The University of Oklahoma College of Arts and Sciences Spring Convocation Instructions

Frequently asked questions
Lloyd Noble Safety Policies

Congratulations on the eve of having earned a degree through the University of Oklahoma’s College of Arts and Sciences! We hope the Commencement and Convocation ceremonies will be special occasions for you, your family and friends.

The University of Oklahoma Commencement will be held at 7 p.m., Friday, May 14, in the Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, 180 West Brooks Street. For more information, visit their Web site.

The College of Arts and Sciences Convocation will follow at a time to be named at a later date in Lloyd Noble Center, 2900 Jenkins Avenue.

Graduates must wear an academic cap and gown to participate in Commencement and Convocation. Gowns may be purchased at the University Bookstore.

For the College of Arts and Sciences Convocation, graduates should report to the practice basketball courts, located on the south side of Lloyd Noble Center, no later than ?? a.m. You should enter the facility through the outdoor ramp on the south side of the facility. Look for your department banner in the practice court and line up behind the departmental faculty, with graduate students first, followed by bachelor’s students. While you are in line, you will complete color-coded cards distributed by the staff. The announcers will use these cards to read your name during the ceremony. The processional will begin promptly at ?? a.m.

During the Convocation ceremony, graduates will have their names read and photographs taken while crossing the stage and shaking hands with the dean and the department chair or school director. Graduates will later be contacted by Graduation Photo and offered an opportunity to purchase these photographs. The ceremony will last approximately two hours and graduates and guests are asked to remain in their seats until closing remarks have been made.

For additional information or accommodations on the basis of disability, call the Dean’s Office at (405) 325-2077.

POLICIES SET BY THE LLOYD NOBLE CENTER

PROHIBITED ITEMS & SEARCHES
All bags will be searched upon entry into The Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, Lloyd Noble Center and the T. Howard McCasland Field House for Commencement and Convocations
Prohibited items must be returned to the owner's car or discarded. Any unlawful items are subject to confiscation, and the person in possession is subject to arrest.
 
Prohibited items include:  
• Alcoholic Beverages
• Backpacks
• Balloons
• Banners, Signs
• Beach Balls
• Cameras (professional equipment or cameras with long telephoto lenses)
• Coolers
• Containers
• Explosives
• Fanny Packs
• Folding Chairs
• Food/Beverages
• Ice Chests
• Laser Pointers
• All Noisemakers (i.e., air horns, plastic horns, whistles, etc.)
• Pets (with the exception of service animals used by disabled guests)
• Personal Heaters
• Weapons

Admissible items for Commencement and Convocations only: Baby Strollers, Baby Seats, Umbrellas and Video Cameras

Most Frequently Asked Questions About Convocation
Commencement May 14, 7 p.m., Oklahoma Memorial Stadium
Convocation May ??, ?? a.m., Lloyd Noble Center

1. What's the difference between Commencement and Convocation?
Commencement is the university-wide ceremony that recognizes all bachelors, masters, and doctoral graduates from all of the Norman campus colleges.  Each of the college's bachelor and master students are presented by the dean of the college to the President of the University as a group, with the request to grant them their degrees.  Only the doctoral graduates receive individual recognition at the university-wide Commencement ceremony.  The College of Arts and Sciences Convocation, held at ?? a.m. on ?? at Lloyd Noble Center, individually recognizes each baccalaureate and masters graduate.  Each student’s name is read by an announcer, he or she is congratulated by the dean, and an official graduation photo is taken.

2. Do I need to get tickets or make reservations for my friends and family members?
Neither tickets nor reservations are needed for Commencement or Convocation.

3. What is the best way to access the Lloyd Noble Center with a wheelchair?

  Marked handicapped parking is located on the southeast side of the Lloyd Noble Center parking lot, and the best entrance to use to the building is at the southeast corner, near the Kerr McGee Courtside Club (where the “old” LNC meets the “new” LNC).  Once inside the building, there will be greeters who will help direct you to the elevator at the south end of the arena.  Space is available in the arena for persons in wheelchairs and their attendants.

  Graduates with mobility challenges (wheelchair, walker, crutches, etc.) should contact Kristi Cain (325-2347 or kcain@ou.edu) for information regarding convenient participation in Convocation.

4.Is there a rehearsal for graduating seniors prior to May ??th?
Given the large number of graduates we recognize at Convocation, we do not offer a rehearsal for students.  Detailed instructions are included in your Commencement and Convocation announcement and posted on the Web site at http:/www.ou.edu/cas/.

5. Will my name be called and a graduation photograph taken?
Your name will be called and a graduation photo will be taken at the college Convocation.  Only doctoral graduates will have their name called and photograph taken at the Commencement ceremony.

6. Will my name be listed in the program?
If you are an undergraduate and you have filed a graduation application card with the college advising office (405/325-4411), your name should be listed in the university-wide Commencement program.  If you are a graduate student and you have filed a graduation application card with the Graduate College (405/325-3811), your name should be listed in the university-wide Commencement program.  We do not have a separate college Convocation program.  For a free copy of the University of Oklahoma May Commencement program, send your mailing information and the number of copies you would like receive to graduatesooner@ou.edu or call (405) 325-0841.

7. How will the announcer know to call my name if reservations aren't made?
You will be given a card when you arrive on location on May ??. You will write your name on that card, as you want it to be announced, provide your permanent mailing address, and your degree and department.  As you approach the stage, you will hand the card to the announcer, who will read your name as you cross the stage and are congratulated by your department chair and the deans.  The card will then be given to the photographers so they can notify you when your photos are ready for viewing.

8. Should I attend Convocation or Commencement?
We recommend that you plan on participating in both events to celebrate your academic success! You've worked hard to achieve this level of success and we recommend you plan on attending both the university-wide Commencement and the college Convocation.  This is your time to celebrate this significant mile-marker with friends and family!

NOTE:  You will need to wear a cap and gown to participate in either the Commencement ceremony or the Convocation ceremony. These may be purchased by contacting the OU Bookstore at (405/325-3511.)