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Commencement
for May 2009 graduates was held on Sunday, May 10, 2009 at
9:30 a.m. in Kenan Stadium.
***To view video footage of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu delivering the 2009 Commencement address, or to read the transcript, please click here.***
The Chapel Hill/Orange County
Visitors Bureau and the Durham
Convention & Visitors Bureau web sites provide information
on local lodging, restaurants, scheduled events, shopping, tours
and area resources.
The University will show live video of the Commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 10. The link can be found here: Commencement Live Video Stream.
Letter from the Chancellor
 Dear Degree Candidates:
Congratulations on completing your degree. I'm looking forward to celebrating with you and your family and friends during Carolina's May 2009 Commencement weekend. I know that this is a special occasion in your life. It is as well in the life of the Carolina community. We love having the opportunity to honor our graduates and celebrate academic life.
The Commencement Ceremony begins at 9:30 a.m., Sunday, May 10, in Kenan Stadium. Please join us to mark this milestone in your life. It will also be a milestone for me as my first May Commencement as chancellor. I can't wait to join you in Kenan Stadium.
General arrangements for the weekend are coordinated by the Commencement Committee and the Office of University Events. If you have questions, please contact Jane Smith at jane_smith@unc.edu or (919) 962-0045, or Leigh Ann Hartwell at hartwell@unc.edu or (919) 962-1996.
You've worked hard to reach this goal, and we delight in your accomplishments. We know from experience that you will go on to bring much distinction to your alma mater.
Nothing thrills us more than seeing our graduates go out and change the world.
Hark the Sound!
Holden Thorp
Inclement Weather Plan
In the event of inclement weather the 2009 Commencement ceremony will be moved to the Dean E. Smith Center. Tickets will be required for every individual who attends. Each student will be allocated 5 tickets:1 for themselves and 4 for guests. Students cleared to graduate in Spring 2009 will need to secure their tickets in advance using the online ticket system currently used for Smith Center events.
Tickets are only necessary if the ceremony is moved to the Smith Center.
Tickets are FREE. Inclement weather tickets are now available for download. Please click here to proceed. These tickets will be available until 5:00 p.m. on Friday, May 8.
Students will need to login with their PID registered with the UNC Athletics Ticket Office in order to download the tickets. If your PID is not registered, you will need to do that using Option 2.
If you have questions or concerns regarding the inclement weather ticket plan, or you are experiencing other problems with the download, please send an e-mail to weathertix@unc.edu or call 919-962-1996. You should receive a response within 24 hours.
Announcements regarding inclement weather will be made on 1610 AM, the UNC Web site (www.unc.edu) and local radio stations WCHL (AM 1360) and WXYC (FM 89.3) with specific information on parking and access to the Smith Center. All shuttle services will be redirected to the Smith Center.
A preliminary weather announcement will be made on Saturday evening, and if necessary further decisions on the weather will be made before 6am on Sunday morning. Please note this is a difficult decision for the University, as the Smith Center cannot accommodate the numbers that we normally welcome to Kenan Stadium.
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Commencement Speaker
 The 2009 May Commencement speaker will be Desmond Tutu, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize and renowned South African anti-apartheid campaigner. For more information, please click here.
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Speaker Selection
The speaker selection committee is composed of four students,
the faculty chair, the faculty secretary, two distinguished faculty
members, and the chair of the commencement committee. The committee
is advisory to the Chancellor, and he makes the final decision
on the speaker. December commencement speakers are traditionally
respected members of the faculty. The May Commencement speaker
is traditionally given an Honorary Degree. For both the December
and May commencements, the Chancellor selects a speaker who has
made significant contributions to the world and who will honor
the graduates, their parents and friends, and the faculty.
Honorary Degrees
Information about the recipients of the 2009 Honorary Degrees can be found by clicking here.
Commencement Information
for Faculty
Dear Colleagues:
We invite you to join us for the joyous events of Commencement Weekend 2009 on Saturday May 9 (Hooding of Ph.D.s) and Sunday May 10 (Commencement).
