A. Once you have checked and rechecked your degree requirements and hours to make sure that you are set to graduate you can find detailed instructions on how to apply for graduation on the University Registrar’s Web site at http://www.registrar.ku.edu/current/graduation.shtml.
In addition to making sure all your requirements are met, you should also make sure to order regalia by the deadline. Caps, gowns, hoods, and tassels (as well as announcements) can be obtained at any university bookstore on all campuses. See regalia information at http://www.commencement.ku.edu/2009/grads.shtml#grad_4.
Be sure to find out if your specific department, school, or division has a separate ceremony or reception during Commencement weekend. To see a list of events visit http://www.commencement.ku.edu/2009/events.shtml.
A. You must apply online to graduate by signing into the Enroll & Pay system, https://sa.ku.edu/. Click on “Student Center,” choose “Apply for Graduation” from the drop-down menu list under the Academics section, or click on “Graduation” in the upper left hand corner menu and choose “KU Apply for Graduation.” Undergraduates and law students have until March 2 to apply for graduation. Graduate students have until April 29. However, some schools may have earlier deadlines and students are responsible for checking with individual schools to determine and meet their date. March 2 is the last date students can submit their AFG to ensure they are included in the printed Commencement program.
A. See detailed regalia information at http://www.commencement.ku.edu/2009/grads.shtml#grad_4. Caps, gowns, hoods, and tassels (as well as announcements) can be obtained at bookstores on each university campus. See http://www.kubookstore.com (select “Graduation”) for information on ordering any of these through the KU Bookstores on the Lawrence campus.
A. Tassel colors in the U.S. are standardized by the American Council on Education. Those colors for undergraduates are: Architecture, blue lilac; Business, drab; College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, white; Education, light blue; Engineering, orange; Fine Arts, brown; Health Services, pink salmon; Journalism, crimson; Law, purple; Music, pink; Nursing, apricot; Pharmacy, olive; and Social Welfare, citron. Doctoral and masters candidates have black tassels. Souvenir KU tassels are also available for purchase. Those are blue and red. For more information visit http://www.kubookstore.com (select “Graduation.”)
A. Information on purchasing class rings is available at http://www.kualumni.org/kuaa_shop_ring_home.html, at any of the bookstores where regalia is sold or rented, or at http://www.balfour.com. Each year the KU Alumni Association presents students and alumni with their class rings in an official ceremony at the Adams Alumni Center. Information is available at http://www.kualumni.org/kuaa_shop_ring_home.html.
A. Announcements may be purchased at any of the bookstores where regalia is sold or rented. Personalized announcements may be purchased by calling CB Graduation Announcements at (800) 433-0296, or visiting www.cbgrad.com. A direct link to announcement and other graduation-related items is at http://www.kubookstore.com/ (select “Graduation” from the main menu).
A. Your name will be in the program distributed at Memorial Stadium on May 17th if you have completed all requirements for graduation and if you apply to graduate by March 2, 2009, the posted deadline for inclusion in the printed program. See http://www.registrar.ku.edu/current/graduation.shtml. If you graduated in summer or fall 2008 your name will be in the program distributed at the May 2009 commencement. If you are planning to graduate in summer 2009 you may walk down the Hill for the spring 2009 Commencement, but your name will not be in the Commencement program until spring 2010.
A. No, you do not. However, if you have not already done so, you must go to the University Registrar's web site at http://www.registrar.ku.edu/current/updateinfo.shtml and fill out a form (called a FERPA hold) to keep your name from appearing in the program. Note that filling out this form will also keep information about your graduation from being sent out in a news release to your hometown paper (see the form for details).
A. Commencement information is mailed to students around the middle of March. Students must have applied to graduate by the posted March 2 deadline in order to receive the information by mail. If you applied by March 2, it is also possible your address information is incorrect in your Enroll and Pay account (you need to log in yourself to check this). Commencement information packets are available in the registrar’s office, 151 Strong, by the end of March. In addition, all the contents of the mailing are available at http://www.commencement.ku.edu.
A. All degree candidates for spring or summer 2009 and those who received degrees last summer or fall are eligible to participate.
A. Diplomas are not distributed at Commencement. See the following instructions for your particular campus:
Lawrence campus: Diplomas may be picked up by recipients in 151 Strong Hall approximately two months after Commencement (photo ID required). Students wanting their diploma mailed can visit the registrar’s Web site at http://www.registrar.ku.edu/ and click on “Diplomas” under “Current Students” for more instructions.
