Safety/Venue Policies - Bag/Item Restrictions and Behavior Expectations

Commencement Day should always be enjoyable and celebratory for all who participate and attend.

General Policy

We expect a joyous, festive and welcoming atmosphere that celebrates all of our graduates’ hard work and accomplishments. Graduates and guests are expected to be respectful and may not disrupt the ceremony. Those who are deemed, by University or venue staff, to be disruptive, who are interfering with others’ enjoyment of the ceremony, or who are violating venue policies, will be asked to leave the venue, with or without a prior warning. Those causing disruption or violating venue policies may also be subject to university discipline and action by law enforcement for violations of any federal, state, or local law, regulation, ordinances or mandates.

Please note the time, place and manner provision of Suffolk University’s Freedom of Expression policy.

Venue Policies

Please see the Leader Bank Pavilion’s web page for more information on prohibited items and other venue policies.

Bag and carried items policy

  • Clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC tote bags no larger than 12” x 6” x 12” and/or small clutch bags (6" x 9") are allowed. Diaper/medical bags will be allowed, but are subject to search. No other bags of any type will be allowed.
  • Non-professional digital and film cameras are permitted (Pocket sized, point & shoot, no removable or telescopic lenses)
  • 1 factory sealed plastic bottle of water up to 1 gallon (non-frozen) per guest
  • Empty, non-glass water bottle
  • Food - must fit in a one-gallon, clear Zip-Loc style bag
  • Blankets will be permitted
  • Strollers are permitted in the venue for the Suffolk University Commencement, but cannot be taken to the seating area. There will be a stroller parking lot near the entrance of the seating area.

Please note that all allowed items are subject to search at the discretion of Pavilion security.

Items NOT-ALLOWED to be brought in to venue include, but are not limited to:

  • Balloons
  • Signs, posters or flags
  • Selfie sticks
  • Weapons of any kind - knives, guns, mace, pepper gas or any other item deemed a potential weapon
  • Alcohol
  • Illegal drugs/substances
  • Glass or metal, cans or bottles (regardless of contents)
  • Hard sided/large coolers
  • Average sized bags/backpacks
  • Large or oversized bags/backpacks, such as luggage, duffel bags, or industrial/camping-sized backpacks
  • Hydration packs
  • Laser pointers
  • Animals (except service animals)*
  • Fireworks or other incendiary devices
  • Any other item that may pose a threat to other guests, staff or performers
  • Umbrellas that don't collapse
  • Drones

*Animals
Like many venues and other large places of assembly, Leader Bank Pavilion has a "no pets" policy. However, Live Nation's policy explicitly permits guests with disabilities who use dogs as service animals. Leader Bank Pavilion's policy, consistent with ADA's revised guidelines, defines "service animal" as limited to a dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability. The task(s) performed by the dog must be directly related to the individual's disability. Leader Bank Pavilion requires, consistent with the ADA, that service animals must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered, unless these devices interfere with the service animal's work or the individual's disability prevents him or her from using these devices. Individuals who cannot use such devices must maintain control of the animal through voice, signal, or other effective means.

Please see the Leader Bank Pavilion’s web page for more information on prohibited items and other venue policies.

Severe Weather

In the event of severe weather, the venue will make a decision on operations, and may direct people inside the venue to shelter in place and/or prohibit guests from entering the venue until it is safe to do so. Please follow the directions of venue staff. One or more of the commencement ceremonies may be altered in light of severe weather situations. If there is a severe weather interruption, the University will provide updates via the University’s Facebook and Instagram pages. The venue will also share updates via their social media pages: https://www.facebook.com/leaderbankpavilion and https://www.instagram.com/lbpavilion

A few more things for guests and graduates to consider to help ensure a great time for all

  • Even celebratory outbursts can impact others’ enjoyment of the day. For example, if a loud celebration occurs for a graduate coming across the stage, the family of the next graduate may miss their graduate’s name being called.
  • Please stay for the whole ceremony. Commencement is a celebration of all of our graduates. Everyone, no matter where they fall in the alphabet or what degree they are receiving, deserves the support of our entire community on this special day. Please show respect and Suffolk spirit by remaining for the entire ceremony.
  • Think about the graduate before and behind you on stage. Your moment on stage should not disrupt or interfere with their equally important moment.
  • Commencement is a festive and formal ceremony. Please consider this if you choose to decorate your mortarboard, etc. Not only do you want to avoid interfering with others’ enjoyment of this special day, your graduation photos will be important keepsakes for years to come and you want to be sure any decorative choices age well!