Ohio State offers information for graduates, guests - 12/05/03

M. Marnette Perry, senior vice president of The Kroger Co., will be the speaker for autumn quarter commencement exercises on Sunday, December 14, at St. John Arena. Approximately 1,700 degrees will be awarded during the ceremony.

Sunday ceremony marks new Ohio State tradition
The ceremony marks the first time since 1943 that Ohio State has held a commencement on Sunday. The move to Sunday commencements from Friday mornings is geared toward making it more convenient for families to attend the ceremony.

The ceremony begins at 2 p.m. and will last about two hours. It is a long-standing tradition at Ohio State for graduates to personally receive their diplomas from their college 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 rise by rows and move to the diploma boxes to receive their diplomas.

Area hotels and restaurants that normally accommodate commencement guests may notice increased traffic during commencement weekend instead of the previous Friday.

Parking
Since the ceremony is on Sunday, campus visitors should find it easier to park since they will not have to compete for spaces with normal weekday university traffic. The new Lane Avenue bridge over the Olentangy River is now open to traffic.

·Guest Parking
Graduates and guests may park free of charge in any of the permit zones around Ohio Stadium, St. John Arena, and the residence halls. The Arps, Tuttle Park Place, and Ohio Union parking garages are also available at no charge. There will be no shuttle buses.

·Disability Parking
Disability parking areas are located in the parking lots north of St. John Arena. A commencement disability parking permit and/or Ohio Handicap Permit is required

·Road construction
Due to road construction on campus, Woody Hayes Drive is narrowed on both sides of the bridge spanning the Olentangy River.

Facilities
St. John Arena opens at noon on commencement day. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. No tickets are required. Guests must remain in the stands and off of the floor throughout the ceremony.

· Disability seating
Special seating areas are available for guests with permanent or temporary disabilities.
Seating for guests in wheelchairs or those with limited mobility is located in the east end
of St. John Arena, mezzanine level, sections 11A-14A. This area is accessible by ramps
and admission is by pass only. Please contact the Office of Commencement and Special
Events, (614) 292-9051, to make arrangements. ·An American Sign Language interpreter will be located near Section 8A on the north side of St. John Arena, mezzanine level.