Our students' accomplishments are remarkable, and their friends and families value our roles as teachers, mentors, and scholars. Commencement events are central to building a sense of community within our University. You're invited to wear academic regalia, but you are welcome regardless.
The Doctoral Hooding ceremony will take place on Saturday, May 9, at 10 a.m. in the Dean Smith Center and will feature remarks by Dr. Adron Harris, the M. June and J. Virgil Waggoner Chair in Molecular Biology and director of the Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research at the University of Texas in Austin. Each graduate will be called to the stage to receive the doctoral hood from his or her advisor. Non-hooding faculty members should assemble in the Press Room at the Smith Center by 9:30 a.m. for the processional.
University Commencement is on Sunday May 10 at 9:30 a.m. in Kenan Stadium. This year's speaker and Honorary Degree Recipient is Archbishop Emeritus Desmond M. Tutu, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize and renowned South African anti-apartheid campaigner. We will honor our graduating students and the following other outstanding recipients of honorary degrees: William J. Armfield IV (investment executive and philanthropist); Eli N. Evans (writer on Jews in the south, nonprofit leader); Charles Sanders (physician and medical executive); Helen Maynor Sheirbeck (Native American activist and educational leader); and Lee Marshall Smith (prolific southern author).
Due to the construction at Kenan Stadium, faculty will gather at the old Kenan Field House at 9:00 a.m. Faculty Marshal Trudier Harris will lead the faculty processional. In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will move to the Smith Center (faculty should use Entry D and go directly to the court level for seating). Regardless of the location, faculty parking will be available in the Craige Deck.
If you plan to participate in the May 10 Commencement ceremony you will need to obtain, in advance, an Inclement Weather Ticket to admit you to the Smith Center in the event of rain. Contact David Thompson in the Faculty Governance Office to request your ticket. He can be reached at dthomps3@email.unc.edu or at 962-2147.
Many of you have attended Commencement in the past, and we welcome you again. For those who have yet to participate in this venerable academic tradition, please join us. We look forward to seeing you there.
Sincerely yours,
Joseph Templeton
Chair of the Faculty
Trudier Harris
Faculty Marshal
Student Processional
Undergraduate degree candidates need to be at Gate 2 on the north side of Kenan Stadium by 9:00 a.m. in their caps and gowns. Senior marshals will be there to direct the processional.
All other degree candidates will line up by 9:00 a.m. in the parking lot behind the Old Fieldhouse at Gate 10 to enter Kenan Stadium. Marshals will be there to direct the processional.
To view a map of Kenan Stadium, please click here.
Baccalaureate
 Dear Members and Families of the Class of 2009,
The Carolina Ministers Association and the Office of New Student and Carolina Parents Programs invite you to attend Baccalaureate, an interfaith celebration of your commencement, on Saturday, May 9, 2009, at 3:00 p.m. in the Great Hall of the Student Union.
All participants are invited to a reception following the Baccalaureate service.
The 2009 Baccalaureate speaker will be The Reverend Dr. Luis León.
The Reverend Dr. Luis León, fourteenth Rector of St. John's Church, began his tenure at St. John's in 1995. His specialty is building inner city parishes through spiritual leadership, preaching, excellence in worship and liturgical music, stewardship and outreach that involves parish members in the community. Luis teaches courses nationwide in parish building and stewardship and is a frequently requested commencement speaker.
Before his time at St. John's, Luis served as Rector of Trinity Church in Wilmington, Delaware, and St. Paul 's Church in Paterson, New Jersey. St. Paul's, an urban parish, grew during his tenure from 35 parishioners to several hundred. In 1985 St. Paul's was named "Church of the Year" by the New Jersey Council of Churches, and in 1986 Luis was awarded the Bishop's Outstanding Service Award in recognition of the "extraordinary contributions made to the life, quality, and the spirit of the church in this diocese [Newark]."
