FAQ for Guests : FAQs : December Commencement : University of Vermont

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Academic Ceremonies - December Commencement

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FAQ for Guests

1. What time should I arrive?

The December Commencement Ceremony will begin at 9:00 a.m. in the Multipurpose Facility in the UVM Athletic Complex. Seating is open and available on a first-come first-served basis. Commencement parking is located on the main campus in the parking lots at Jeffords Hall and Given Medical Building near the Davis Center where the reception will be held. Campus shuttle buses will run every 5-7 minutes from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. to the ceremony, reception, and parking locations.

Please leave adequate time to park and shuttle to the ceremony.

If you have mobility limitations and would like to request accommodations for parking and seating please submit an Online Deaf and Disability Accommodation Request Form

2. Do I need tickets to attend the December Commencement Ceremony?

No, tickets are not required to attend the December Commencement Ceremony. Students are asked to RSVP regarding the number of guests they are bringing. RSVPs will be requested by email to the student’s UVM email account and replies will be submitted online.

3. What is the University’s policy on allowing students to “walk” at commencement?

The Commencement “Walk” Policy states that only students who have successfully completed all degree requirements will be allowed to walk at Commencement and that exceptions are made only in truly exigent circumstances. View complete transcript of the policy approved by the Associate Deans Group.

4. Where do I sit at the December Commencement Ceremony?

Seating is open and available on a first-come first-served basis. Jumbo screens will be positioned in the Multipurpose Facility to ensure that all guests have a good view.

5. Will there be a photographer at the December Commencement Ceremony?

GradImages, a professional commencement photography business, will be on hand to photograph each student. Students are encouraged to pre-register online with GradImages for easy tracking of their December Commencement proofs.

University of Vermont Photography will take candid photographs of the event. A photo gallery will be posted on the December Commencement website shortly after December 15th for review and purchase.

6. When will graduates receive their diplomas?

Degrees will be conferred by the president at the December Commencement Ceremony. Diplomas will be mailed in November to students who completed their academic requirements by the end of the summer. Diplomas will be mailed in January to students who completed their academic requirements by the end of the fall semester. Graduates are asked to confirm their post commencement mailing address by updating their permanent address from within myUVM.

Questions regarding diplomas should be addressed to the registrar’s office 802-656-2045.

7. A member of my party has mobility limitations. May I request special seating?

Yes. Guests who have mobility limitations may make arrangements for accommodations for parking and seating. Please complete the Online Deaf and Disability Accommodation Request Form or contact Sharon Mone in the ACCESS office at (802) 656-7852 (voice) for assistance.

8. A member of my party is visually impaired. May I request special seating?

Yes. Guests who are Visually Impaired may make arrangements for accommodations for parking, seating, amplification, captioning, interpreters, large print or Braille, by completing the Online Deaf and Disability Accommodation Request Form . If you need assistance completing this form or have any questions, please contact Sharon Mone in the ACCESS office at (802) 656-7852 (voice) for assistance.

9. A member of my party is Deaf. Will ASL interpreters be present?

Yes. ASL interpreters will be provided at the December Commencement Ceremony. Also, guests who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing or Deaf-Blind, may make arrangements for accommodations for parking, seating, amplification, captioning, interpreters, large print or Braille, by completing the Online Deaf and Disability Accommodation Request Form.

10. Will there be a reception? Where will it be held?

Yes, a reception will follow the December Commencement Ceremony. It will be held in the Grand Maple Ballroom and Olin Atrium in the Davis Center. Light refreshments will be served. Shuttle buses will be available to transport guests from the ceremony to the reception and parking lots.

11. Where do I park for the December Commencement Ceremony?

Commencement parking is located on the main campus in the parking lots at Jeffords Hall and Given Medical Building near the Davis Center where the reception will be held. Campus shuttle buses will transport you to and from the commencement ceremony in the Multipurpose Facility on the Athletic Campus. Buses will run every 5-7, minutes from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. to the Patrick Gym/Multipurpose Facility (ceremony), the front door of the Davis Center (reception), and parking lots (bus stops located at the east door of Jeffords Hall and the Lobby of the Given Medical Building). Both Jeffords Hall and the Given Building will be open to provide shelter from the weather.

Please leave adequate time to park and shuttle to the ceremony.

If you are not planning to attend the reception, please feel free to park in the Gutterson Garage on the Athletic Campus

Download the parking map

If you have mobility limitations visit: Deaf and Disability Accommodation Requests

12. May a graduate who participates in the December 20121 Commencement Ceremony also participate in the May 2013 Commencement Ceremony?

Eligible students may choose to participate in the December or May commencement ceremonies. Eligible students who choose to participate in the December ceremony may not participate in the May ceremony. However, if they do not successfully complete the requirements for their degree by the end of the fall semester they may participate in the May ceremony providing requirements have been fulfilled by that time.

13. Will the December Commencement Ceremony be available on DVD?

A 90-minute DVD of the December Commencement Ceremony will be available from the UVM Bookstore for $19.99 plus $7.99 shipping and handling (please allow 4 weeks after the Commencement ceremony for delivery). Pre-orders may be placed online or at the UVM bookstore.

14. What type of refreshments will be available on campus?

Complimentary coffee service will be available in the Multipurpose Facility beginning at 7:00 a.m. A reception with light refreshments will be held in the Davis Center following the ceremony. Henderson’s Café also in the Davis Center will be open 10 a.m. – 3 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.

15. Where do I stay?

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

16. What happens if there is a severe winter storm?

The December Commencement Ceremony will be held indoors in the Multipurpose Facility on the Athletic Campus. Tickets are not required. In the event of a severe winter storm that would make travel unsafe, the December Commencement Ceremony will be cancelled. An announcement will be posted on the UVM home page at www.uvm.edu or call (802) 656-3309 or toll free (800) 903-6601 for updates.

17. On the day of commencement where can I go for more information?

Information tables will be set up in the main lobby of Patrick Gymnasium. Commencement Ushers will be available to direct guests in the Athletic Complex. Volunteers wearing yellow vests will be available to assist with requests for FM hearing impaired devices, commencement programs in Braille, and special assistance seating.

18. Will there be a webcast of the December Commencement Ceremony?

Yes, those unable to attend the December Commencement Ceremony may view a live webcast by following the link posted on the University website.

Last modified November 09 2012 02:04 PM