Guest Information
Accommodations
The Hilton Philadelphia City Avenue and Homewood Suites will be offering a discounted rate to Saint Joseph's University graduates and their families for a limited number of rooms
To book online directly, please select your hotel below. The booking link automatically defaults to a 5/15 check-in and a 5/18 check-out. Guests may edit their arrival/departure dates simply by clicking the edit button on the site and adjusting their dates.
To book by phone, call the following numbers and reference the group book code:
- Hilton: 800-699-1829 | 93J (nine three jay)
- Homewood Suites: 800-699-1829 | 90O (nine zero oh)
If you have specific questions about accommodations, please contact the hotel you are interested directly.
Arrival
Seating is first come, first served in Hagan Arena, and no tickets are required. Please note, guests will not be permitted to enter with alcohol, open containers and noise-making devices such as airhorns, whistles, etc. These items will be confiscated. More information can be found below in Guest Expectations.
Ceremony | Doors Open | Processional Starts Time | Ceremony Start Time | Ceremony End Time |
Masters (5/15) | 7:45 a.m. | 8:30 a.m. | 9 a.m. | 10:30 a.m. |
Doctoral (5/15) | 11:45 a.m. | 12:30 p.m. | 1 p.m. | 2:30 p.m. |
SHP/PCP/ SEHD (5/16) | 7:45 a.m. | 8:30 a.m. | 9 a.m. | 10:30 a.m. |
HSB (5/16) | 11:45 a.m. | 12:30 p.m. | 1 p.m. | 2:30 p.m. |
CAS (5/17) | 7:45 a.m. | 8:30 a.m. | 9 a.m. | 10:30 a.m. |
We ask families and guests of each ceremony to depart the ceremony area promptly after the conclusion of the ceremony.
Parking
- Hawks’ Landing Garage
- Duperreault Hall Lot
- Moore/Townhouse Lot
- Ashwood Apartments Lot
- Merion Gardens Lot
- McShain Hall Lot
- St. Mary’s Hall Lot
- Claver Hall Lot
- Arrupe Hall Lot
- Behind Bronstein
- St. Albert Hall Lot
- Mandeville Hall Lot (limited spaces available/first-come first-served basis)
Driving and Detours
If you are planning to drive to campus for the ceremonies, please allow adequate time for parking. For the convenience of those in attendance, the University is working with PennDOT and the contractor of Post Crossing (SJU’s Pedestrian Underpass Project that is currently under construction) to reopen all travel lanes on City Avenue during the week of Commencement. The Cardinal Avenue detour from City Ave will remain in effect and access will need to occur from Wynnefield Avenue or Overbrook Avenue.
Additionally, shuttles will run from Merion Gardens to Mandeville Hall throughout the day.
Accessibility
Saint Joseph’s is committed to ensuring that all members of the community are able to celebrate with us at this special time of year. If you or your guests are in need of handicapped seating, please fill out this form. Handicapped Parking is located in the Mandeville Hall lot, and limited availability is on a first-come, first-served basis. Golf carts will be on-site to transport those in need of assistance to/from the Hagan Arena circle area.
Guest Expectations
We prohibit bringing in any, but not limited to, of the following items:
- Noisemakers
- Laser pointers
- Blow horns
- Balloons
- Large signs
- Any other distracting noise-making device that could interfere with the integrity of the event.
- Please note, strollers may be limited based on space and seating. Umbrella strollers are recommended.
Additionally, large bags should not be brought into the venue (unless it is a diaper bag or needed for a medical reason). Coolers, glass beverage containers, weapons of any kind, large signs that could block the view of others, etc., should be left in the guests' car.
Those who try to bring these items in will be asked to return them to their car. Graduates have all worked hard to achieve this accomplishment, and we want to make sure that every student's guests are able to see their graduate walk across the stage and hear their name as it is called.
Lastly, we ask that guests and graduates refrain from standing on chairs or rushing the stage area to try to get a picture; we have hired professional photographers for that purpose.
Celebrate Your Grad
Commencement Day is a pivotal moment for your graduate. Celebrate your Hawk with a gift that honors their achievements and welcomes them to the ranks of the University’s more than 110,000 alumni.
SUPPORT FUTURE HAWKS
Make a gift in honor of your graduate that supports future generations of Hawks.
GIVE THE GIFT OF SWAG
From hats to t-shirts, tote bags to travel mugs, there’s something for every graduate at Hawks' Landing.
SHOW YOUR PRIDE
These fun, easy-to-display signs come in a variety of designs to help you share your grad’s success with friends and neighbors. Order now to receive them in time for Commencement.
PURCHASE AN SJU LAWN SIGN OR BANNER
RINGS, DIPLOMA FRAMES AND MORE
Gift your graduate a Class of 2024 ring, diploma frame or graduation announcements to commemorate their big day.