Edwards campus: Pick up a Diploma Request Form at the Regents Center front desk, complete the form and turn it in to the front desk in the Regents Center. You will be notified by e-mail or phone when it arrives. If you would like your diploma mailed to you, visit the registrar's Web site (http://www.registrar.ku.edu/ and click on "Graduation" for more instructions.
Medical Center campus: Medical Center undergraduate and graduate diplomas (and certificates where applicable) will be available in the Medical Center Student Records office (3014 Student Center) after June 22. Students who want their diplomas mailed must complete the Diploma Delivery Request function within Enroll & Pay. MD diplomas will be handed out during the School of Medicine hooding ceremony. Diplomas will not be provided for students with financial and/or other obligations to the university. Contact the KUMC Registrar’s Office at kumcregistrar@kumc.edu, or call (913) 588-7055 for more information.
A. Yes, there are numerous individual school and department ceremonies, receptions, dinners, and other events taking place. A list is available at http://www.commencement.ku.edu/2009/events.shtml. You are responsible for making advance arrangements for attendance at those events, including obtaining tickets, if necessary.
A. The Class of 2009 lunch will be from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on the lawn of the chancellor’s residence, the Outlook, 1532 Lilac Lane. The box lunch is free and open only to graduates and their guests, but you must reserve tickets in advance. A reservation card has been sent to all degree candidates. The card must be filled out and returned to the KU Alumni Association by April 20. Contact sgerson@kualumni.org for more information. Attire is casual.
Download a reservation card here: http://www.commencement.ku.edu/2009/signup.shtmlA. The University Honors Program, the honor roll, graduation with distinction or highest distinction, and departmental honors are separate honors with separate requirements.
A. See the map at http://www.commencement.ku.edu/2009/2009_map.shtml. Graduates in regalia should assemble on Memorial Drive for the procession beginning at 2 p.m. without regard to alphabetical order. Signs will mark school assembly areas. University marshals wearing gold shoulder braids will organize the procession. Students should follow the marshals’ instructions at all times.
A. If it is raining the morning of Commencement, an announcement will be made at 1 p.m. about arrangements for a postponed ceremony. The announcement will be posted at http://alert.ku.edu/, on radio stations KJHK (FM 90.7), KANU (FM 91.5), KLZR (FM 105.9), WIBW (AM 580), KMBZ (AM 980), and KLWN (AM 1320), as well as on Sunflower Cablevision (cable channel 6 in Lawrence). KU Info Center will also post the information at http://kuinfo.ku.edu/or call: (785) 864-3506.
If the weather begins to clear in early afternoon, the first attempt to hold a postponed ceremony will be at 4:30 p.m. Graduates will assemble on Memorial Drive at 4 p.m. If the weather doesn’t begin to clear in time for a 4:30 p.m. ceremony, a second attempt will be made at 6:30 p.m. Graduates will assemble on Memorial Drive at 6 p.m. The last attempt to hold the ceremony will be 9 a.m. on Monday, May 18. Graduates will assemble on Memorial Drive at 8:30 a.m.
A. The university contracts with a professional firm to take photographs of grads near the beginning of the Commencement procession at the campanile. They will take your photo and contact you with information on how to buy copies. This year’s commencement photographer is University Photography. Contact information: (888) 243-6911 (Lawrence: 785-843-5279), www.universityphoto.com/kugrad2009.htm.
A. A video of the procession, as shown on Memorial Stadium’s video board during Commencement, may be purchased at http://kuathletics.cstv.com/store/ or at the KU Store in the Booth Family Hall of Athletics at Allen Fieldhouse four days after Commencement. The price is $20 plus shipping.
A. Commencement is Sunday, May 17, 2009, at 2:30 p.m. in Memorial Stadium on the Lawrence campus.
A. Tickets are not required for the Commencement ceremony and there is no limit on the number who may attend. Some school or department ceremonies require tickets and do limit attendance. See http://www.commencement.ku.edu/2009/events.shtml for a complete schedule of events and a contact for each event. Students are responsible for making arrangements for tickets for their school or department events.
A. An up-to-date list of all Commencement weekend events is available at http://www.commencement.ku.edu/2009/events.shtml.
A. The Class of 2009 lunch will be from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on the lawn of the chancellor’s residence, the Outlook, 1532 Lilac Lane. The box lunch is free and open only to graduates and their guests. Tickets must be reserved in advance. A reservation card has been sent to all degree candidates. The card must be filled out by them and returned to the KU Alumni Association by April 20. Contact sgerson@kualumni.org for more information. Attire is casual.
A. Check out local lodging and restaurant listings on the Lawrence Convention & Visitors Bureau Web site: http://www.visitlawrence.com. You can also call the bureau at (785) 865-4499. If Lawrence hotels and motels are booked, you can find lodging in nearby towns, including Topeka, Ottawa, and the metropolitan Kansas City area (including several towns on the I70 corridor between Lawrence and the west edge of Kansas City, such as DeSoto and Bonner Springs).
