Commencement Day Information
Ceremony: When and Where?
Saturday, May 3, 2008, 11:00 a.m. Matthaei Physical Education Center and Tom Adams Field in the Wayne State Football Stadium
Gates open at 9:00 a.m. - Guests must be seated by 10:30 a.m.
Solemn Occasion
Commencement is an exciting occasion, but also a solemn one. Please show consideration for all graduates and attendees by remaining seated until the conclusion of the ceremony.
Commencement Etiquette
No smoking, eating or drinking will be allowed on the football field during the ceremony. Alcoholic beverages are prohibted at Commencement. Out of respect for your fellow graduates, do not use cell phones or other electronic communication devices during the ceremony.
Arrival and Assembly for Procession
Pre-assembly
Students must report to Matthaei or the Tennis Courts just outside Matthaei for pre-ceremony assembly. Listed below are the schools and colleges that should report to each area. Please arrive by 9:30 a.m. The processional into the stadium starts to line up at 10:30 a.m. with the grand entrance at 11:00 a.m. We are expecting over 2800 students and 14,000 guests, so please arrive early!
Matthaei Gyms
- Ed.D. graduates
- Library Science
- Fine, Performing & Communication Arts
- Engineering
- Pharmacy and Health Sciences
- Social Work
- Business
Tennis Court
- Ph.D. graduates
- Medicine
- Education
- Nursing
- Liberal Arts and Sciences
Webcast
Invite family and friends to watch the entire ceremony on the web. They can click on the link below starting at 10:45 a.m. on Saturday;
http://streaming.wayne.edu/commencement
Inclement Weather
The weather forecasts are calling for rain so dress appropriately. Please Listen to WWJ 950 or check the commencement website for updates. Ponchos will be made available to the students in the pre-assembly areas.
In the event of drizzle or light rain, the ceremony will go forward. Guests are invited to use umbrellas and ponchos will be available for the graduates. If weather conditions deteriorate and become unsafe, the ceremonies will be abbreviated. The president could decide to confer all degrees en masse and conclude the ceremony. Ushers and marshals will direct guests to exits.
In the event of severe weather, commencement could be cancelled and held on Sunday, May 4, 2008. This decision may not be made until late Friday evening or early Saturday morning. As commencement approaches, please check the Web site at commencements.wayne.edu or call the Commencement Office at (313) 577-2414 for weather updates.
Parking
General parkings for graduates and their guests is available in surface lot #41 and structures #2 and #5, all located on Anthony Wayne Drive, north of Warren Avenue. Parking will also be available in structure #1 located on West Palmer Avenue. There is a $5 charge for parking per vehicle. All parking is on a first-come, first-served basis. Shuttles will be available to take graduates and guests to the stadium from the parking area.
A limited number of handicapped parking spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis in the Matthaei Physical Education Center parking lot (#40) and surface lot #50 on Warren Avenue in back of Matthaei. A handicapped license plate or hangtag is required to access these spaces. There is a $5 charge for parking per vehicle.
Academic Regalia
Graduates should arrive at campus in cap and gown. Graduates must wear a cap and gown (academic regalia) for the commencement ceremonies. Academic regalia will be available for purchase at Grad Expo on March 19-20 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Barnes & Noble Bookstore, 82 W. Warren Ave.
A limited supply of caps and gowns will be available following Expo at Barnes & Norble during normal business hours: Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. (closed Sunday). Barnes & Noble accepts cash, check, credit card and the OneCard for these purchases. For more information, call (313) 577-2436 or visit wayne.bkstore.com.
While bachelor’s and master’s degree graduates purchase academic regalia to wear at commencement and keep after the ceremony, PhD & EdD graduates wear a special green WSU cap, gown and hood that must be rented at the bookstore. AudD/PhamrD wear black doctoral regalia. PhD & EdD graduates who wish to purchase academic regalia may place an order at the bookstore. To place an order, you will need to know your height, weight, hat size and degree earned from this institution.
Dress
Graduates should dress comfortably and appropriately for the weather. Coats are not permissible during the processional march. Please wear comfortable footwear as you will be walking on concrete and grass. Note: Due to the recent installation of the new field in the football stadium, high-heeled shoes are not permitted. Handbags and other items may not be carried in the processional. Leave all valuables at home or with your guests, as no personal items may be left in the gym.
Tickets
Beacuse of the large number of students graduating this year, seating at commencement is limited and guest tickets are required. Each graduate is eligible to receive a maximum of five (5) guest tickets. Guest admission to the ceremony is by ticket only. Tickets are not required for graduates or for children under the age of two (2). Special tickets are required for guests with special needs. Due to space constraints, guests with disabilities who require special seating may be accompanied by one escort only. Tickets may be picked up at Grad Expo on March 19-20 from 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. Only graduates may pick up tickets and picture identification is required. Tickets will not be released without proper identification. The WSU Commencement Office does not sell additional tickets or mail tickets.