VDOT Reschedules Closure of Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel Eastbound Lanes for Region's Commencement Ceremonies
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has rescheduled this weekend's planned closure of the eastbound lanes of the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel (HRBT) to help ease traffic congestion for spring commencement ceremonies in the region, including those of Old Dominion University, Regent University and Norfolk State University.
However, participants in ODU commencement ceremonies this Friday and Saturday should be mindful of possible travel delays Saturday, May 5, through Thursday, May 10, due to traffic lane modification work that is scheduled to take place at the intersection of Hampton Boulevard and Terminal Boulevard. This work, which is being done for safety purposes, will close turn and through lanes on both streets, according to a city of Norfolk news release. However, detours will not be necessary, as two lanes (one turn lane and one through lane) will always remain open in each direction.
Motorists are encouraged to visit www.511virginia.org, call 511 or listen to Highway Advisory Radio (HAR) 610 AM or call the Traffic Information Line at 757-361-3016 for current traffic and travel information.
IMPORTANT COMMENCEMENT INFORMATION FOR MAY 2012 PARTICIPANTS
Dear Candidate for Graduation:
Congratulations on this exciting achievement! We look forward to your participation in the Commencement exercises this spring. We are working hard to ensure that this will be a memorable time for you and your family. Graduation ceremonies for the Class of 2012 will be held the weekend of May 4th in the Ted Constant Convocation Center. As we continually work to improve the commencement experience for you and your guests, we strive to make decisions that are in your best interests. One of these decisions is to increase the number of ceremonies from two to three.
This schedule change comes as a result of the growth of the university, assessment data from previous graduates, and the Office of University Events' ongoing efforts to improve the commencement experience. We believe the new format will provide you better opportunities to share your special day with more of your family members and friends who helped make this journey a reality. This change also reflects a desire to make ticket allotments for students a top priority.
We will be hosting commencement exercises across two days in May:
Friday, May 4 at 7:00 p.m.:
College of Arts and Letters
Saturday, May 5 at 9:00 a.m.:
Frank Batten College of Engineering and Technology
College of Health Sciences
College of Sciences
Saturday, May 5 at 2:00 p.m.:
Darden College of Education
College of Business and Public Administration
As you see, the College of Arts and Letters has its own ceremony. This is directly due to the number of graduates from that college being considerably higher than the rest. The remaining colleges are grouped together based on the historical and projected numbers of participants. Each year we have a record number of students who participate in commencement. In the first two days of registration for the May 2012 commencement we exceeded 700 registrants, which is over half the total number of participants at the December 2011 commencement.
Again, congratulations on your success at Old Dominion University. We look forward to seeing you in May.
Karen Meier
Assistant Vice President for Community Engagement
Commencement Participation Timeline
All of the following steps must be completed in order to graduate and participate in the commencement exercises. A comprehensive timeline is available, containing full details.
1. Degree evaluation
(bachelor's degree candidates only)
Students who may be eligible to graduate will receive an email from the Registrar's Office. You can run your degree audit on LEOonline to check your academic progress.
2. Meet with your academic adviser
Schedule a meeting with your academic adviser (and minor adviser). Print a copy of your degree audit and bring it with you to your appointment.
3. Apply for graduation
The application is available online. Applying for graduation does not register you for the commencement ceremony. Please read all instructions carefully and submit the form by the prescribed deadlines.
Once your application is processed, you will receive an important email and your graduation status on LEOonline will be listed as "Pending." It will remain "pending" until you actually graduate.
4. Complete the senior assessment
(bachelor's degree candidates only)
You should receive an email invitation to take the assessment once you are eligible. If you do not receive your invitation, please complete the form located at www.odu.edu/senior. You must complete the assessment to receive your diploma.
5. Register to participate in the commencement ceremony
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All students who wish to participate must complete the online participation registration.
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The participation registration must be completed online. Printed or faxed copies will not be accepted.
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You must register by the prescribed deadline. Failure to do so will result in receiving a reduced number of guest tickets.
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If you register to participate and you have not already applied for graduation, your registration will be rejected.
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May 2012 Commencement Participation Registration Begins on February 1, 2012
Click here to fill out and submit the participation form.
Deadline: Saturday, March 31, 2012
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Once your registration is complete and successfully submitted, you will receive a confirmation page. Print this page for your records. Commencement@ODU is not able to provide registration confirmation.
Note for August graduation candidates
August graduation candidates are encouraged to participate in the May ceremony. However, August graduates may participate in either the May ceremony or the December ceremony. You may not participate in both.
6. Check Blackboard regularly
Important information about commencement will be posted to the "Commencement" organization on Blackboard. You will find it by clicking on the "My Professional Learning" tab at the top once you have logged in to Blackboard. Please remember to check this regularly. Your enrollment in the commencement organization will serve as your registration confirmation.
7. Purchase your academic regalia
It is recommended that you purchase your regalia at the Graduation Fair (see timeline at right for specific dates). If you are unable to attend the graduation fair, you can order your regalia online (note that if you go to the site too early in the semester, online ordering will not be available). The deadline for online orders is Sunday, April 1, 2012. If you miss the deadline, you will have to purchase your regalia the week of the ceremony at the University Village Bookstore. Supplies may be limited.
8. Pick up your guest tickets
Eligible students who register by the prescribed deadline will have two weeks to pick up their guest tickets at the Campus Information Center in Webb University Center. Please refer to the timeline at the right for dates for the current semester. Students who miss the ticket distribution will be able to pick up their tickets at the TED box office beginning 3 days prior to the ceremony. Tickets will not be distributed any other time.
9. Attend graduation activities
There are many activities for graduates to attend during commencement week and often during the semester. Check the schedule of activities for full listing and details. This list is updated as new events are scheduled.
10. Attend the commencement exercises
Your registration confirmation and your student ticket will have your ceremony assignment on it. If you have any questions, please refer to the Information for Graduating Students. The ceremony assignments are at the top of that page.