A. You should allow about an hour for the trip. The length of time to make this trip is dependent on the time of day and traffic. During morning and afternoon rush hour in Kansas City, the trip will take a little longer. It may also take you a little longer to navigate traffic in Lawrence just prior to and just after the Commencement ceremony.
A. There are several businesses in Lawrence that rent wheelchairs on a short-term basis. They recommend calling ahead to make a reservation. Wheelchairs are available for rent from these Lawrence businesses.
A list can be found on the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce web site (search for “Medical Equipment”): http://www.lawrencechamber.com.
A. Construction continues on the Kansas Turnpike in the Lawrence vicinity, but all three turnpike interchanges (Lecompton, West Lawrence, and East Lawrence) will be open during Commencement weekend. Travelers should watch for construction personnel and obey all posted signs. Construction updates for Lawrence will be posted on the Commencement web site at http://www.commencement.ku.edu.
A. There are several taxi companies operating within Lawrence. Some provide service only in Lawrence and some also provide service to and from the airport in Kansas City. Transportation options are listed on these web sites:
Lawrence Convention and Visitors bureau (see Meeting Supplies & Services):
http://www.visitlawrence.com
Lawrence Chamber of Commerce (search for “transportation”):
http://www.lawrencechamber.com/p>
A. Masters degree candidates are hooded in ceremonies conducted by individual schools. These ceremonies are listed in the schedule of events at http://www.commencement.ku.edu/2009/events.shtml. Doctoral candidates will be hooded at 4 p.m., Saturday, May 16, in the Lied Center.
A. Free parking is available throughout campus Commencement weekend. Unless a lot or space is marked as reserved, it is open and available for public parking at no charge. A map of parking around Memorial Stadium is at http://www.commencement.ku.edu/2009/2009_map.shtml.
A. Yes, free buses will run Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. The loop route will serve Memorial Stadium, Jayhawk Blvd., Learned Hall, the Lied Center, Daisy Hill (at the intersection of Engel and Irving Hall Roads), the Burge Union, Ambler Student Recreation Fitness Center, Murphy Hall and the Kansas Union. For wheelchair accessible service, notify any bus driver. A map of the bus route is at http://www.commencement.ku.edu/2009/bus_map.shtml.
A. There is ample seating in Memorial Stadium for everyone who attends. The stadium opens at 12:30 p.m., two hours prior to the procession, but there is no need to arrive that early to find a spot to sit. Seating is reserved for graduates and faculty in the north bowl of the stadium and for those needing special services. See the stadium map at http://www.commencement.ku.edu/2009/2009_map.shtml for the stadium layout. Other than those reserved areas, you may sit anywhere. If it is a bright, sunny day you may prefer to sit so that you do not face into the sun during the ceremony.
A. Graduates line up for their procession down the Hill into the stadium at 2 p.m. They begin the procession at 2:30 p.m. The procession typically takes about an hour until all the graduates have made their way into the stadium and into their seats in the stands. The formal ceremony following typically concludes by about 4:15 p.m.
A. KU’s chancellor, Robert Hemenway, will deliver the Farewell to the Graduates. Hemenway will be addressing graduates for the final time as chancellor. He is retiring on June 30.
A. Accessible parking is available on the east and west sides of Memorial Stadium for those with state-issued disability parking permits and for those who need to drop off a passenger with limited mobility. Access the west lot from 11th & Maine and the east lot from 11th & Mississippi. Drop-off areas are available for drivers parking in the accessible or general parking areas.
Wheelchair seating for those who must remain in their wheelchairs is available at the stadium in sections 1, 3, 9, 11, 17, 22, 24, and 26 (see map http://www.commencement.ku.edu/2009/2009_map.shtml for location and closest stadium entrance gates). Elevators to wheelchair seating are on both the east and west sides of the stadium. Field seating is available only on the EAST side.
Seating for those with limited mobility will be available. Lower stadium bench seating, track seating in folding chairs, and wheelchair seating (on the track) are reached through Gate D on the east side. A limited number of ushers with complimentary wheelchairs are available to transport guests with special needs to this seating area on the EAST side. Those requiring wheelchairs for the duration of a ceremony should plan on making their own accommodations prior to arriving on campus. See the FAQ about renting wheelchairs in Lawrence for more information. Note: Once the ceremony procession begins guests may still enter the stadium on either the east or west sides, but will not be able to cross from one side of the stadium to the other.
