Commencement Day Details - 2023 Commencement

 

Location and Ceremony Times

The 2023 Commencement ceremonies take place on Saturday, May 13, 2023, at Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater in Bridgeport, CT. (Address for GPS is 500 Broad St, Bridgeport, CT 06604). Each ceremony is expected to last approximately two hours.

Doors will open at 8 a.m. for the 9:30 a.m. ceremony for graduates of the College of Arts and Sciences, Tagliatela College of Engineering, and School of Health Sciences. Doors will close at 9:15 a.m. for the processional and reopen at the conclusion of the processional.

The doors will open at 3 p.m. for the 4:30 p.m. ceremony for the Pompea College of Business and Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences. Doors will close at 4:15 p.m. for the processional and reopen at the conclusion of the processional.

No one will be allowed to re-enter after leaving the facility.

 

Participating Student Information
  • Graduates should arrive dressed for the ceremony in caps, gowns, and if applicable, hoods. There is no dressing space available on site.
  • Upon checking in at the venue on Commencement Day, graduates will receive their printed GRAD PASS that will be scanned as they cross the stage. This pass will trigger the name call, name display and be collected after scanning by the photography team to match your photo to your space in the procession.
  • Graduates should arrive by 8:45 a.m. for the morning ceremony and by 3:45 p.m. for the afternoon ceremony.

 

Guest Information
  • All guests require a ticket. Tickets can be printed or showed electronically. Children 3 and under do not require a ticket, but they must sit on a ticket-holder’s lap during the ceremony without obstructing the view of other guests.
  • Flowers are permitted, though guests will not have access to the graduates before or during the ceremony. Graduates will recess from the venue at the conclusion of the ceremony to meet with family and friends outside the venue.
  • Balloons are strictly prohibited inside any part of the venue.
  • For planning purposes, please review the Hartford Healthcare Amphitheater venue FAQ/policies page, and note that the Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater is a cashless facility.
  • In order to expedite the check-in & security bag checking procedure at the Amphitheater, we encourage everyone to leave any unneeded bags in their vehicle and/or to use a clear or small handbag.

 

Directions and Parking

Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater is located at 500 Broad St, Bridgeport, CT 06604.

Two large attendee lots are located immediately across from the venue for Graduate and Guest parking. ADA guests may be dropped off in the traffic circle in front of the facility before the car is picked up. Parking in these lots is free. Lots and gates open two (2) hours prior to the event. Absolutely no tailgating will be permitted in these lots.

An additional, covered, municipal parking garage is available next to the Webster Bank Arena. Event parking rates will apply.

If arriving by Train: Hartford Healthcare Amphitheater is a short, 0.5 mile walk from the Bridgeport Train Station. Guests arriving by train should plan to arrive at the Bridgeport station at least 45 minutes prior to the ceremony to allow for arrival and entry.

If arriving by Ferry: Hartford Healthcare Amphitheater is a short, 0.5 mile walk from the Port Jefferson Ferry Terminal. Guests arriving by Ferry should plan to arrive at the Ferry Dock at least 45 minutes prior to the ceremony to allow for arrival and entry.

 

Shuttle for Students

Students that previously requested shuttle service to Commencement will receive an email with information.