At the time of registration, each student will be permitted to request up to a defined maximum number of tickets for their guests. This is only a request for that number of tickets, and not a guarantee. The maximum number of tickets is calculated based on the number of students participating in each ceremony.
The Office of Community Engagement strives to accommodate each request, however reserves the right to reduce the ticket allocation based on the number of commencement candidates. Should the need arise to reduce the maximum number of tickets, students will receive notification via email prior to the prescribed ticket distribution dates for each semester.
Eligible students who register after the registration deadline will be offered fewer tickets.
How to Get Tickets
Tickets are only available to eligible candidates for graduation who have filed the Application for Graduation and indicated on the form that they wish to participate in the ceremony using the Application for Graduation form located on the University Registrar's website.
Tickets are distributed during set periods of the semester. Registered students will be sent e-ticket distribution details no later than two weeks prior to the start of their ceremony date.
Ticket Policies
In order to ensure that every graduate has the opportunity to have his or her family and friends attend the commencement ceremony, the following policies are in place concerning ticketing and distribution.
- Guest tickets are available only for eligible graduation candidates who have completed Application for Graduation form and indicated on the application that they wish to participate in the ceremony.
- Graduation candidates who have completed the above the prescribed deadlines are eligible to request a selected number of guest tickets. This is only a request for that amount of tickets, and not a guarantee for that amount of tickets.
- Participating graduating students do not need a ticket for themselves. Current ODU students who wish to attend the ceremony as a guest must obtain a standard guest ticket from an eligible graduating student.
- All children over the age of 2 must have a ticket.
- No extra tickets will be distributed.
- It is a violation of the student code of conduct to create counterfeit guest tickets and to sell commencement tickets.
Extra Tickets
We encourage students in need of tickets to check with classmates for any available tickets.
Ceremonies at Chartway Arena
Auxiliary viewing is provided on a first come, first served basis to guests without tickets. Auxiliary viewing is located in the Big Blue Room of the Chartway Arena. There, guests will see the processional enter the building (the processional enters through the Big Blue Room) and then view the remainder of the ceremony live on large screens in the room.
If seats are available in the arena, guests may be escorted into the arena to be seated 10-15 minutes before the start of the event.