WEC Guests: Arrival and Logistics

Wednesday, May 15, 2024
WEC, NJIT Campus
9:00 a.m. NCE, CSLA, MTSM, and HCAD Candidates | 1:30 p.m. YWCC Candidates | 5:00 p.m. Ph.D. Candidates

Arrival and Guest Tickets

IMPORTANT TRAVEL ADVISORY: We anticipate heavier-than-normal traffic in and around the NJIT Campus and Prudential Center. Plan to allow ample time for traffic, parking, and security screening at the venue. Bringing prohibited items and/or arriving without a printed guest ticket will cause significant delays in entering the facility.

Doors open approximately one hour prior to the ceremony, and it is suggested for guests to arrive when the venue opens, so you have time to go through security and find your seats. Guests tickets are required for all WEC ceremonies and the tickets are all general admission.  All candidates are required to stay for the duration of each ceremony.

IMPORTANT NOTE: NJIT prohibits the direct or indirect sale or auction of all university commencement tickets. Ticket(s) may not be used for advertising, promotion (including contests, giveaways or sweepstakes) or other trade or commercial purposes.  Students engaging in such activities, as well as any other activity that disrupts the administration of the ceremony and/or violates any NJIT student conduct policy, will be subject to disciplinary sanctions.

Location

The ceremony takes place on the NJIT campus at the Joel & Diane Bloom Wellness and Events Center (WEC) located at 100 Lock Street, Newark, NJ 07102.

Travel Directions

Directions for driving or taking public transportation to NJIT can be found here. Please remember that commencement falls on a weekday, so you will need to allow some extra time for traffic.  

Parking

Parking is available at no charge at either of our parking decks; we recommend carpooling due to multiple ceremonies and anticipation of guests and graduates:

  • Science & Technology Park Garage, 42 Wilsey Street, Newark, NJ
  • Parking Deck, 154 Summit Street, Newark, NJ 

Please refer to the campus map.

What NOT to bring

For safety reasons, guests are refused entry, or ejected from the facility, if they are in possession of prohibited items. Illegal items will be confiscated and turned over to the police.

  • The following items are not permitted:
    • Alcohol, illegal drugs, or paraphernalia
    • All electronic devices with the exception of cell phones and non-professional cameras
    • Aerosol cans, self-defense sprays, hazardous substances, and chemicals
    • Animals/pets (except service animals)
    • Audio/video equipment
    • Bags larger than 4” x 7” unless a medical or childcare bag
    • Bottles, glass, or breakable beverage containers
    • Cans, thermoses, bottles, glass or other beverage containers
    • Clothing containing vulgar language
    • Coolers, ice chests, Hard-sided bags of any size
    • Drones, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), or other aircraft
    • Explosives, fireworks, and ammunition
    • Illegal drugs
    • Laser pens and pointers
    • Noise-making or amplification devices (i.e., whistles, air horns, drums, horns, vuvuzelas)
    • Outside food and beverage
    • Poles to display banners, flags, etc.
    • Professional photography equipment (other than a camera)
    • Projectiles (e.g., frisbees, balloons, and beach balls)
    • Selfie sticks and GoPros
    • Signs over 8 1/2" x 11" or with wires, lights, and/or batteries
    • Skateboards, hoverboards, and/or roller blades
    • Strollers
    • Tools, razor blades, box cutters, and scissors
    • Unapproved pamphlets, handouts, advertisements, etc.
    • Weapons (i.e., knives, pepper spray, tear gas, handcuffs, guns, etc.)
    • Wrapped gifts or packages
    • Any other item deemed to be inappropriate or dangerous by NJIT Public Safety or Prudential Center Management.
    • Items may be confiscated or the individual holding these items may be denied entry to the venue at the sole discretion of NJIT Public Safety.

*This list is subject to change at the discretion of WEC Management.

Special Accommodations

Live Streaming

For guests unable to attend in-person ceremonies, live streaming will be available during scheduled ceremony times, please visit njit.edu.

Accessibility Parking

For your convenience, in addition to the accessibility parking spaces in our parking deck and garage, we have designated lots 5 and 10 as accessible parking.  Please see the highlighted yellow area in this campus map.  Guests in need of assistance should be dropped off curbside near the entrance on Lock Street; guests will see the appropriate signage.

Wheelchair Assistance 

If you need a wheelchair to assist you in entering the building or if you will require a wheelchair for the duration of the ceremony, you must bring your own.  Please note:  Ramps are provided for entrance.  

The WEC has a limited number of wheelchairs made available to our guests once they have entered the building.  Outside of the WEC, wheelchairs will not be available.

Once inside, you can request assistance from NJIT volunteers in the WEC. You do not need to reserve a wheelchair as they are made available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please refer to the following steps.

  • Guests in need of assistance should be dropped off curbside near the entrance on Lock Street; guests will see the appropriate signage.
  • In addition to the accessibility parking in the parking deck and parking garage, Lots 5 and 10 will serve as accessibility parking only.
  • Upon entering, please inform the WEC staff that you will need a wheelchair.
  • Once you have received a wheelchair, an usher will escort you and your family to your seats.
  • There are elevators to assist you in getting to the proper location.
  • Once the usher has brought you to your seat, they will then return to the entrance with the wheelchair to assist other guests.
  • At the conclusion of the ceremony, an usher will return with a wheelchair to escort you to an exit.  The staff will need to accommodate all those they originally escorted to their seats, so we ask that you please be patient as they try to get everyone out as quickly as possible. 

Sign Language Interpreter

If a candidate or guest requires a sign language interpreter, they must make the request via email commencement@njit.edu or inside MarchingOrder for graduates by April 12, 2024. Commencement ceremonies will provide closed captioning. 

Additional Assistance

NJIT commencements at the WEC are fully equipped to create an accessible experience for guests and graduates.

If you are in need of additional assistance and it has not been addressed in this section, please email us at commencement@njit.edu