The following letter was emailed Nov. 20 to students in the Class of 2016 and their families by Jeff Clark, executive director of the Office of Cultural and Special Programs at Elon University.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT COMMENCEMENT 2016, VISIT WWW.ELON.EDU/COMMENCEMENT.
To: Spring 2016 graduates and their families and friends:
I am writing to let you know of a change in plans for our previously announced location for 2016 undergraduate Commencement ceremonies. Based on feedback we received from graduating seniors, we have decided to hold Commencement in front of Alamance building. This will allow for open seating with no ticket limitations for graduates and their guests.
As you know, construction of the new School of Communications facilities has limited space in the traditional Under the Oaks venue. The senior class officers initially favored staying with the Under the Oaks location, even though that would have limited each graduate to four guest tickets. However, the results of a survey of seniors conducted last weekend show that a clear majority of graduates prefer the Alamance building venue option with unlimited seating.
Chairs will be set up on the lawn facing Alamance building and going across a closed Haggard Avenue onto Young Commons. Please note that this option will provide minimal shade for those in attendance. We are still considering one idea of having graduates process through the line of faculty Under the Oaks and returning to that location to receive their oak saplings following the ceremony.
In case of inclement weather, Commencement will be moved into Alumni Gymnasium for two separate ceremonies. Bachelor of Arts candidates will receive their diplomas in a 9:15 a.m. ceremony, and Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Science in Business Administration candidates will receive their diplomas in a ceremony at 1:15 p.m.
Because of the seating limitations in Alumni Gym, each graduate will be issued two rain plan tickets for family/guests. All other attendees will be able to watch the ceremony on a closed circuit broadcast at other locations across campus. Implementation of the rain plan, if necessary, will be announced on the university website, the university’s Facebook and Twitter feeds, and on a special phone line: 336-278-rain (7246).
You will receive more information in the spring, including a pocket guide which will have information on parking, seating, schedule of events, a campus map indicating the locations for Commencement-related events and other important information.
Complete information is available on the Commencement website: www.elon.edu/commencement. You may also call the Commencement Office for additional information: 336-278-2641.
Best wishes to our 2016 graduates. We look forward to a memorable Commencement weekend.
Sincerely yours,
Jeffrey Clark
Executive Director
Cultural and Special Programs