montclair.edu/commencement | [email protected]
IMPORTANT TRAVEL ADVISORY: We anticipate heavier-than-normal traffic in and around Prudential Center.
Plan to allow ample time for traffic, parking, and security screening at the venue.
KNOW BEFORE
YOU GO
ARRIVAL
9:30 AM
College for Community Health
College for Education and Engaged Learning
College of Humanities and Social Sciences
University College
Prudential Center Doors Open: 7:30 a.m.
Graduates Must Arrive By: 8:10 a.m.
Graduate Processional: 9:10 a.m.
SPRING COMMENCEMENT 2024
Monday, May 13, 2024 | Prudential Center
25 Lafayette St, Newark, NJ 07102
3:30 PM
College of the Arts
College of Science and Mathematics
Feliciano School of Business
School of Nursing
Prudential Center Doors Open: 2:00 p.m.
Graduates Must Arrive By: 2:10 p.m.
Graduate Processional: 3:10 p.m.
montclair.edu/commencement | [email protected]
Graduates MUST arrive at M&M’s Tower by the designated arrival
time. Don’t be late! Graduate Processional begins 20 minutes
before the ceremony start time.
Guests should arrive when Prudential Center doors open and can
enter through the following entrances:
Citizens Tower (Mulberry Street and Edison Place)
M&M’s Tower (Mulberry Street and Lafayette Street)
Lafayette Street Entrance (behind M&M’s Tower)
All attendees will be subject to a courteous screening via a walk-
through metal detector to ensure safety and security for all.
IMPORTANT: The following items are prohibited at Prudential
Center: alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs, balloons, signs,
banners, flags, beach balls or balls of any kind, horns,
noisemakers, laser pointers, flashlights, fireworks, selfie sticks,
and outside food/beverages. For a comprehensive list of
prohibited items, please view Prudential Center Arena Policy.
Prudential Center security will deny entrance to guests with any
prohibited items.
ENTRANCE & SECURITY SCREENING
Parking will be available at lots and garages surrounding
Prudential Center. Costs are determined by each parking facility.
Consider taking public transportation through NJ Transit,
carpooling, or a rideshare service.
For detailed directions and parking locations, visit the Prudential
Center Directions website.
PARKING & TRANSPORTATION
Guest Services staff are located at all entrances. Guest Services
staff will assist guests needing accommodations, including
wheelchair escorts, providing elevator locations, and ADA seating.
Entrance ramps are located at M&M’s Tower and Lafayette Street
Entrance.
For more information on accommodations available, please visit
Prudential Center Access Accommodations.
For additional questions, email [email protected].
Any graduate who needs accessible accommodations may
contact Francesca Leite at [email protected].
ACCESSIBLE ACCOMODATIONS
Limit any personal items you bring, as they must always remain on
you. Graduates cannot leave belongings in the graduate lineup or
seating areas. Graduates and guests may carry small handbags
up to 10” x10” for personal items. Anything larger (e.g.,
backpacks), except childcare or medical bags, are not allowed.
Bags that do not meet these expectations must be returned to
the guest’s vehicle or stored in a Prudential Center-supplied
locker at the guest’s expense. Lockers are located outside M&M’s
Tower and Lafayette Street entrances. Strollers that fit underneath
seating are permitted in the arena; all larger strollers must be
checked at the entrance.
BAG POLICY
Montclair State University will hold two ceremonies and graduates will be assigned a Commencement based on their college or school.
The ceremony will last approximately 3 hours.
The University expects all graduates to remain in the arena until
all degrees have been conferred and the platform party has
departed. We ask that you be respectful to all graduates
attending Commencement. Event staff will cue you to begin the
recessional from the arena.
Before the ceremony begins, plan a spot where you and your
guests will meet after the ceremony. After the ceremony, the
Prudential Center requests that all guests and graduates vacate
the building. A timely exit from the venue and parking areas
ensures availability and preparation for the next ceremony of
graduates and guests.
CEREMONY TIMING & VENUE EXIT
Island Photography will be capturing the moment graduates walk
across the stage. Don't forget to scan the QR code on the back of
your reader card to register for your Commencement photo.
Photos outside Prudential Center: if graduates and guests wish to
take pictures outside Prudential Center, we strongly suggest
arriving early to take photos before the ceremony.
PHOTOS
Your name will be announced as you walk across the stage at
Commencement by way of your reader card. This card has your
diploma name, degree, major, and college/school.
Please take care of this card and bring it with you to
Commencement. Do not lose, damage, fold, rip, crumble, or write
on it, as we cannot replace them.
CEREMONY NAME READER CARDS
Food and beverages are available at concession stands located in
Prudential Center. We encourage graduates to eat before arriving,
as the concession stands are not accessible from the student line-
up area. Guests and graduates cannot bring outside food,
beverages, coolers, bottles, or cans into the arena. All concession
stands are cashless, and guests must pay for concessions with a
debit card, credit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay.
CONCESSIONS
Graduate gifts, including flowers, graduate t-shirts, and other gift
items, will be available for purchase on concourse levels.
GRADUATE GIFTS
All ceremonies will be livestreamed in English & Spanish for family
and friends who cannot attend. Livestream links will be available
on the Commencement website.
LIVESTREAM
This Know Before You Go is a summary of the information needed for Commencement. Detailed information is
listed on the Montclair State University Commencement website. All graduates and guests must review all
necessary information available on the Commencement website before the ceremony on Monday, May 13, 2024.
All guests must have an authorized ticket to enter Prudential
Center. Tickets are specific to each commencement ceremony
and will not be accepted at a different ceremony.
Seating is general admission and will be on a first-come, first-
served basis.
GUEST TICKETS
Only Montclair State University-approved academic regalia is
permitted. This includes cap, gown, hood (hoods are only for
doctoral and masters candidates), Montclair State University
zipper pull, and approved stoles, cords, and pins.
Graduates should wear flat, comfortable shoes as they will need
to walk throughout the arena for line up, Graduate Processional,
and across the stage during the ceremony.
Every graduate will receive a Montclair State University zipper pull
in their regalia package. Attach the zipper pull to your regalia to
show off your Montclair pride at Commencement!
REGALIA
montclair.edu/commencement | [email protected]
