All graduates, guests, employees, and vendors are required to pass through security screening checkpoints.

Venue doors will open one (1) hour before the ceremony begins.

Commencement is a ticketed event.

All attendees aged two and older, including volunteers, must present a valid ticket for entry.

• Banners or signs larger than 20"x20". (Signs must not obstruct the view of other guests and must remain stored until your graduate is called.)

• Alcohol

• Balloons.

• Cans or glass bottles.

• Confetti.

• Inflatable items (such as baseballs, bats, beach balls, dolls, etc.), frisbees, and other similar objects.

• Noisemakers of any kind.

• Non-service animals or pets.

Harris-Stowe implements a clear bag policy to ensure a safer environment. The University encourages all attendees to avoid bringing bags but permits the following:

• Bags that are clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC and do not exceed 12” x 6” x 12”.

• One-gallon clear plastic freezer bags (Ziploc or similar).

• Small clutch bags approximately the size of a hand or 6.5” x 4.5”.

• Exceptions for medically necessary items will be made after proper inspection at event entrances.

Prohibited items include:

• Purses larger than a clutch

• Briefcases,

• Backpacks,

• Cinch bags

• Luggage

• Computer bags

• Camera bags

• Any bag exceeding permissible size.

Working personnel and media will be subject to screening and bag inspections.

Harris-Stowe State University is a smoke-free, alcohol-free, and weapon-free campus.
Smoking of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, pipes, cigars, hookahs, and water pipes is prohibited on all University property.

Although recreational marijuana is legal in Missouri, it is prohibited on University property.
Possession of illegal drugs, alcohol, firearms, dangerous weapons, and knives is strictly prohibited—even with a concealed carry permit.

There will be no provisions to store prohibited items at the entrance. Items must be returned to your vehicle or disposed of. The University is not responsible for lost, stolen, or discarded items.

For guests and/or graduates who will be attending commencement who have accommodation needs (e.g., wheelchair/ADA, hearing impaired or interpreter/translation requests, etc.), please click here to email the University no later than December 10, 2025.

Persons needing accessible seating, including wheelchair accommodations, will be seated at ground level. One family member may accompany the person with special needs.

Guests who need accessible seating should be at the location at least 30 minutes before the ceremony begins.

Special tickets or advance notice are not needed. However, inform an usher upon arrival.