Frequently Asked Questions

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Accessibility

What accessibility services are available for guests and graduates?

GW is committed to providing universal access to all of our events. For detailed information, please visit our Accessibility page.

Commencement on the National Mall

What is Commencement on the National Mall?

Commencement on the National Mall brings together students from all of GW's schools for the conferral of their degrees. To learn more, visit the Commencement on the National Mall page.

When and where is Commencement taking place?

We will celebrate the Class of 2026 on Sunday, May 17, 10:30 a.m. on the National Mall. Visit the Commencement on the National Mall page for details about site location and arrival times, available in the spring semester.

I am a summer or fall graduate. When is my graduation ceremony?

Visit the Commencement on the National Mall page and School Celebrations page for information about participation in Commencement Week events for summer and fall graduates.

Who is the Commencement Speaker for 2026?

The university will share the Commencement Speaker at a later date

Who is the Commencement Student Speaker?

Visit the Commencement Student Speaker Competition page.

Can I take photos and video at Commencement on the National Mall?

Review our guidelines for photography and videography at Commencement.

Is there an alternate site plan for Commencement on the National Mall in case of inclement weather?

Visit the Commencement on the National Mall page for information about the Commencement alternate site plan.

School Celebrations

What are School Celebrations?

All schools and colleges will host a celebratory experience for their graduating students in May. At GW these are called "school celebrations." Visit the School Celebrations page to learn more.

When and where are School Celebrations?

For dates, times and locations of School Celebrations, please check the Commencement Week Schedule.

Can I take photos and video at my school celebration?

Review our guidelines for photography and videography at school celebrations.

Will my picture be taken at School Celebrations?

Photos and/or videos of attendees will be taken and may be shared on university social media accounts, websites, and marketing materials. Review GW's Statement of Privacy Practices for more information.

If you have concerns, please contact Events and Venues at ueventsgwu [dot] edu (uevents[at]gwu[dot]edu) or 202-994-7470.

Registration

Visit the how to register page for detailed information about registering for Commencement Week events.

When does registration open?

Visit the Register for Commencement Week Events page.

Who needs to register?

Visit the Register for Commencement Week Events page.

Food and Beverages

May I bring food or drinks to school celebrations and Commencement on the National Mall?

Visit the Commencement on the National Mall and School Celebrations pages for information about food and beverages at Commencement Week events.

Honors

How do I know if I’ll receive a cord or stole for my achievements?

Visit the School Celebrations page for information about honors.

Letters of Invitation

How do I get a letter of invitation for my guests to receive a visa for Commencement Week events?

Instructions for requesting a letter of invitation are provided on the Plan Your Visit page.

What if I can’t attend Commencement Week events?

Learn more about livestream and recording options on the Celebrate Anywhere page.

Restrooms

Are restrooms available at school celebrations and Commencement on the National Mall?

Visit the Commencement on the National Mall page and School Celebrations page for information about restroom availability at Commencement Week events.

Staff and Volunteers

Are students hired to work at Commencement Week events?

Students who are not graduating may apply to work at Commencement Week events through Student Employment beginning early in the spring semester. All applicants must complete required paperwork and receive clearance from Student Employment to work during Commencement Week.

Hired students who are on-campus residents will receive extended housing through May 18.

Do you need staff or faculty volunteers at Commencement Week events?

Staff or faculty who are interested in volunteering should contact the Commencement Office at commencementgwu [dot] edu. Volunteers must attend required orientation and training sessions.

WiFi Access

Is there WiFi access at school celebrations and Commencement on the National Mall?

Visit the Commencement on the National Mall page and School Celebrations page for information about WiFi access during Commencement Week.

Arrivals for School Celebrations and Commencement on the National Mall

Where and when should graduates arrive for school celebrations?

For school celebrations in the Smith Center, graduates should report to Funger Hall (2201 G Street, NW) one hour before their ceremony begins to line up for processions. No guests are allowed in Funger Hall; guests should proceed directly to the Smith Center.

For school celebrations in Lisner Auditorium or Betts Theatre, please check the Commencement Week schedule for your lineup location.

Carry your GWorld card with you at all times during Commencement Week.

Where and when should graduates arrive for Commencement on the National Mall?

Graduates should report to their assigned gate and proceed directly to their school’s designated section at Commencement on the National Mall. Check the Commencement website’s Know Before You Go page in the days leading up to Commencement on the National Mall for the location of your school’s seats. All graduates should be seated by 10:15 a.m.

