Commencement 2005 - Updates & Advisories

Because President Bush will address the graduates on May 21, Commencement 2005 will require appropriate schedule adjustments and additional security procedures. The White House and Secret Service personnel have not advised the college of the details of all of these procedures at this time.

Updates & Advisories

Graduates, parents and family are advised to visit this Web site periodically between now and May 21 to receive news updates and advisories regarding Commencement 2005 and President Bush's visit to Calvin.

Thursday, May 19th

We have received a few Commencement-related questions and thought that it would be helpful to share those questions and responses here.

Q. If the Commencement ceremony doesn't begin until 2:00 pm, why are the guests in the Fieldhouse asked to be "seated" by 1:00 pm?

A. Currently the plan is to begin the student and faculty processionals before 2:00 pm, perhaps as early as 1:15 pm. Guests are asked to be in their seats by 1:00 pm so that local fire and law enforcement officials can determine how "full" the Fieldhouse is by noting that every guest has a designated seat. The timing of the processionals is somewhat dependent on the length of time it will take for 4000+ guests to process through security, metal detectors, etc.

Q. May guests leave their seats once the Commencement ceremony begins?

A. After the President has entered the Fieldhouse all guests are asked to remain in their seats until the Commencement address is finished.

Q. In addition to the items listed on the Commencement Web site, are there other items that are prohibited in the Fieldhouse?

A. Umbrellas will not be allowed in the Fieldhouse; please leave them in your vehicles. (The local weather forecast calls for mostly sunny skies on Saturday, May 21!) Guests may carry cell phones into the Fieldhouse.

Q. Will food and/or drinks be available in the Fieldhouse?

A. A supply of disposable cups will be stationed near each water fountain in the Fieldhouse. Guests are reminded that they may not carry water or soda bottles of any kind into the Fieldhouse, though you are welcome to carry in small snacks, granola bars, etc.

Q. Once guests have passed through security, metal detectors, etc., may they leave the building?

A. No. Guests who need to exit the Fieldhouse prior to 1:00 pm must pass through the metal detectors again to gain re-entry to the building.

Wednesday, May 18th

Information Sheet for Graduates & Commencement Guests:

The following is some very important information for you and your Commencement guests. The Commencement ceremony is on Saturday, May 21 at 2:00 pm. Due to the fact that President George W. Bush is our Commencement speaker this year there are many special guidelines in place. Please read carefully the information below and pass it along to those who will be attending the ceremony.

1. Required Identification for Graduates on Saturday : In order to process into the Fieldhouse for the Commencement Ceremony each graduate MUST have:

  • their Calvin student ID (if you don't have one, the housing office will issue one for this purpose at no charge.)
  • your grey-colored ticket (issued to you when you pick up your Cap & Gown)
  • your Commencement name card (issued to you when you pick up your Cap & Gown) The name card will be used by the faculty members who will read each graduate's name during the ceremony.
2. Doors Opening : You must have the appropriate ticket to enter all venues. Doors to the three satellite venues (Fine Arts Center, Gezon & Chapel) will open at approximately 12:30pm. Doors to the Fieldhouse will open at 11:00am, and only the doors on the East side of the building will be opened. They must open this early in order to facilitate all guests through the metal detectors and have everyone seated in the building by 1:00pm. Please make sure that you arrive plenty early in order to ensure that you find a parking space, get into the building and have a seat so that you can see your graduate process in to the building. The processional will likely start before the 2:00 pm Commencement time. Also, the Fire Marshall will be on site and does have the authority to shut down the building at any time he deems necessary - even if there are still ticketed guests waiting outside. Reasons he may decide to shut the building down include people not sitting in what is considered a "proper seat" or spilling out into the aisles. We will have emergency satellite venues available if this does happen, however, you can prevent this by arriving early and sitting in an appropriate seat.

3. Items to Leave at Home: In order to make the security screening process as quickly and painlessly as possible we insist that all graduates and guests leave the following items at home or in their cars if they will be sitting in the Fieldhouse:

    • any clothing that would trigger the metal detector alarm (shoes, belt buckles, jewelry, etc.)
    • pocket-knives, nail-clippers, tools, mace, pepper spray, money clips, coins, extra keys, etc. - anything that might trigger the metal detector alarm or that looks potentially harmful
    • water or soda bottles of any kind (there will be disposable cups available near the water fountains), strollers, backpacks, camera bags (take only your camera and do not load the film ahead of time or it will get ruined - there will be a professional photographer taking pictures available for purchase as well), tripods, signs of any kind.

