FAQ - Faculty

Commencement FAQ A to Z

App for UVM Commencement	Procession - Main Ceremony
Arrival Time	Rain
Bottled Water	Refreshments
Catamount Wish	Seating Plan
Flowers - Display	Severe Weather
Food Concessions	Tickets - Faculty
Guidebook	Weather
Parking	Webcast
Penny Toss	Wi-Fi Access

(App for UVM Commencement. Guidebook) Is there a Commencement App for my smart phone/wireless device?

The University of Vermont has partnered with Guidebook [www.guidebook.com] to create a first-rate mobile experience for Commencement attendees. Attendees who are iPhone, iPad, Blackberry, and Android users are strongly encouraged to download the application and load the guide before the Commencement weekend begins. Improve your experience by accessing the Commencement weekend schedule, event details, maps, local information, and more on your phone or mobile device. Available for iOS, Android, Blackberry and other web-enabled devices - completely free and available for all graduates and their guests!

Click here [http://guidebook.com/g/uvmcommencement2013] to download now.

Free Wi-Fi is available for your wireless devices. To access, select the UVM Guest network; no username or password is required.

(Arrival Time) What time should I arrive?

The University Commencement Main Ceremony – Sunday, May 19

Faculty planning to participate in the academic procession are asked to arrive at the Chittenden-Buckham-Wills (CBW) Green at 8:00 a.m. wearing their regalia. The ceremony will begin at 8:20 a.m. In the event of severe weather, the line-up will take place in the Varsity Strength and Conditioning Center and the ceremony will be held in the Multipurpose Facility in the UVM Athletic Complex.

Graduate College Commencement Ceremony – Saturday, May 18
Graduate College faculty are asked to arrive at 12:00 p.m. (noon) at the Multipurpose Facility in the Athletic Complex dressed in academic regalia to line-up for the Academic Procession. The Graduate College Commencement Ceremony will begin at 1:00 in Patrick Gymnasium. Graduate degrees will be conferred at this ceremony; students will be hooded and be presented with their diploma.

College of Medicine Commencement Ceremony – Sunday, May 19
College of Medicine faculty and students are asked to arrive at 1:30 p.m. in Cook Commons dressed in academic regalia. The College of Medicine Commencement Ceremony will begin at 2:30 p.m. in Ira Allen Chapel.  Degrees will be conferred and diplomas distributed at this ceremony, followed by the administration of the oath. 

(Bottled Water) Is it possible to buy bottled water on campus?

On January 31, 2012 the University of Vermont announced that it would become the first public university in the nation to end the sale of bottled water on campus and mandate healthy options for one-third of the drinks offered in vending machines. The decision marks the advent of a long-awaited systematic sustainable beverage policy after years of lobbying by students and the greater campus community. Burlington, Vermont provides safe, clean drinking water to campus, and providing bottled water from another community is not necessary.

Where to get a free drink of water? There will be water kiosks on the University Green that will be able to fill water bottles or a cup of water (provided at the kiosk). The kiosks will also have a traditional-style water fountain “bubbler” for a quick drink.
Commemorative commencement refillable water bottles will be available for purchase at the University Bookstore, at the commencement concession stands, and at all food service locations. Guests are encouraged to bring their favorite container from home.

For more detailed information about UVM’s water bottle policy, please visit the Office of Sustainability website.

(Catamount Wish. Penny Toss) What is the Catamount Wish?

As a part of the University Commencement procession, graduates will be given a penny to toss in the University Howard Fountain, the centerpiece of the University Green. We call this tradition "Catamount Wish" and hope that all graduates will have good luck by making a wish as they begin the Commencement Ceremony and transition from UVM student to their new alumni status. The University of Vermont Howard Fountain was installed on the academic green in 1874 and has been highlight of campus since. In 2012, it went through an extensive renovation and continues to be an iconic part of campus. (Click here to watch the video) This tradition is sponsored by the UVM Alumni Association.

(Food Concessions. Refreshments)  Will refreshments be available on campus?

The Marketplace, located on the 2nd floor of the Davis Center, will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. serving deli sandwiches, salads, fruits, snacks, and beverages.

Snacks and refreshments (hot dogs, sandwiches, fruit, cookies, muffins, chips and beverages) will be available for purchase from 6:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. under the Concession Tents on the University Green and in front of Patrick Gymnasium from 1:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The Waterman Café in the lower level of the Waterman Building will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. serving “to go” sandwiches and salads, snacks, and beverages.

In the event of severe weather, concession tents will be set up in front of Patrick Gymnasium from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Off-campus, there are many dining options in the Burlington area.  Please visit the Lake Champlain Chamber of Commerce website for more information.

(Flowers – Display)  What happens to the beautiful flower arrangements that decorate the campus and venues commencement weekend?

Many beautiful floral arrangements are used to enhance the stages and venues for the various ceremonies and events over commencement weekend.  At the end of commencement, these flowers will be donated to local nursing homes so that their beauty may continue to be enjoyed. 

