Commencement
Font SizeInformation for Families and Guests
Campus Access
Entrances 1 and 2 on Main Street will be closed. All vehicles must park at either of the following two locations: (1) Enter at Entrance 8 on University Boulevard and park in the Stadium Lot, or (2) Enter at Entrance 20 on Rice Boulevard and park in the North Lot. The campus loop shuttle buses will be running from the Stadium Lot for your convenience. Please do not park in unauthorized locations. Cars interfering with Commencement will be removed.
Parking
A limited number of parking spaces have been reserved in the Cohen House lot for guests requiring special assistance. To request a pass to this reserved area, please call 713-348-4046 or email cmccain@rice.edu and give your name and mailing address. An electric cart will be available to transport those guests from the Cohen House Lot to the Academic Quadrangle. The cart will be located at the corner of Sewall Hall and Lovett Hall across the road from Cohen House, and service will begin at 7:30 am on the morning of Commencement.
Seating
Special sections at the front of the bachelor's candidates will be reserved for those in wheelchairs and those who need a closer view of the sign language interpreter. Because of the limited space in these sections, only one additional family member or guest will be allowed to join the guest requiring the special seating. Reservations will not be necessary. Please contact an usher if you need directions to these special sections. All other guests will sit in the folding chairs in the regular guest sections. If, for medical reasons, someone in your party must sit in the shade, we recommend that you arrive early to secure a seat in the section along Sewall Hall on the south side of the Academic Quadrangle. This side usually stays shady longer than the other sections. The ceremony also may be viewed on closed-circuit television in Sewall Hall, which is air-conditioned.
Hearing Impaired
An interpreter for the deaf will interpret the entire Commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 15. A limited number of assistive listening devices for the Commencement ceremony will be available on a first-come, first-served basis in Sewall Hall, Room 305, beginning at 7:30 am on May 15.
If you need further assistance for a guest or student with special needs, please contact Disability Support Services at adarice@rice.edu or 713-348-5841. The courtesy of two weeks notice for special accommodations would be appreciated.
Facilities
Restrooms will be open in the buildings adjacent to the Academic Quadrangle. Restrooms for handicapped guests can be found in Sewall Hall. Drinking water and first-aid facilities also will be available. Please ask the ushers for assistance.
Weather
The Commencement ceremony on Saturday will be held outside. Umbrellas, sunscreen, and other protection from sun or rain are advisable.
Web Broadcast
Commencement will be broadcast over the Internet for family members and friends who are not able to attend the ceremony.
- Click here to view 2010 Rice University Commencement Webcast
- Click here to view 2010 Doctoral Hooding Ceremony Webcast
Photographs and Videotapes
A still photograph of each diploma recipient will be taken by a professional photographer working on the platform. The photographer also will be available in the Rice Memorial Center May 12-13, from 10:00 am-2:00 pm, and May 14, from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm. and then on Saturday, May 15, after the ceremony in the lobby of the RMC until 1:50 p.m. The entire ceremony also will be professionally videotaped. Photographs and videotapes will be offered for sale by the vendors, who will contact all graduates at their permanent address on file with the Office of the Registrar within a few weeks following Commencement. To contact the videographer, Media Distributors, Inc., send an email to info@mdivideo.com. To contact the photographer, send an email to marc@mnathanphoto.com.
Family members and other guests will be allowed to spend a short time in special photo areas near the front, off to the side. Please do not block the aisles or other peoples view, and please observe the directions of the marshals and ushers.
After the Ceremony
Graduating students will march out through the Sallyport to refreshment tables in Founder's Court on the east side of Lovett Hall. Parents and guests may wish to rendezvous with graduates at the table designated for their college or at the table designated for advanced degree recipients.
Lodging
Several hotels near Rice University are extending special rates for the Rice University Commencement May 12-15, 2010.
- Please make reservations directly with the hotel and tell the reservation clerk that you are attending the Rice University Commencement in order to receive the special rates.
- Make reservations early in order to secure special rates and ensure room availability.
- All rates are subject to applicable state and local taxes.
- Some restrictions apply.
- Several of the hotels offer minivan service to the campus. If you will need van service, be sure to ask about availability when making reservations.
Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Medical Center
6800 Main Street
Houston, TX 77030
713-577-1230
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Sammy's Cafeteria Located in Rice Memorial Center Hours: Friday, May 14, 7:15 am-3:30 pm |
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13th Street and Smoothie King Located in Rice Memorial Center Hours: TBA |
Last updated 05/08/09