From 1977 until 1980, Luis served as Assistant Rector at St. Peter's Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. He then was Director of Refugee Resettlement for the Diocese of Maryland for two years.
Luis began his spiritual journey when he was baptized into the Episcopal Church in Guantánamo, Cuba. In 1961 he came to the United States as part of the "Peter Pan" flights out of Cuba, joining thousands of children whose parents, at that time in history, feared for their future in Cuba. He was 12 years old when he arrived in the U.S., and was supported by the Episcopal Church in Miami.
Luis attended the University of the South, graduating in 1971. He received a Masters in Divinity degree from the Virginia Theological Seminary in 1977 and in 1999 was awarded an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from the University of the South. He is a member of the Board of Regents at the University of the South and was a founding member of both the Washington Interfaith Network and the Wilmington [Delaware] Interfaith Network. In 2005 he offered the invocation at the inauguration of the President of the United States.
Luis is married to Lu Stanton León. They have two children, Emilia and Sofia.
Caps, Gowns and Graduation Announcements
This information is subject to change.
Caps and gowns will be available to purchase at Student Stores from Friday, April 24 through Sunday, May 10. They can be purchased in the store or online via the Student Stores website.
Undergraduate Regalia: $44.99
Master's Regalia: $54.99
Keepsake Doctoral Regalia: $69.99
Graduates who are out of town or otherwise unable to come to Student Stores can now purchase their regalia online. Caps and gowns for undergraduates, masters and doctoral candidates can be ordered and shipped between April 1 and April 30 by going to the Student Stores website.
If a student needs only part of an outfit, please contact: ebradsha@email.unc.edu.
Graduation Announcements can be purchased through Herff Jones. Graduates will receive a mailing containing pricing, packages, and an order form with instructions for ordering via mail, fax or online. Package fliers and order forms are also available at Student Stores. Generic Announcements in packages of ten can be purchased at Student Stores. For questions, you may contact Herff-Jones at (919) 544-3332 or 800-837-4235.
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Schedule of Events for Schools and Departments
These events have not yet been finalized. Check back soon for an updated schedule.
Please use the link provided for all information regarding each
Department or School's ceremony.
Schedule of Departmental Ceremonies
and Events associated with Commencement Weekend.
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Photography
Everyone
participating in the 2009 Commencement ceremonies in Kenan Stadium will have the option of being photographed by Chappell Studios. There is no fee for this service, or obligation
to purchase. Free proofs will be mailed to you, and online viewing
is available to facilitate the order process. Call 1-800-424-3686
or go to www.chappell.com
to place orders or have questions answered.
GradTrak® by Graduation Images has an exciting offer for graduates! They are offering students a $5 discount on any photo order over $25 when they register their email address prior to graduation.
The link for graduates is www.gradimages.com.
Diplomas
All undergraduate diplomas will be mailed to students
after graduation and should be received by the first week in August.
Diplomas will be printed with the student's first and second major,
if applicable.
Students receiving a Master of Arts or a Master of Science
degree also will be mailed their diploma after graduation. The
masters diploma will reflect the student's major course of study.
The following other master's, doctoral, and professional diplomas
will be available for distribution immediately following Commencement
until 2 p.m. unless your department is having a departmental ceremony.
Master of Accounting
Master of Arts in Teaching
Master of Business Administration
Master of Education
Master of Fine Arts
Master of Health Administration
Master of Physical Therapy
Master of Public Administration
Master of Public Health
Master of Regional Planning
Master of School Administration
Master of Science in Environmental Sciences
Master of Science in Information Science
Master of Science in Library Science
Master of Science in Nursing
Master of Science in Public Health
Master of Science in Recreation Administration
Master of Social Work
PHD Doctor of Philosophy
EDD Doctor of Education
DRPH Doctor of Public Health
DDS Doctor of Dental Surgery
JD Juris Doctor
PharmD Doctor of Pharmacy
MD Doctor of Medicine
Certificates in Dentistry and Medicine
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Disability Services,
Seating and Parking
Stadium Seating*
If you or the guest(s) in your party can walk approximately one (1) block (no hills) and can climb approximately 10-12 short stadium steps, we encourage you to park in the Park and Ride lots.