(Parking)  Where do I park for the May Commencement Ceremony?

For commencement events on Saturday and Sunday, May 18 and 19, please park in the designated lot for your college or school.  Please leave adequate time to park and shuttle to the ceremony.
If you have mobility limitations, please make arrangements for accommodations for parking and seating.

Agriculture and Life Sciences:  Gutterson Garage and Lot
Arts and Sciences:  Jeffords Hall and Given Lots
Business Administration:  College Street Garage adjacent to the Hilton Hotel (free parking on Sunday)
Education and Social Services:  Gutterson Garage and Lot
Engineering and Mathematical Sciences:  College Street Garage adjacent to the Hilton Hotel (free parking on Sunday)
Environment and Natural Resources:  Sheraton Hotel Conference Center Parking Lot
Medicine:  Given Lot
Nursing and Health Sciences: University Health Center (UHC) Lot
Graduate College: Saturday:  Gutterson Garage and Lot.  Sunday: Please park in lot designated for your school or college.
Honors College:  Saturday:  Given Lot.  Sunday:  please park in the lot designated for your school or college.

Disabled Parking and Parking Assistance.
Disabled parking and parking assistance will be available at the Waterman Visitor Lot, Votey Lot, and the Gutterson Garage and Lot.

Shuttle Bus Service

On Saturday, shuttle bus service will be available from 1:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. at designated bus stops at the Given Lot (Lot C), Ira Allen Chapel, and Davis Center Oval for the Honors College Ceremony and reception. Buses will run every 10 minutes.

On Sunday, shuttle bus service will be available from 7:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. at designated bus stops at Patrick Gym, Royall Tyler Theatre, Jeffords Hall Lot (Lot B), Davis Center Oval and the Sheraton Burlington Hotel Conference Center Parking Lot (Lot D). If there is a change of venue due to severe weather, the shuttle route will include the UHC lot (Lot E). A dedicated shuttle will run between the Flynn Theatre, Hilton Hotel, and Allen House (or Patrick Gym, the rain venue). Buses will run every 10 minutes.

Download a copy of the Commencement Quick Reference Guide and Parking Map.

(Procession)  Where will the faculty academic procession assemble and what route will they walk?

Faculty will arrive in academic regalia on the Chittenden Buckham Wills (CBW) Green at 8:00 a.m. A head count will be conducted so that the appropriate number of seats can be reserved in the faculty seating section.  After brief remarks by Professor Jeff Modereger, commencement production manager, procession will leave the CBW Green at about 8:20 a.m. beginning with the student procession.

As the last of the students leave the CBW Green, the faculty procession, led by Faculty Marshals Judy Cohen and Jennifer Prue, will follow 2 x 2 along the roadway between Cook and Kalkin Hall to University Place. At the intersection with University Place they will turn left and continue to the center sidewalk that leads to the fountain on the University Green.  They will wait at the top of the Green until cued to enter.  When cued, the procession will walk down the center aisle, dividing around the fountain, and continuing to their reserved seats on the house left side of the center sidewalk.

The order of the faculty procession will be:

• Faculty Marshals Judy Cohen and Jennifer Prue
• Emeriti Faculty
• Retiring Faculty
• Faculty

Once the faculty are seated, the Platform Party, led by the University Marshal, UVM Police Servies Honor Guard, and Pipes and Drums of Saint Andrew’s Society of Vermont, will be cued to enter the Green and proceed to their seats on the stage.

(Rain - Severe Weather) What happens if it rains?

In the event of severe weather, the University Commencement Main Ceremony and the College of Arts and Sciences Ceremony will be moved indoors from the University Green to the Multipurpose Facility on the Athletic Campus.  Faculty will line up in the Varsity Strength and Conditioning Center at 8:00 a.m.

(Regalia)  I would like to participate in the academic procession. How may I order my academic regalia?

Faculty may rent regalia through the UVM Bookstore.  Orders must be placed be Monday, April 29. Any rental orders placed after this date will incur late order charges as well as expedited shipping charges.

Faculty may purchase inexpensive GreenWeaver regalia or custom regalia by contacting Balfour representative Paul Trono at 802-658-6126 or by email at paul.trono@balfour-rep.com.

(Seating Plan) Where will faculty be seated at the University Commencement Main Ceremony?

Faculty wearing regalia and participating in the academic procession will sit together in the center house left seating block.

(Tickets – Faculty)  Do I need a ticket?

Faculty members wearing academic regalia and participating in the academic procession do not need a ticket.

(Webcast)  Will there be a live webcast of the University Commencement Main Ceremony?

Yes, those unable to attend the May Commencement Ceremony may view a live webcast by following the link posted on the university website: Commencement Live.

(Wi-Fi)  Will Wi-Fi be available on campus?

Yes, free Wi-Fi will be available commencement weekend for your wireless devices.  To access, select the UVM Guest network.  No username or password is required.

Last modified May 16 2013 09:56 AM