Commencement - Coastal Carolina University

DECEMBER 2010 COMMENCEMENT GENERAL INFORMATION

TICKETS:

General admission tickets are required for the ceremony, and seating is available on a first-come, first-serve basis. The number allotted per graduate will be determined after the September 10 graduation application deadline. Tickets will be available for pick-up at the Wheelwright Box Office from Monday, November 15, until Thursday, December 9, according to the following schedule:

Mon. - Thurs.	9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.	5 - 7 p.m.
Mon. - Fri.	9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

In addition to the original allotment, there may be a limited number of "Rush Tickets" available for Commencement. These tickets, if on hand, will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis on Friday, December 10, from 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. only. The number of tickets reserved per graduate will be based on the number remaining after the initial offering. Rush tickets must be picked up in person (no phone calls) at the Wheelwright Box Office, and a CCU Student ID is required.

VIDEOS AND PHOTOGRAPHY:

Grad Trak® by Graduation Images is the official photographer of our Commencement. Proofs will be sent to your home and via email within three to five days after graduation. Pictures can be ordered online, by phone or by mail. Graduation Images can be contacted at 800-424-3686 or via email at www.gradimages.com.

Registering your graduate with GradTrak® provides them with the information they need to deliver your graduation proofs to you in a timely manner. Giving them an accurate mailing address and email address will allow them to get your proofs to you on the first try. You may also provide them with email addresses of up to six friends and family members to allow them to celebrate in the accomplishment.

Videos are available for $25 in DVD or VHS formats, please specify on order (price includes tax, shipping and handling). Videos from past years can also be purchased upon request. To order your Commencement Video, please contact the Office of Alumni Relations at 843-349-ALUM (2586) or send questions to: alumni@coastal.edu.

DIRECTIONS & PARKING:

The Myrtle Beach Convention Center is located at the intersection of Oak Street and 21st Avenue in Myrtle Beach. From Coastal Carolina University, travel south on Highway 501 towards Myrtle Beach and exit onto Highway 17 North. Turn right onto 21st Avenue and then left onto Oak Street. The Convention Center will be on your left. Parking is available in the Convention Center’s main parking lot. Please do not park in front of the building entrance. The following web address will display a map from the University to the Myrtle Beach Convention Center: http://www.mapquest.com/mq/7-dKIi*Coh

REGALIA:

Student regalia permissible for Commencement exercises includes official Coastal Carolina University honors regalia and stoles of officially recognized student organizations approved through the Office of the Provost. Other stoles may be worn upon approval of the Office of the Provost.

Faculty members are asked to wear appropriate academic regalia representative of their highest degree earned. Tams are not required to be worn, but may be if a faculty member so desires.

GUIDELINES:

Students: Commencement at Coastal Carolina University is an important event for you, your family and friends, as well as the faculty and staff. The ceremony brings together all involved to celebrate your achievements. As a graduating student, you are celebrating the successful conclusion of earning your degree. Commencement is a formal celebration of academic accomplishments. It is a ceremony steeped in academic ritual and the traditions of the University, complete with procession, academic regalia and other elements of pageantry. For the most part, it is up to the graduates to ensure that the celebration will be safe, dignified and memorable.

As this is a ceremonial event, we ask that all graduates conduct themselves befitting the occasion. Please dress appropriately – long pants and dress shirt with collar for men and long pants or skirt with blouse or dress for women – and shoes. Flip-flops and sneakers are not recommended. Graduates who are not suitably dressed may not be permitted to participate in the ceremony. Alcohol is expressly forbidden. Fireworks, glassware, bottles, weapons, signs and other items that could contribute to hazardous conditions are not allowed and will be confiscated. Anyone with items deemed to be unsafe or to be safety hazards will be ejected from the ceremony. Because they detract from the ceremony, balloons, balls or blow-up objects of any kind are prohibited. Cell phone use, including texting and picture taking, is prohibited during commencement. All graduates' cell phones should be turned off and put away or given to a friend or family member prior to joining the graduate line. Any student who fails to comply with the rules of commencement may be requested to leave the line and the ceremony.

