Student Life - Commencement Monday, May 19, 2008
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University of Pennsylvania Commencement
The University of Pennsylvania's 252nd Commencement will be held on Monday, May 19, 2008, in Franklin Field, located at 33rd and South Streets. The ceremony will be held rain or shine. Students should report to Hamilton Village (Superblock), 39th and Locust Walk, no later than 8:45 a.m.
The gates to Franklin Field will open at 8:30 a.m. for guest seating. Guests will be seated in the southeast, east, and northeast stands of the stadium.
Guests should enter at either the southeast gate (corner of South Street and Convention Avenue) or at the north stands entrance off of 33rd Street (between South and Walnut Streets). The procession of degree candidates will enter the field at about 9:30 a.m. The ceremony will begin at 10:15 a.m. upon the arrival of the academic procession (the President's party and the faculty) and will conclude at approximately 12:00 noon. The ceremony will feature the conferral of degrees, the awarding of honorary degrees, greetings by University officials, and the Commencement speaker (TBA). Tickets are not required for admission.
Candidates for degrees in May, as well as graduates who completed degree requirements in August or December of 2007, are encouraged to attend Commencement and to march in the student procession. Academic Regalia is required.
Webcast of the University Commencement Ceremony
Those unable to attend Penn’s 252nd Commencement may view the ceremony live over the internet. Coverage from Franklin Field will begin at 9:00 am on Monday, May 19. Please visit www.upenn.edu/commencement for more information.
Announcements for University Commencement
The University supplies each graduating student with 4 announcements and envelopes for mailing to family and friends. Tickets are not required for the University Commencement.
For more information about the University Commencement, click here. This site contains detailed information about the University ceremony, travel and lodging, parking, historical facts and past Commencement speakers, and more.
SP2 Commencement Ceremony
The School of Social Policy & Practice will hold its Commencement ceremony in Irvine Auditorium, located at 34th and Spruce Streets at 6:30pm on Monday, May 19, 2007. Graduating students should report to Irvine Auditorium at 5:00pm. Doors will open at 5:45 for guest seating. Tickets are required.
SP2 Commencement Reception
There will be a reception for students, guests, faculty, and staff immediately
following the ceremony (approximately 8:30pm) in the Hall of Flags in Houston Hall (next to Irvine Auditorium). The reception will conclude at 10:00pm. Tickets are not required.
Announcements and Tickets for SP2 Commencement
Each student will receive six announcements for the SP2 commencement ceremony. Students will receive six tickets each, with any additional tickets made available through a lottery system. More information about tickets will be distributed to students throughout the spring semester.
Academic Regalia and Diploma Name Forms
Information regarding academic regalia orders is distributed to students in the first half of the spring semester. Cap and gown must be worn by graduates participating in the University and/or School Commencement ceremonies. Also in the spring semester, students will be asked to fill out a diploma name form to ensure that their names are spelled correctly and completely on the diploma.
Accommodations for Persons with Disabilities
Irvine Auditorium and Houston Hall are accessible to persons with disabilities. In March, graduating students will receive a form on which to indicate whether they or their family members need special accommodations. Accommodations will then be arranged in advance with the Graduation Coordinator.
FAQs
TICKETS
Is there assigned seating in the auditorium?
No. Guests may sit anywhere in the football stadium and Irvine Auditorium, except in those sections that are reserved for students, faculty, handicapped guests, etc (these seats will be clearly marked as reserved).
Do all of my guests need tickets for graduation?
Guests need tickets for the SP2 Ceremony in Irvine Auditorium. Guests without a ticket will not be admitted. Guests do not need tickets for the University Commencement on Franklin Field or the SP2 Reception in Houston Hall. Children under the age of two do not need a ticket if they sit on an adult’s lap.
I just found out that I have an additional guest coming to graduation, but I didn’t get a ticket for them. Can they still come?
Graduating students who do not have enough tickets for their guests attending the SP2 Ceremony in Irvine Auditorium should contact Emily Brueckner to see if extra tickets are available. If there are no extra tickets, the student’s name will be added to the waiting list for extra tickets. Guests who do not have tickets are welcome to attend the University ceremony in the morning, and the SP2 Reception following the graduation ceremony on Monday evening.
I just found out that one of my guests won’t be attending graduation after all, and now I have an extra ticket. What should I do with it?
Any tickets that are not going to be used on Graduation Day should be returned to Emily Brueckner. These tickets will be distributed to someone on the waiting list for extra tickets.
SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS
I am bringing a baby in a stroller. Where can I store the stroller during the Ceremony?
Due to the narrow aisles in Irvine, strollers may not be permitted in the auditorium. Strollers may be left at the coat check area in the lobby.
Someone in my party is disabled and requires special accommodations. What should I do?
Graduating students will receive a form in the spring semester on which they can indicate any special accommodations required by their guests. The Graduation Coordinator will contact them before Commencement with details about the arrangements.
PARKING
Is there handicapped parking available at Irvine Auditorium?
Unfortunately, there are no reserved handicapped parking spaces at Irvine Auditorium. Guests who have difficulty walking long distances can be dropped off in front of Irvine Auditorium and then another member of the party can park the car.
Where should my guests park?
Thousands of people attend graduation, and parking around campus during Commencement is limited. Guests who do not need to drive to campus are encouraged to use alternate means of transportation. Guests who must drive to campus can look for parking in any of Penn’s open parking lots and garages:
University garage #30 -- the northeast corner of 38th and Walnut Streets (enter on 38th Street)
Sheraton University City Hotel garage -- 36th and Chestnut Streets
University lot #1 and garage # 26 -- 32nd and Walnut Streets (additional entrance at 33rd Street above Walnut Street)
University garage #40 -- 40th and Walnut Streets
University garage #37 (limited parking) -- 34th and Chestnut Streets (enter on 34th Street)
COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY
Who is the Commencement speaker?
The University and School Commencement Speakers will be announced later in the spring.
What time do I need to be at the Ceremony?
Graduates:
University Ceremony: Assemble at 8:45am
SP2 Ceremony: Assemble at 5:00pm
Guests:
University Ceremony: Gates to Franklin Field open at 8:30am
SP2 Ceremony: Doors to Irvine Auditorium open at 5:45pm
How long is the SP2 Ceremony?
The SP2 ceremony will last approximately two hours and conclude around 8:30pm.
How long is the SP2 Reception?
The SP2 Reception will conclude at 10:00pm.
How long is the University Ceremony?
The University Ceremony will last approximately two hours and conclude around noon.
I heard that it is not a good idea to wear light-colored clothing under my gown. Is this true?
It is possible that the dye from the gown may discolor light-colored clothing worn underneath it, especially in the event of rain when the gown might get wet. If this is something about which you are concerned, it is advised that you do not wear light colored clothing under your robe.
PHOTOGRAPHS
Will someone be taking pictures of the SP2 Commencement?
Yes. Information on how to order individual and class photos will be available later in the spring semester.