EUGENE–The University of Oregon is moving its spring commencement ceremony indoors this year to assure graduates and their families that the Northwest’s often unpredictable weather won’t dampen the festive event.

The university-wide ceremony on Saturday, June 16, will be at McArthur Court,
1601 University St., on campus. The ceremony, which will begin at 12:30 p.m., will be held, rain or shine, in the gym affectionately known as "The Pit" when the Duck basketball teams play there.

"We decided to move indoors to avoid the uncertainties and last-minute scurrying around that’s always been necessary when we waited until early on the day of commencement to decide whether to remain outdoors–and risk getting rained on–or to move inside," says Mary Hudzikiewicz, retired assistant dean of student life who is planning this year’s event. "We haven’t gotten wet many times, but moving indoors will help to simplify things for everyone."

In the past, spring commencement has been held outdoors at Hayward Field, with McArthur Court as the alternate location in the event of rain.

The June 16 event will not require tickets; doors will open at 10:30 a.m., and seating will be on a first-come, first-served basis. The university will accommodate any overflow crowds with closed-circuit television coverage of the ceremony available nearby in the Ballroom of the Erb Memorial Union, 1222 E. 13th Ave.

Graduate seating will be on the main floor, with guests in the balconies. Limited handicapped seating will be available on the main floor.

As in past years, individual schools and colleges–and some departments or special programs–will hold separate commencement ceremonies for their graduates. Generally, these smaller, more personal programs will occur on June 16, either before or after the university-wide event, but some will be held the day ahead. Rain plans for these events will be announced June 15.

Degree candidates will receive a mailing, with detailed information about commencement, from the Office of Student Life during the third week of April. The UO Bookstore will begin taking orders for announcements and academic regalia on April 9; ordering deadline is April 30.

For the latest commencement information, visit <http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~stl/comm.htm>.
on the web, call (541) 346-1160 for a recorded message, or go to Room 364 of Oregon Hall,
1585 E. 13th Ave. on campus.

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