Faculty / Administration Information
Overview
The University of Pennsylvania's 257th Commencement will be held on Monday, May 13, 2013, in Franklin Field. Due to heightened security at Penn’s Commencement ceremony this year, the gates to Franklin Field will open at 7:00 a.m., and it is recommended that attendees plan on arriving as early as possible. Every guest will be required to go through airport-style magnetometers, and certain items will be prohibited from Franklin Field, including but not limited to oversized bags, bottles, tripods and umbrellas. Guests will be seated in the southeast, east, and northeast stands of the stadium. Degree candidates will assemble in Hamilton Village by 7:45 a.m., process down Locust Walk, and enter the field starting at 8:30 a.m. The ceremony will begin at 10:15 a.m. upon the entrance of the academic procession (the President's party and the faculty) and will conclude at approximately 12:00 noon. The ceremony will feature the conferral of degrees, the awarding of honorary degrees, greetings by University officials, and remarks by the Commencement speaker, Vice President Joseph R. Biden, Jr.
Academic Procession
Information for University Faculty and Administration who have been invited to march in the Academic Procession at the University of Pennsylvania's 257th Commencement.
To notify the Office of the University Secretary that you will march in the academic procession, please go to the registration page. Please contact the University Bookstore at 215-898-1767 regarding regalia.
Due to the heightened security this year at Franklin Field, the Academic Procession will not process across campus. Faculty and staff in the Academic Procession will gather promptly at 9:00 a.m. in Weightman Hall. All members of the Academic Procession will be required to go through an airport-style magnetometer before entering, located in lot 6 at the southwest gate to Franklin Field. At approximately 10:05 a.m. the Academic Procession will step off from Weightman Hall and enter the field. The Commencement ceremony will begin at approximately 10:15 a.m., with the entrance of the Academic Procession, and will conclude at approximately noon with the recession from Franklin Field.
Commencement will be held rain or shine. Those joining the procession are encouraged to wear rain gear to protect themselves and their academic attire from the rain (the dye in the gown may bleed onto clothing when wet). Note: umbrellas are not permitted in the stadium this year. Ponchos will be provided. In the unlikely event of dangerous weather conditions that threaten personal safety, the ceremony may be delayed. If these conditions are forecast to persist throughout the morning, the ceremony may be moved to the Palestra, where admission will be limited to degree candidates and Academic Procession participants only. These steps would be taken only in extreme circumstances. If there are any changes in the ceremony plans, details will be communicated by:
- announcements on Penn's Commencement information line, (215) 573-GRAD, on the University’s emergency information number, (215) 898-MELT, and on radio station KYW (1060 AM); and
- a notice on the Commencement website, www.upenn.edu/commencement.
