Summer/Fall 2011 & May 2012 Biology Degree Recipients:
The Biology Department Diploma Ceremony will take place on Sunday, May 20, 2012, at the North Grounds Recreation Center. Please see below for instructions on what kind of information we need from you and general information about the Biology Diploma Ceremony (including start times and number of guests).
Primary Student Contact:
Gretchen Watson, Graduation Event Coordinator
Email: ggw7t@virginia.edu
Main Office Phone: 434/982-5474
ACTION PLAN (What You Need to Do)
1. RSVP AS SOON AS POSSIBLE by filling out this RSVP FORM.
2. RETURN KEYS for BUILDINGS, LABS, and ELEVATORS prior to leaving the university. Please remember that the Biology Department issues charges for un-returned keys.
3. VERIFY THAT ALL BURSAR'S OFFICE BLOCKS HAVE BEEN REMOVED FROM YOUR STUDENT ACCOUNT. Specifically, verify that all pending charges have been paid (e.g. tuition, fees, library fines, parking fines, bookstore charges). If there are outstanding charges on your account, the Bursar's Office can block your graduation. For more information regarding student accounts and blocks, call Student Financial Services at 982-6000.
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Schedule and Weather -
The "Fair Weather Plan" allows for the Biology Ceremony to begin at 2:30pm.
If the "Inclement Weather Plan" or the "Severe Weather Plan" is implemented, the Darden School of Business will hold their ceremony at the NGRC before Biology and the Biology Ceremony will start at 4:00pm. (The Darden School issues tickets for admittance to their diploma ceremony and Biology Guests arriving early will not be permitted to enter the facility. The facility will open to Biology guests 30 minutes prior to the Biology ceremony.)
If the "Inclement Weather Plan" or the "Severe Weather Plan" is implemented, announcements will be made no later than 8:00am on the local radio stations and the University home page. If in doubt, call (434) 924-SNOW (924-7669) or the graduation information line (434) 982-2908.
- Student Arrival Time -
Under normal "Fair Weather" circumstances, graduating students must check in at the NGRC at 1:30pm. Under the "Inclement" and "Severe weather" plans, graduating students must check in at 3:00pm. Only students present prior to the diploma ceremony will have their names called to receive a diploma. Please note: It may take 20-30 minutes to walk from the Lawn Ceremony to the North Grounds Recreation Center. Please plan accordingly to make sure that you arrive on time. Regardless of the weather plan, the duration of the Biology Diploma Ceremony is 1.5-2 hours with an additional 20-30 minute informal post-ceremony reception with the Biology Faculty. All students, family, and friends, are invited to participate in this reception which will be accompanied by light refreshments.
- Ceremony Duration and Reception -
Regardless of the weather plan, the duration of the Biology Diploma Ceremony is 1.5-2 hours with an additional 20-30 minute informal post-ceremony reception with the Biology Faculty. All students, family, and friends, are invited to participate in this reception which will be accompanied by light refreshments.
- Guests -
Tickets are not required for admittance to the diploma ceremony. However, due to limited seating, students are asked to invite no more than Four (4) guests to the North Grounds Recreation Center. Ushers will be stationed at ceremony location entrances monitoring headcounts.
- Photography -
The Biology Department has arranged for a professional photographer to take pictures during the ceremony. Commencement photographs will be taken of each graduate as they receive their diploma and are individually congratulated. Friends and family may also take photographs within designated areas. Information about ordering or taking photographs will be included in the graduation pamphlet on the day of the ceremony.
- Parking -
Parking is available at University Hall (U-Hall) with shuttle service to the NGRC. For individuals with handicaps, there is limited reserved parking at the NGRC. Spaces will be given in the order the requests are received based on availability. Parking requests must be made to the Biology Department by Friday, May 4th. Only guests with prior arrangements with the Biology Department will be granted admittance to the NGRC parking lot.
- Final Exercises and Lawn Ceremony -
Information about Final Exercises and the Lawn Ceremony (including cap and gown information) can be found at the Major Events website. You may also contact them by phone 434/982-3099.
- Diploma Information -
For information on diploma availability and mailing, please visit the University Registrar’s. You may also contact them by phone 434/924-4122.
MAPS
Here is a .PDF of the busroute from U-Hall to North Grounds Recreation Center. Please note, because of construction around the North Grounds Recreation Center, the bus will stop at the Darden School Gate House and will not go around the horseshoe drive.
Location of North Grounds Recreation Center: