Commencement Volunteers Needed

Wed, 15 Dec 2021 16:10:35 -0500

A message from the Office of Institutional Advancement:

We are in need for a few more volunteers for the ceremonies next week. For those that would like to volunteer to assist with the winter's ceremonies, you can sign up using this form. Please know that while we do appreciate each and every volunteer, we know that some of you will not feel comfortable volunteering this year, and we understand that. Please don't feel pressure to volunteer.

A few things to know about the ceremonies this winter;

1) In order to maximize the number of graduates and guests that we can accommodate in the Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena (CEIA), we had to split the undergraduate ceremony into two ceremonies, as we do in the spring. So there will be a total of 3 ceremonies this winter.

2) There will not be a student line-up in the halls of the CEIA, or a procession of graduates. Graduates will enter the CEIA and go directly to their seats. Right now we are working with the CEIA to maximize safe seating for our graduates, but we will be using the floor along with 2 sections of the lower bowl for graduates.

3) Graduates will still walk across the stage and we will share those details with those who sign up for the student line-up role.

4) Due to the lack of floor space, and the need to physically distance and reduce interactions, the Alumni Association will not be handing out their gift to the graduates after they cross the stage.

5) In order to limit the number of physical interactions, we are going to have graduates scan their own floor passes using a stationary scanner. We will still need to have stage assistants on the stage to assist those that have difficulty scanning their cards.

6) The only faculty and staff participating will be those that have a role in hooding PhD graduates in the Grad School ceremony on Tuesday, December 21. This means that we do not have a procession of Faculty and Staff, and therefore, no Faculty/Staff line-up role for volunteers.

7) There will be a Platform Party at each ceremony, the procession of the PP will likely look different. As we are working with the CEIA to maximize safe seating for our graduates, we realize that there may not be room for a center aisle, so more details still need to be worked out on this.

Here is the link to sign up to volunteer, we thank you in advance!

Don't forget to RSVP for the RetriEVER Grateful End of Semester Celebration this Friday from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for snacks, networking, and a free gift in the Skylight Lounge.

Share a photo or message of gratitude through our virtual photo booth - https://bit.ly/3G9CybY