College of Science Degree Celebration

Graduates should arrive by 5:30 p.m. at EagleBank Arena for the College of Science Degree Celebration.

Important: Please use the restroom before arriving at the arena, as there are limited facilities available outside or on the arena floor level.

Upon Arrival

• Have your Tassel Stage Pass ready for check-in. Grad Passes are provided to each graduate through the Tassel ticketing portal.
• Enter EagleBank Arena Parking Lot A, dressed in your cap and gown, and proceed through security and the check-in lines.
• You will be seated with your degree major.
• Complete a reader card with your name and include a phonetic spelling if needed to ensure proper pronunciation.

During the Ceremony

• The ceremony will last approximately two hours.
• Graduates will process across the stage by degree major, and their names will be announced.
• At the conclusion of the Degree Celebration, the platform party and faculty will recess through the center aisle.
• Following the recessional, the ceremony will officially conclude.
• Graduates will be released by rows under the direction of the marshals. 

All students registered to graduate received a Degree Celebration Information Email on February 27 from gmuevent@tassel.com with instructions on registering for your ceremony and claiming tickets.

Guest tickets are required for all guests to enter the arena and attend the ceremonies. If you are attending both Commencement and your College Degree Celebration, you will need the appropriate guest tickets and stage passes for each ceremony. The university website provides additional information about Commencement and instructions for obtaining guest tickets.

Please note that tickets for the Degree Celebration are available through the George Mason email link for no charge/no service fee. This is the only authorized source for ceremony tickets. Please be aware that reports of individuals selling tickets and charging service fees have been reported in the past. This activity is suspect and caution is advised.

Doors will open one hour prior to the start of the ceremonies. It is advisable to arrive at that time. Your guest(s) need to have access to their tickets. 

Complimentary parking will be available in Lots A, C, and K. Expect heavy traffic on and around the Fairfax Campus, particularly on Braddock Road. Drivers should follow signage and traffic controls. 

Accessible parking will be available in Lot A, outside the south entrance to EagleBank Arena. Drivers should use the Roanoke River Road and Nottoway River Lane entrances to campus from Braddock Road to access accessible parking spaces. 

You can watch Commencement and the CHSS Degree Celebration ceremonies from anywhere via the live streaming broadcast. Visit gmutv.gmu.edu.

ASL Interpretation and Closed Captions will be provided at Commencement and the College of Science Degree Celebration.

For accessible parking and drop-off, please use the Roanoke River Road or Nottoway River Lane entrances of Braddock Road to access Lot A. ADA parking is located in Lot A.

Seating in all sections of EagleBank Arena, Rows E, F, and G, are marked reserved for special needs. These rows are on the concourse level and are easy access seating without requiring stairs. Ushers are stationed at each entrance portal to assist with seating. Guests requiring special assistance may be seated with one other guest from their party in these easy access rows. No advance notice is necessary to use this seating option, but allowing extra time for assistance is recommended. Wheelchair accessible seating is available in the four corner portals 4, 8, 13, and 17. Ushers are stationed at each portal to help with seating.

For questions or concerns, please send an email to the college's dean's office.

Please read all security notices to avoid issues at the entrances to the ceremonies:

We are asking all guests and graduates do NOT bring a bag to the graduation ceremonies in order to help expedite the entry for all guests. Everyone entering will be required to go through a security weapons detection monitor.  If you require a bag for your personal belongings, the bag must adhere to venue policies. Please note the list of prohibited items ahead of time, so that there are no issues at the entrances.

Acceptable Bags

Clear Bag:
Bag must be clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC with no obscured inside pockets
Bag must not exceed 12”x12”x6”
Bag may be 1 gallon plastic zip lock style bag

Clutch Style Bag or Purse
Non-clear clutch style bag or purse must not exceed 5”x7”

Small Medical and/or Parenting Bags:
Will be permitted on a case-by-case basis and will be subject to increased security screening

Signs

Signs larger than 18 in by 18 in, including banners, flags, and posters, are prohibited. All signs smaller than 18 in by 18 in must comply with the following guidelines:

• Item may not be constructed or displayed in a manner that may obstruct the view of other guests, interrupt the experience of other guests, or create a safety hazard
• Signs must be constructed of paper, fabric, or poster board materials
• Item may not be commercial or political in nature nor include obscene/offensive language and/or pictures
• Item must be related to the event
• Item may not be attached to a stick/pole
• Item may not be attached, hung, taped, or draped over any part of the building

No signage will be allowed on stage.

Throughout the year, George Mason University offers a variety of discounts at local hotels for families. Take advantage of special rates as you plan your visit.