Ohio State offers information for graduates and guests - 06/10/04

Commencement at Ohio State is a festive and joyous occasion at which family and guests are welcome.

Spring commencement begins at 2 p.m. on Sunday (6/13) in Ohio Stadium. The ceremony will last approximately 2 ½ hours. No tickets are required.

Erin Moriarty, an award-winning CBS correspondent and two-time graduate of The Ohio State University, will deliver the commencement address. Approximately 7,200 students will receive degrees during the ceremony.

The Ceremony

Graduates assemble in the French Field House by 1:15 p.m.. The Class Processional leaves French Field House at 1:40 p.m. and moves into Ohio Stadium at 2 p.m. Guests must remain in the stands and off the field throughout the ceremony.

Following the commencement address and conferring of honors, diplomas will be awarded.
It is a long-standing tradition at Ohio State for graduates to personally receive their diplomas from their deans. Ph.D. candidates are first, and their names are annouced as they are hooded and presented with their degree. After the singing of Carmen Ohio, all other graduates will move in lines to the diploma boxes on the field and receive their diplomas. Graduates remain in line and proceed to the south end of Ohio Stadium and disperse outside. Graduates and guests should prearrange a meeting place outside of the stadium.

Parking
·Road closures and restrictions
Woody Hayes Drive is narrowed on both sides of the bridge spanning the Olentangy River.
Commencement guests should avoid the Medical Center area since construction projects around the area are severely restricting parking and necessitating a number of detours.

·Guest parking
Parking is available in any of the permit zones near Ohio Stadium and the student residence halls.

Parking garages are available at no charge.

Traffic on Woody Hayes Drive will be restricted from approximately 1:30 to 2 p.m. to allow for the graduates’ procession from French Field House to Ohio Stadium.

·Commencement shuttles
Free shuttle buses will run from West Campus parking lots to the Sisson Hall footbridge beginning at 11 a.m. until one hour after the ceremony.

·Disability Parking
Disability parking is located in the East and West Stadium lots. An Ohio handicap placard or a Commencement disability permit is required.

Security
·Certain items are prohibited in Ohio Stadium

Neither graduates nor guests are permitted to bring coolers, backpacks, large handbags, chair-back seats, mace or similar substances, or weapons of any type. Items that are permitted include cameras, video recorders, uncased binoculars, small handbags, pagers, cell phones, seat cushions, and clothes for weather conditions.

Commencement broadcasts
·Live video stream on Internet, excerpts on TV
For family members and friends of graduates who are unable to attend commencement, the University is pleased to offer a live web streaming of the ceremony at
http://www.wosu.org/tv/commencement.php beginning at 2 p.m. Sunday, (6/13). The web broadcast will be archived for later viewing.

Excerpts from the ceremony will also be broadcast on WOSU-TV, Channel 34, on Monday, June 14, at 5:30 p.m.

Stadium facilities
Ohio Stadium opens at noon on commencement day. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.

·Disability Seating
Ohio Stadium provides easy access for guests with permanent or temporary disabilities. Seating for those guests is located at entry level and throughout the stadium. Guests in wheelchairs, as well as those unable to climb stairs, and one companion are permitted in these areas. A permit is required.

An American Sign Language interpreter will be present during the ceremony. Due to space limitations, we ask that only one other person be seated with the guest in the designated area. Live captioning on the scoreboard is also provided.

Inclement Weather
·Rain in the forecast
If it is raining or rain is forecast on commencement day, graduates and guests should come prepared with appropriate rain gear. Ponchos, raincoats, and something to sit on wet bleachers are advised for guests. If weather conditions are uncertain on commencement morning, 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 from various 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 and diploma will be made available for pick up by the graduates. No indoor facility on campus is large enough to accommodate the graduating class and 40,000 guests.

Graduates and guests should prearrange a meeting place in case the ceremony is cancelled. Suggested meeting sites include St. John Arena, Larkins Hall, Drake Union, and various locations on West Lane Avenue.