Q: When is graduation?
A: Graduation will take place on Sunday, May 22nd, 2011, at 11:00 am. We recommend that parents, family members and guests make hotel reservations early. Graduation is held outside of the Memorial Building on the south lawn. The college provides seating (folding chairs and bleachers) and it is wise to bring your own blankets, stadium cushions or whatever else you need to sit comfortably for two to three hours. Attendees generally start arriving between 9:30 and 10:30 am for seating.
Q: I've already tried to make reservations for graduation weekend but was told I couldn't do so until January 1st. Is there any way that I can get around this?
A: Some hotels in Walla Walla do make you wait until January 1st to make your reservations, others take reservations only up to a year in advance. There is a link to contact information for local accommodations on the parent's webpage http://www.whitman.edu/parents under "Visiting Whitman". We also recommend you re-confirm your reservations a couple months in advance.
Q: How long are the Commencement and Baccalaureate Ceremonies at Whitman?
A: Commencement generally lasts about 2 to 2.5 hours. Baccalaureate is usually about an hour.
Q: What happens if it rains?
A: Only in extreme weather conditions will Commencement be moved inside. In the unlikely event of an indoor ceremony, Commencement will start at noon instead of 11:00 a.m. For more information see our Extreme Weather Plan.
Q: What are the arrangements for individuals who use wheelchairs or need access to a sign language interpreter?
A: Staff and students serving as event ushers will be available to guide individuals to appropriate seating. Security will allow vehicles to drop people off for the ceremony. Drop off points are available between Harper Joy Theatre and the Science Building and in the Baker Faculty Center driveway. Here is a link to more detailed infomation: Accessibility Information for Commencement Guests
Q: Is there reserved seating?
A: No, seating is first-come, first-served. There will be seating provided on bleachers as well as folding chairs. Guests are also welcome to bring their own folding lawn chairs to set up in green space near the bleachers.
Q: Is there a place to sit inside and watch the ceremony?
A: If you prefer to watch from an indoor location, the Commencement ceremony will be webcast on a large screen in the Young Ballroom, Reid Campus Center and Kimball Auditorium, Hunter Conservatory.
Q: Where is parking available?
A: Several parking lots are available throughout campus. There are also parking spaces in the residential neighborhoods that surround campus and on Main Street. Self-contained motor homes are welcome to park in any of the available campus parking lots for the Commencement weekend.
Q: Who is speaking at Commencement this year?
A: The commencement speaker will be announced in April
Q: When will we have a list of graduation activities?
A: Continue to check http://www.whitman.edu/commencement/ for updates on graduation activities. The Commencement ceremony takes place at 11:00 am in front of the Memorial Building (the rain location is Cordiner Hall). Various groups on campus organize activities and these generally start the Friday evening before Commencement.
Q: How can we get graduation announcements?
A: For students who wish to purchase graduation announcements, they may do either online or from a representative who will visit campus during the spring semester. There are several packages available. Whitman has worked with this company in the past and has always been pleased with their products.
Q: Where do students get caps and gowns?
A: Students must order a cap and gown for commencent online by 11:59 p.m. on April 15, 2011. Caps, gowns and tassels will be distributed between noon and 4 p.m. on Monday, May 16 at the Whitman College Bookstore in the Reid Campus Center.
Q: Is there a rehearsal?
A: No, there is no rehearsal. Through printed and e-mail communications, as well as this Web site and the commencement marshals, you will be informed of all the ceremony details, from when and where to show up to how to walk across the stage and shake the president's hand.
Q: When and where is the senior class photo going to happen?
A: Please meet no later than 9:50 a.m. near the Science Building on Ankeny Field; please wear your cap and gown.
Q: How do I get copies of the professional photo and DVD?
A: The professional photographer is Marty Huie. Shortly after commencement, his company will send packets addressed "To the Parents/Family of STUDENT NAME." All the order information will be included along with contact information if you have questions. All order questions should be directed to the photography company directly, not Whitman. Also, you can order online through this link: www.orders.gradphotonetwork.com If you have questions, please call (509) 529-5183 or send an e-mail to grads@bigfoot.com .
Q: Can family and friends take pictures of the diploma presentation?
A: Audience members can take stills and videos from their seats. They are not allowed to approach the stage or stand in the area where graduates exit the stage. This is because the official professional photographer will capture graduates, diploma in hand, coming off the stage. If a graduate sees multiple cameras, he/she will be distracted. This hinders capturing the best possible professional shot.
Q: Is there a plan in case of extreme weather?
A: See the Extreme Weather Plan