Please keep the aisles clear once the ceremony begins.

Carry your GWorld card with you at all times during Commencement Week.

Where should faculty check-in for school celebrations?

Faculty should report to the backstage check-in tent no later than 9:30 a.m. Marshals will line up faculty for the procession. Please bring your regalia with you.

Carry your GWorld card with you at all times during Commencement Week. Use your GWorld card to check-in with staff for access to the backstage area.

Diplomas

When will I receive my diploma?

No diplomas are distributed at Commencement Week events. They are mailed to the address on file after being awarded; it takes 6-8 weeks for them to arrive at U.S.-based addresses, 8-10 weeks for international addresses.

Free Expression and Disruptions to Events

Free Expression and Reasonable Limitations

Colleges and universities are laboratories for social and intellectual growth; activism, engagement, and freedom of expression are essential for these things. This freedom extends to students and faculty and encompasses diverse viewpoints, including those that are objectionable or offensive to some.

Free expression, however, is not unlimited. Speech may be regulated when it is obscene, involves true threats (serious or intentional threats of violence directed at specific individuals), incites violence, or involves illegal conduct. In addition, speech is not protected when it rises to the level of prohibited harassment based on a person’s protected characteristic (examples include age, disability, ethnicity/national origin, gender, race, religion/faith tradition, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, and many others) as defined by state, local, and federal anti-discrimination laws and university policies. Finally, speech may be regulated in a way that focuses on reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions that are not based on the content of the speech. One example of such time, place, and manner restrictions is that the university prohibits speech that disrupts university activities or operations or threatens, endangers, or harasses others.

At School Ceremonies: Those who wish to organize demonstrations or other similar activities to voice their opinion on a particular topic may use the G Street Park (2135 G Street). If an individual or group attempts to disrupt a ceremony and/or use any of the prohibited items, an event representative will issue a warning and ask the individual(s) to discontinue the disruptive behavior. If the disruption continues, the individual(s) will be asked for their identification and to leave. If the individual(s) refuse to leave, they will be removed by law enforcement.

At the National Mall: The location for University Commencement on the National Mall has been reserved by the university through an agreement with the National Park Service. Those who wish to express their First Amendment rights will be directed by the United States Park Police to a separate First Amendment Zone at a nearby location on the National Mall. This follows National Park Service protocols that keep ceremonial events scheduled as planned while allowing individuals to express their opinions.

Inside the perimeter of the University Commencement ceremony, if an individual or group attempts to disrupt the ceremony and/or uses any of the prohibited items, an event representative will issue a warning and ask the individual(s) to discontinue the disruptive behavior. If the disruption continues, the individual(s) will be asked for their identification and to leave. If the individual(s) refuse to leave, they will be removed by law enforcement.

Disruptions to Commencement Week Activities

Commencement Week events are to celebrate the many accomplishments of our graduating students. Therefore, speech and/or actions that disrupt any university activities, operations or threatens, endangers or harasses others is not permitted at any Commencement Week event, on campus or on the National Mall within the event space perimeter. This includes the use of visible displays (signs, balloons, banners, posters, flyers, or any item that could obstruct the view of guests or graduates) and/or amplified sound items (noisemakers, bullhorns, megaphones, speakers). In the event of a disruption, an event representative will issue a warning and ask the individual(s) to discontinue the disruptive behavior. If the disruption continues, the individual(s) will be asked for their identification and asked to leave. If the individual(s) refuse to leave, they will be removed by law enforcement.

Emergency Notifications

In the event of an emergency, information and updates will be communicated through the following:

Text and email alerts through GW Alerts
GW's homepage and Campus Advisories
Social media via GW Twitter/X, Facebook and Instagram

Regalia and Keepsakes

When and where should students purchase regalia?

All students participating in school celebrations and Commencement on the National Mall must wear regalia. Visit the regalia page for more information.

What if my regalia size is not listed on Jostens’ website?

Please contact our sales representative, Chris Blaum, at chris [dot] blaumjostens [dot] com.

How do I schedule an appointment to have my photo taken for the yearbook?

The Cherry Tree yearbook offers portrait appointments through its website. It is an independent student organization that is not affiliated with University Events. If you feel that you received a message from them in error, or were excluded from their mailing list, please visit their website for contact information.

Photo and Video Release

Will I be in any photos or videos at Commencement Week events?

If you have concerns, please contact Events and Venues at ueventsgwu [dot] edu or 202-994-7470.