Spring commencement is Sunday at Ohio Stadium - 06/08/06
The Ohio State University will award degrees to the largest graduating class in university history ? 7,643 graduates ? during spring commencement exercises. Approximately 5,500 students are expected to participate in ceremony, which begins at 1 p.m. on Sunday (6/11) in Ohio Stadium.
U.S. Senator John McCain will deliver the commencement address. Honorary doctorates will be presented to two Nobel laureates: Alan J. Heeger, professor of physics and materials (engineering) at the University of California at Santa Barbara; and Alan G. MacDiarmid, professor of chemistry and physics at the University of Texas at Dallas and professor of chemistry at the University of Pennsylvania. Distinguished Service Awards will be presented to Barbara K. Fergus, owner/partner of Midwestern Auto Group of Dublin; and Ernest W. Johnson, professor emeritus in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
The ceremony will last approximately 3 hours. No tickets are required. Additional information is available http://commencement.osu.edu/
The Ceremony
Graduates assemble in the French Field House by 12:15 p.m. The class processional leaves French Field House at 12:40 p.m. and moves into Ohio Stadium at 1 p.m. The procession of graduates to their seats will last about 30 minutes. After graduates reach their seats, faculty, university officials and special guests will march to the platform, and the ceremony will begin. The commencement address will be delivered at approximately 2 p.m.
Following the conferring of honors and commencement address, 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 announced as they are hooded and presented with their diplomas. After the singing of Carmen Ohio, all other graduates will move in ten lines to the diploma boxes on the field and receive their diplomas. Graduates do not return to their seats after receiving their diploma; they remain in line and proceed to the south end of Ohio Stadium and disperse outside.
Parking
Parking is available in any of the permit zones near Ohio Stadium and the student residence halls. The Arps, Ohio Union, and Tuttle parking garages are available at no charge. (Medical Center garages are not).? Traffic restrictionsTraffic on Woody Hayes Drive and Cannon Drive (near the stadium) will be restricted from approximately 12:30 to 1 p.m. to allow for the graduates' procession from French Field House to Ohio Stadium. ? Commencement shuttlesFree shuttle buses will run from West Campus parking lots to the Sisson Hall footbridge beginning at 10 a.m. until one hour after the ceremony. Transportation and Parking strongly advises use of West Campus parking and shuttle service.? Disability ParkingDisability parking is located in the East and West Stadium lots. An Ohio disability 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 offering a live web streaming of the ceremony at http://commencement.osu.edu/video_O.php beginning at 1 p.m. Sunday, (6/11). 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 12, at 5:30 p.m.
Stadium facilities
Ohio Stadium opens at 11 a.m. on commencement day. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. ? Disability SeatingSeating for guests with permanent or temporary disabilities 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 at Section 16AA during the ceremony. Live captioning on the scoreboard is also provided.
Inclement Weather
? Rain in the forecastIf 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 weatherIf 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 diplomas will be made available for pick up by the graduates. No indoor facility on campus is large enough to accommodate the graduating class and 35,000 guests. Graduates and guests should prearrange a meeting place in case the ceremony is cancelled. Suggested meeting sites include St. John Arena, RPAC, and various locations on West Lane Avenue.
