The University Commencement and Reunion Council began exploring ticketing and other security measures for controlled access after the shooting at another university at a large outdoor gathering in early fall 2025. Plans for updated security for Brown’s graduation weekend and reunions were accelerated in light of the Dec. 13 mass shooting on our campus and Brown’s current building security posture, which requires Brown ID for entry. 

By implementing a ticketing system for key Commencement and Reunion events, Brown will be able to better manage crowd sizes and authorized entry for invited guests. The new ticketing approach aims to balance enhanced security with Brown’s community traditions.

The ticketing system will involve a combination of wristbands, traditional tickets and access badges, based on the nature of access-control measures best suited to each event. All graduating students — including undergraduate seniors, master’s and professional, doctoral and medical students — and their guests will be ticketed via a smart wristband. 

Wristbands should be worn throughout Commencement and Reunion Weekend (from Friday through Sunday), and are required for access to Commencement ceremonies held on the central campus greens on both Saturday and Sunday.  This includes access to the College Green, Simmons Quad and Front Green areas, including for the Master’s Ceremony on Saturday and the University Procession, College Ceremony and University Ceremony on Sunday.

Brown faculty, staff members, nongraduating students and vendors working Commencement and Reunion Weekend will receive separate access badges for event locations, depending on their roles.

Some events may require a separate ticket — in addition to any wristband or access badge — so be sure to check the ticketing policies for any additional ceremonies and events you plan to attend, including departmental ceremonies.

Graduating Brown students must request wristbands for themselves and their guests via an online registration system, available in April. Wristbands will be distributed at designated locations leading up to Commencement in May.

Students are strongly encouraged to request no more than eight wristbands each to help manage crowd size and maintain equity. 

We recognize that some students have a greater number of guests who may already have made arrangements to attend, and those with larger numbers of guests will be able to register for the number of tickets they need.

Academic and administrative departments will receive a precise number of access badges, upon request, for staff and faculty who will attend based on their roles as participants or guests.

Brown alumni will continue to register for Reunion activities in the same way they have done in past years and receive access badges for events, including the University Procession, through Alumni Relations. Registration for Reunion has not changed. ​Non-Reunion alumni who wish to participate in the University procession will have the opportunity to register in advance as well. Visit the Reunion website for the most up-to-date information for alumni.

Email commencement@brown.edu for assistance. Please include “wristband” in the subject line.

We will share instructions on how to replace lost wristbands in the coming weeks.

As in previous years, the University will livestream the Commencement ceremonies, so guests who do not wish to or are unable to travel to campus or participate in person may view the events from any location on campus or throughout the world. More information will be forthcoming about hours of operation and access to viewing locations on campus.