Pitt Business Graduation Recognition Ceremony

To accommodate physical distancing and other public health guidelines, some modifications to the ceremony may be necessary. These may include but are not limited to:

• • Each graduate is allowed a maximum of (2) guests.
  • No student processional. 
  • Physically distanced seating for students and guests.
  • Students will still be individually recognized as they walk in front of the stage at the ceremony. They will not participate in the traditional handshake with Institutional leadership.
  • Face coverings that cover your nose and mouth must be worn while inside the stadium. Students will not be allowed to remove their mask as they cross in front of the stage.
  • The Commencement program will be digital.

• Anyone attending in-person ceremonies will be required to wear a face covering to enter PNC Park and must wear it throughout the event.
• With the proper health and safety protocols in place, including face coverings, physical distancing and good hand hygiene, the COVID-19 Medical Response Office is confident that in-person ceremonies present minimal risk.
• Hand sanitizing stations are located throughout PNC Park.
• There will be limited touch points throughout the ceremony, with mobile ticketing and digital programs.
• For graduates and guests who are unable to attend the in-person ceremonies, each ceremony will be livestreamed to be viewed online.
• Visit PNC Park’s Health and Safety Protocols for additional information.

Students are to arrive through the Peoples Home Plate Gate along Mazeroski Way and W. General Robinson Street.

• Graduates do not need a ticket to enter the park.
• Gates will open at 10:00 a.m. for graduates attending the Pitt Business ceremony.
• Graduates must arrive at PNC Park no later than 10:00 a.m. (for the Pitt Business ceremony) and in their seat by 10:45 a.m.
• Graduates must be in regalia upon arrival.
• IMPORTANT NOTE: All graduates should refrain from bringing bags, backpacks, or purses with them to the ceremony as they might not return to the same seat after crossing the stage.

• Guests must have a ticket to enter the park.
• Ticketing for guests is now available via PNC Park Ticketing
  • Each student is able to reserve up to 2 tickets
  • All students MUST reserve tickets via their Pitt Email Address (this is your ‘code’)
  • You will create an account after. This does NOT have to be your Pitt Email Address
  • Tickets are non-transferrable
  • Tickets are not available the day of commencement
  • If you experience any issues regarding ticketing, please contact the Pirates tickets office at TicketServices@pirates.com
• Gates to PNC Park will open to guests at 10:00 a.m. for the Pitt Business ceremony.
• All guests will enter PNC Park through the Left Field Gate entrance along Federal Street only.

• Ticketing for guests is now available via PNC Park Ticketing
  • Each student is able to reserve up to 2 tickets
  • All students MUST reserve tickets via their Pitt Email Address (this is your ‘code’)
  • You will create an account after. This does NOT have to be your Pitt Email Address
  • Tickets are non-transferrable
  • Tickets are not available the day of commencement
  • If you experience any issues regarding ticketing, please contact the Pirates tickets office at TicketServices@pirates.com

Graduate Check-in Instructions:

• Once the graduate arrives at the HOME PLATE GATE entrance, they should check in at the registration area.
• Graduates will also receive their name card (for name announcing during the ceremony) and a seat ticket.
  • Do Not Lose This Card!
• The graduate will proceed into the stadium and to their assigned seat. All graduates must be in their seats 15 minutes before the start of the ceremony.  Volunteers will be on-site to assist as needed.
• Graduates are to arrive with their regalia and academic hood on. (Regalia is required for the ceremonies.)

• All graduates should remain in their seats until instructed otherwise.
• Graduates will be led to the stage.
• Graduates should always remain at least six feet from other graduates in line.
• Name announcers will read the graduate’s name and they will be congratulated verbally on the stage by the chancellor, provost and your dean.
  • Graduates will not be shaking hands with anyone on stage.
• It is important for graduates to move swiftly across the stage.
• IMPORTANT NOTE: All graduates should refrain from bringing bags, backpacks, or purses with them to the ceremony as they might not return to the same seat after crossing the stage.

