LPS 2012 Graduation Ceremony Frequently Asked Questions

How will LPS be communicating with me about Graduation activities?

LPS graduate and undergraduate students who graduated in December 2011, or have applied to graduate in Spring 2012 or Summer 2012 will receive e-mail communication from LPS in early March that will include directions for ordering academic regalia and submitting an RSVP for the LPS graduation events. Graduating students will also receive via U.S. mail, (in mid April) graduation announcements, and LPS ceremony invitations.  Students who have not received e-mail communication by March 15 or U.S. mail communication by April 15, should contact LPS at 215-746-7040.

How do I order academic regalia?

Contact the Penn Bookstore at 215-898-7595 or attend the Graduation Fair at the Penn Bookstore on March 14-16th.

Students who are unable to visit the bookstore during the Graduation Fair must contact the bookstore and place their regalia order by March 24th.

More information: Academic Regalia

What time should I arrive and where do I go?

It is imperative that graduating students arrive promptly by 3:15pm at Hill Field, located between 33rd and 34th Streets along Chestnut Street. Bring your academic regalia and weather appropriate shoes. The robing tent, located on Hill Field, will be clearly marked. Students should look for signage designating the meeting location for their particular program: BA, BFA, MLA, MPhil, MES, MSAG, MAPP, and MMP. Check in with the administrator assigned to your program area to mark you off on the clipboard, and to determine your place in the processional line. Students will process in proper order from the robing tent into the ceremony tent.

What time does the ceremony start?

The LPS Graduation Ceremony will begin promptly at 4:00pm; let your guests know they should be seated before that time. Please remember it is necessary for graduating students to arrive no later than 3:15pm.

Where can I park?

Parking locations are available here

Where will the graduating students process?

Weather permitting, the graduates will emerge from the robing tent, make a left onto the walk that bisects Hill Field toward 34th Street, then enter into the rear of the ceremony tent. Inclement weather may require a different route.

What is the difference between the LPS ceremony on May 13th and the University ceremony on May 14th?

The LPS ceremony is your opportunity to walk across the stage and accept your "diploma" (the actual diploma will be mailed to you later in the summer). It is the time in which to celebrate with other students within the College of Liberal and Professional Studies. 

The University commencement is a campus-wide event at which you will celebrate with all members of the University of Pennsylvania Class of 2012. The procession of graduates is followed by speakers, special guests, and honorary degree awards.

Regalia is required at both events, and both are held rain or shine.

What is the Baccalaureate?

“The Baccalaureate Ceremony is a 50-minute interfaith program that includes music, readings, prayers, and a guest speaker.  Two consecutive ceremonies will be held in Irvine Auditorium, in order to accommodate all those who wish to attend.  Students whose last names begin with A through K are invited to attend the 1:30 p.m. ceremony.  Students whose last names begin with L through Z are invited to attend the 3:00 p.m. ceremony.  Tickets and academic regalia are not required.  The Baccalaureate speaker will be Nipun Mehta, founder of ServiceSpace.”

Please note that this event takes place the same day as the LPS ceremony. The latter Baccalaureate will overlap the LPS ceremony, so you will not be able to attend both.

Where can I find more information about the University commencement and Baccalaureate ceremony?
http://www.upenn.edu/commencement/event/index.html and http://www.upenn.edu/chaplain/events/Baccalaureate2012.html

Where can I find information about parking and transportation?
http://www.upenn.edu/commencement/visitor/index.html

Do I have to attend all of the ceremonies?
No. You may choose to attend any, one, or none. Attendance is not required.

What if I haven’t ordered my regalia yet?
Contact the Penn Bookstore at 215-898-7595.

Is there a dress code for what should I wear under my regalia?

Because the ceremonies are held outdoors, rain or shine, we recommend dressing according to the weather. Please keep in mind that the material and color of the regalia can be quite warm, and you’ll be wearing a cap. High heels are strongly discouraged given the variation of surfaces on which you’ll be walking. If there is rain within two days or so of the LPS ceremony, Hill Field will be quite muddy, so please consider footwear and attire accordingly and alert your guests of this fact as well.

Is there assigned seating at the LPS ceremony?

No, but we do happily accommodate handicap seating requests. Please arrive early to get the seats you prefer.

Is there someplace to store my belongings while the LPS ceremony is taking place?

No, unfortunately the open air tents and high traffic volume of people in and out of them does not allow for safe storage of your personal belongings. We recommend leaving them with friends and family.

How many guests may I invite to the reception?

Students who RSVP with their plans to participate in the ceremony will receive 5 invitations and can indicate the number of guests they would like to bring to the graduation reception within the online RSVP form.

What if it rains on May 13th?

The LPS Graduation Ceremony will be held rain or shine. Graduating students should still arrive promptly at 3:15pm to the clearly marked robing tent on Hill Field with academic regalia and weather appropriate footwear. Although the ceremony takes place under the protection of a tent, inclement weather may create a muddy terrain on Hill Field. Graduates, as well as their guests, are encouraged to wear shoes that will allow them to comfortably navigate through the grass in wet weather.

When will I receive my diploma?

The College of Liberal and Professional Studies does not distribute official diplomas at the LPS Graduation Ceremony. For May graduates, the University Secretary’s Office will begin mailing diplomas in mid-July to the student permanent address as it appears in Penn In Touch. It is essential that you confirm that the information in your records is accurate, or to update it as appropriate. Students who completed their coursework during the December 2011 semester, or who complete coursework in August 2012, may expect the University Secretary’s Office to mail their diplomas to the permanent address record approximately 10–12 weeks after completion of the degree.