The Friday Center (Highway 54 East) or University Mall (15-501 Bypass) are available and parking permits are not required. Free shuttles will transport you and your party to Gate 2 at Kenan Stadium.
The Family Medicine, Dean Smith Center, Bowles Lot, Cardinal and Dogwood Parking Decks are served by shuttles to Gate 6.
Sections of the stadium on the north and south side have been reserved to limit the number of stairs encountered by persons with limited mobility. Please contact the Department of Disability Services (see contact information below) for seating passes (8 guest maximum) so that your party may sit together. There is very limited accessible seating for guests using wheelchairs at the stadium seating level (Concourse).
*In the event of inclement weather and the ceremony is relocated to the Dean Smith Center, these seating passes will not be valid. Graduating students are required to obtain separate tickets in advance.
Ground Seating (Seating Passes Required)*
Guests using aids or appliances (wheelchairs, walkers, etc.) and unable to access steps in the stadium, will be provided seating in the stadium at ground level. Because space is limited, only the guest requiring assistance and up to 2-3 additional guests will be permitted to sit on the field. The rest of your party will be asked to sit in the stands. Please note that seating on the field does not provide any protection from weather. Guests are encouraged to bring hats, parasols and bottled water as this area is often in direct sunlight.
*In the event of inclement weather and the ceremony is relocated to the Dean Smith Center , these seating passes will not be valid. Graduating Students are required to obtain separate tickets.
Parking (Permit Required)
Parking for guests requiring ground seating will be provided in the Rams Head Center Parking Deck (Level 2). Only one (1) vehicle per family.
Although many guests will have state issued handicapped parking permits, access to the Rams Head Center Parking Deck will require a special parking permit issued by the Department of Disability Services for the Commencement Ceremonies at Kenan Stadium.
*Departmental/Individual School Ceremonies Information for Sunday:
Kenan Stadium Ceremony: Any disabled graduates or guests who have special parking and/or seating needs should contact Student Disability Services well in advance at SASB, Campus Box #5100, (919) 962-8300. Graduates and guests with licenses or hangtags indicating a disability will also need to request a Commencement 2009 Disability Parking Permit.
Smith Center Ceremonies: The Smith Lot and a section of the Bowles Lot (Roped and Signed) will be designated for guests with disabilities. Licenses and hangtags indicating a disability will be honored in the designated disability parking lots beginning 11 a.m.
Ceremonies/Receptions Following the Kenan Stadium Ceremony (and not scheduled at the Dean E. Smith Center):
Parking on north and mid-campus is extremely limited. Graduates and guests that can walk from Kenan Stadium to other ceremonies/receptions should do so. Shuttles will provide transportation back to all park and ride lots from designated locations (the Old Well, Student Union and Smith Center). However, some lots on north campus will be reserved and available for parking beginning 11 a.m. for those with licenses and hangtags indicating a disability and unable to utilize the shuttle services.
Wheelchairs
Neither the Department of Disability Services nor the University maintain a supply of wheelchairs for commencement ceremonies. We suggest that guests check local Rental Stores about renting a wheelchair for the weekend. Not only will it provide access to the Commencement Ceremony at Kenan Stadium but will increase access to other parts of campus for individual ceremonies/receptions. Wheelchairs will fold and fit comfortably in the trunk of most vehicles.
Deaf/Hard of Hearing Guests
An ASL interpreter will be present on the platform for Commencement Ceremonies in Kenan Stadium. Seating for guests utilizing the interpreter can be arranged by contacting Disability Services (disabilityservices@unc.edu). The ceremony is also open-captioned on the Stadium Jumbo Screen.