4. Parking: Graduates are asked to please park across the East Beltline in the parking lot near the nature preserve. This will leave the closer, more convenient parking spaces for your parents, grandparents and guests. All guests are asked to adhere to the instructions of Campus Safety and other parking attendants.

5. Procedural Rules when the President is in the building: Secret Service recommends that once President Bush is in the building no one may be standing, walking around, or using the bathrooms. Everyone should remain in their seats until he leaves the building.

6. Building Temperature: The Fieldhouse is air conditioned this year (as are all of the satellite venues). Upon entering the Fieldhouse it may seem rather cold, however as the ceremony progresses the building will heat up considerably due to all of the people. Please dress accordingly.

7. Handicap & Special Needs Seating: All graduates were asked to make special arrangements ahead of time for any wheelchair or special needs seating. We have lists of names as well as reserved seats in all venues for people who have made these requests. We do not have any extra wheelchair seating available in any of our ticketed venues so please do not show up on Saturday expecting an accommodating seat if you have not made a previous request. Anyone who does arrive and whose name is not on the list will be escorted to handicap accessible viewing areas in the Commons Lecture Hall (elevator available) or classrooms in North Hall (building closest to the Fieldhouse). All wheelchairs should enter through the Northwest doors of the Fieldhouse. The parking lot closest to this entrance will be barricaded. There will be someone there to meet you, ask for your tickets and prove that you are on the wheelchair seating list and may enter the building. Anyone who is unable to climb significant amounts of stairs may sit in the front rows of bleachers on the upper level which will be reserved for people who cannot climb stairs and one accompanying guest.

Tuesday, May 17th

  • 24 Hour News 8, WOOD TV, will carry the commencement address live on local television.

  • A live audio broadcast of the entire ceremony will be available via RealAudio beginning at 2 PM (RealPlayer required).

  • A DVD or videotaped copy of the Commencement 2005 ceremony may also be ordered online from the Calvin Campus Store. The cost is $15 and includes shipping.

Monday, May 16th

NOTE: A printer-friendly version of this letter is available in PDF format.

Dear Graduates:

Congratulations to each one of you as you complete your academic work here at Calvin - it's almost time for Commencement! It's the college's hope that you'll enjoy celebrating your accomplishments with your family and friends at Commencement. I know how you hate getting numerous Student News announcements, so I compiled all the information about graduation that has been "in the works". You may know some of this information already. Between now and Saturday, May 21, 2005, the best place to receive the most up-to-date information for you and your Commencement guests is the Calvin Web site.

MUST KNOW INFO:

  1. Commencement Ticket Pick Up. Graduates may pick up their Commencement tickets at the Calvin Box Office at the following times:

    . Thursday, May 19: 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
    . Friday, May 20: 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
    . Saturday, May 21: 11:00 am - 1:00 pm

    NOTE: Each graduate may pick up only their own ticket order and must show their Calvin student ID. Any graduate who places tickets on the "will-call" list for a family member to pick up from the Box Office (also during the hours listed above) must leave that family member's name with the Box Office. That family member must show proper identification when picking up the tickets.

  2. Cap & Gown Pick Up. Graduates may pick up their Commencement Cap & Gown at FAC Room 123 at the following times:

    . Thursday, May 19: 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
    . Friday, May 20: 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
    . Saturday, May 21: 11:00 am - 1:00 pm

  3. Required Identification for Graduates on Saturday, May 21. In order to process into the Fieldhouse for the Commencement Ceremony each graduate must have:

    . their Calvin student ID (if you don't have one, the housing office will issue one for this purpose for no charge.)
    . your grey-colored ticket (issued when you pick up your Cap & Gown)
    . your Commencement name card (issued when you pick up your Cap & Gown).

    The Commencement name card will be used by the faculty members who will read each graduate's name during the Ceremony.

    Graduates will not be allowed to enter the Fieldhouse on Saturday, May 21 without each of these three items. (It's harsh, but true.)

  4. Commencement Rehearsal is on Friday, May 20 at 3:30 pm in the Fieldhouse. While in years past Commencement Rehearsal was important, this year it is especially important because there will be extra procedures in place to get each graduate through the security measures. When you arrive at the Fieldhouse look for the signs outside on the northeast and northwest corners of the gym indicating where the various majors will gather and then go stand by your major. The rehearsal will allow us to practice processing in to the Fieldhouse and also share some last-minute announcements — like when to line up on Saturday.

