Summer Commencement

Barbara Talmadge, University Registrar and Commencement Coordinator

Dear Degree Candidates, Faculty Members, Administrators and Guests,

Some of the information you received in the mail several weeks ago has been changed for the August 8 commencement. If the O’Connell Center construction is not completed in time, the ceremony will move to the south end zone of Florida Field. The final decision and a public announcement will be made by the end of July.

Regardless of location, the ceremony will begin at 8:30 a.m. Degree candidates and faculty participants will assemble at 7 a.m., the processional will begin at 7:30 a.m., and guests should be seated by 8 a.m.

Degree candidates will follow the same organizational protocols: undergraduates line up by college and graduate students line up by degree. The university requests that degree candidates and guests remain in their seats until the entire ceremony is over.

The following instructions will apply if the ceremony moves to Florida Field: Degree candidates and university participants will assemble at 7 a.m. at Gate 1 on the southwest side of the Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Commencement marshals will be there to greet and direct you and to arrange the processional. There will be no rehearsal. Summer heat will be the primary concern. All participants should dress comfortably for the weather, yet appropriately for the occasion. Coats and jackets may be too warm. You are encouraged to wear dark shoes, but women should not wear high heels because of the stadium steps. Please remember that degree candidates should not bring anything with them into the stadium.

Degree candidates, faculty and guests who require special accommodations-particularly those persons who will have difficulty negotiating the stadium steps-must contact the Office for Student Services at (352) 392-1261 (or 392-3008 TDD) no later than Wednesday, August 5. Assistant Dean Jim Costello will coordinate accommodations for persons with sight, hearing and physical disabilities. On graduation day, please enter the stadium through Florida Gym. Marshals and signs will direct you to special seating areas.

Families and guests will be permitted to take photographs from their seats; no guests are permitted in the graduates’ seating area.

Once the ceremony begins, it will follow the protocols identified in your original commencement materials. All candidates will be called to the commencement platform, where they will walk across the stage and shake hands with President Lombardi and the dean of their college. After the ceremony, President and Mrs. Lombardi will host a reception at their home until noon. Graduates can go to the registrar’s office in 222 Criser Hall until 3 p.m. to pick up their diplomas. Academic regalia must be returned to the bookstore after the ceremony.

I look forward to seeing you in August. If you have any questions, please contact the Office of the University Registrar at (352) 392-1374, extension 7229.

Barbara Talmadge
University Registrar and Commencement Coordinator

Commencement Checklist

By Thursday, July 30 —
The university will announce the location for the summer commencement ceremony.
Commencement will take place as planned in the O’Connell Center or it will move to Florida Field.

Monday – Friday, August 3-7 —
Pick up academic regalia and name cards at the University Bookstore in the Hub.

Wednesday, August 5 —
Deadline for special accommodations with the Office for Student Services.
Contact Jim Costello at (352) 392-1261.

Saturday, August 8 — Commencement
7:00 a.m. Degree candidates and faculty arrive
7:30 a.m. Processional begins
8:00 a.m. All guests should be seated
8:30 a.m. Convocation begins

After the Ceremony
Return academic regalia to the University Bookstore
Attend the reception at the President’s home, until noon
Pick up your diploma in 222 Criser Hall, until 3:00 p.m.