Commencement 2008

Spring Commencement for the UNC School of Law Class of 2008 will be held on Sunday, May 11, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. in the Dean Smith Center. The ceremony will begin at 1:00 p.m., and should be finished by 2:45 p.m. Graduates will need to assemble on the steps of the Smith Center no later than 11:30 a.m. A reception will be held immediately following the ceremony in the School of Law Rotunda. The ceremony is open to the public, tickets are not required and students may bring an unlimited number of guests. Since the ceremony is held indoors, there is no rain date/location.

Parking

Parking is first-come, first-served in the lots surrounding the Dean Smith Center. One lot near the Smith Center will be assigned for disability parking. Several professional schools graduate at the Smith Center on May 11 and the School of Law time has been assigned the time slot of 1:00-3:00 p.m. Graduates and guests are encouraged to get to campus early in order to find a parking place. Be aware that UNC undergraduate Commencement is held the morning of May 11 and should end around 11:30 a.m. This ceremony is held in Kenan Stadium, however, the Smith Center is the rain location for that event. Please plan for heavy traffic on that day. As the date for Commencement nears, more information about parking and shuttles will be posted on the UNC-CH Commencement website and the Department of Public Safety website.

Lodging

Visit the Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau and the Durham Convention Visitors Bureau websites to learn about lodging, restaurants, shopping, and other area resources. All UNC professional schools and all UNC undergraduates have Commencement ceremonies on May 11, as does Duke University. Other local colleges and universities often have their ceremonies this weekend as well. If you are coming from out of town for Commencement, you may wish to make hotel accommodations early to secure lodging for the weekend.

Disability Accommodations

Guests attending the Commencement ceremony will be offered special seating within the Smith Center and disability parking. If it is possible to drop off your guest at the curb of the Dean Smith Center, he/she will have a shorter distance to travel than if you park in the lot. The first row of seats in the Dean Smith Center will be reserved for guests with disabilities. Elevators within the Smith Center will accommodate guests in wheelchairs. The School of Law provides four companion wheelchairs for the event, and student and staff marshals will be on hand to transport guests needing assistance into the Smith Center.

3L BBQ

The 3L BBQ will be held on Saturday, May 10 from 12:00 - 2:00 p.m. in the area beside the School of Law. The BBQ is an opportunity for students, family and friends to celebrate the achievement of graduation. The event is free to all 3Ls; tickets for guests can be purchased in advance from 3L class officers, or at the door.