Frequently Asked Questions
Last updated: April 14, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Last updated: April 14, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Each Commencement ceremony is about 2-1/2 hours long.
Yes, each Commencement ceremony will be streamed live on the Brandeis Streaming website.
The live stream will be viewable on any computer or mobile device with an internet connection using any of the major web browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari).
Please note the streaming links will become available on May 18.
The Commencement ceremony is held in the Gosman Arena. All graduates and their six guests are invited to witness/take part in the official conferring of degrees, student addresses, the speaker and much more. All students will walk across the stage to receive their degree.
Department celebratory receptions are specific to a student’s major, and are smaller events geared toward degree candidates, faculty and staff. These receptions are scheduled the week before the Commencement ceremony.
Approximately 1-1/2 hours
For the safety and security of all guests, graduates, honorees, and members of the Brandeis community we have put in place several procedures and restrictions on items being brought in to the Gosman Sports and Convocation Center, and we have instituted a Clear Bag Policy for both the Undergraduate and Graduate Commencement ceremonies.
Upon arrival at Gosman Sports and Convocation Center guests will pass through metal detectors.
Item Restrictions
The following items will not be permitted in Gosman Sports and Convocation Center:
Please try and limit the items you are bringing with you to the ceremony. To prepare accordingly, please make note of the following:
Approved Bags
Bags Not Permitted
All bags are subject to search.
Graduates, faculty, and other official participants will be dressed in academic regalia for both the Undergraduate and Graduate Commencement ceremonies.
Family, friends, and other guests are not required to wear certain attire. Many people choose to wear business attire or business casual attire in honor of the formality of the occasion. While an indoor venue, Gosman Sports and Convocation Center temperature is impacted by the weather outside. We recommend consulting the weather and dressing accordingly.
Commencement guests may park at university parking lots on Commencement day. Shuttle-bus transportation will be available on campus and from the Charles River Road parking lot, Children's Hospital lot* and Sawyer Road lot. On Commencement day, all Gosman Center parking lots will be closed for general use. Visit the Parking page for more information about parking and shuttle buses.
*Lot #3 Children's lot will be a designated lot for people with mobility concerns who do not have a government issued placard and/or are unable to park in the official ADA lot on campus. ADA shuttles will only go to this lot to pick up and drop folks directly at the ADA entrance.
Please contact the Registrar to confirm your graduation date. All graduation updates will be sent to the graduate’s Brandeis email.
While it is not required, it is an event filled with pomp and circumstance you won’t want to miss.
Regalia is required to participate in Commencement ceremonies. If you plan on walking across the stage, you will need to plan to have regalia.
Brandeis is convenient to Boston and the many charming cities and towns that surround Waltham. There are many hotels in the local area with a variety of accommodations. Please visit the Hotels and Housing page for more information.
There is limited availability for on-campus housing for Commencement Weekend for guests and family members connected to a student participating in Commencement. You are permitted to request accommodations on campus. Please visit the Hotels and Housing page for more information.
We recommend leaving extra time for any dining reservations after the Commencement ceremony. Over 6,000 guests will be vacating the arena. Additionally, South Street may be difficult to navigate with a number of folks leaving at the same time.
More information about Senior Week Activities can be found on the Department of Student Engagement website.
Please connect with the ISSO for assistance with a letter. While we do not have a template for students to use to invite family members to attend commencement, the ISSO website lists the details that should be included.
You can follow instructions for requesting an enrollment verification letter and transcript on the Registrar's website.
Please ensure you are indicating accessibility needs for your guests in your ticket registration form via Marching Orders. Student Accessibility Support will be reaching out to you via email the week before Commencement with information you need to share with your guests regarding the supports available on Commencement day.
The venue is wheelchair accessible for guests and no specific ticket or permission is required to use the accessible entrance or seating. The ADA accessible entrance is at the rear of Gosman. Guests should look for event staff at the ADA entrance to request a wheelchair usher to your seats. Wheelchairs will also be available there for use by guests who need mobility support but are not coming with their own device. The accessible seating area is on the left side of the arena facing the stage; this is closest to the ADA entrance and elevator and the opposite side of the arena floor from the main entrance. Ushers will be present to remove chairs from seating areas as needed and make space for wheelchairs/scooters. Families of guests with mobility needs will find plenty of space to sit together in this section.
Yes, all guests in the party will be able to sit in the ADA seating area.
You may request disability-related accommodation(s) for you or your guests when claiming your ceremony e-tickets. Arrangements for live captioning, ASL interpretation, and assisted listening devices have been made, additionally seating for a variety of needs will be accommodated as part of standard procedure. Please indicate any requests when registering participation.
Interpreters will be on stage for ASL interpretation. There will be ADA compliant bus shuttles making loops on campus and from parking lots. During the ceremony, live captioning will be available and visible in the ADA seating section. Assisted listening devices will also be made available for guests. For further accommodations, please indicate your need when you register for your Commencement tickets. Keep in mind, students will have the opportunity to request services for themselves as well as their guests and family members.
There are several accessible parking spaces available across campus. You may park there with a government issued placard. Accessible parking at Gosman Arena is only accessible to those with a government issued accessible/handicap placard. If you are unable to find an available space, Boston Children’s Hospital, Waltham will be a designated lot for people with mobility concerns who do not have a government issued placard and/or are unable to park in the official ADA lot on campus. ADA shuttles will only go to this lot to pick up and drop folks directly at the ADA entrance. Please plan to pack your placard if you are flying and need a rental car.
Yes, graduates are required to pre-register to participate in Commencement and to request guest tickets.
Tickets will be available via Marching Orders on March 14-April 23. Students will receive an email from commencement@brandeis.edu letting them know what the link is and how to secure tickets.
No. There is no assigned seating at the arena for the Commencement ceremony.
Every seat requires a ticket. Children over two will need a ticket. If your infant or toddler can be carried or stay on your lap during the ceremony, they will not need a ticket. Please note that strollers are not allowed in Gosman on Commencement day.
All graduates can register for six guest tickets for the ceremony.
Up to two additional wait list tickets may be requested by the graduating student at the time of their Commencement registration. Wait list tickets, if available, will be distributed by May 2.
Staff attendance at the Commencement ceremonies can be made possible through volunteering. For more information on volunteering, please email commencement@brandeis.edu.
Faculty are invited to participate in the Commencement ceremonies in celebration of the achievements of Brandeis students. Faculty can find more information including participation registration on the Information for Faculty page. Additional inquiries can be addressed to the Office of the Provost or commencement@brandeis.edu.