Frequently Asked Questions

Who should attend the ceremony?
I'm graduating this month - what do i need to do?
Do I need tickets to attend?
Inclement Weather Announcements
How early should we arrive to get seats?
Where should we park?
Is there somewhere I can drop off passengers?
Where can I watch a live webcast?
Is there mobility impaired seating available?
Will there be wheelchairs available?
Will I be able to purchase food?
What should we plan for lunch?
How will I find my graduate after the ceremony?
What if I arrive late to the ceremony?
What if I can not stay through the entire ceremony?
How can we help commemorate the day?
Where do I pick-up my diploma?

Who should attend the University-wide ceremony on Thursday, May 24 at 8:40 a.m.?

All bachelor, master’s and doctorate level candidates are invited to attend. All degrees will be conferred during this ceremony. All Nursing, Peabody, Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, and Whiting School of Engineering bachelors and all doctoral candidates will be called across the stage individually. This ceremony includes those candidates whose degrees were conferred earlier in the year. You must let your school know that you plan to participate in this ceremony.

I am graduating this month! What do I need to do?

Check back to review a helpful document from the Registrar's Office for all final information and instructions.

Do I need tickets to attend?

Tickets are not required to attend the University-wide ceremony on Homewood Field. We are expecting large crowds so it is recommended that you arrive early. Some of the divisional ceremonies have a ticket requirement so please visit your school’s page to learn more.

Inclement Weather Announcements

The Baltimore weather forecast is here.
For those guests for whome heat or other weather conditions are a health hazard, the commencement ceremony will be webcasted in Hodson Hall, Room 110 and in the Shriver Auditorium - these locations are indoors and air conditioned.

In the event that inclement weather threatens events associated with Johns Hopkins commencement from Monday, May 21, to Friday, May 25, please check this Web page for announcements from the university. The same information will also be posted on the university's weather emergency phone line at 410-516-7781.

University-wide Commencement: Homewood Field, 8:40 a.m., Thursday, May 24 - The outdoor ceremony is scheduled take place rain or shine. The area is not covered; students and guests should dress appropriately for the weather conditions; this includes rain and sun/heat. Umbrellas are permitted, but should be used with due consideration for those seated around you.

If it is clear in advance that the ceremony must be canceled because of severe weather, an announcement will be made by 6:30 a.m. on the emergency notices Web site and the weather emergency telephone hotline at 410-516-7781.

If severe weather conditions (torrential rain, thunder, and/or lightning) make it unsafe to continue the ceremony once it has begun, an announcement closing the proceedings will be made by the chief marshal. Should this occur, graduates scheduled to receive their diplomas at this ceremony should immediately pick up those diplomas in the Goldfarb Gymnasium in the Newton H. White Athletic Center, in the Scott Gymnasium in the Ralph O’Connor Recreation Center, or in Gilman Hall.

All other graduates should go to the diploma award ceremonies or convocations of their respective schools, if those ceremonies have not already taken place.

How early should we arrive to get seats?

Please check back to the site in early May to learn how the City of Baltimore's Charles Street construction project will impact your travels to and around campus. http://www.fm.jhu.edu/charlesstreetconstruction/

Homewood Field will open at 7:15 a.m. All guests should be in their seats by 8:30 a.m. for the 8:40 a.m. processional. Please allow time for traffic when entering campus, parking and walking to Homewood Field.

Where should we park?

The influx of guests to campus, combined with morning rush-hour traffic, will create congestion around the Homewood campus. Guests are urged to allow extra time to reach campus. Parking on campus is available on a first-come, first-serve basis, please consider carpooling. Guests who will be staying in the city are encouraged to take a taxi cab.

We anticipate that all parking on the Homewood Campus will be filled before 9:00 a.m. If you are coming to campus between 9:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. you are advised not to drive. Please take a cab, walk or park at the Eastern campus satellite location.

The Thursday morning shuttle will also include a stop at the South Parking Garage between 7:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

A limited number of handicapped parking spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis on the Lacrosse Hall of Fame parking lot entered from W. University Parkway. A state issued handicapped hangtag or license plate is required. Please see Assistance for Persons with Disabilities.