A: Sign language interpreters for the deaf and the hearing impaired, along with reserved seating for persons using interpreter services, will be available in the bowl of the stadium, sections 13 and 14, rows 29-33. A sign language interpreter will also be present on the platform during the Commencement ceremony.
A. Accessible restrooms are located on the concourse levels of both the east and west sides of Memorial Stadium.
A. See the map at http://www.commencement.ku.edu/2009/2009_map.shtml to locate where students line up for the procession. Students assemble on Memorial Drive at 2 p.m. by school, without regard to alphabetical order. Students will process down the Hill in two lines, enter the stadium through a gate at the south end, proceed down the center of the football field, and file into the stands in the north end bowl area. They will not cross a stage. Diplomas are not handed out at Commencement.
A. Yes. The ceremony will be simulcast on a large screen in air-conditioned Woodruff Auditorium on the 5th floor of the Kansas Union. It will also be broadcast live on campus television station KUJH (channel 31 on Sunflower Broadband cable in Lawrence), and rebroadcast on KUJH at 7 p.m. on Sunday and Monday, May 17 and 18.
A. Yes, concession stands at Memorial Stadium will offer a limited menu of concessions beginning at 12:30 p.m. May 17th. Food will also be available at the Kansas Union, off Mississippi Street across from the stadium. On Commencement day, dining services will be available in the Market food court on the third floor of the Kansas Union from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and also at the Pulse coffee bar on the fourth floor from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Kansas Union convenience store on the fourth floor will be open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
A. If it is raining the morning of Commencement, an announcement will be made at 1 p.m. about arrangements for a postponed ceremony. The announcement will be posted at http://www.alert.ku.edu, on radio stations KJHK (FM 90.7), KANU (FM 91.5), KLZR (FM 105.9), WIBW (AM 580), KMBZ (AM 980), and KLWN (AM 1320), as well as on Sunflower Cablevision (cable channel 6 in Lawrence). KU Info Center will also post the information at http://kuinfo.ku.edu/ or call: (785) 864-3506.
If the weather begins to clear in early afternoon, the first attempt to hold a postponed ceremony will be at 4:30 p.m. Graduates will assemble on Memorial Drive at 4 p.m. If the weather doesn’t begin to clear in time for a 4:30 p.m. ceremony, a second attempt will be made at 6:30 p.m. Graduates will assemble on Memorial Drive at 6 p.m. The last attempt to hold the ceremony will be 9 a.m. on Monday. Graduates will assemble on Memorial Drive at 8:30 a.m.
A. You may carry a plastic water bottle into the stadium, but not a cooler or a glass bottle or metal can.
A. No alcohol, no weapons (including concealed firearms), or explosives of any kind (including fireworks). The following items are also not permitted inside the stadium:
A. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Commencement day white “info tents” will be located in front of Spencer Art Museum, the southwest corner of 11th and Mississippi Streets, outside the Lied Center, in front of Marvin Hall, and just north of Fraser Hall. KU Info will also be manning its regular info desk in the main corridor on the 4th floor of the Kansas Union. KU Info is also reached at (785) 864-3506 or http://kuinfo.ku.edu/.
A. Lawrence Memorial Hospital is located about a mile north of KU’s Memorial Stadium at 325 Maine Street. (785) 505-5000. In case of an emergency, dial 911.
A. The university contracts with a professional firm to take photographs of grads near the beginning of the Commencement procession at the campanile. Grads who wish will be photographed and then contacted with information on how to purchase copies of those photographs. This year’s Commencement photographer is University Photography. Contact information: (888) 243-6911 (Lawrence: 785-843-5279), www.universityphoto.com/kugrad2009.htm.
A. A video of the procession, as shown on Memorial Stadium’s video board during Commencement, may be purchased at http://kuathletics.cstv.com/store/ or at the KU Store in the Booth Family Hall of Athletics at Allen Fieldhouse four days after Commencement. The price is $20 plus shipping.
A. The university has a contract with University Photography to take photographs of grads at the beginning of the Commencement procession near the campanile. They will contact graduates with information on how to purchase copies of any photographs taken. Contact information: (888) 243-6911 (Lawrence: 785-843-5279), www.universityphoto.com/kugrad2009.htm.
KU Info answers questions about KU and Lawrence. Call KU Info at (785)864-3506 or email kuinfo@ku.edu or visit KU Info. For emergencies, dial 911.
Visitors to campus are also invited to stop by the KU Visitor Center, 1502 Iowa Street, for information about campus and commencement. The center will be open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 16-17.
Commencement information is also available at this Web site: www.commencement.ku.edu.
Copyright © 2009 by the University of Kansas
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