51³Ô¹Ï

Tickets

Tickets are required for 51³Ô¹Ï Commencements. Tickets are free, but are required for planning purposes. You may or may not be asked to show your tickets to enter the stadium — but we ask that all guests have a ticket to ensure we have adequate seating available. 

Getting Around

May Commencement ceremonies take place at Hanson Stadium on 51³Ô¹Ï's Forest Grove Campus.

All 51³Ô¹Ï parking lots are available on a first-come, first-served basis. No parking permits are needed during Commencement. Please be courteous when parking on the streets in the neighborhoods around campus and follow all posted traffic regulations on city streets.

Parking Lot M, next to Hanson Stadium, is a designated drop-off location for those in need of assistance or who cannot walk long distances. Parking Lot M is available to parking only for those with a disabled parking pass.

A shuttle bus will circulate around the exterior of campus, and golf cart shuttles will run on campus from 7 to 9 a.m., from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and from 3 to 5 p.m. to assist guests with limited mobility. Please wave down a cart driver or talk to an usher to get a ride.

Getting Here | Campus Map |

Seating

All seating is first-come, first-served. Gates open one hour before each ceremony begins.

Seating includes in the covered bleachers at Hanson Stadium, including space for 12 wheelchairs. 

An additional 2,000 chairs, along with ample wheelchair seating, is available on the field to provide more guest seating. 

Guests will not be allowed to stand along the track or in aisleways, where they could block the processional or recessional.

Guests also are invited to sit inside the gym in the adjacent Stoller Center to watch a live broadcast of the ceremonies.

Stadium Rules & Safety

51³Ô¹Ï and Forest Grove parks are completely smoke-free areas. Smoking and vaping of any kind is prohibited in Lincoln Park, Hanson Stadium, and on all campus property, including parking lots.

Pets are not allowed in Hanson Stadium. Service animals are welcome.

Campus Public Safety and a paramedic are on-site during Commencement. If you need immediate assistance, call 911 and/or hail and usher. If you have other safety concerns, call Campus Public Safety at 503-352-2230.

Weather

Commencement is outdoors, rain or shine. Plan accordingly, including sunscreen or rain gear. The use of umbrellas is discouraged for the comfort of all guests. Disposable ponchos are available outside the stadium.

In the event of extreme weather hazards, such as lightning, information will be sent to students via a Boxer Alert, posted online at pacificu.edu, and emailed to ticketholders.

Accessibility

Campus shuttles, accessible seating, American Sign Language Interpreters, and a captioned live stream of the ceremonies are available for guests. 

, next to Hanson Stadium, is designated for people with disabled parking passes. Parking is on a first-come, first-served basis. Parking Lot M is also the designated drop-off location for people needing assistance or who cannot walk long distances.

A shuttle bus will loops continuously around campus and drop people off in Parking Lot M. Golf cart shuttles will also will circulate on campus and through campus parking lots. Shuttles run from 7 to 9 a.m., from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and from 3 to 5 p.m. Please wave a cart driver down or talk to an usher if you or your guest needs a ride. Please note that the shuttle drop-off in the parking lot is a distance from the stadium.

There is seating for 1,200 people in the stadium bleachers including wheelchair seating for 12 wheelchairs. In addition, there are over 2,000 chairs on the track and football field in front of the stadium bleachers with designated wheelchair locations. 

Guests who are hearing-impaired are encouraged to bring a smartphone or tablet to watch the live video feed with captioning during the ceremony. The live video feed also will play in the gym during the ceremony. American Sign Language Interpreters will also be at commencement. Please email events@pacificu.edu to make arrangements for seating close to the interpreters.

Additional Amenities

• There are no ATMs in Hanson Stadium or on the 51³Ô¹Ï campus. The nearest ATMs are at banks on Pacific Avenue in downtown Forest Grove.
• Restrooms are available at the entrance to Hanson Stadium and in the Stoller Center.
• Floral Sunshine supplies a variety of floral gifts for commencement. Please in advance to ensure your preferences, availability, and pre-order pricing. At commencement, you'll be able to pick up your pre-ordered floral gifts. There will be a limited selection available for purchase at commencement while supplies last.
• Plan ahead to stay in Forest Grove or nearby during Commencement Weekend! Historic Forest Grove is the perfect place to launch your exploration of Washington County. Enjoy wine country, take a day trip into Portland or to the Oregon Coast, explore the Tillamook State Forest, or get out and about in our bike friendly communities. Check out lodging, dining and tourism opportunities at .