The Schottenstein Center is very pleased to welcome Graduates, Families, and Friends to this year’s ceremony! Please take time to review this information so that we can help your Graduate have the best possible experience on this exciting day. Additional policies and information can be found at www.schottensteincenter.com
Ticketing
Tickets are not required for the 2024 High School Graduation ceremonies taking place inside the Schottenstein Center.
Facility Entrance
Please plan to arrive at the venue much earlier than you normally would to reduce congestion and wait times. All guests will pass through a metal detector screening upon entry. If you wait until shortly before the ceremony to enter – you will miss part of the event. Doors for each ceremony will open approximately 60 minutes prior to the start time.
Accessible Seating
Accessible seating is available on the entry level (100) and terrace levels (300) arena. The seating area is level with the exterior walkways and concourses and involves no stairs. Disability seating is offered on a first-come, first-served basis. We ask families to try to limit themselves to one companion with the guest in need so that we may accommodate others. There is an ample amount of traditional seating adjacent to the handicap accessible platforms that the rest of your party could take advantage of.
Mask Policy & COVID Safety
Masks are optional. We ask fans to be respectful of each other.
Post-Ceremony Meet Up
Families should make plans to meet up with their graduating student at a designated location outside of the arena or off-campus. There are often multiple ceremonies being held back-to-back inside the arena.
No Bag Policy
Bags or purses of any size are NOT permitted into the Schottenstein Center. Wallets and wristlets no larger than 5”x8”x1” are permitted. Guests entering with medical, dietary, or childcare needs will enter through one dedicated lane available at each entrance to have their items inspected. One bag per person will be permitted for those with medical, dietary, or childcare needs such as: medications, medical equipment & supplies, single serving snack for medical needs, diapers, formula, baby food, baby bottles, breast pump, etc.
All items and persons entering the Schottenstein Center are subject to security screening and inspection. All guests will enter through a walk-through magnetometer.
Gifts
Wrapped packages/gifts, balloons, and bags are not permitted into the arena and will be stopped during the security inspection process at the gates. Please be sure to exchange gifts at home!
Permitted Items
• Binoculars (without cases)
• Body worn baby carriers
• Bottles that are clear, plastic, and empty
• Cameras and video recording devices
• Coats & jackets (worn or carried)
• Mobility devices (such as canes, crutches, walkers, rollators, wheelchairs, scooters)
• Wallets, wristlets, or clutches no larger than 5”x8”x1”.
• One bag per person will be permitted for those with medical, dietary or childcare needs such as: medications, medical equipment & supplies, single serving snack for medical needs, diapers, formula, baby food, baby bottles, breast pump, etc.
Prohibited Items/ Security Screening
Guests are subject to inspection of person, parcels, bags, and clothing capable of concealing prohibited items. Guests may refuse inspections, but management reserves the right to refuse entry. Guests that are found at screening or inside the arena with prohibited items are subject to Ohio Law and/or ejection from the arena. Prohibited items may be confiscated. Guests will be asked to comply with all screenings, i.e. removal of hats, emptying metal from pockets, and entry through metal detectors.
Other prohibited items include:
• All bags (including but not limited to backpacks, fanny packs, purses, string or ‘cinch’ bags, messenger bags, crossbody bags, camera bags, briefcases, grocery bags, roll bags, binocular cases, duffle bags or any other bags)
• Banners, flags, posters, and signs that interfere with the viewing of other guests
• Clothing with profane, inappropriate or abusive language
• Containers (common examples include but are not limited to hard sided coolers, soft pack coolers, ice chests, picnic baskets, cans, heavy plastic or glass bottles, thermoses)
• Confetti, streamers, glitter, balloons
• Firearms. Weapons are not permitted in the arena/stadium. Possession of a firearm or weapon is strictly forbidden. Possession of a weapon will result in immediate confiscation, ejection and/or possible arrest. Off-duty law enforcement:
click here for concealed-carry policy
• Fireworks or explosives
• Food and beverages
• Illegal drugs
• Inflatables (balls, balloons, etc.)
• Markers or Paint
• Monopods and tripods
• Noisemaking devices (common examples include but are not limited to whistles, air horns, bull horns, blow horns, musical instruments, kazoos, bugles, cow bells, thunder sticks, sirens, milk jugs with rocks or coins, and stereos)
• Sticks, Poles, Pipes or Selfie sticks
• Weapons or items that mimic weapons including but not limited to: (aerosol cans, mace, pepper spray, lighters, matches, firearms, including CCW permit holders, fireworks, pocket knives, knives, spiked bracelets, brass knuckles, martial arts weapons, stun guns, squirt guns, super soakers and chains) or any item deemed dangerous or inappropriate.
• Wrapped gifts or packages
• Anything deemed by management to pose a safety hazard or diminish the enjoyment of an event by other guests.
Concessions
A few concessions stand locations will be open inside the arena before and during the ceremony. All concessions transactions will be cashless. Credit cards and smartphone payments will be accepted.
Wheelchair Escorts
Complimentary wheelchair escorts are available at any entry point. Upon your arrival at the arena, ask any of our uniformed staff and they will call for an escort. You do not need to make arrangements prior to your event. They will escort you as close as possible to your seat and will make arrangements to pick you up after the event. Please be aware that our escort staff will not remain with you during the event, nor will they allow you to remain in our wheelchair for the duration of the event. Guest Attendants will assist guests who wish to transfer to a seat from their personal wheelchair with storing of their wheelchair during the event.
Family Accommodations
Baby changing stations are available in all restrooms.
Private Family Restrooms are available near Section 124 on the Entry level.
Strollers are welcome but must be stored under your seat or stored at Guest Services near Section 127.
A dedicated Nursing Mother’s Room/Sensory Room is available for guests near Section 104. This quiet space includes soft furniture, a refrigerator, microwave, sink, baby changing table, and TV.
No Smoking/Tobacco
The use of tobacco products (including and not limited to cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, cigars and cigarillos, hookah smoked products, pipes, oral tobacco and nasal tobacco) is prohibited in all university buildings and on all university-owned properties, including parking lots, garages, and outside areas. This includes any product intended to mimic tobacco products or deliver nicotine other than for the purpose of cessation.
Driving & Parking Information
Parking Locations & Fees
Guest parking will be available in the Scarlet and Gray Lots adjacent to the Schottenstein Center on graduation days. Follow the directions of the traffic control staff.
High School Graduations Parking Fee: Some high schools may provide a complimentary parking permit to their graduates. If you do not have a parking permit from your school, each vehicle will be charged $10 to park. Parking is cashless – only credit/debit cards and mobile smartphone payments will be accepted in the lots.
Disability parking is available on a first-come, first-serve basis in the Scarlet Lots adjacent to the Schottenstein Center. Parking is also $10 (cashless) to park in the disability lot for high school graduations.
Drop Off / Pick Up
In addition to available ADA parking spaces, guests with disabilities can be dropped-off and picked-up near the arena. Pickups and drop offs are conducted on Borror Drive – which runs along the North side of the arena. Traffic Control staff can direct you to the designated location for your event.