Department of Disability Services
Student Academic Services Building , Suite 2126
CB# 7214
Chapel Hill , NC 27599-7214
919-962-8300 (V/T)
Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. Monday - Friday
Email: disabilityservices@unc.edu
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do I need tickets?
Tickets are not needed for the main university ceremony in
Kenan Stadium. You may bring as many family members and friends
as you like. It is open to the public.
However, in the case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be moved to the Dean Smith Center. Since the Smith Center holds a much smaller number of people than Kenan Stadium, the University must limit attendance in this case, and tickets are required for entry. Each graduate is allocated 5 tickets - 1 for themselves and 4 for guests. These tickets can be downloaded from this site from Wednesday, March 18 until Friday, May 8 at 5:00 p.m.
2. What time do graduates need to be there?
Students need to arrive at the stadium no later than 9 am to line up. Due to ongoing construction in and around the stadium, information about specific line-up locations will be available at a later date.
Families and other guests should enter Kenan Stadium through Gates 1 and
2 on the north side OR Gates 6 and 7 on the south side for seating
for the ceremony. Gates will open at 8:00 a.m.
3. How long does the ceremony usually last?
About an hour and a half to two hours, from 9:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. or 11:30 a.m.
4. Where do we park?
Please refer to parking information section below.
5. Is there handicapped parking?
Contact Disability Services with requests for handicapped parking
or seating. Office of Disability Services,
SASB Suite 2126,
962-8300.
6. Will they call out my name?
The names of the graduates are not announced. All candidates will be recognized by the dean
of their respective school. Candidates for the doctoral degree
will be individually recognized at the Ph.D. Hooding ceremony on
Saturday, May 9.
7. How do I find out when my department is having its ceremony?
Look at the schedule
on the web page.
8. Where do I get my diploma?
Your diploma will be mailed to you during the summer. See the
section on diplomas
for more details.
9. Is there housing on campus for Commencement?
No, housing is not available on campus for parents and guests.
A list of hotels in the area is available on the Chapel
Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau and the Durham
Convention & Visitors Bureau Web sites.
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General Alumni Association
This information is subject to change.
You are invited to become a member of your General Alumni Association at a special half-price rate. As our graduation gift to you, we are offering a one-year membership for $20 or a $50 discount on a lifetime membership in the GAA. Membership includes an annual subscription to the Carolina Alumni Review, an annual Carolina wall calendar, unlimited access to our certified career coach for one year following graduation, and many other benefits. For more information about membership, e-mail membership@unc.edu, call (919) 962-0742 or visit alumni.unc.edu/join.
Helpful Phone Numbers
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Diplomas
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Registrar's Office - (919) 962-0495
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Disability Parking or Seating
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Disability Services - (919) 962-8300
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Parking
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Special Event Parking - TBA
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Caps, Gowns & Announcements
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Student Stores - (919) 962-2427
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Alumni Membership
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General Alumni Assoc. - (919) 962-0742
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Graduate School
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(919) 966-2611
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General Information
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University Events Office - (919) 962-0045 or 962-1996
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Local Visitors
Bureaus
The Chapel Hill/Orange County
Visitors Bureau and the Durham
Convention & Visitors Bureau Web sites provide information
on local lodging, restaurants, scheduled events, shopping, tours,
and area resources.
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Safety
Kenan Stadium Entry Policy
All guests and their belongings are subject to screening by entry personnel. The following items will NOT be permitted in Kenan Stadium or the Smith Center.
• Backpacks, duffel bags, backpacks or oversize purses or computer cases.
• Alcohol, bottles, cans, food, thermoses, coolers, drugs, chains, fireworks
• Weapons, noisemakers, signs, laser pointers, and other items deemed inappropriate by Kenan Stadium personnel.
Please leave wrapped gifts at home or in your car.
Coffee, soft drinks, water and donuts will be available for purchase at the concession stands at Gates 2 and 6. Guests with health related conditions such as diabetes, the elderly and those with young children will be permitted to bring in limited food and beverage. Water is also available free at dispensers throughout the stadium.
