Commencement FAQ

At Countdown to Commencement, you will be able to pick up cords and tassels of participating groups, have your picture taken with Goldie, and more!

A special celebration is in order to welcome the newest members of the TU Alumni Association!

The Final Bell Party will take place in Bayless Plaza from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, May 16, 2025. Please contact the TU Office of Alumni Engagement at tualumni@utulsa.edu or 918-631-2555 with questions about Final Bell.

Reynolds Center Prohibited Items List

• Alcohol, drugs, illegal substances or any paraphernalia associated with drug use
• Animals (except for service animals)
• Artificial Noisemakers – airhorns, bells, megaphones, whistles, etc.
• Non-clear bags larger than a clutch size purse (5×7) including purses, fanny packs, computer bag, backpacks, drawstring bags, luggage, camera bag, and binocular cases. Medical bags are allowed as well as diaper bags if accompanied by an infant or toddler. (Subject to inspection)
• Balls, inflatable objects, frisbees, or other objects that can be thrown or other projectiles
• Balloons
• Bikes, skateboard, scooters
• Coolers and ice chests
• E-cigarettes, tobacco, and associated paraphernalia
• Fireworks or other explosives
• Laptop computers and tablets larger than 17 inches
• Large signs, flags, banners with poles
• Laser Pointers
• Outside Food and Drinks, except an empty clear, plastic bottle less than 32 ounces
• Professional camera with lenses greater than 4 inches, tripods, monopods, and selfie sticks
• Oversized seatback chairs or seatbacks with armrests or pockets
• Signs larger than 11×14 inches or signs with threatening, offensive, or abusive language or symbols; signs cannot interfere with the sight of other guests
• Strollers, wagons, and infant carriers
• Large/golf umbrellas (non-retractable). Umbrellas may not be opened in a venue.
• Unmanned and remote-controlled aircraft systems (drones)
• Video Cameras/Recording Device (including GoPro devices)
• Weapons (e.g. firearms, knives, brass knuckles, mace, pepper spray, sticks, or poles). Includes weapons with a concealed carry permit
• Wrapped gifts or gift bags
• Other items deemed to be a safety hazard by venue management

Commencement guests: Non-clear bags larger than a small, clutch purse (5″x7″) are prohibited. Clear bags, up to 12″x6″x12″, are allowed; one bag per person. All bags are subject to search.

Commencement participants: Please only bring your cap and gown with you and leave your coats, purses, and other belongings at home or with family members. There is no place to store your personal belongings during the various ceremonies, and graduates are not permitted to reenter the Practice Gym after the ceremonies.

Guests are welcome to park in any unattended lot on campus on a first-come, first-served basis.

A limited number of ADA parking spaces are available in the Mabee East Lot, Lorton Village Apartment Lot, and the Reynolds Center Lot. These are all first come, first served. An accessible parking mini lot is available in the southern portion of the Reynolds Commuter Lot. Please show a state issued parking placard to gain access to the mini lot. To enter the Reynolds Center from this lot, travel west, following the sidewalk and signage around the southern side of the Reynolds Center to Chapman Plaza. The main entrance to the Reynolds Center will be on the right. Ushers will be available at the concourse entrance to assist guests.

View UTulsa’s commencement parking map.

Yes, there will be shuttle stops located around campus with shuttles running continuously during the UTulsa Commencement ceremonies. View UTulsa’s commencement parking map.

Sign language interpreting services for guests who are deaf or hard of hearing will be available. Sign language interpreters will be on the left side of the stage, “house right.” There will be reserved seating available and a telecast image of the interpreters on screens in the Reynolds Center throughout the event.

It is strongly recommended that patrons utilizing wheelchairs be dropped off with a person to assist them at the loading zone in front of the Reynolds Center on Eighth Street. The loading zone is on the south side of the street, so vehicles need to travel from west to east on Eighth Street to be able to utilize the loading zone appropriately. There is a sidewalk from the loading zone to the Chapman Plaza in front of the west doors into the Reynolds Center. It is strongly recommended that patrons dropped off in the Eighth Street loading zone utilize the sidewalk to Chapman Plaza for the best experience.

