessible parking lots must display appropriate placards, tabs, or license plates.
Tacoma Dome Parking
Download a guide of available parking lots around the Tacoma Dome below.
Graduate Check in begins at 8:30 a.m.
All graduates will enter through the Exhibition Hall. Check-in begins at 8:30 a.m. Graduates are encouraged to leave any bags, purses, or other hand-carried items in their cars or with family, as there is no secure location available to store your items.
Guest Doors open 9 a.m.
All Guests will be entering through all other designated doors. Doors will open for guests at 9 a.m.
Tickets are NOT required for guests attending the ceremony. Seatign is on a first-come-first-served basis.
Accommodations for Guests
The University of Washington is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, and activities. Guest accommodation requests should be made by your graduate when they register for Commencement. There are two entrances for Guest with Accommodations.
Guest will need to present their Accommodation Tickets and enter either through the Lower Northwest Entrance or the Upper Southwest Entrance. Accommodation Tickets are distributed to students who requested them during registration period.
Livestream
Family members who can't make it to the ceremony can watch it live on the UW Tacoma Commencement website. Experience this once-in-a-lifetime event and celebrate your graduate's achievements wherever you are.
At the Tacoma Dome
Visit the Tacoma Dome website for more information regarding the venue.
The Tacoma Dome has a clear bag policy to expedite entry and reduce touch points for security staff and guests. Please visit the Tacoma Dome website for the most accurate bag policy.
Students who are graduating are required to have their Grad Pass that will serve as their ticket for the ceremony. Guest tickets are not required for this years ceremony. Only service animals are permitted.
Nursing & Changing Stations:
Private space is available at events for nursing mothers. The nursing mother's room is located on the west end floor level, behind Sections 109-113. Guests should contact their nearest guest services employee with any questions.
Strollers:
Fold-up strollers may be stored under your seat during events at the Tacoma Dome. If your stroller does not fit under your seat you may check it in prior to the event.
Outside food and drink are not permitted.
Visit the Tacoma Dome website for additional information.
Photographs will be taken as each graduate approaches the stage and as they cross the stage by Pro Pics.
UW Tacoma has partnered with Pro Pics to take professional portraits of all graduates during the ceremony. Photos will be available for purchase after the ceremony. There is no cost to have your photo taken and no obligation to purchase. If you would like to receive your photo proofs, please go to www.UWTacomaPhotos.com to submit your information or follow the link below. If you have any questions regarding photos, please contact Pro Pics at info@propicsusa.com.
All guests are subject to bag searches and may also be subject to metal detector screening upon entry to the Tacoma Dome.
Graduates will be inspected before admittance to the Exhibition Hall.
In the interest of guest safety and enjoyment, the Tacoma Dome reserves the right to prevent certain items from being brought into the facility. Items including, but not limited to, the following are not allowed in the Tacoma Dome:
- Alcoholic beverages
- Illegal drugs or drug paraphernalia
- Cannabis
- Bags that don't adhere to our Bag Policy
- Outside food & beverage items
- Glass or aluminum bottles or cans
- Ice chests or hard-sided coolers
- Camera tri-pods, mono-pods, GoPro poles, gimbals, and selfie sticks
- Laptop computers, tablets, and iPads
- Remotely controlled, small unmanned aircraft systems (a.k.a. drones)
- Sticks or clubs (including signs attached to sticks)
- Fireworks
- Mace or pepper spray
- Bullhorns, airhorns or other noisemakers
- Confetti
- Animals, comfort animals, or pets (service animals are allowed)
- Beach balls or other inflatables
- Umbrellas
- Bicycles or scooters
- Skateboards or roller blades
- Squirt guns or super soakers
- Balloons of any kind
- Laser pointers
- Weapons of any kind, regardless of permit (including but not limited to: firearms, knives, batons, mace, pepper spray, brass knuckles, tasers, etc.)
- Stickers
- Chains
- Studded belts, bracelets, etc.
- Chairs (lawn chairs, folding chairs)
Permitted Items:
- Baby formula, baby bottles and baby food
- Medication or other special needs
- Binoculars
- Seat cushions
You will be denied entry if you bring any of these items to the Tacoma Dome.
The following are not allowed:
- Disruptive behavior or unlawful acts
- Solicitation, distribution, or selling of products
- Scalping or re-sale of tickets
Ceremony Conduct Agreement
Commencement is intended to be a festive occasion celebrating the accomplishments of our students. However, it is also ceremonial. Graduates are expected to abide by the following guidelines:
Please set your cell phone to “silent” or “vibrate” mode. Cell phones are permitted, but out of consideration for other participants, students are asked to make judicious use of phones and not use them during the formal speaking portions of the ceremony.
Out of consideration for other members of the audience, it is requested that those who wish to take photographs of portions of the ceremony remain in their seats and refrain from interfering with the view of others. Guests are not permitted on the main floor.
Photographs will be taken as each graduate approaches the stage and as they cross the stage by Pro Pics.
Please be respectful of your fellow graduates, faculty, and guests and return to your seat after crossing the stage and remain seated until the closing ceremonial music and the members of the stage party have exited.
Procession
You will be grouped by your school and form a procession out to the main floor to be seated. The procession begins promptly at 10 a.m. Marshals will direct you during the procession but there will also be guides and markings to follow.
Conclusion of the Ceremony
When all the graduates have walked, closing remark has been delivered, and the closing ceremonial music has concluded, we encourage that all graduates meet their family outside on the Tacoma Dome plaza.
You have another chance to get your pictures taken by our official photographer after the ceremony. Register with Pro Pics to get your information added ahead of time!
Celebrate your Graduate!
The Commencement Group
Celebrate your grad with a Class T-shirt, Bouquet or Lei. Pick-up at the Tacoma Dome on Commencement day.
Pre-orders are highly recommended!
Connect with us
If you have any additional Commencement questions or concerns, please contact us at:
tcommenc@uw.edu
FAQs
Can't find what you're looking for? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions page.