Campus Dining Services
On Sunday, May 10, Alpine Bagel will be open in the Student Union from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Additionally, the Starbucks in Rams Head dining facility will be open from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
Parking
Kenan Stadium Commencement Parking Information
Sunday, May 10, 2009
South Road generally becomes congested by 8 a.m. Plan to arrive early and use south side parking and shuttles.
Disability Seating and Parking
Any disabled graduates or guests who have special parking and/ or seating needs should contact Student Disability Services well in advance at SASB, Campus Box #5100, 919-962-8300 (TDD). Office hours are 8:00 a.m.5:00 p.m. Monday Friday. The office will issue the necessary parking permits and seating cards for disabled guests. Graduates and guests with car license plates or hangtags indicating a disability will also need to request a Commencement 2009 Disability Parking Permit.
Parking
Access campus from the southern corridors. The northern corridors (particularly South Road) generally become congested by 8:00 a.m. and there is almost no parking available on the north side of campus. Graduates and guests are therefore encouraged to use the parking on the south side of campus accessed by Manning Drive off 15/501 (Fordham Boulevard) and Columbia Street or Mason Farm Road. Shuttles are available from almost all south side lots.
General Public Parking
ACC Lot
Bowles Lot
Cardinal Deck: Open from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Craige Deck
Dogwood Deck: Open for free parking from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Resumes normal operation at 3 p.m.
Jackson Deck
South Road metered spaces, cemetery side of street: Open at approximately 1:30 p.m. when Chapel Hill Transit buses clear the staging area.
Stadium Drive: Open for parking for the afternoon ceremonies once Kenan Stadium is cleared from the main Commencement ceremony.
Disability Parking
Top tier of Manning Lot: Open at noon for those attending afternoon ceremonies.
School of Government Deck: Open at 11 a.m. for the afternoon ceremonies.
Smith Lot: Open at noon for those attending afternoon ceremonies.
South Road metered spaces, Hooker Field side of street: Open at 11:00 a.m. for those attending ceremonies near the Student Union.
Reserved, Permit-Only Parking: The following lots are reserved and unavailable to anyone without the proper Commencement event permit:
Rams Head Deck (reserved until 10:30 a.m.)
Morehead Lot
Law School Lots
Stadium Drive Lot (but see General Public Parking above)
Public Safety Lot
McCauley Deck
Undergraduate Library Lot
Swain Lot
Hanes Lot
Bynum Circle Lots
Emerson and Davis Drive Lots
Cobb Area Parking Deck
School of Government Deck (but see Disability Parking )
Emergency Drive Lots
Koury Lot
Peabody Lot
In addition, the top tier of the Smith Lot and Manning Lot will be reserved and restricted for the morning ceremonies and therefore will not be available to the general public. (But see Disability Parking listing above.)
General Information
Parking is prohibited in reserved spaces, in fire lanes, on sidewalks and on the landscape. Traffic control personnel should be obeyed. Pre-recorded commencement parking information will be available after hours on weekdays and weekends at 919-962-3951 beginning April 14, 2009.
Shuttles
Old Well and the Dean E. Smith Center: All shuttles will operate to/from these locations to/from all park and ride lots and the campus shuttle lots from 1:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Union Shuttle (in front of the Student Union): The Friday Center shuttles and the University Mall shuttles will operate to/from the park and ride lots to/from the Student Union and the Smith Center beginning 11:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. to accommodate the afternoon ceremonies. Then beginning at 1 p.m., all other shuttles will service these locations.
Carolina Livery Shuttles: Will operate from the Dogwood Deck/Cardinal Parking Deck shuttle stop, the ACC Lot, the Jackson Deck, and the S11 Bowles and S11 Manning Lots to the south side of Kenan Stadium from 7:15 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. They will return from Kenan Stadium to the parking lots from approximately 11 a.m.12:30 p.m. when the commencement ceremony is over. From 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., they will loop campus making stops at the Student Union, the Old Well on Cameron Avenue and the Dean E. Smith Center and returning to the morning parking lots.
