Commencement Arrival Details
Arrival & What to Expect
Allow plenty of time to park and get situated
- Commencement is held inside the Amica Mutual Pavilion (AMP), which is located at 1 LaSalle Square, Providence, Rhode Island, 02903.
- Choose one of the parking options below.
- Prohibited items include weapons of any kind, noisemakers, laser pointers, balloons, outside food/beverages, drugs, briefcases, backpacks, luggage, and more — see AMP arena policies.
- As needed, guests may be dropped off at the AMP’s main entrance where ramps are located.
- Wheelchair/accessibility sections are 101, 106, 110, 120, or 124 (wheelchairs are not supplied by the AMP or JWU).
- For Undergraduate Commencement, guests must have Wheelchair Accessibility Tickets, which must be requested by graduating students at the time of ticket pickup.
Entrance for Graduating Students
Follow the LEFT-SIDE SERVICE ROAD (near the hotel and Starbucks)
Follow that road to the BACK OF THE ARENA
Pass through the SECURITY CHECK
If you do not have your NAME CARD, pick it up at the welcome table
FOLLOW SIGNS to line up with classmates in your college/program (it’s listed on your name card)
There is NO ALPHABETICAL LINEUP, so you can assemble with your friends and sit together
Use a BATHROOM now if needed (you cannot use one during the ceremony)
Listen to the USHERS who will guide you from there
Entrance for Families & Guests
Use the main FRONT entrance
Pass through the SECURITY CHECK
BATHROOMS & CONCESSIONS are available on the concourse, AFTER the security check – NONE are available in the lobby
SIT ANYWHERE – seats are not assigned
Note: Graduating students who are visibly intoxicated, disruptive, or otherwise behaving without respect for others may be asked to leave the commencement ceremony at the university’s discretion. Let’s celebrate the Wildcat Way!
Everyone in attendance is asked to remain for the ENTIRE DURATION of the ceremony
- Refer to the Commencement Program for the order of exercises.
When it’s time, ushers will guide graduating students ROW-BY-ROW to the commencement stage
- PAY ATTENTION to those in front of you, keep the line moving, and use caution (steps are steep).
- At stage-bottom, you will RECEIVE YOUR DIPLOMA COVER.
- At stage-top, HAND YOUR NAME CARD to the announcer who will use it to read your name out loud to the arena.
- WALK to center stage, SHAKE HANDS with university leadership, and EXIT the stage to return to your seat.
The ceremony ends AFTER:
- All names have been announced
- A brief celebration video plays
- The platform party leaves the stage
Ushers will guide graduating students ROW-BY-ROW off the commencement floor
- Pick a place and make a plan to meet your family and friends following the ceremony.
Parking Options
To make your own parking plans, review AMP parking guidelines.
Reserve & prepay parking
Get a guaranteed parking spot at a discounted rate
Primary parking is available in two garages adjacent to the AMP and the Rhode Island Convention Center (RICC)
The parking facility is easily accessible via all major highways and is conveniently connected to the RICC, the Arena, the Omni Hotel, and the Providence Place Mall
Check back in spring for reservation links
Use the JWU Parking Garage and ride JWU bus shuttles
Located at 185 Pine Street, the garage will be open and free of charge to JWU students and families from 6:30am to 6pm
Garage to AMP Bus Schedule: Every 15 minutes from 6:30am to 2:45pm
AMP to Garage Bus Schedule: Every 15 minutes from 10:30am to 5:30pm
Note: Due to safety restraint regulations, we are unable to transport any child/infact under age 8 or weighing less than 80lbs
It’s a 10-minute walk between the garage and the AMP.
Traffic delays are expected during high congestion and peak traffic times.