The Homewood-JHMI shuttle will run its normal schedule. The Eastern-JHMI shuttle will run its normal schedule.
For more updated information on the JHU shuttle service please visit the parking website.

Is there somewhere I can drop off passengers?

Yes, passengers can be dropped off in front of the Schelle Pavilion on W. University Parkway. This is encouraged for anyone especially those who might have difficulty walking across campus.

Where can I watch a live webcast?

For those guests for whom heat or other weather conditions are a health hazard, the commencement ceremony will be webcasted in Hodson Hall, room 110, and the Shriver Auditorium - these locations are indoors and air conditioned.

Is there mobility impaired seating available?

Seating for guests who use wheelchairs, as well as those with limited physical mobility or medical conditions, will be available both on the field and in the lower stands. Due to space constraints, guests with disabilities who are seated on the field may be accompanied by one escort only. Arrangements for this type of seating may be made during regular business hours by calling 410-516-7711 or email commencement@jhu.edu as far in advance of the event as possible. There is no guarantee that an accommodation can be made if the request is received after Thursday, May 17, 2012.

Will there be wheelchairs available?

For wheelchair rentals/accommodations, please call Northern Pharmacy at 410-254-2055, ext. 241, or e-mail cbroussard@northernpharmacy.com.

Will I be able to purchase food?

There will be concession stands available around the stadium. The stands will accept credit cards and cash.

What should we plan for lunch?

Immediately following the ceremony, graduates and their families are invited to attend the President’s Reception on Keyser Quadrangle. Light refreshments will be served.
If you are making reservations for lunch, we recommend making them for after 1:30 p.m. to allow time for diploma pick-up and to account for traffic delays as you exit campus.

How will I find my graduate after the ceremony?

It is strongly recommended that you pick a meeting location away from Homewood Field and the Newton H. White Athletic Center. Bachelor Candidates will pick up their diplomas on Keyser Quadrangle. Meeting up in front of one of the buildings on Keyser Quad (location of the President’s Reception) would be a better option.

What if I arrive late to the ceremony?

We expect that all of the seats in the stadium will be filled so you may not be able to get a seat. Also, once the procession begins at 8:40 a.m., security will not let people interrupt to find a seat so you will be held outside the field until 9:15 a.m.

What if I can not stay through the entire ceremony?

Guests and graduates are expected to stay for the entire ceremony. However, if it is necessary to exit early, we ask you to move quickly and quietly so that you do not disrupt those around you.

How can we help commemorate the day?

A number of items are available for purchase:

Johns Hopkins University Commencement DVD: A professionally produced and packaged DVD of the commencement ceremony is available to order at http://www.gradmemory.com/. For the first time, the DVD can also be personalized with the name and picture of the graduate. Visit http://www.gradmemory.com/ for more information. Questions: Toll-free: 866-977-4723 (GRAD) or Email: support@gradmemory.com
Cap and gown ordering - www.herffjones.com/college/jhu
Flowers and Graduation T-shirts with all the graduates' names on the back will be available for purchase at commencement. You can pre-order your flowers and/or T-shirt here
Photos:
- A photographer from GradImages will be at your ceremony to take a candid photograph of you at your special moment of recognition.
- You will receive a free passport-sized digital proof of this photo on an order card within 5-7 days following the ceremony.
- After the ceremony you may order online at www.gradimages.com or call 800-261-2576.
- Since photographs will be available, family members and guests are encouraged to remain in their seats, relax and enjoy the ceremony.
- To pre-register your permanent email address and receive a $5.00 coupon towards a purchase of $25.00 please visit www.gradimages.com/register.cfm and click on Pre-Event Registration. You may add contact information for up to 6 additional relatives and/or friends.

Where do I pick-up my diploma?

All bachelors will recess towards Keyser Quad following the ceremony where diplomas will be picked up in Gilman Hall. Graduate students can pick up diplomas in the Ralph O'Connor Recreation Center. Please contact the Registrar's Office with any questions.

For additional information, please call 410-516-7711 or email commencement@jhu.edu.
This year’s commencement date is Thursday, May 24, 2012.

Future Commencement Dates:
2013: May 23