Commencement Safety and Security

The safety and security of everyone on campus is of great importance to Western Washington University. Please review our security information for Commencement as you are making your plans to attend.

All graduates, guests and items are subject to search.  

Note: no balloons, backpacks, alcohol, noisemakers, air horns, or amplification devices are allowed. We encourage you not to bring other bags or belongings as there is no secure location to store them – please leave them in your car, hotel room, or home.

Any items deemed by the WWU staff to be inappropriate or possibly disruptive of other guests’ enjoyment are prohibited.

Items Allowed in Carver Gym for Commencement:

Graduates and their guests are encouraged to bring only necessary items to the WWU campus when attending a Commencement Ceremony. All graduates, guests and items are subject to search. In an effort to better communicate and enforce approved and prohibited items, please review the following items that are allowed:

• Clear bags (any bag larger than a small purse that contains personal items)
• Necessary personal items (small purses, keys, cell phone, etc.)
• Trained service animals*
• Banners and flags of not larger than 11” x 17” (must be handheld – cannot be attached to poles or sticks and cannot obstruct views)
• Binoculars and cameras for still photography
• Containers (empty or factory-sealed plastic water bottles and thermoses and unopened soft-sided juice boxes and baby bottles)
• Medically necessary items, liquids, or food
• Strollers
• Umbrellas

*Trained service animals are animals that have been trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability.

Any item not on the list of approved items will not be allowed into Carver Gym unless otherwise approved and properly inspected. Special considerations will be made for guests with special medical needs and individuals caring for infants.