Graduates, We are happy to announce our return to in-person University-wide Commencement ceremonies this Spring! In an effort to provide a safe and meaningful experience during this extraordinary time, we will hold outdoor, in-person commencement exercises at Cardinal Stadium for May 2021 and any 2020 graduates who would like to participate The exercises will also be live streamed The safety and well-being of our graduates, their families, our faculty and staff and the community are of utmost concern Despite personal vaccination status, masks/facial coverings will be required and must be worn at all times Intent to Participate and Cap and Gown Ordering If you have not done so already, please complete the RSVP form to let us know if you will be attending Graduates who attend commencement are required to wear the custom University of Louisville academic regalia (cap and gown) sold by Jostens Graduates who have not placed their order for a cap and gown are encouraged to so as soon as possible, but no later than April 1, 2021 to guarantee delivery in time for the Commencement ceremonies All orders placed will be shipped to the address you indicate on your order The ordering website is available at https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/customer/1069462/University-of-Louisville/ When submitting your cap and gown order, you will be asked to select your degree from a drop down menu labeled "major/curriculum" Degrees, not majors, are listed in this menu You should select your degree from this list For example, if you are receiving a Bachelor of Science degree, you would select Science from the drop down menu Students who need assistance placing their order may email commence@louisville.edu Honor Cord Ordering Information Honor cords are ordered online through Jostens To avoid additional shipping charges, please place your order at the same time as your cap and gown Eligibility for honors is determined by your academic unit If you have questions about your individual eligibility, please contact your advisor The ordering website is available at https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/customer/1069462/University-of-Louisville/ Calendar of Events – Cardinal Stadium Thursday, May 6th: 10:00 a.m Brandeis School of Law Convocation Ceremony 4:00 p.m Graduate School Doctoral Hooding and Graduation Ceremony Friday, May 7th: 7:00 p.m University-wide Commencement Ceremony # honoring the 2020 and May 2021 graduates from the following units: College of Arts & Sciences, Graduate School, School of Dentistry, Brandeis School of Law, and School of Medicine (Clarification: for the professional units of Graduate School, School of Dentistry, School of Law, and School of Medicine, this will be the banner bearer and any Masters degree graduates) Saturday, May 8th: 10:00 a.m University-wide Ceremony #2 honoring the 2020 and May 2021 graduates from the following units: College of Business, J.B Speed School of Engineering, and School of Public Health and Information Sciences 4:00 p.m University-wide Ceremony #3 honoring the 2020 and May 2021 graduates from the following units: College of Education and Human Development, Kent School of Social Work, School of Music, and School of Nursing Sunday, May 9th: Held for a rain date should a ceremony be unable to occur due to inclement weather Information pertaining to the Doctoral Hooding and Graduation Ceremony and Professional School Convocations for the Brandeis School of Law, School of Dentistry, and School of Medicine will be communicated by your unit Safety Protocols Safety protocols and ceremony details will be based strictly on all UofL, state and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines regarding COVID-19 precautions In consultation with the Commencement Planning Team and SGA, all plans have been approved by the Covid Planning Team, President’s Cabinet, and the Governor’s Office • • • • • • Parking and Entry: Venue staff will direct graduates and guests in the parking lots Parking is free We will have multiple entry gates open and temperature checks will be completed on all attendees before entry is permitted Attendees who arrive unmasked will not be allowed entry Mask compliance will be strictly enforced Capacity: Only those with tickets will be allowed in the stadium Our total attendance per event will be below the state-approved venue capacity of 12,000 Guest seating will be ticketed in pods of four seats Each pod will be physically distanced from the next Graduates may request a maximum of eight seats (two pods of four guests) to promote physical distancing among guests from different households Navigating the stadium and seating: No congregating on the concourse will be permitted No processional: Graduates will take their seats upon entry To limit touch points and promote physical distancing, there will not be a student processional The banner bearer for each unit will represent their classmates while processing in with the banner Crossing the stage: Students will line-up and cross the stage at a pace that allows for physical distancing as each name is announced The students will be congratulated (while physically distant) as they cross the stage by the President, Provost, and Unit Dean There will be no physical contact, like handshakes, but students will be encouraged to wave and/or raise their “L’s” Dismissal after crossing stage: Once a graduate crosses the stage, they will have a photo taken, and then they will exit the stadium Their guests must also leave at that time as well No gathering will be permitted on the concourse Graduates should make plans to meet their guests upon exiting Staff will be strictly enforcing gathering restrictions Other safety protocols: • Hand sanitizing stations will be placed throughout the stadium • • On stage, we will limit the number of speakers and thoroughly sanitize the podium and microphone between remarks Mask compliance and physical distancing will be strictly enforced Detailed information on how to obtain tickets, parking and entry instructions, inclement weather plans, and more will be shared by early April Please note these events are subject to the changing nature of COVID-19 restrictions and possible weather disruptions or postponements Questions? Contact us via email at commence@louisville.edu ... distancing, there will not be a student processional The banner bearer for each unit will represent their classmates while processing in with the banner Crossing the stage: Students will line-up and... announced The students will be congratulated (while physically distant) as they cross the stage by the President, Provost, and Unit Dean There will be no physical contact, like handshakes, but students