Subject: Attending Commencement 2008? READ THIS!

Commencement will be held on Saturday, June 14, 2008 at McArthur Court. The School of Journalism and Communication will hold its departmental ceremony at 9:00 am. The main University ceremony, also in McArthur Court, starts at 12:00 p.m.; therefore, we must conclude our ceremony and vacate the site prior to the main ceremony. Tickets are NOT required for either ceremony.

We’re lucky to not have to worry about rain v. sun, muddy grass or wet seats as we’re indoors.  We also have the added benefit of enhanced audiovisual technology and we plan on taking advantage of it by filming and projecting “big screen” images as graduates cross the stage to receive diplomas.


Instructions for the main ceremony can be found on the Office of Student Life website:
http://studentlife.uoregon.edu/programs/commencement/index.htm

 Information about regalia (cap, gown, tassel, etc.) can be obtained from the UO Duck Store (formerly UO Bookstore):
http://www.uobookstore.com/students/grad_packages.cfm



** Instructions for the School of Journalism and Communication ceremony **
 
WHAT TO DO BEFORE THE CEREMONY:

 1. Get your regalia at the Duck Store. It is not required but 99.99% of the students will be wearing regalia. The Duck Store will be open on June 14 at 8 a.m. if you want to make a last-minute purchase.

 2. Take about 10 minutes to do your senior exit survey (undergrads only):
http://jcomm.uoregon.edu/current/exit
 

WHAT TO DO ON JUNE 14, 2008:

 Rain or shine, report to McArthur Court. Enter through University Street via the doors in SW corner of the building (Entrance Exterior Doors numbered 11-18). Follow signage that leads you to our staging area. Please report NO LATER THAN 8:45 a.m.

 Guest seating is first-come, first-served, starting at 8:15 a.m. Again, no tickets are required. Please tell your guests to go directly to the commencement site. Enter via the SW doors (Entrance Exterior Doors numbered 11-18). Guests who have made arrangements for special accommodations should enter wheelchair-accessible entrance (Entrance Exterior Door number 5-6). A volunteer will direct them to the section reserved for them.
 
 All other seating is available on the back floor, back bleachers and the lower tiers of Mac Court. The best vantage point will be the bleachers closest to the stage on the south side of the court. The ceremony will start promptly at 9:00 a.m.
 
 Between 8:15 a.m. and 8:45 a.m., students need to check in at the procession line-up area inside McArthur Court.  After entering Mac Court, follow the directions provided by signs and/or volunteers.
 
 At the check-in area, pick up your name card and get in line. The procession will line up as follows: Standard Bearer, Bagpipe Player, Dean, Faculty, Ph.D. degree candidates, Master's degree candidates, and Bachelor's degree candidates. Ph.D. & Master's candidates wear their tassel on the left. Bachelor's students wear their tassel on the right.
 
 The procession will march into the court and a commencement volunteer will direct you to your seat. Remain standing until the Dean asks you to sit.
 
 When it's your time to get on stage, you will be guided by a commencement volunteer. Hand your name card to the reader, shake hands with the Dean, get your diploma cover from a faculty marshal and then RETURN TO YOUR SEAT!

 After the ceremony, you and your family are invited to attend the main commencement ceremony in Mac Court. However, we must first completely vacate the site to allow for main commencement ceremony set up. Our Standard Bearer will lead us out and the bagpiper will follow the group out of the building. Follow the volunteers’ instructions. Guests will be asked to remain seated until the recessional has left the court. The recessional will end at the quad between the EMU and the Student Rec Center where a special photography area will be set up. The UO Duck will be available for photo opportunities. Please arrange to meet up with your guests at this quad.
 

OTHER THINGS TO KNOW:

 1. Parking is first-come, first-served. Some University lots will be available. Most metered parking on and near campus will also be hooded (free) and available.
 
 2. University Street between 15th & 18th will be closed to all traffic.

 3. Professional photographers will be taking photos that day. To view/order photos after the event, visit http://www.gradphoto.com.  Other contact information for Wally Kempe & Associates: 1-800-211-0434 or info@gradphoto.com.

 4. If you think the reader will have trouble with your name, you will have an opportunity to write it out phonetically on your name card before you go up on stage (or just quietly pronounce it for him).

 5. If you or any of your guests need any special accommodation on that day, please let Kathleen Larson know by Wednesday, June 4. Any requests made after that day will not be accommodated.
 

Questions?
Sally Garner: sgarner@uoregon.edu
Greg Kerber: gkerber@uoregon.edu
Kathleen Larson: klarson@uoregon.edu