Chapel Hill Transit Shuttles: Will operate to the north side of Kenan Stadium from the Friday Center Park and Ride Lot and the University Mall lot next to Dillard's from 7:15 a.m. 10:00 a.m. They will return from Kenan Stadium to the parking lots from approximately 11 a.m.12:30 p.m. when the commencement ceremony is over. From 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., Carolina Livery will loop campus making stops at the Student Union, the Old Well on Cameron Avenue and the Dean E. Smith Center and returning to University Mall and the Friday Center.
Roadway/Traffic Information
Ridge Road: Closed to thru traffic 6:15 a.m.1:30 p.m. Restricted to buses and Commencement Day Rams Head Deck and Boshamer Lot permits only from 7:15 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.
Stadium Drive: Closed to thru traffic 6:15 a.m.1:30 p.m. Restricted to Stadium Drive permits only from 6:15 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. ALL vehicles must be removed from this area by 6 a.m. Sunday morning.
Cameron Avenue: Closed to thru traffic 11 a.m.5 p.m.
South Road Traffic: South Road becomes extremely congested as early as 8 a.m. Students and guests should keep this in mind and use alternate roadways into campus as much as possible or use the park and ride lots off campus. After 8 a.m., campus is best accessed via Pittsboro Street to Manning Drive or Mason Farm Road or from 15/501 to Columbia Street and then Manning Drive or via 15/501 directly onto Manning Drive. South Road will close to thru traffic from 10:30 a.m. to approximately 1 p.m.
Dean E. Smith Center Parking (in case of inclement weather):
South Road generally becomes congested by 8 a.m. Plan to arrive early and use south side parking and shuttles.
Disability Seating and Parking
Any disabled graduates or guests who have special parking and/ or seating needs should contact Student Disability Services well in advance at SASB, Campus Box #5100, 919-962-8300 (TDD). Office hours are 8:00 a.m.5:00 p.m. Monday Friday. The office will issue the necessary parking permits and seating cards for disabled guests. Graduates and guests with car license plates or hangtags indicating a disability will also need to request a Commencement 2009 Disability Parking Permit.
Parking
Access campus from the southern corridors. The northern corridors (particularly South Road) generally become congested by 8:00 a.m. and there is almost no parking available on the north side of campus. Graduates and guests are therefore encouraged to use the parking on the south side of campus accessed by Manning Drive off 15/501 (Fordham Boulevard) and Columbia Street or Mason Farm Road. Shuttles are available from almost all south side lots.
General Public Parking
ACC Lot
Bowles Lot
Cardinal Deck: Open from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Craige Deck
Dogwood Deck: Open for free parking from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Resumes normal operation at 3 p.m.
Jackson Deck
South Road metered spaces, cemetery side of street: Open at approximately 1:30 p.m. when Chapel Hill Transit buses clear the staging area.
Stadium Drive: Open for parking for the afternoon ceremonies once Kenan Stadium is cleared from the main Commencement ceremony.
Disability Parking
Top tier of Manning Lot: Open at noon for those attending afternoon ceremonies.
School of Government Deck: Open at 11 a.m. for the afternoon ceremonies.
Smith Lot: Open at noon for those attending afternoon ceremonies.
South Road metered spaces, Hooker Field side of street: Open at 11:00 a.m. for those attending ceremonies near the Student Union.
Reserved, Permit-Only Parking
The following lots are reserved and unavailable to anyone without the proper Commencement event permit:
Rams Head Deck (reserved until 10:30 a.m.)