  5. Commencement worship service on Friday, May 20 at 5:00 pm in the Chapel. Parents and family members have been invited as well. The service will feature a choir, seniors reflecting on their years at Calvin, a brass ensemble, a worship band, and other leaders.

  6. Commencement Cookout on Friday, May 20 from 5 :30-7:00 pm. You and your Commencement guests are invited to celebrate together at the Commencement Cookout which will be held on the Commons lawn. In case of rain the cookout will be held in the Commons and Knollcrest dining halls.

  7. Senior breakfast on Saturday, May 21 is now a brunch (more food) and begins at 10:00 am in the Commons Dining Hall. You received a personal letter of invitation separately. This event, lasting about an hour and forty five minutes, will feature good food, wonderful fellowship and great prizes! Dr. Nicholas Wolterstorff will briefly address you with an informal talk entitled "Reflections of a Scholar." Many of you wanted to hear Dr. Wolterstorff speak at Commencement.

  8. Saturday Parking and "Coat check" Would you please park in the lot on the east side of the East Beltline? This will leave the closer, more convenient parking spaces for your parents, grandparents and guests, and they would certainly appreciate that courtesy. Due to the busyness of the day and the need to ensure that we begin the Commencement ceremony on time, we ask you to consider remaining on campus between the senior brunch and the ceremony. You could arrive at the brunch ready for Commencement or perhaps bring a change of clothes with you. BHT will be open and available after the brunch and before the ceremony so you can change your clothes and get ready. Also, to save time getting through the metal detectors, we will have a "coat check" system, really, a "stuff check" system, for cell phones, keys, coins, etc — anything that you won't be able to take into the Fieldhouse. These items will be secured during the ceremony can be picked up from a table on the Commons Lawn after Commencement.

    The only items you can carry into the Fieldhouse are your wallet and your three required security items (Calvin ID, grey ticket, and name card).

  9. Commencement begins at 2:00 pm on Saturday, May 21. We are planning on very little time delay with the graduate procession because the "stuff" that you might normally have in your pockets will have been left at the "stuff check." Because you'll be passing through a metal detector, we ask that you not wear shoes, belts, or jewelry that may trigger the alarm. Think "airport security" and what would set off the metal detector alarms. At this time we anticipate that the faculty will process in at 1:45 pm so we can begin the ceremony at 2:00 pm. You will have processed before that time. Parents and family have been advised to plan their schedules — arrival time, parking, passing through security, etc. — so that all guests holding tickets to the Fieldhouse can be inside the building and seated by 1:00 pm. Because some of the details and security issues surrounding Commencement 2005 are beyond our control, we continue to advise guests and graduates to periodically refer to the Commencement Web site next week to receive updates, as all of these times and details may be subject to change next week.

  10. The FAC, Gezon Auditorium and the Chapel will provide overflow seating for guests. Guests entering these venues will still need tickets, but will not have to pass through metal detectors. Please note that all venues, including the Fieldhouse, will be air conditioned this year.

MY THOUGHTS ON DISSENT AND HOSPITALITY:

The speech writer for President Bush has been in contact with us. They are serious about knowing Calvin and what we are about. They are writing a speech for us.

Some student leaders are offering a button/sticker that says, "God is not a Democrat or a Republican." They have been thoughtful about what wearing the sticker means and they will have a letter explaining it for those desiring this option.

My number one hope is that all of our Commencement visitors — your family members and guests, the President, Secret Service and other security personnel, members of the national and local press, and outside protesters — will see that we at Calvin welcome the stranger well, and that we are a civil, loving and grace-filled people. I also long for this to be a wonderful day for you and your guests. You have been a wonderful class and we hate to see you leave. As to the rest, let's make the whole weekend a matter of prayer.

Warmly and with admiration for all you've accomplished,
Shirley V. Hoogstra
Vice President for Student Life

Friday, May 13th

  1. Doors to FAC, Gezon, and Chapel will open at 12:30. The doors to the overflow locations (the Fine Arts Center auditorium, Gezon auditorium, and Chapel) will now open at 12:30 pm on Saturday, May 21. It was previously announced that these doors would open at 1:00 pm.

  2. Commencement Ticket Pick Up. Graduates may pick up their Commencement tickets at the Calvin Box Office at the following times:

    . Thursday, May 19: 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
    . Friday, May 20: 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
    . Saturday, May 21: 11:00 am - 1:00 pm

    NOTE: Each graduate may pick up only their own ticket order and must show their Calvin student ID. Any graduate who places tickets on the "will-call" list for a family member to pick up from the Box Office (also during the hours listed above) must leave that family member's name with the Box Office. That family member must show proper identification when picking up the tickets.

