Slide 1

Understanding Browns Commencement 246 th Commencement Sunday, May 25, 2014 Slide 2 What we will discuss Important dates Description of weekend events Tips for families and guests Frequently asked questions Your questions! Slide 3 End of Semester May 6: Last day of class May 7-16: Final exams May 23-25: Commencement & Reunion Weekend Friday, May 23: Campus Dance Saturday, May 24: Forums and Baccalaureate Sunday, May 25: Procession and Ceremonies May 26: Senior move-out by noon Slide 4 Campus Dance Friday, May 23 from 9 PM to 1 AM Sponsored by the Brown Alumni Association Tradition dates back to 1868 Celebration brings together seniors, reunion classes & members of Brown community Slide 5 Campus Dance (cont.) Families welcome, not required to attend Senior sing at midnight on Sayles steps Need to make reservations and purchase tables & tickets online: alumni.brown.edu/news_events/campus_dance/ Slide 6 Forums Saturday, May 24 - three sessions (9 AM, 11 AM, and 12:30 PM) Wide variety of topics led by Brown faculty, alumni, medical professionals, and honorary degree candidates Similar to Family Weekend Forums (but many more!) Schedule will be announced via the Commencement website at the end of April Slide 7 Baccalaureate Saturday, May 24 from 2:30 PM 4 PM Multi-faith ceremony Held at the First Baptist Church Includes a procession, dancing, music, readings, and a keynote address Slide 8 Baccalaureate (cont.) Seniors process from College Green to the Church (line up on Waterman at 1:30 PM) Seniors only are in the Church Families watch a live simulcast on Main Green (Sayles & Salomon also open) Slide 9 Commencement Day 9:45 AMProcession steps off 10:15 AMGraduate School Ceremony on Simmons Quad 11:15 AMMedical School Ceremony at 1 st Unitarian Church 12:10 PMCollege Ceremony at FBMH 12:45 PMUniversity Ceremony on Green 2:15 PMDiploma Ceremonies/Receptions Slide 10 Procession Line up at 9:30 AM, Step off at 9:45 AM One of the oldest traditions Brings together entire Brown community Approx. 6,000 participants; 15,000 spectators Led by Chief Marshal a member of the 50th reunion class All march through Van Wickle Gates, which are only open 2 times a year inward during Convocation, outward during Commencement Slide 11 Procession Route (Part 1) Slide 12 Important Procession Tip Families and guests WILL NOT see anything on the route itself!!! Guests are STRONGLY encouraged to watch the procession simulcast via the jumbotron on the Main Green Slide 13 The College Ceremony Approximately at Noon Held on the Grounds of the First Baptist Church Official conferral of undergraduate degrees Seniors ONLY Families and guests can watch a live simulcast on the Main Green Ceremony is approximately 15 minutes long Since 1776 all but 2 Commencements have been celebrated in the FBMH Slide 14 Procession Route (Part 2) Slide 15 The University Ceremony Approximately at 12:45 PM Held on Main Green Seniors, Graduate and Medical students celebrate accomplishments Senior Orations Presentation of Honorary Degrees Presentation of Symbolic Degrees Slide 16 Diploma Ceremonies After University Ceremony (approx. 2:15 PM) Held in locations all across campus make sure family knows your concentration Diplomas awarded to graduates Refreshments and/or lunch All families and guests are invited to attend Slide 17 FAQ: Seating & Tickets Tickets are required for Campus Dance Currently not needed for any other event for the weekend No tickets are needed for seating during Commencement Seating is first come, first served on the Main Green Make plans to meet up with your family in advance Slide 18 FAQ: Viewing & Photos Baccalaureate, Procession, College, and University Ceremony are all live web streamed Watch from the Main Green via simulcast DVD sales are available info. sent to home addresses on record (official company is Collegiate Video) Van Wickle Gates stay open through Monday evening for photo opportunities Diploma Ceremonies Slide 19 FAQ: Storm Plans Dress weather appropriate for all events be comfortable and safe! Storm plan in effect only in SEVERE conditions No procession, students only to Pizzitola Guests to Meehan, Salomon, Sayles Announcement on Brown homepage Light rain = you will be wet Slide 20 FAQ: Housing & Dining Most Providence hotels have a 2 night minimum Residence hall rooms are available through Residential Life (reservations begin in March) Make dinner reservations in advance! Several grab and go locations open on campus over weekend Commencement Day is long make sure you stay well fed, hydrated, and take care of your guests! Slide 21 FAQ: Parking Parking IS a challenge Plan that parking will be challenging All University lots open beginning at 5 p.m. on Friday University borrows lots from local neighbors for Commencement Day Several street closures on both Saturday and Sunday Plan that parking will be challenging Slide 22 FAQ: Guests w/Special Needs Handicapped parking is available via online beginning in early spring This must be requested in advance Handicapped parking is observed University does not rent wheelchairs Most of campus is accessible, but consider your guest and the amount of travel! Student and Employee Accessibility Services office offers shuttles and assistance Slide 23 FAQ: Academic Regalia Caps and gowns are picked up and purchased in the bookstore beginning May 1 No pre-order needed Caps and gowns are made from Greenweaver - 100% recycled bottles Cap & gown are required for Baccalaureate and Commencement Rings, personalized announcements, and diploma frames available for purchase in the bookstore Slide 24 FAQ: Tips for the grads! Bring your phone/camera (turn your phones off during the ceremonies!!) Eat in the morning Plan for your guests now Warn your family about parking Establish meeting places with family members in advance Enjoy the time with friends!! Slide 25 FAQ: More Information Websites contain 2013 info updated in December/January timeframe Commencement information: www.brown.edu/commencement www.brown.edu/commencement Campus Dance information: http://alumni.brown.edu/news_events/camp us_dance/index.html http://alumni.brown.edu/news_events/camp us_dance/index.html Postcard to families in spring Most communication to seniors, so please share information with your guests Contact the Office of University Event & Conference Services, 401-863-3100 Slide 26 Any Questions?