Stetson University’s Commencement 2014 will be held Friday and Saturday, May 9 and 10, at the Edmunds Center, located on East Pennsylvania Avenue. The campus map is a good resource for finding your way around campus. There are no tickets required for entry.

Friends and family unable to attend the ceremonies can access our live video streaming at http://www.gohatters.com/liveEvents/liveEvents.dbml. When the event starts a PLAY button will appear on the page (approximately 10 minutes before the ceremony is scheduled to start). Note: You do not have to register. This is a free service for the Hatter community.

If you have questions about Commencement 2014, here’s a list of the top 10 questions, with answers that we hope will help you!

10.       Q – As a guest, when do I need to arrive at Edmunds Center?

A – The doors open one hour prior to the start of the ceremony. Floor seating fills quickly. Guests are encouraged to arrive as early as possible.

9.         Q – Where do graduates get their honor cords?

A – The cords representing any of the three Latin honors—Cum Laude; Magna Cum Laude; Summa Cum Laude—will be pre-set on your assigned seat in Hollis Center. Other academic accessories representing other honorariums will already have been distributed. Confused about what cord represents what? Information will be in the Commencement printed program.

8.         Q – For Commencement guests with disabilities, what is the procedure for reserving floor seating?

A – Edmunds Center is fully accessible to all guests with seating available both on ground level and in permanent bleachers. Persons with disabilities can pick up a priority floor seating pass at the tents located at the north and south entrances of Edmunds Center. Ushers will be available to guide guests to the priority floor seating area in Edmunds Center.

7.         Q – Where do we park? And what is the procedure for dropping off people with disabilities before parking the car?

A – Please refer to the campus map, which shows locations for public parking. Shuttle service will be available from the Lynn Business Center, Flagler Hall and Allen Hall on Friday from 5 to 10 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Parking is also available at First Baptist Church and offers direct access to the north entrance of the Edmunds Center. While this parking lot is in close proximity to Edmunds Center, it is not accessible for persons with disabilities. The path from the parking area is an uneven surface and has stairs. Parking for persons with disabilities is available on the north side of the Edmunds Center. Cars parked in this area are required to display a disabled parking permit. Access to this area is on East Pennsylvania Avenue and Fraternity Circle. Officers will be available to offer direction. A circular drive accessible from East Pennsylvania Avenue and Fraternity Circle will be available for drivers to drop off persons with disabilities. Drivers will then be asked to move to the designated public parking areas.

6.         Q – How long will the ceremony last?

A – Each ceremony will last approximately 90 minutes.

5.         Q – Are there any restrictions on what we can bring into Edmunds Center?

A – Commencement is a day of celebration and we want to assure everyone that we will be vigilant in taking common sense precautions for everyone’s safety. Entrances and exits will be monitored by officers. All bags will be checked upon entering the Edmunds Center. Please plan to leave all non-essential items in your locked vehicle. Noisemakers are not permitted. Families are encouraged to hold their applause until all graduates have walked across the stage, to allow for everyone’s name to be heard.

4.         Q – What is the Celebration of Commencement event?

A – The Celebration of Commencement event will include a time of reflection and recognition of significant achievements. The ceremony is designed for undergraduate students and will be led by Chaplain Fronk and the deans from each college and school. All graduates who are receiving awards will be notified in advance by the Office of Academic Affairs.

3.          Q – Is there a reception? And, where do graduates pick up their diplomas?

A – The Receptions and Diploma Pickup location is in the Promenade area between the Stetson Green and Palm Court. (Rain location is Stetson Room in the Carlton Union Building.) For Graduate Students, following Friday night’s ceremony, the reception will be from 8:30-9:30 p.m. For Undergraduates, the reception following the School of Business Administration and the School of Music ceremony will be from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. The reception following the College of Arts and Sciences ceremony will be from 3:30-4:30 p.m.

2.         Q – When does the Processional begin?

A – The Processional of graduates and faculty will begin approximately 10 minutes before the hour. The entrance and exit doors to Edmunds Arena will be closed at that time in order for the Processional to enter the building. Guests will not be allowed back into the arena until after the Processional and Invocation.

1.         Q – Where do graduates pick up their caps and gowns?

A – Graduates can pick up their caps and gowns at the Stetson Bookstore, located at the north end of the Carlton Union Building. The Bookstore is open Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Bookstore will have a temporary location setup inside the Hollis Center for last minute regalia purchases. Hours of operation for the temporary location are – Friday, May 9: 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. and Saturday, May 10: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. 

Remember to leave your air-horns at home and do your shouting on social media with the hashtag  #hattergrad ! For answers to these and more questions, visit the Commencement 2014 website. Congratulations, Stetson graduates! GO HATTERS!