Graduate School Commencement Guest Information

UMaine Alert

Posted: April 19, 2024 - 1:32 PM

At approximately 9:24 a.m. on Friday, April 19, a University of Maine graduate student was struck by a university vehicle on Long Road at the University of Maine campus in Orono. The student reports that they are at a local hospital with minor injuries.

Emergency services, including the Orono Fire Department, University Volunteer Ambulance Corps, University of Maine Police Department, Orono Police Department and Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene.

The university vehicle involved in the incident was a Chevrolet Express van. It was being operated by a university employee.

Counseling services and support are available for students, faculty or staff who may have been affected. The Counseling Center can be reached at 207-581-1392 and the Dean of Students Office can be reached at 207-581-1406.

The scene has been cleared and Long Road is now accessible. An investigation is being conducted by the University of Maine Police Department with assistance from the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office Crash Reconstruction Unit. Any witnesses to the incident are encouraged to contact Lt. Noel Santiago at noel.santiago@maine.edu.

The Graduate School Commencement Ceremony will be held at 4:00 p.m. on May 3, 2024, at the Harold Alfond Arena. Attendees should plan for at least a 3-hour ceremony.

Seating

Graduate School Commencement guest tickets are not required for guests to enter Alfond Arena.

Doors will open at 3 pm and guests should arrive at the Harold Alfond Arena by 3:15 pm for early seating. Seating is general admission.

Ushers will be available if guests have any questions while in Alfond Arena.

Live Stream

The event will also be viewable through a live stream feed on May 3rd. More information to come.

Attendance Policies

Backpacks, large bags, and strollers – Backpacks, large tote bags, and strollers are not permitted in the Alfond Arena.

Re-entry into the arena is not permitted.

Smoking – The University of Maine is a tobacco-free campus.

For safety reasons, no person, other than credentialed photographers and staff, may approach the stage for any reason.

ADA Accessibility

Accommodations are available for guests with disabilities attending Commencement at the Alfond Arena.

Examples of accommodations that are available:

Ground floor seating area
Accessible parking and drop off location on the North side of the Alfond Arena
ASL interpreters present for all ceremonies
Live captioning displayed on the Arena’s jumbotron

For more detailed information please read below and click on the additional tabs provided on the ADA Accessibility tab on the website.

A ground floor seating area is available for guests who have mobility difficulties or need wheelchair access in order to attend the ceremony. This seating area will be filled on a first come first served basis. This seating area is located on the ground floor (ice level) of the Arena and can be accessed through an elevator located on the South side of the building. In addition, limited accessible seating is available on the main level of the Arena.

Guests with mobility based disabilities (wheelchair access) are encouraged to enter the Alfond Arena via the north side of the Arena. This entrance is located on Branch Road, which is directly off of College Avenue.

The accessible parking area will be available outside of this entrance (North entrance located on Branch Road). Guests with accessible parking placards may park in this area and guests with mobility disabilities can also be dropped off at this entrance and have another guest park the car in this lot. Signs directing guests to the ADA accessible parking and drop off location will be posted on College Avenue.

Assisted listening devices can be requested upon being seated in the accessible seating areas located on the ground floor. ASL interpreters can be made available upon request. Please contact amy.m.sturgeon@maine.edu in order to request ASL interpreters.

Contact Amy Sturgeon with any ADA accessibility accommodation requests amy.m.sturgeon@maine.edu before April 26.

Please contact Kathleen Harding-Heber if you have accessibility questions via email at kathleen.hardingheber@maine.edu or via phone: 207.581.3289.

Parking

Parking is available in the North Gym Lot, Dunn Lot, Corbett Lot, and Steam Plant Lot on a first come, first served basis. Please see the Parking Map (PDF).

University of Maine Merchandise

The University of Maine Alumni Association invites new graduates to stop by their Alumni Welcome Center tent just inside the gates to Morse Field at the conclusion of the ceremony. The Alumni Association has a small gift for each new graduate, and there will be an alumni-branded photo backdrop there where you can take your new graduate photos with family and friends. The UMaine Bookstore will also have UMaine Alumni apparel for sale in the tent.

Additionally, University of Maine merchandise will be available for purchase inside Alfond Arena and at University Bookstore in the Memorial Union.

Photos and Flowers

Photographer

Gradimages will be offering professional photos for graduates. Pre-register for photos before graduation day and receive 20% off your total order by visiting the Gradimages pre-registration site.

Flowers

Flower vendor TBD.