Commencement

GRADUATE HOODING CEREMONIES
Friday, May 30, 12 pm and 2 pm
RISD Auditorium 
17 Canal Street, Providence, RI

COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY 
Saturday, May 31, 9 am ET
Amica Mutual Pavilion
1 LaSalle Square, Providence, RI

It’s not too soon to plan ahead for the Class of 2025 to take the Commencement stage. If you have questions about next year or anything Commencement-related, please email us at commencement@risd.edu or call +1 401 454-6379.

For students who may have family traveling to the US to celebrate commencement with them. According to the US Department of State, an invitation letter or affidavit of support is not required to apply for a visitor visa. However, if students would like to write their own invitation letter/support letter for visiting family, RISD International Student and Scholar Affairs has developed a template that you may wish to use which can be found here.

Commencement tickets will be available beginning in late February. Only graduating students may request tickets. Graduating students can request up to eight tickets, with extra tickets based on availability. Information on ordering caps, gowns and regalia will be available in late February/ early March.

The Amica Mutual Pavilion is an accessible building. For Graduate Hooding, the accessible entrance for RISD Auditorium is located on Amos Street.

We ask that graduating students let us know about the special seating needs of their families and guests when reserving tickets for Commencement. You may also email us at commencement@risd.edu or call 401 454-6379. Please contact us well in advance for information on entry and seating arrangements.

An American Sign Language (ASL) translator will be on stage during Commencement as well as at the Graduate Hooding Ceremonies. The Commencement program will include translations of ceremony details and the president’s welcome message in more than 20 languages.

All graduating students will need to show a government-issued or student ID and pass through the AMP’s metal detectors in order to enter the building. Guests may also be required to show ID, along with their ticket, and pass through metal detectors in order to enter.

Amica Mutual Pavilion bag policy

To uphold health and safety protocols, minimize contact and ensure a swifter entry process, the AMP strongly discourages guests from bringing large bags to events. If a bag is necessary, the following restrictions apply:

• Backpacks, luggage, briefcases of any size are considered prohibited items and are not allowed in the arena.
• Bags that measure larger than 14”x14”x6” are considered prohibited items and are not allowed in the arena.
• Bags that measure between 6”x4”x1.5” to 14”x 14”x6” are subject to visual inspection.
• Diaper bags and bags needed for medical purposes are permitted and will be subject to inspection.

We kindly ask that you contact the AMP via email at amppvd@pvdricenter.com twenty-four hours prior to the event if you require additional accommodations before arrival.

Reminder: Guests with prohibited items will not be permitted entry to the arena. The AMP does NOT provide on-site storage. Guests are asked to plan accordingly.

Amica Mutual Pavilion policy for banners and signs

Signs measuring 8½” x 11” or less that adhere to the AMP’s Guest Code of Conduct are permitted in the arena. However, management may prohibit and confiscate signs that violate the Guest Code of Conduct, are not event-related, excessive in size, contain indecent or derogatory comments or images, political statements, or commercial references. Signs and banners may NOT be hung anywhere in the AMP. Signs or banners with poles or sticks are NOT permitted.