Florida Commencement and Reception

Commencement
2011 Florida Commencers Date: May 20, 2012
Location: Hilton Miami Airport
5101 Blue Lagoon Drive
Miami, Florida, 33126
Tel: 305.262.1000 Fax: 1.305.267.0038

Directions to hotel
*Please contact the hotel to reserve rooms.  The hotel will be charging a parking fee.

Florida-based and online undergraduate students, as well as Master of Education students are welcome at the Florida event.

Please note that Commencement is a ceremony that celebrates your academic achievements, not certification of graduation. You must satisfy all of your degree requirements before you officially graduate and receive your diploma and transcript.

Schedule
Sunday, May 20, 2012
1:00 pm to 3:30 pm

Location:
Hilton Miami Airport
5101 Blue Lagoon Drive
Miami, Florida, 33126
Tel: 305.262.1000 Fax: 1.305.267.0038

Details of Ceremony:
10:30 am to 12:30pm: Robing areas open
11:00 am: Photographer available for pre-ceremony photos
12:30 am: Procession lineup
1:00 pm: Commencement Ceremony
Commencement Reception: Immediately following ceremony

Criteria for Participation
You are eligible to participate if:
1. You have already officially graduated and received your diploma but have not participated in a past commencement ~OR~
2. You are scheduled to complete your academic and financial requirements by the end of the Winter semester/sessions - April 21, 2012.

All eligible students and recent graduates will receive a packet of information including a Petition to Commence form and a timetable. Once your dean has approved you for commencement, you may order your regalia, invitations, class rings, diploma frames, etc. (online through a secure site hosted by Herff Jones).

Your financial obligation can only be processed through the Business Office in Cincinnati, Ohio. Please contact Lisa Schnapp, student account manager, 800-486-3116, ext. 1187, lisa.schnapp@myunion.edu.

Regalia
Cap and gowns are required to participate in the ceremony. Once you have been approved to participate in the ceremony (based on your eligibility and dean’s sign off), you will be given access to the Herff Jones web site where you can order your regalia. The regalia for undergraduates is called a ‘keeper,’ which allows you to own the regalia for less cost than renting. The price is about $30 for the set. It will be shipped to the Florida Center where you can pick it up on specified dates (to be arranged shortly). You can also purchase a ‘gratitude stole’ with UI&U colors and seal to wear during the ceremony and then give to those who supported you through your academic journey. There are also invitations, announcements, and rings to be personalized and purchased on the Herff Jones site.

Guests
Each commencer is allowed seven (7) guests who can attend the ceremony and reception free of charge. Tickets will be issued once your attendance is confirmed.

Photography
A professional photographer will be at the Florida Academic Center on May 16 from 1- 6PM to take formal commencement portraits. You will be able to view your proofs instantly. Payment is due at time of the shoot – cash, check, Visa or MasterCard only.

The photographer will also be present at the ceremony to take photos of you and your family prior to and after the ceremony; the photographer will also take a photo of you with the president as you cross the stage and receive your certificate. Proofs will be available at www.jacquelinemariephotos.com/store for online viewing. Should you choose to purchase photos, you will work directly with the photographer.

Request for Special Services for Persons with Disabilities
Requests for special accommodations for disabilities (ADA) must be submitted no less than 30 days prior to the event. However, if the necessary accommodation is a reader or a signer, a 60-day minimum notice is required. The request will be reviewed, verified with the requester regarding the necessary accommodation, and then final arrangements made. Accommodations cannot be guaranteed if the request is made in less than the stated minimum timeframe.

To arrange for necessary accommodations, contact the UI&U ADA Coordinator / 802.828.8840 / 800.336.6794 / adacoordinator@myunion.edu.

For More Information or Questions
Contact Angela Byles at 800.294.8884, ext. 2108, or angela.byles@myunion.edu.