Commencement for Guests

Family and Friends Plan your Visit to Campus

• Tickets and Seating

  • All guests (including children 2 years and older) must have a ticket to enter the ceremony venue. Tickets will not be printed on-site. Guest seating is general admission. 

• Accessibility Seating & Drop Off

  • Accessibility seating and other reasonable accommodations will be available to guests at Commencement. Guests in need of accommodations should arrive no less than 60 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony and see an usher to be seated. Seating in these reserved areas cannot be guaranteed once the ceremony begins. Please display your drop-off permit on the car windshield.  The drop-off area and ADA parking options are highlighted in light blue on the commencement map. 

• Parking And Shuttles

  • All parking lots are open on Commencement day. Handicap parking is available. Shuttles will run to and from the ceremony venue. View shuttle pickup and drop-off locations on the commencement map.
  • GPS address for Manchester Field is 8 Petrarca Drive, Kent, Ohio 44243.

SAFETY INFORMATION

• Flashes Safety Principles

  • All in-person ceremonies will adhere to Flashes Safety Principles. If you experience any Covid symptoms: Stay home, contact your medical provider and call the COVID Response Team at 330-672-2525.

• Inclement Weather - Outdoor Ceremonies

  • Seating areas for graduates and guests will be tented. Commencement ceremonies will be held rain or shine. Severe weather (thunderstorms, lightning, tornado watch and/or warning) may lead to postponement. Communication on event delays due to inclement weather will be posted on the Commencement website and also emailed to the graduates' FlashLine account.  

• Inspections

  • For your safety and the safety of others, guests and their possessions are subject to inspection as a condition of admittance. The University reserves the final decision on all items brought into the venue. Security will carry out security checks at the entrance of the ceremony venue. Our priority is to do this as quickly as possible. Please allow plenty of time to get in the venue for the ceremony.

• Prohibited Items Include:
  • Animals (other than those used as service animals)
  • Bags (larger than 14" x 14")
  • Laser pointers (Note: the use of a laser-point device will result in criminal charges and ejection from the ceremony)
  • Whistles or Noisemakers
  • Weapons of any kind
     
• Emergencies and Evacuation
  • In the event of a medical emergency, please see a member of the event staff, usher or law enforcement official. Should there be a need to evacuate the ceremony at any time, an announcement will be made. For your safety, please follow the instructions from the announcer and law enforcement officials.
     
• Smoking Policy
  • Smoking is prohibited. Smoking is also defined to include any and all electronic cigarettes or e-cigarettes.

KENT STATE UNIVERSITY HOTEL AND CONFERENCE CENTER 

• Situated adjacent to the Kent State University campus, Kent State University Hotel and Conference Center is the perfect spot for campus visitors to stay.

Gifts for Graduates

Ceremony Gifts 

University Bookstore