Graduation Dining FAQ

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  • How do I make a reservation?

    Beginning March 16, 2026, two links on the Dining Services Graduation page will take you to Eventbrite; one for the 9 a.m. seating and one for the 11 a.m. seating.

    Guests can make their reservations by purchasing tickets for their desired seating time. Tickets will need to be presented at the door and can be saved to your smartphone wallet.

    Graduating student tickets are free but require a reservation. Please be sure to include your graduating senior in your order.

  • Can I use Dining Dollars?

    The Eventbrite system is unable to accept Dining Dollars. A shop has been set up in Grubhub to accommodate students who would like to use their Dining Dollars. The Graduation Dining shop on Grubhub will be available from 7 a.m. - 10 p.m. on weekdays.

    Students can purchase tickets and make reservations using Grubhub starting on March 16, 2026. Once a student purchases on Grubhub, staff will manually enter their order into Eventbrite, and they will receive tickets to their university email. 

    Your order is not complete until you have received your Eventbrite tickets. We cannot accept Grubhub receipts as tickets for these events.

    If you have issues with your Grubhub purchase, or have not received your Eventbrite tickets within 24 hours of your Grubhub purchase, contact kmckinney@richmond.edu with your Grubhub order number.

  • Are reservations required? Can my family and I just walk-in for lunch?

    Graduation meals at the Heilman Dining Center are very popular events, and seating is extremely limited. Reservations are required, and we are unable to guarantee seating for walk-ins.

  • My family wants to attend Baccalaureate from 10-11. Will we have enough time to eat our meal beforehand?

    We will open our first seating at 9 a.m., giving guests who wish to attend the Baccalaureate an hour to enjoy their meal. If you need more time, make your reservations for the 11 a.m. seating.  

  • Can families make reservations for both seatings?

    We would prefer that guests only make reservations at one seating so that we can accommodate all.

  • My family cannot attend, can I sit with my friends?

    This is often the case for international students. We want you to be comfortable and enjoy your day, so we offer a few options:

    • Purchase your tickets together--if you are on the same order, you will be seated together.
    • When purchasing your ticket, please let us know the names of the people you would like to sit with, and we will do our best to have you seated together.
    • Students who purchase a solo ticket but do not provide a seating request will be seated at a table with other solo diners.

    All requests will be honored to the best of our ability. The earlier you make your request, the more likely we will be able to accommodate you. 

  • When do we need to arrive for our reservation?

    Guests are encouraged to arrive 10 minutes before their reservation time (9 a.m. or 11 a.m.). If guests do not show up within the first 30 minutes of the seating, they will forfeit their reservation.

  • Where is the best place to park?

    Guests are encouraged to park in lots on the Westhampton side of campus: W73, W74, W76, and W78. Guests are also welcome to park in U21.  VIEW PARKING MAP

  • A guest in my party has mobility issues. Are there accommodations available for them?

    When you make your reservation, please note mobility issues, and we will do our best to accommodate your request.

    The university will operate a shuttle for guests to travel between the Robins Center and other points on campus. The stop closest to the Heilman Dining Center is a short walk from our front door to parking lot W76.

  • How soon will we be seated after we arrive?

    Our management team will check you in when you arrive and seat guests as soon as possible.

  • Will large groups be able to sit together?

    Our largest tables seat 8 people. Larger parties will be seated at separate tables, and we will make our best effort to keep large parties close to each other.

  • Can we relocate to another table after we are seated?

    The graduation lunch service is very popular and seating is extremely limited. Please speak to a manager if you would like to request moving your seats.

  • If we make a reservation for the first seating at 9 a.m., will we be asked to leave at 10:30?

    Reservations are for timed seatings. So that we can prepare the rooms for the 11 a.m. seating, we will clear the dining rooms at 10:30 a.m.

    A reception space with refreshments will be available for families in the Pier, located on the lower level of the Commons. 

  • Will the menu be the same for both seatings?

    Both seatings will enjoy the same excellent menu and quality buffet service, which is part of why Dining Services is the #3 Best Campus Food program in the country.

  • Reservations for my desired seating time are full. Is there a waitlist?

    We are unable to offer a waitlist. Please consider making a reservation during the other seating time, or plan to eat at one of our retail locations on campus.

  • Will some retail locations be open during the morning/early afternoon of Commencement?

    Yes. Tyler’s will be open from 8 a.m.–1:30 p.m. in the Tyler Haynes Commons, and Passport Cafe will be open from 8 a.m.–1:30 p.m. and is close to the Robins Center, where commencement will occur. Both accept cash, major credit cards, and Dining Dollars.