Commencement
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT GRADUATION
Who: Graduates of December 2011 and Spring 2012
When: Saturday, May 19, 2012 at 10 a.m.
Where: Magness Arena at the University of Denver’s Daniel L. Ritchie Center
(2201 E. Asbury Ave. Denver, CO 80210)
Time: The Commencement Ceremony begins promptly at 10:00 a.m.
• ONLY the west doors (across from the Lacrosse field) at the Ritchie Center will be unlocked for graduates by 8:30 am., NO EARLIER. Graduates should report directly to the Hamilton Gym, lower level. (If you arrive later than 9:30, you may not be able to walk in the procession.)
• All other entrances at the Ritchie Center will open to guests at 9 a.m .
• Faculty and platform party guests should report to the Gottesfeld Room, 4th floor of the Ritchie Center.
• Members of the audience should be seated by 9:45 a.m.
• A reception will be held immediately following the ceremony for graduates and their guests.
Length of ceremony: Just under two hours
Attire:
All participants are required to wear the appropriate academic regalia. JD candidates will carry the hood, draped over their left arm as they proceed across the stage. The candidates will be hooded and then their diplomas presented.
GRADUATES! DO NOT BRING VALUABLES WITH YOU TO THE GYM TO LINE UP FOR THE PROCESSION. THERE IS NO SECURE LOCATION FOR PURSES, KEYS, COATS, ETC.!
Consider your footwear — you have to stand in line for some time before the procession begins.
Parking: Free Parking is available at many of the lots on Commencement Day. The closest are located:
• L- garage at the College of Law and Lot # 321 (below the law building)
• Lot 103 – southeast corner of High Street and S. Buchtel Blvd.
• Lot 108 – northeast corner of University Blvd. and Josephine (east of University)
• Lot W – SW corner of University and Jewell
ADA Parking:
Parking for people with ADA plaques is available in every lot on campus. On Graduation day, most of the circular lot just north of the Ritchie Center will be reserved for guests with ADA plaques. Parking attendants will give access only to those with ADA plaques or plates, unless special arrangements have been made through the Events Office. Additional ADA parking is at Jewell and University.
Special Seating:
Hearing impaired, mobility impaired, and guests in wheelchairs may sit anywhere within the bowl/arena seating. There are wheelchair cutouts throughout the arena. Ushers on hand will do everything they can to accommodate all of our guests’ needs. There will be a special section for hearing impaired guests with a perfect view of our sign language interpreters. Wheelchair and mobility impaired guests will find it easiest to enter the building on the north side of the Ritchie Center. Use the entrance on the ground level, and elevators just inside.
The tassel: It goes on the left and stays on the left.
Alumni pins for graduates:
Graduates will find a small pin attached to their programs when they reach their seats on the arena floor. Early in the commencement ceremony, there will be a declaration that you are now officially a member of the alumni of the Sturm College of Law. You will then be asked to pin the person next to you.
Hooding:
This is a fairly new tradition at the Sturm College of Law. Hoods were originally a functional garment, worn to shield scholars and clerics from the elements. Now a classic accessory used in various ceremonies, the hood’s colors symbolize degree (purple for law) and educational institution (crimson and gold for DU). Graduates march into the ceremony with their hoods draped on their left arms (colors out, string to the outside) and are hooded during the ceremony, as a rite of passage.
Reception:
The reception begins immediately after the ceremony at the College of Law. It lasts only about an hour. The menu includes light cold canape’s and punch (some with champagne). There will be two outdoor stations (weather permitting) and one indoor location (Forum).
Directions to the reception.
At the end of the ceremony, graduates and guests should exit the Ritchie Center and head south to the law school for the reception. Please do not stop just after exiting the Ritchie Center as there will be a lot of foot traffic/congestion in that area.
Free Shuttle Service to and from the reception:
Although the reception location is a short distance from the Ritchie Center, the walk may be a bit too long for some attendees. Any guests who have difficulty walking small distances are welcome to use a complimentary shuttle service between the two locations. The Ritchie Center pick-up location is in front of that building (north). The shuttles will drop guests off on the west side of the law building, using the driveway off Evans. The shuttles will run continuously from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Professional Photographer:
Grad Images (800-628-4509) will be taking photos of every graduate as they receive their diplomas and shake hands with the Chancellor, and one additional shot just before graduates return to their seats. They will contact graduates by mail with proofs.
Robe Return:
Graduates’ robes should be returned at room #165 at the College of Law following the ceremony, and before 1:00pm. please. Faculty and platform party return their robes just after exiting the arena (Ritchie Center).
Other Questions?
We are happy to answer any questions you or your guests might have after reading this. (Other special needs, travel/lodging questions, additional directions, etc.) Please call Lauri Mlinar (303 871 6139) or Norah Kissell (303 871 6129) in the Events Office.
The University of Denver Sturm College of Law is committed to providing facilities that are accessible to persons with and without disabilities. We encourage persons with disabilities to contact Lauri Mlinar at 303 871 6139.