Parents and families, here’s everything you need to know about commencement, including hotel accommodations, tickets, and more. Additional information is available on the venue's A-Z Guide.
* All information subject to change.
Florida Polytechnic University and RP Funding Center makes several accommodations for persons with disabilities attending Commencement, including:
To request ADA accommodations, email ada@floridapoly.edu or call 863-874-8484 prior to April 19. Requests received after the deadline will be processed, but the University cannot guarantee those requests can be fulfilled. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or concerns.
A list of local hotels is available to help guests plan their stay in Lakeland.
Guests should park in either the Orange or Red parking lot and enter through Entrance 2. Overflow parking will be available in the Purple lot. Please review the parking information for clarification.
Doors will open at 12:30 p.m.
The ceremony will begin at 2:00 p.m. Doors will temporarily close from 1:55 to 2:05 p.m. for the processional. Guests will not be allowed to enter during this time.
Guests will not be admitted into the arena without a physical ticket. Lap-children 2 years old and younger do not need a ticket.
After the ceremony, graduates will be led out of the arena and will not be permitted to re-enter the building. Guests should plan to meet their graduate outside of the arena.
Outside food and beverages are not permitted. Concession stands will be open from 1 to 4 p.m. in the Jenkins Arena.
Concession stands are cashless; only credit card and mobile payments will be accepted. Cashless payments will include credit cards, debit cards, and Apple Pay.
This is an important day for all in attendance and we ask that guests limit their celebration as their graduate’s name is called. Prolonged celebration may prevent the guests of the next Graduate from hearing their name called. Noise makers, bullhorns, and other loud devices are not permitted. While photos and video recording are welcomed, guests may not stand in stairways or walkways during the ceremony as this may block the view for other guests.
Download digital swag for your computer, phone, and social media accounts.
Commencement items, including graduation announcements, class rings and diploma frames, are available through Herff Jones.
Grad Images is the official photographer for commencement. The photographers will have clear access to take photos of the graduates during the ceremony. Graduates and their families will have the opportunity to order commencement photos from Grad Images. You will be sent a link to order your commencement photos when they become available. Visit Grad Images to find the photos taken at the 2024 Commencement Ceremony.
TBD
Guests and graduates will pass through security upon entrance and all bags will be checked. Clear bags are recommended to provide an efficient security process. Graduates should keep personal belongings brought to commencement to a minimum. Items such as purses, bags, or anything else that will not fit in your pockets should be left with your guests or should be securely locked in the trunk of your car prior to checking in. Graduates will be separated from their guests and will not have the ability to hand off or receive personal items once the ceremony has begun.
Share your Florida Poly pride before, during, and after the ceremony by tagging your pics #FLPolyGrad on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. All day-of updates will be communicated via Facebook and Twitter.
Each graduate will receive eight guest tickets. Graduates can request up to five extra tickets for a total of 13 guest tickets. To request extra tickets, please complete the 2024 Commencement Ceremony-Extra Ticket Request form to indicate the number of additional tickets you need for the ceremony. Requests will be honored on a first come first served basis while supplies last. All requests for extra tickets must be received by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, April 12.
Every guest in attendance is required to have a ticket.
All graduates have the opportunity to participate in the Senior Class Gift. For more information visit floridapoly.edu/alumni.