The ceremony should last approximately two hours. If you should need to leave your seat, please notify one of the aisle ushers for assistance.

Dogs and other animals, other than service animals, are not permitted at Commencement or on the University grounds on Commencement day.

To ensure a quick and safe exit, graduates are urged to make arrangements before Commencement to meet family and friends after the ceremony at a designated location.

NOTE: Graduates are not to bring purses/valuables to commencement as there are no secure areas for storage.

Families and guests: As this is a ceremonial event, we ask that all guests conduct themselves befitting the occasion. Alcohol is expressly forbidden. Fireworks, glassware, bottles, weapons, signs, umbrellas and other items that could contribute to hazardous conditions are not allowed and may be confiscated. Anyone with items deemed to be unsafe or to be safety hazards will be asked to leave the ceremony. Because they detract from the ceremony, balloons, balls or blow-up objects of any kind are prohibited. Guests are not permitted in the graduate seating area and are to remain seated during the entire Commencement service. Taking pictures and videotaping is allowed, but tripods and monopods are not permitted. Cameras must be battery-operated and patrons must remain seated – no standing in the aisles – while taking photographs and videotaping. No strollers, car seats, or baby carriers of any kind will be allowed in the seating area.

To ensure a quick and safe exit, visitors are urged to make arrangements before Commencement to meet graduates after the ceremony at a designated location. Guests are reminded to remain seated until the recessional is completed.

SPECIAL ASSISTANCE:

Students: If you require special seating, disabled access, etc., you should contact Chris Dye immediately at 843-349-2025.

Families and guests: Special seating is limited only to those requiring assistance on a first-come, first-served basis; please plan accordingly. For questions regarding special seating you may contact Samantha Byrd at 843-349-2502. Disabled persons can have no more than one family member assisting in special seating, if available.

GRADUATION TALES:

Do you have a story about your efforts to earn your degree that you want to share with others? Have you overcome unusual circumstances, tried an unusual path to a degree, returned after many years, or are sharing the experience with a family member? We want to hear about it and what it means to you. Submit your story of about 300 words to events@coastal.edu.

ACCOMMODATIONS:

There are many hotels in the resort area of Myrtle Beach to accommodate you during your visit to Coastal. For information or a listing, contact the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce at 800-356-3016 or www.myrtlebeachareachamber.com. You may also want to visit the Conway Chamber of Commerce site at www.conwayscchamber.com. For accommodations offering our visitors special rates, please contact the following hotels:

Anderson Ocean Club	866-578-8494
Best Western Carolinian	800-624-8969
Comfort Suites - Myrtle Beach	843-448-4884
Country Inn and Suites - Myrtle Beach	877-612-6868
Cypress Inn Bed and Breakfast	843-248-8199
Fairfield Inn-Broadway	800-217-1511
Hampton Inn - Broadway at the Beach	888-916-2001
Hampton Inn - West	877-416-4015
Holiday Inn Express - Broadway at the Beach	843-916-4993
LaQuinta Inn	843-916-8801
Quality Inn at the University	800-968-7080
Sheraton Myrtle Beach Convention Center Hotel	888-627-8203
Sleep Inn and Suites	843-236-0102

IMPORTANT DATES:

Sep. 10	Last Day to apply for Graduation	Office of the Dean of the Major
Oct. 6	Grad Finale	Bill Baxley Hall	9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Oct. 22	Deadline for Ordering Honor Stoles	Sands Hall 111 349-2403	8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Nov. 8 and/or Nov. 11	Senior Class Meeting	Wall Auditorium	5:30 - 7 p.m.
Nov. 15 - Dec. 9	Commencement Tickets Available	Wheelwright Box Office	9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Dec. 10	Rush Tickets Available	Wheelwright Box Office	9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Dec. 10	Senior Celebration	Williams-Brice 153 (small gym)	4:30 to 6 p.m.
Dec. 10	1954 Society Induction Ceremony	Williams-Brice 153 (small gym)	5:30 p.m.
Dec. 11	Commencement	MB Convention Center	Student Line-Up 8:15 a.m. Ceremony 10 a.m.