• PNC Park has an Access Guide for Guests with Disabilities.
• Accessible drop-off zones with curb cuts are located near PNC Park along Mazeroski Way and West General Robinson Street.
• When guests request tickets for the ceremony in early April, handicap seating will be an option that can be selected.
• For graduates that need special accommodations, please contact Renee Schwartz, event manager at Pitt Business.
• For graduates and their families who will be watching the ceremony online, open captioning will be automatically displayed during the broadcast.

• This is an academic ceremony and, as such, academic regalia is required to participate in the ceremony.
• Only those students in full academic regalia (cap, gown, and hood) will be permitted to participate. The only exception will be for those graduates in military uniform.
• Regalia can be ordered through the University Store on Fifth or by clicking HERE and having it shipped to you directly.
• For questions concerning shipments, contact Oak Hall at 800-456-7623 or webdept@oakhalli.com.

• No, programs will be available online prior to the ceremony.

• GradImages, an external photography service, will take photos of all students as part of the procession to the stage. These photographs can be purchased directly from GradImages following the ceremony.  gradimages.com

• There are numerous parking lots available around PNC Park. Click HERE for a parking map.  Costs range from approximately $5 – $10.
• Accessible drop-off zones with curb cuts are located near PNC Park along Mazeroski Way and West General Robinson Street.

• Each commencement ceremony will be livestreamed for guests who are unable to attend.
• Visit commencement.pitt.edu to obtain the link to join at the scheduled time of your ceremony.

What if it Rains?

The ceremony will take place rain or shine, unless weather conditions are dangerous or severe. If weather conditions become dangerous during the event, PNC Park safety protocols will be announced at that time. Any changes to the ceremony will also be listed on commencement.pitt.edu. Graduates and guests should check the website before departing for PNC Park.

In the event of rain, the ceremony may be abbreviated. Umbrellas are permitted, but ponchos are the rain gear of choice, both for unimpeded sight lines and for the comfort of guests.

• Graduates should not bring any bags or personal items with them into PNC Park.
• PNC Park has a bag policy for guests:
  • Each Guest is permitted to bring one bag into the ballpark. Bags, purses, fanny packs and backpacks that are 16″ X 16″ X 8″ or smaller are permitted.
  • An exception will be made for medically necessary items after proper inspection at the gate.
  • For more information visit the PNC Food, Beverage and Gate Policy.

For your convenience, Commencement Flowers is on site before and after the ceremony if you would like to purchase flowers for your graduate. The company carries top-of-the-line quality, fresh-cut flowers, with a large variety of colors
and sizes.

• 1 Dozen Long-Stem Roses – $40 with babies breath and greenery
• 1/2 Dozen Roses – $20
• 10.5” Teddy Bear – $25 with the purchase of flowers
• T-shirt with all graduates’ names – $25
• Sweatshirt with all graduates’ names – $45

To further contribute to a safe and efficient environment for your graduates, guests, and faculty, we are strongly encouraging customers to take advantage of our online pre-order service. We will have a contact-free customer experience for the guests who are simply picking up their pre-purchased and reserved product. This will also increase overall physical distancing measures.

The pre-order link for commencement is: https://www.thecommencementgroup.com/pittbusinessadmin/

All online orders will be available for pickup on site the day of the graduation.  To retrieve your order, please stop by our booth located conveniently at the entrance to the graduation before the ceremony begins. 

• Please make sure to choose a meeting location for after the ceremony with your guests outside of PNC Park. Guests will be asked to exit immediately after the ceremony, and graduates will be released by sections after the guests have exited to assist with physical distancing.
• Alcoholic beverages and items that can interfere with the ceremony (beach balls, bullhorns, etc.) are not permitted inside PNC Park and will be confiscated.
• Concessions
  • Limited concessions will be open during the ceremony
  • Outside food and drink are not permitted
• All commencement related info will be available online at commencement.pitt.edu.
• Each ceremony should last between 2 – 2 ½ hours in length.
• Visit PNC Park’s Heath and Safety Protocols for more information.