For Families and Guests of the Graduate

Commencement at Ohio State is a festive and joyous occasion at which family and guests are welcome. The following information is provided to answer questions about the ceremony and to help you prepare for the day.

Autumn Commencement is Sunday, December 13, 2009 at 2:00 PM. in the Jerome Schottenstein Center. The ceremony will last approximately 2 1/2 hours. No tickets are required.

Parking

Parking at the Schottenstein Center is available at no charge in lots north of Borror Drive, in the South Riverbank lot along Olentangy River Road, and in the St. John Arena lots on Lane Avenue. Shuttle buses will run between the "Buckeye" lots just south of Ackerman Road, and the northeast rotunda of the Schottenstein Center.

Disability parking is available in lots directly adjacent to the Schottenstein Center on a first-come, first-served basis. A permanent or temporary Ohio or other state-issued Disability Placard is required. Additional disability parking is available in the "Buckeye" lots where lift-equipped shuttles run to the Schottenstein Center.

Click here to view parking map.

Seating

The Jerome Schottenstein Center opens at 12:00 Noon commencement day. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Jerome Schottenstein Center provides easy access for guests with permanent or temporary disabilities. Seating for those guests is located throughout the arena. Guests in wheelchairs, as well as those who are unable to climb stairs, and one companion are permitted in these areas.

An American Sign Language interpreter will be present for the ceremony. Seating for hearing impaired guests will be located in Section 121. Due to space limitations, we ask that only one other person be seated with the guest in this area.

Further information is available in an on-line Accessibility Guide for the Jerome Schottenstein Center or by calling the Office of Commencement and Special Events at (614) 292-9051. Some services described in the on-line Accessibility Guide are limited for commencement.

Click here to view seating chart.

The Ceremony

Graduates must arrive on campus by 1:00 PM and assemble in the Auxiliary Gym in the southwest lobby of the Schottenstein Center no later than 1:20 PM. Only graduates are permitted in this area. The Musical Prelude in Value City Arena is from 1:30 to 2:00 PM. The Class Processional moves into the arena at 2:00 PM. Guests must remain in the stands and off of the floor throughout the ceremony.

It is a long-standing tradition at Ohio State for graduates to personally receive their diplomas from their college deans. With the exception of the Ph.D.s, names are not announced as the diploma is awarded. As the ceremony concludes, guests are asked to remain seated until the recessional is finished. To avoid congestion in the corridors, graduates are asked to arrange to meet family and friends outside the Schottenstein Center.

Photographs

Photographs must be taken from the stands. Only press photographers with proper credentials are permitted on the floor. Designated areas will be reserved for picture-taking. No permanent seating or placement of video cameras is permitted in these areas. Guests should be courteous and respectful of all those wishing to take photographs.

A professional photographer will take a photograph of each graduate as diplomas are received. A complimentary photo will be mailed to the graduate within one month after graduation. You are not obligated to order photographs; this is merely a service.

Accommodations

Hotel reservations can be made on a space-available basis at the university's Blackwell Inn and Conference Center, 2110 Tuttle Park Place, 1-866-247-4003 or the University Plaza Hotel, 3110 Olentangy River Road, 1-877-677-5292. For a list of other hotels located in the campus area, visit the Local Hotel Listing page. Hotel reservations should be made well in advance of commencement.

Announcements and Yearbook

Graduation announcements are available for purchase from the Tuttle Copy Center, located in the Tuttle Parking Garage, (614) 292-2000. Announcements can also be ordered through the Barnes & Noble-The Ohio State University Bookstore online partner, www.CBGrad.com. Call (614) 247-2000 with questions.

The Makio yearbook is a wonderful keepsake of your student's Ohio State experience. To order, call (614) 292-8763 or visit the Makio web site.

For More Information and Updates

For further information about Autumn Commencement, call the Office of Commencement and Special Events at (614) 292-9051. Also check this website for updates, as all information is subject to change. For further information about the Jerome Schottenstein Center, visit www.schottensteincenter.com.