Morehead Lot
Law School Lots
Stadium Drive Lot (but see General Public Parking above)
Public Safety Lot
Undergraduate Library Lot
Swain Lot
Hanes Lot
Bynum Circle Lots
Emerson and Davis Drive Lots
Cobb Area Parking Deck
School of Government Deck (but see Disability Parking )
Emergency Drive Lots
Koury Lot
Peabody Lot
McCauley Deck
In addition, the top tier of the Smith Lot and Manning Lot will be reserved and restricted for the morning ceremonies and therefore will not be available to the general public. (For Smith Lot, see Disability Parking listing above.)
General Information
Parking is prohibited in reserved spaces, in fire lanes, on sidewalks and on the landscape. Traffic control personnel should be obeyed. Pre-recorded commencement parking information will be available after hours on weekdays and weekends at 919-962-3951 beginning April 14, 2009. Additionally, parking information will be available on both the UNC Commencement Web site ( www.unc.edu/commencement ) and the UNC Public Safety Web site ( www.parking.unc.edu under breaking news and commencement).
Shuttles
Old Well and the Dean E. Smith Center: All shuttles will operate to/ from these locations to/from all park and ride lots and the campus shuttle lots from 1:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Union Shuttle (in front of the Student Union): The Friday Center shuttles and the University Mall shuttles will operate to/from the park and ride lots to/from the Student Union and the Smith Center beginning 11:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. to accommodate the afternoon ceremonies. Then beginning at 1 p.m., all other shuttles will service these locations.
Carolina Livery Shuttles: Will operate from the Dogwood Deck/Cardinal Parking Deck shuttle stop, the ACC Lot, the Jackson Deck, and the Rams Head Deck from the Smith Center from 7:15 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. They will return from the Smith Center to the parking lots from approximately 11 a.m.12:30 p.m. when the commencement ceremony is over. From 1:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., they will loop campus making stops at the Student Union, the Old Well on Cameron Avenue, and the Dean E. Smith Center and returning to the morning parking lots.
Chapel Hill Transit Shuttles: Will operate to the Smith Center from the Friday Center Park and Ride Lot and the University Mall lot next to Dillard's from 7:15 a.m. 10:00 a.m. They will return from the Smith Center to the parking lots from approximately 11 a.m.12:30 p.m. when the commencement ceremony is over. From 1:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., Carolina Livery will loop campus making stops at the Student Union, the Old Well on Cameron Avenue, and the Dean E. Smith Center and returning to University Mall and the Friday Center.
Roadway/Traffic Information
Ridge Road: Closed to thru traffic 6:15 a.m.1:30 p.m. Restricted to buses and Commencement Day Rams Head Deck and Boshamer Lot permits only from 7:15 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.
Stadium Drive: Closed to thru traffic 6:15 a.m.1:30 p.m. Restricted to Stadium Drive permits only from 6:15 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. ALL vehicles must be removed from this area by 6 a.m. Sunday morning.
Cameron Avenue: Closed to thru traffic 11 a.m.5 p.m.
South Road Traffic: South Road becomes extremely congested as early as 8 a.m. Students and guests should keep this in mind and use alternate roadways into campus as much as possible or use the park and ride lots off campus. After 8 a.m., campus is best accessed via Pittsboro Street to Manning Drive or Mason Farm Road or from 15/501 to Columbia Street and then Manning Drive or via 15/501 directly onto Manning Drive. South Road will close to thru traffic from 10:30 a.m. to approximately 1 p.m.
Scholarships and
Financial Aid
Graduating students who have borrowed a Federal Stafford Loan while attending Carolina must complete Stafford Loan Exit Counseling. Students should go to www.mappingyourfuture.org to complete an online Stafford Loan Exit Counseling session. The Office of Scholarships and Student Aid will be notified automatically once you complete the online session. Please save the confirmation page for your records.
Graduating students who have borrowed a Federal Perkins or Health Professions Loan or any long term University Loan must complete Exit Counseling by accessing the ECSI website. Students may contact the Office of Student Accounts & University Receivables at loans@unc.edu with any questions.
Student Accounts and University Receivables
For information about degree candidacy in regards to student accounts, loans, and billing, please click here.
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