Information for Reporters Covering UMaine Commencement
Contact: Joe Carr at (207) 581-3571
ORONO — The University of Maine’s 207th commencement is scheduled for Saturday May 9, inside at Alfond Arena. As always, the event consists of two ceremonies, one at 10 a.m. and one at 2:30 p.m. Each will last approximately 2 hours.
Northbound I-95 traffic and traffic between the Interstate and campus will be very heavy, as each event will draw more than 6,000 people.
Media parking will be available near the arena.
An audio mult box will be accessible in the penatly box areas at floor level, where there will also be space for cameras on tripods. Photographers are welcome to move through the arena during the ceremonies, but space for shooting will be at a premium. Reporters may observe the ceremonies from the penalty boxes or the press box area, with the latter located at the top of the east and west seating areas.
Graduates will assemble at the UMaine Field House before the cermonies, and they will walk together to the Alfond Arena. The Field House may represent a good possibility for interviews and photography.
Nearly 2,000 people, from all over Maine and beyond, will receive UMaine degrees on Saturday. The UMaine commencement is the state’s largest graduation event. More details about the ceremony and the Class of 2009 is online at http://www.umaine.edu/news/view_release.php?x=1241393562.
Journalists in need of assistance on Saturday should call Joe Carr at (207) 949-4149. Regular updates will be posted on the University of Maine News Facebook page and the UMaineNews Twitter feed.