Day of Event Information

• Graduates

  GRADUATE ARRIVAL INFORMATION 

  Candidate Arrival and Lineup Information
  Graduates must arrive at 10 am, dressed in full academic regalia, at the candidate assembly area located in Parking Lot 7,outside the Indoor Sports Complex. 

  Each school, college and department has been assigned a designated lineup post. Please refer to the Candidate Lineup Map and Lineup by Post, and proceed directly to your assigned post upon arrival. Note: If candidates wish to sit with a friend, please line up directly in front of or behind one another, not side by side.

  View Candidate Lineup Map.   View Candidate Lineup by Post.

  Regalia is required to participate in the ceremony. For regalia ordering details, please visit the [FAQ page].

  Graduating candidates do not need a ticket to participate in the ceremony. All guests must present a ticket to enter Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium. Be sure to share your tickets with guests in advance.

  Water will be available for you in the candidate lineup area.

• Faculty

  FACULTY ARRIVAL INFORMATION 

  Faculty participating in the ceremony must arrive at the candidate lineup assembly area in the Indoor Sports Complex, Parking Lot 7, wearing your regalia at 10:15 am, prior to the start of the ceremony, to check in at the faculty tent and line up at Post 7. This lot entry is located on Wolfie Way, adjacent to the tunnel entrance, near Gate 1 at LaValle Stadium.

  Personal items can be left in the tent and retrieved after the ceremony. Water will be available at the tent.

The University's Main Commencement Ceremony will take place on Friday, May 23, 2025 at 11 am at Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium. Gates open at 10 am.

All guests need a valid ticket to enter LaValle Stadium - no exceptions. Children age 1 and older require a ticket. Seating is first-come, first-served.

PROHIBITED ITEMS

The following items are prohibited at commencement ceremonies: outside food/beverage, including thermoses, coolers, alcoholic beverages, backpacks, luggage, strollers, umbrellas,  noise makers and balloons, weapons, laser pointers, fireworks, aerosol cans and non service pets. All bags are subject to search. 

For additional  information, please visit the FAQ page for everything you need to know about Commencement.

View the Main Commencement Ceremony program

COMMENCEMENT DAY PARKING INFORMATION

Parking and Shuttle Service
Complimentary parking will be available in Lot 40 at Stony Brook University. Continuous shuttle service from Lot 40 to LaValle Stadium will operate from 8:30 am to 5 pm.

For guests that require closer drop-off, a courtesy paratransit shuttle will be available from Lot 40 to the stadium. For assistance, please speak to the staff at the shuttle pickup location in Lot 40. 

Directions to Lot 40 from the South Entrance:

Traveling south on Stony Brook Road from 25A

• At the second traffic light, turn left on South Drive.
• The entrance to Lot 40 will be on the right BEFORE the traffic light.

Traveling north on Stony Brook Road from 347

• Turn right on South Drive (you will see soccer fields on the right before the intersection).
• The entrance to Lot 40 will be on the right BEFORE the traffic light.

Traveling south on Nicolls Road from 25A

• At the third light, turn right onto South Drive.
• Continue straight on South Drive.
• Follow signs to Lot 40, which will be on your left.

Traveling north on Nicolls Road from 347

• At the third traffic light, turn left onto South Drive
• Continue straight on South Drive.
• Follow signs to Lot 40, which will be on your left.

ADA PARKING (AT LAVALLE STADIUM)

Accessible parking is available in Lot 3 (Stadium Parking Lot) near Gate 6. A valid ADA hang tag must be clearly displayed for entry. Please note that guests without the proper permit will not be allowed to park in this lot.

PARKING MAP

Please visit the Stony Brook parking map for more details.
*Please note, the Island Federal Arena is now the Stony Brook Arena