Participants should remain seated until the conclusion of the ceremony which is marked by the candidate recessional.

• Only degree candidates are permitted in the processional and recessional areas.
• Cell phones and other electronic equipment should be silenced.
• Signs, balloons, noisemakers, e.g., marine air horns, trumpet, etc., are strictly prohibited.

All graduates should plan to meet their guests outside the Curb Event Center following the ceremony. Guests are not allowed on the arena floor or the stage and will be asked to exit the Curb Event Center quickly to meet their graduates.

While graduation is a festive occasion, the ceremony itself is marked by dignity and a degree of formality.

DEGREE CANDIDATES

• Adherence to the University’s Bruin Guide is expected.
• Improper attire, signs and insignia will be monitored and may be removed.
• After recognition on the stage, students are expected to return to their seats and remain seated for the duration of the ceremony.

• Family members and/or guests are not permitted on the arena floor or in the graduate line up areas. 

• Accessibility seating areas are for guests with disabilities as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act. These areas are not appropriate for strollers and/or large bags. One person may be seated in this area with the person in need of accessibility seating.

1. Before coming to Belmont, attendees are asked to check their temperature. Temperature should not exceed 100.4°
Check for symptoms, listed below. Anyone with symptoms should seek testing promptly.

• Congestion or runny nose
• Cough
• Diarrhea
• Fatigue
• Fever or chills
• Headache
• Muscle or body aches
• Nausea or vomiting
• New loss of taste or smell
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Sore throat 

Anyone who has had close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19 should self-isolate for at least (14) days. Close contact may include being within 6 feet of a person diagnosed with COVID-19 for a prolonged period of time, or having direct contact with secretions (coughs/sneezes) from a diagnosed person.

Anyone who returns from another country, or returns from a cruise ship is advised by the CDC to self-isolate for at least (14) days.

2. If temperature exceeds 100.4° F, OR an attendee has had a fever within the past 48 hours, OR has any symptoms, OR meets any self-isolating criteria, we ask that the attendee avoids coming to Belmont’s campus to avoid potential spread to other attendees.

Effective Wednesday, February 22nd, Belmont transitioned to a Masks Optional Policy.  All members of the Belmont community, including those attending Commencement, who wish to continue to wear masks are welcome to do so.

For additional information on campus protocols please visit or Current Health and Safety Protocols.  

Thank you for doing your part in keeping our campus community safe and healthy.

Belmont is asking all employees to follow new health and safety procedures similar to those mentioned, but more stringent. In addition, we are implementing a number of administrative and procedural changes to keep everyone safe and healthy. These include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Adding hand sanitizer stations in hallways / common spaces
• Implementing increased cleaning schedules
• Adjusting room capacities based on social distancing guidelines
• Providing other measures for safe distancing