A limited number of ADA parking spaces are available in the Mabee East Lot, Lorton Village Apartment Lot, and the Reynolds Center Lot. These are all first come, first served. An accessible parking mini lot is available in the southern portion of the Reynolds Commuter Lot. Please show a state issued parking placard to gain access to the mini lot. To enter the Reynolds Center from this lot, travel west, following the sidewalk and signage around the southern side of the Reynolds Center to Chapman Plaza. The main entrance to the Reynolds Center will be on the right. Ushers will be available at the concourse entrance to assist guests.

If needed, an elevator is available near the Intercollegiate entrance on the lower level of the Reynolds Center. Please note that guests who need to use it will only be permitted to travel with one additional guest to assist them. All other party members will need to use alternate access points into the Reynolds Center, such as the exterior grand staircase to Chapman Plaza on the building’s exterior.

Due to the limited number of wheelchair ADA seats, seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. We encourage those needing ADA seating to arrive as early as possible. Wheelchair ADA seats are found on the concourse level, between the lower and upper bowl seating. There is no ADA seating on the arena floor. An usher will be present to help guests find open seats.

Review a map of campus.

Yes, the links will be provided on the webcast page.

Undergraduate students

Undergraduate students that will complete their degree requirements in spring 2025 or summer 2025 are automatically allowed to participate in May 2025 Commencement events. Students graduating in fall 2025 may petition their associate dean for permission to walk early. Please speak with your student success coach to start the petition process. Petitions must be submitted by April 17. The 2024 fall undergraduate graduates may also participate in May ceremonies.

Graduate students

Automatically included in May 2025 Commencement events:

• Completed degree requirements in summer 2024 or fall 2024.
• Non-thesis students scheduled to finish degree requirements in spring 2025.
• Thesis or dissertation students that complete degree requirements and submit final documents to the Graduate School by April 21.

Must petition Graduate School to walk in May 2025 Commencement events:

• Non-thesis students with six hours or less to complete in summer 2025.

If you have questions and are not sure which category you fall under, please email commencement@utulsa.edu.

UTulsa’s official partner for licensed announcements, class rings, and diploma frames is Balfour & Co. Shop online.

Academic honors cords are awarded to undergraduate students who have an overall grade point average of 3.5 or higher. Graduates may pick up the honors cord at Countdown to Commencement, or at the Office of the Registrar during regular business hours.

Academic honors cords will also be available at commencement check-in. All other honors cords or stoles are issued by the organizations which those items represent. Please check with your organization if you are expecting additional regalia items.

Graduating students may invite as many guests as they would like. There is not a limit as to the number of guests you may bring. 

Friends and family who are unable to attend the event in person may view it online by visiting https://utulsa.edu/commencement/webcast/.

Registration is not required for commencement ceremony guests, and graduating students may invite as many guests as they would like.

Both commencement ceremonies will be held at the Donald W. Reynolds Center located at 3208 E. Eighth St., Tulsa, OK 74104.

Graduates are asked to proceed to the Practice Gym on the lower level for check-in during their designated commencement time.

Please only bring your cap and gown with you and leave your coats, purses, and other belongings at home or with family members. There is no place to store your personal belongings during the various ceremonies, and graduates are not permitted to reenter the Practice Gym after the ceremonies.

Graduate Commencement (Master’s & Doctoral Students)

Student check-in for the Graduate Commencement ceremony begins at 1 p.m. in the Reynolds Center Practice Gym.

The processional will begin promptly at 1:45 p.m., so your family and friends will want to be in their seats prior to this time.

Law Hooding Ceremony

Student check-in for the Law Hooding ceremony begins at 5 p.m. in the Reynolds Center Practice Gym.

Undergraduate Commencement

Student check-in for the Undergraduate Commencement ceremony begins at 9 a.m. in the Reynolds Center Practice Gym.

The processional will begin promptly at 9:45 a.m., so your family and friends will want to be in their seats prior to this time.

Students may park in any unattended lot on campus on a first-come, first-served basis.

Graduates are asked to proceed to the Practice Gym on the lower level for check-in during their designated commencement time.

Review a map of campus.

In partnership with The Grad Team, The University of Tulsa is offering easy access to graduation photos. Register to get started.