The following information only pertains to the St. John's
University Commencement Exercises on Sunday, May 18, 2008.
For Our Guests with
Disabilities
- Guests of graduates who have disabilities may park in the lot
next to the St. Thomas More Church.
- A reserved seating section will be available for guests with
disabilities on the front side of the audience, facing the stage.
Please see a Public Safety Officer for assistance. Please note that
due to the large number of guests expected to attend, we are only
able to offer seating to the person with the disability and one
companion.
- Handicap accessible restrooms are located in St. Thomas More
Church.
- The University’s Commencement Exercises will include a sign
language interpreter. Please see a Public Safety Officer to be
directed to the seating area reserved for viewing of the sign
language interpreter.
What time should guests
arrive?
All guests should arrive and be seated no later than 10:45 a.m.
What do I do in the event of
inclement weather?
The University Commencement Exercises will be held on the
Great Lawn rain or shine. It is suggested that guests bring
suitable protection against the heat/sun or inclement weather. In
the case of severe weather, the ceremony will be abbreviated.
Will parking be available?
Parking
Information
What is the path of the
procession?
The academic procession will begin on each side of The Great Lawn
processing on the east and west sides of the Great Lawn and then up
the center aisle. The schools will process in the following
order:
- East Side
College of Professional Studies
St. John’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences - West Side
College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions
The School of Education
The Peter J. Tobin College of Business
The Presidential Stage Party will process from Council Hall, on
the east side of the Great Lawn, and then up the center aisle. The
ceremony will begin when all members of the Presidential Party have
reached the stage.
How long is the Commencement
ceremony?
Great care has been taken to be sure that the ceremony is
completed as quickly and smoothly as possible. We anticipate that
the ceremony will run approximately 2 ½ hours. Please understand
that Graduates will not be permitted to leave the Commencement
Exercises until the student recessional has been completed. If you
anticipate your participation in the entire ceremony to be a
concern, please call the Office of University Events.
Due to the number of people expected on Commencement Day, we
encourage family and friends of candidates to set up meeting places
for after the ceremony in case anyone from your group should become
separated.
Will the St. John's University
Commencement Exercises be simulcasted if guests are unable to sit
outside?
Yes. Simulcast areas will be available in Marillac Hall Auditorium
and Bent Hall Auditorium. Seating in the simulcast areas is
limited, so plan to arrive early.
Are restrooms readily available at the
ceremony?
All University buildings are equipped with public restrooms, which
are accessible for people with disabilities, and will be available
throughout the weekend.
Where will students be
seated?
Seating
Plan
General Information For Our
Guests
- During the Commencement Exercises, Commencement Hosts,
identified by STJ shirts, will be stationed throughout the campus
to provide any assistance that may be needed. Please feel free to
ask for their help in order to make your visit a pleasant one.
- Guests should remember that there will be a substantial amount
of walking and stair climbing. Comfortable footwear is
recommended.
- First Aid and Hospitality stations will be near guest seating
on the Great Lawn.
- Pay phones are located in the breezeway between Council Hall
and Registrars as well as in Marillac Hall.
- The University residence halls will officially close at 10 a.m.
on Thursday, May 15, 2008.
- All University buildings are equipped with public restrooms,
which are accessible for people with disabilities and will be
available throughout the weekend.
- Queens
Campus Map
How do I order keepsake
items?
Graduation Announcements
Personalized St. John's University announcements of graduation are
available for purchase online. Announcements must be ordered six
weeks before the graduation date – order early. Announcements can
not be used as tickets. These items are not available for purchase
at graduation.
Tassels
Commemorative red and white tassels are available for purchase
during academic attire distribution. Prices range from $5 to
$7.
Stole of Gratitude
The Stole of Gratitude can be worn during the commencement
ceremony. After the ceremony, the new graduate presents the Stole
of Gratitude to someone who provided extraordinary help or support,
i.e., parents, relative, or mentors who have helped with wisdom,
words of support, or with financial assistance. The Stole of
Gratitude is available for purchase for $20 during academic attire
distribution.
Diploma Frames
Diploma frames are available for purchase through Follett
Bookstore.
Commencement Flowers
Flowers will be available on site for purchase at
graduation. Pre
order here.
Program Books
In an effort to support the University’s green initiative, each
family will receive one commemorative copy of the Commencement
program that will include graduate names. This copy will be given
to the graduates participating in the Commencement Exercises at the
start of the ceremony. Graduates should be sure to keep this
program as a memento of their special day.
The programs for the guests at the Commencement Exercises will
be printed without the student names.
In doing this, we are saving over one million sheets of paper,
or…
- 145 trees
- Enough energy for 3 homes annually
- Over 115,000 gallons of wastewater
- Almost 14,000 pounds of solid waste