Ohio State offers information for graduates and guests - 06/05/02
President George Bush will deliver the commencement address at Ohio State’s spring ceremony on Friday (6/14) in the Ohio Stadium. Approximately 5,500 graduates will receive their degrees at commencement.
The ceremony will begin with a processional of graduates at 9:30 a.m. and the ceremony opens at 10 a.m. It will last about two-and-a-half hours.
Security measures
·All guests need a ticket
Graduates can pick up one ticket for each of their guests at the St. John Arena ticket office, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on June 10, 11 or 12. Tickets provide general admission to the stadium, but seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.
·Guests should arrive beginning at 6 a.m., prepared for security screening.
All guests and graduates will be subject to security screening. Metal detectors will be in place at the French Field House and at all open gates of the Ohio Stadium. Guests are urged to arrive beginning at 6 a.m. when doors open and enter through the east and south gates of the stadium. To insure that all graduates are assembled and guests are seated in time for the 9:30 a.m. ceremony, admittance cannot be guaranteed after 8:30 a.m. Lines may be long and personal items may be searched.
·Certain items are prohibited in Ohio Stadium
To avoid lengthy security delays, we recommend that guests not bring prohibited items, and avoid (if possible) hard-to-search items like baby strollers. Items that are prohibited include: coolers, backpacks, large handbags, umbrellas, chair-back seats, mace and similar substances, or weapons of any type. Any graduate or guest who attempts to enter Ohio Stadium with prohibited items will be turned away.
Items that are permitted include cameras, video recorders, uncased binoculars, small handbags, pagers, cell phones, seat cushions and appropriate clothes for weather conditions.
Stadium Facilities
·Food and beverages
Concession stands selling beverages and limited food items will open at 6 a.m.
·Disability seating
Ohio Stadium provides easy access for guests with permanent or temporary disabilities. Please contact the Office of Commencement and Special Events at (614) 292-9051 by June 7 for further information.
Parking
·Guest parking
Guests are strongly encouraged to park on West Campus and use the shuttle service. The West Campus lots are on Carmack Road, which is west of Kenny Road between Lane Avenue and Kinnear Road. Carmack Road is also accessible south of Lane Avenue between North Star and Kenny roads.
Some guest parking will be available at no charge on a first-come, first-served basis in the lots north of the Arps, Northwest and Ohio Union Garages.
No parking will be permitted in the lots surrounding Ohio Stadium.
Traffic on Woody Hayes Drive will be restricted from approximately 8a.m. to 9:30 a.m. to allow for the graduates’ procession from French Field House to Ohio Stadium.
·Graduate Parking
The surface lots around St. John Arena will be reserved for graduate parking.
·University faculty and staff parking
With President Bush as commencement speaker, there will be restrictions on parking and access to buildings near the stadium beginning late Thursday night and continuing until Friday afternoon. The East and West Stadium Parking Lots will be closed to parking beginning at 11:30 p.m. on Thursday (6/13) until 1 p.m. on Friday. All vehicles must be removed by that time or be towed at owners expense. The circle drive at the base of Morrill Tower will also be closed until 1 p.m. on Friday. The adjacent parking lots will most likely be filled to capacity with commencement parking. Alternate parking is also available in the Northwest, Arps and Ohio Union Garages free of charge for surface lot permit holders.
Employees who usually park in the Tuttle Park Garage are encouraged to use the Northwest, Arps or Ohio Union Garages on Friday to help facilitate disability parking for commencement guests.
·Free shuttle from West Campus lots
A free shuttle will provide continuous service beginning at 5 a.m. and continuing until the guests are returned to West Campus after commencement. Shuttles pick up guests at Mount Hall on West Campus and drop off at the Sisson Hall footbridge located just west of Drake Union and Ohio Stadium.
Guests will walk across the footbridge, which is wheelchair accessible, and enter the stadium through the east and south gates.
·Traffic patterns
Traffic on Woody Hayes Drive will be restricted from approximately 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. to allow for the graduates procession from St. John Arena to the stadium.
Traffic to the Ohio State University Medical Center will not be impeded during commencement.
·Disability parking
Parking for guests with disabilities may be arranged through the Office of Commencement and Special Events by calling (614) 292-9051 by Friday (6/7). An Ohio handicap placard or a Commencement disability permit will be required to be displayed.
Disability parking will be designated in the surface lot south of Woody Hayes Drive and west of Cannon Drive, as well as in the Tuttle Park Place garage.
Information for graduates
·Rehearsal
We strongly encourage graduates to attend commencement rehearsal at 9 a.m. on Thursday (6/13). Graduates should report to French Field House and bring their instruction book, which contains their college and number. Find the sign for your college and line up according to the number on your book.
·Graduation day
On Friday morning, graduates will assemble in the French Field House at 6:30 a.m. Graduates must have their photo I.D. to enter. Guests are not permitted in French Field House, but should proceed directly to Ohio Stadium. Graduates will enter the stadium with a procession beginning at 9:30.
It is a long-standing tradition at Ohio State for graduates to personally receive their diplomas from their deans. With the exception of the Ph.D.s, graduates’ names are not read as diplomas are awarded. After the singing of Carmen Ohio, the graduates will move to the diploma boxes on the field and receive their diplomas. Graduates then proceed to the south end of Ohio Stadium and disperse outside. Graduates and guests should prearrange a meeting place outside of the stadium.
Inclement Weather
·Rain in the forecast
If it is raining or rain is forecast, come prepared with appropriate rain gear. Ponchos, raincoats, and something to cover wet seats are advised. Umbrellas are not permitted. If weather conditions are uncertain, listen to WOSU-AM (820 AM) for updates.
·Severe weather
If there is heavy rain, thunderstorms, tornado watch/warning, or other weather severe enough to delay or cancel the ceremony, instructions will be announced on site to graduates and guests. If cancellation is required, diplomas will be distributed in the French Field House and other campus locations, as noted in the commencement program.
If commencement cannot be held in Ohio Stadium due to inclement weather, the ceremony will be canceled. No indoor facility on campus is large enough to accommodate the graduating class and 40,000 guests.
It is advised that guests and graduates prearrange a meeting place in case the ceremony is cancelled. Guests will not be admitted to French Field House. Suggested meeting sites include St. John Arena, Larkins Hall, Drake Union, and various locations on West Lane Avenue.
