Information for Parents and Visitors for Spring Commencement
May 10, 2008

Special Note - Inclement Weather and HOTLINE
Up-to-date information about commencement will be available by calling Hotline at 477-1200. Information will be placed on Hotline beginning Friday morning, May 9, and will be updated as needed prior to the ceremony. Final information on the ceremony will be available beginning at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, May 10. Hotline is the ONLY official source of information about commencement. The number answers 24 hours a day.

In the event of inclement weather, commencement will be held indoors in two separate ceremonies. Participants will attend the ceremonies based on their colleges. Members of the John L. Grove College of Business and the College of Education and Human Services will participate in the 11 a.m. ceremony and members of the College of Arts and Sciences will participate in the 3 p.m. ceremony, both in Heiges Field House. Tickets will be required for guests for both ceremonies.

In case of inclement weather, the decision to move indoors will be made by President Ruud as soon as he can, possibly Friday, May 9, to allow time to notify graduates and their guests. Individuals may call Hotline at 477-1200 about the ceremony and any possible changes due to weather. The information will also be posted on the university's website.

General information
Parking - University Police will direct visitors to designated parking areas.

Tickets - No tickets are required for the outdoor ceremony. Seating will be on a first come, first-served basis on the stadium grandstand and on the visitor's side bleachers. If inclement weather forces a move to Heiges Field House, each graduate in both the 11 a.m. ceremony and 3 p.m. ceremony will receive tickets for their guests. ONLY TICKET HOLDERS WILL BE ADMITTED TO THE FIELD HOUSE.

The number of tickets each graduate will be decided and announced the week of April 21 when the final number of graduates is determined and tickets will then be distributed in the University Store. Identification is required to pick up tickets and students will be required to sign for the tickets. No tickets will be mailed. Tickets do not guarantee a specific seat as seating is on a first come, first-served basis. A "will-call" arrangement is planned for graduates unable to visit the store before commencement. If graduates cannot stop in the store before May 10, they maysend an e-mail to sustore@ship.edu requesting the tickets be held in the graduate's name for pick up. If graduates plan to leave tickets for a family member, please identify that family member.

Any graduate who does not need all allotted tickets is asked to leave the extra tickets with the University Store to be added to a pool for other graduates. Any extra tickets will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis beginning May 5 in the University Store and also on May 10 beginning at 8 a.m. at the "will-call" desk in the Ceddia Union Building near the information desk. If more tickets are available, they will be limited to two additional tickets per graduate.

Alternate viewing sites will be available into which the ceremony will be broadcast live, whether it is outdoors or indoors. No tickets are needed for entrance to these sites. These sites include the Ceddia Union Building (indoor or outdoor ceremonies) and other selected facilities if the ceremonies are indoors.

Guests With Special Needs - You should make arrangements for seating for guests with special needs by contacting the Office of University Communications and Marketing in writing by Friday, May 2. Please include the guest's name and the name of one person who will sit with him/her. Please indicate the specific special needs and if your guest will use a wheelchair. You may also send the request via e-mail to SUnews@ship.edu and ask for a response to ensure the message was received. Please also inform us of hearing impaired guests who need the services of an interpreter (signer). An interpreter will be at the ceremony.

Restrooms - Restroom facilities are under the grandstand. The Ceddia Union Building also will be open for those needing restroom facilities upon arrival to campus.

University Store - Store hours on May 10 are 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. if the ceremony is outdoors and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. if the ceremonies are indoors.

Guest Admission - Gates to Seth Grove Stadium open at 9 a.m. for guest admission. Light refreshments will be available for guests who arrive early. Refreshment stands also will be open. Please have your guests arrive in time to be seated by 10:45 a.m. The academic procession begins promptly at 11 a.m. The ceremony ends at approximately 1 p.m. If the ceremony is moved indoors, guests are asked to be in their seats 30 minutes prior to the start of the program

Photographs - Family and guests will not be permitted on the field or near the stage to take pictures. A photograph of each graduate will be taken by the official photographer, Chappell Studios, which will contact graduates with details.Their website is www.chappell.com.

Alcohol - Possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages are prohibited. Beverages will be confiscated and violators will be evicted from the facility.

Should you have any questions concerning the ceremony, please contact Dr. Peter M. Gigliotti, Commencement Committee chair, at 477-1202 or via e-mail at SUnews@ship.edu.