If rain is forecast, the University will make a decision on Saturday morning, May 20th, as to whether to hold the Main Commencement ceremony and the College of Arts and Sciences ceremony at the Ryan Center. Unless there is lightning or heavy rain which would pose a safety issue, the ceremonies could still be held outdoors and attendees should dress accordingly and be prepared. Alerts will be posted on the commencement website as well as through social media.
Tickets
Tickets are required if it rains. Only graduates who are preregistered for the Main Commencement ceremony and the College of Arts and Sciences ceremony on the Quad will be able to secure electronic rain tickets. Each graduate will be permitted to bring two guests to the Main Commencement ceremony and eight guests to the College of Arts and Sciences ceremony. Electronic tickets are required for admittance and should be secured as soon as possible, through a link which was emailed previously from the Ryan Center, with graduates entering their URI ID to proceed on the website.
Ryan Center Rain Schedule
The Ryan Center will opens at 9 a.m. for graduates and guests with tickets. All graduates should arrive prior to 9:15 a.m. The Main Commencement ceremony begins at 10:00 a.m. and ends at about 11:30 a.m. All other college ceremonies (except The College of Arts and Sciences – which will also move to the Ryan Center) will remain at their designated venues, rain or shine.
The College of Arts and Sciences ceremony will be held, following the Main Ceremony.
Procession and Seating
Students and Faculty
Please review the 2023 Ryan Center Line Up Map to see where your College will gather for the procession and be seated.
Guests
The 2023 Ryan Center Seating Map shows seating areas available as well as where students from each college will be seated.
Guests Without Tickets
All ceremonies will be streamed on URI’s Livestream channel through a link posted on the main page of the Commencement website. The livestream will also be available to view in the Memorial Union.