2-25-99

PLANS UNDER WAY FOR SPRING COMMENCEMENT ON THE OVAL

   COLUMBUS -- Spring commencement at The Ohio State University will be held on the Oval this year, and a university committee is currently working on details for the June 11 event. Ohio Stadium, the traditional location for the spring graduation exercises, will be unavailable for use because of renovation work.

   Each June, some 5,500 persons receive degrees from Ohio State, and 30,000 or more guests come to celebrate with them. There is no indoor facility on campus or in the community large enough to accommodate a crowd of that size. Ohio Stadium is the only permanent outdoor venue capable of seating the graduates and guests.

   In deciding where to move the event during the stadium renovation, university officials consulted students, considered dividing the event into two or more smaller ceremonies, and looked at outdoor and indoor sites on campus and in the Columbus area.

   “The conclusion was that the Oval would be the most appropriate location,” said David Williams II, vice president for student and urban/community affairs. “The students indicated a strong preference for the Oval, and for preserving the traditions that make an Ohio State commencement special. We are working to ensure a beautiful and memorable event for the Class of 1999.”

   Ohio State is unique among major universities in having one, universitywide commencement each quarter in which each graduate receives his or her own actual diploma. Ohio State’s summer, autumn and winter commencement ceremonies are held indoors, at St. John Arena. The university awards about 10,500 degrees annually, slightly more than half of them at the June event.

   The commencement planning committee is still finalizing details for the Oval ceremonies.

   “Our first priority is the graduates and their families and guests,” said Carol Ries, director of the Office of Commencement and Special Events. “We are examining every aspect of the arrangements, from the instructions to graduates to the seating arrangements to parking. Commencement is a very important milestone in each graduate’s life, and we are committed to ensuring that the Class of 1999 has a ceremony that they will remember warmly all of their lives.”

   Commencement will begin at 9:30 a.m., as in the past, with the processional of graduates. A raised platform will be built for speakers at the east end of the Oval, and graduates and guests will be seated on folding chairs in front of it. As at all Ohio State commencement ceremonies, there will be no limit on the number of guests each graduate will be able to invite. About 32,000 rental chairs have been reserved, which will accommodate a normal number of guests.

   The rain plan will be the same as last year. Commencement will be held on the Oval, rain or shine, unless the weather conditions are dangerous. In case of lightning, severe downpours, or tornado warnings, the ceremonies will be canceled and diplomas distributed at the Ohio Union.

   Shuttle buses will run from the parking lots on West Campus, and there will be some spaces in campus garages and lots.

   Further information about parking, seating, rehearsal and other details will be provided to the graduates several weeks before the event.

Contact: Ruth Gerstner, University Communications, (614) 292-8424