  3. Cap & Gown Pick Up. Graduates may pick up their Commencement Cap & Gown at FAC Room 123 at the following times:

    . Thursday, May 19: 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
    . Friday, May 20: 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
    . Saturday, May 21: 11:00 am - 1:00 pm

  4. Required Identification for Graduates on Saturday, May 21. In order to process into the Fieldhouse for the Commencement Ceremony each graduate must have:

    . their Calvin student ID
    . their grey-colored ticket (issued at Cap & Gown pick up)
    . their Commencement name card (also issued at Cap & Gown pick up).

    The name card, issued by the Registrar's Office, will be used by the faculty members who will read each graduate's name during the Ceremony.

    Graduates will not be allowed to enter the Fieldhouse on Saturday, May 21 without each of these three items.

Monday, May 9th

  1. Commencement Seating in the Calvin Fieldhouse. Although the exact time that the Fieldhouse doors will open on Saturday, May 21 has still not been announced, it is certain that the doors will open before 12:00 noon; perhaps as early as 11:00 am. Parents and family are advised to plan their schedules — arrival time, parking, passing through security, etc. — so that all guests holding tickets to the Fieldhouse can be inside the building and seated by 1:00 pm.

Friday, May 6th

  1. Special Needs and/or Accommodations. Graduates are reminded that all requests for special accommodations for Commencement 2005 (guests in wheelchairs, guests with special needs or those requiring assistance, etc.) should be directed to the Office of Conferences and Campus Events no later than Friday, May 13 at 616-526-6280 (x6-6280 on campus).

Wednesday, May 4th

  1. Metal Detectors. Each guest who enters the Calvin Fieldhouse will need to pass through a metal detector. This security step will not be necessary for guests who will be seated in the FAC, Chapel, or Gezon Auditoriums. Because the Calvin Fieldhouse seats 5,000 people, this security measure will need to proceed in a timely fashion. We advise each guest to make similar preparations as you might when traveling through an airport.

  • Avoid wearing clothing items — shoes, belt buckles, jewelry, etc. — which will trigger the metal detector alarm. Each time the metal detector alarm sounds the entrance line traffic will halt and the process of seating guests will take longer.

  • Remove pocket-knives, nail-clippers, tools, mace, pepper spray, etc. from purses or key-chains.

  • Remove all items from pockets or purses which may potentially trigger the metal detector alarms (money clips, coins, keys, etc.).

  • Disposable water cups will be available to guests at the various water fountains inside the Fieldhouse. Signs are not allowed so as to not obstruct the view of other guests seated in the Fieldhouse.

    The following items will not be allowed in the Fieldhouse:

    • water or soda bottles of any kind
    • backpacks
    • camera bags or tripods
    • and signs
  • Cameras may be carried into the Fieldhouse (no camera bags) but they are subject to search and inspection. Guests are advised to load film into cameras after passing through the metal detector to avoid exposing saved images if asked to open a camera. (Graduates and guests are reminded that a professional photographer will take a photograph of each graduate as he/she receives their diploma;
    these images will be available for purchase. Additionally, a DVD or videotaped copy of the Commencement 2005 ceremony will also be available for purchase).

Tuesday, May 3th

  1. Change in start time for the Commencement Ceremony. The Commencement ceremony is now scheduled to begin at 2:00 pm on Saturday, May 21. The time originally scheduled for the Commencement ceremony was 3:00 pm. Doors to the Calvin Fieldhouse will open at a time to yet be determined, though we advise parents and family to assume that this time will be earlier than originally stated — likely much closer to 12:00 noon. Doors to the Fine Arts Center, Chapel, and Gezon auditoriums (overflow seating) are now scheduled to open at 12:30 pm (as per the May 13 update).

Friday, April 29th

  1. Commencement Rehearsal. The date and time for Commencement Rehearsal has been changed to Friday, May 20 from 3:30-5:00 pm in the Calvin Fieldhouse. The time originally scheduled was Saturday, May 21 from 11:00 am-12:00 noon.

  2. Commencement Ticket Distribution. Commencement tickets will be available for graduates to pick up on May 19 and 20. Please refer to the Commencement Ticket Web site for additional information.

  3. Senior Breakfast (Brunch). The time for the Senior Breakfast has been changed to 10:00 am on Saturday, May 21, in the Commons Dining Hall. The time originally scheduled was 9:00 am on Saturday, May 21. Because of the later start time, please note that the event is now referenced as Senior Brunch.