Graduation Admittance and Code of Conduct

A male and female student at their graduation ceremony

University of Sunderland Graduation Ceremony Admittance and Code of Conduct

Our graduation ceremonies are a celebratory occasion, where we come together to recognise the hard work and achievements of our graduates. We politely remind guests, that all guests are present to see their loved ones graduate and request that all in attendance respect the enjoyment of others and allow them to enjoy the event free from disturbances.

Although the majority of students and guests behave impeccably and enjoy their day, regretfully it has become necessary to create this Code of Conduct due to the conduct of a minority.

This document details the conduct required of all graduates and guests, to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all of those in attendance. By attending a University of Sunderland graduation ceremony, you are agreeing to act in accordance with this document. Failure to do so will result in you and/or your guests being asked to leave the event and no refund will be given.

Tickets

All graduates, and guests aged 2 and over must be in possession of a valid ticket;
Children under the age of 2 years of age do not require a ticket but must sit on the knee of the guest with a valid ticket. They cannot be sat on a seat, as they will be allocated to ticket holders;
All graduates and guests must be in possession of a valid ticket and tickets will be scanned on entry to the event. Those without a valid ticket in their possession will not be permitted entry to the event;
Please note that graduates and guests enter the venue via separate entrances, and therefore each attendee must be in possession of their own ticket;
Anyone found to be participating in ticket fraud will be asked to leave the venue. By committing ticket fraud, you are trying to get for free what other graduates and their families have paid for.

Arrival

Graduates and guests are required to attend by the arrival time stated on their tickets. Failure to arrive on time will result in you being denied entry to the ceremony;
Where graduates fail to arrive on time we will endeavour to accommodate them in a later ceremony in the same day, if we have capacity to do so. Where we do not have capacity to move the graduate to a later ceremony they will graduate in absentia, no refund will be given.

Children

We recognise that graduates wish to celebrate their achievements with their loved ones, including their children. Please see above tickets section for information regarding ticket requirements for children;
Please be mindful that this is a formal event and all guests, including children, are required to remain in their seats for the duration of the ceremony;
Where children become upset or are unable to remain in their seats, we politely request that they are moved from the ceremony room to our post ceremony reception area;
All children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult who remains with them for the duration of the ceremony. Graduates cannot attend with a child under 14 years of age with no one to care for the child whilst they cross the stage to graduate. This is a safeguarding risk and will be treated as such. University and venue staff will not look after children during graduation, and should not be asked to do so;
Pushchairs are permitted inside our venue but not in the ceremony room. Pushchair parking is available. Please ask a member of staff to direct you to this if required.

Conduct

Taking or receiving calls, and the use of handheld games consoles and devices such as iPads are not permitted inside the ceremony room. It is disruptive and disrespectful to the other students and families in the room. If you must take or make a phone call, you must leave the room to do so. If you do not, you will be asked to leave, and the ceremony may be paused while you do so;
Graduates and guests are required to remain in their seats for the duration of the ceremony. Graduates must return to their seats after crossing the stage. If guests move about, stand to take photos, etc. they may well block the view of the stage for families just as their graduate crosses the stage;
Graduates and guests are required to follow the instructions of the ceremony and venue staff. Your attendance is acceptance of this;
No food is to be removed from the venue;
Verbal abuse (including shouting, swearing and derogatory comments), violence, threats of violence and intimidation will not be tolerated under any circumstances. No graduate or guest should ever put their hands on a member of staff, hold them back or block their exit. Anyone participating in verbal, physical abuse or intimidation will be removed from the venue.

Prohibited Items

Large bags and suitcases are not permitted in our graduation venue. It is your/your guests responsibility to find storage at a hotel or elsewhere for such items. If you arrive with large items you will be denied entry to the venue and risk missing your ceremony. Here are some bag storage options - this is simply a search not an endorsement of any provider);
Weapons, or items resembling a weapon, are not permitted;
Smoking and vaping are not permitted in our graduation venue.