COMMENCEMENT 2008 INFORMATION

Below is important information about all of the events over the weekend.  Please review the information and contact the office of Disability Support Services if you have any requests, questions

or concerns.  Commencement ushers and uniformed Public Safety Officers will be present

throughout the weekend to assist and direct you.   A detailed map of the campus can be

found at http://tour.cua.edu/.

The main University Commencement ceremony on Saturday takes place on the east side of

the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.  It will also be web cast for viewing in the Edward J. Pryzbyla University Center for individuals who wish to be indoors.  The distribution of diplomas takes place in separate ceremonies after the main ceremony.  A list of locations for these ceremonies is available below.  General information for Commencement is available at http://graduation.cua.edu/.

If you will require sign language interpreting, to attend any of the graduation events please contact the office of Disability Support Services at 202-319-5211 or cua-disabilityservices@cua.edu by Friday,

May 2, 2008.   For any of the separate diploma ceremonies, please contact the appropriate

School directly, also by Friday, May 2nd.  

There are marked handicap parking spaces throughout campus. However, some spaces may not be available depending on how the particular lot is being used. Each car that parks in a marked handicap space will need a state issued plate or placard. In addition, there will be designated handicap parking areas on Cardinal Road and the northeast and southeast side of the Basilica on Saturday. If traveling in a group, we would encourage guests to drop off those who have a disability in the drop-off area and then to park in one of the various parking areas in order to allow us to leave open handicap spaces for those who are traveling alone or who need assistance.

For those requiring a wheelchair, a list of wheelchair rental companies can be accessed by clicking here.  Delivery to the campus is available.

Best wishes for a joyous Commencement Weekend!

BACCALAUREATE MASS, Friday, 4:00 pm, The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Upper Church  

• Drop passengers off in front of the Basilica.  Parking is available in the large lot across from the Basilica on Harewood Road.
• Use the elevator on the lower level of the Basilica to gain access to the upper church.  To access the elevator, use the entrance on the lower right side of the front of the Basilica.  Accessible restrooms are available on the lower level.   It is a lengthy walk to get to the elevator.
• Reserved seating for individuals with disabilities is located at the front of the church on the right.    If you have difficulty walking distances, and especially on marble floors, you may prefer to find a seat toward the back of the church. The area will be marked.  Ushers will be available to assist you. Seating is on a first come, first serve basis. In order to ensure that there is enough seating for everyone, only two people may accompany an individual in the reserved seating area.  Please note that wheelchairs may not block the aisles  so as to allow for a smooth procession and recession.
• Special seating is also available for those needing access to sign language interpreters.  Please make your request early for this seating, disabilityservices@cua.edu. We cannot guarantee seating requests made later than 72 hours before the Mass.   

COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY, Saturday, 10:00 am (Procession begins 9:15 am).  Outdoors, East Side of the Basilica.   Web Cast Indoors, Pryzbyla Center

• • A handicapped drop-off area is reserved on the northeast and the southeast side of the Basilica near where the graduates will be seated.  Public Safety officers will be available to direct you. 

  • There will be designated handicap parking areas on Cardinal Road and the northeast and southeast side of the Basilica on Saturday for the commencement ceremony. Other marked handicap parking spaces may be available around campus. If traveling in a group, we would encourage guests to drop off those who have a disability in the drop-off area and then to park in one of the various parking areas in order to allow us to leave open handicap spaces for those who are traveling alone or who need assistance.

  • Disability seating is reserved behind the graduating students and is accessible from the drop-off area.  The area will be marked.  Ushers will be available to assist you. Seating is on a first come, first serve basis. In order to ensure that there is enough seating for everyone, only two people may accompany an individual in the reserved seating area. Those needing to sit in the disability seating area may arrive as early as 8:00 a.m., but no later than 9:00 a.m.  You will need to be seated before the processional begins at 9:15 a.m.  It will be difficult to access the reserved seating area once the processional has begun.  Please be aware that since the main Commencement Ceremony is held outside, all of the seating is on the grass and a section of the parking lot. There are no stairs other than the sidewalk curb and for that there is a curb cut.  Please determine for yourself if you will need to sit in the reserved section or if anywhere on the lawn will be fine.  Your assistance is greatly appreciated so that we can ensure to provide seating to those who need it the most.  All seating areas are filled on a first come, first serve basis.
  • Special seating is also available for those needing access to sign language interpreters.  Please make your request early for this seating, disabilityservices@cua.edu. We cannot guarantee seating requests made later than 24 hours before the commencement ceremony.     
  • The main ceremony will be web cast simultaneously in the Pryzbyla Center. 
  • Those sitting in the disability seating area may arrive as early as 8:00 a.m., but no later than 9:00 a.m.  You will need to be seated before the processional begins at 9:15 a.m.  It will be difficult to access the reserved seating area once the processional has begun.
  • You will want to bring sunscreen, hats, water, and umbrellas.  There is very little shade.