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Inclement Weather Plan
The Howard University Commencement Convocation is scheduled for Saturday, May 10, 2008, at 10:00 a.m., on the main campus Upper Quadrangle. To ensure a festive occasion, rain or shine, the University has developed inclement weather plans. If the forecast is for threatening weather, we recommend that beginning on Friday morning, the day before Commencement, you either listen to Howard University’s WHUR Radio, 96.3 FM, or watch Howard’s WHUT-TV, Channel 32, for updated information regarding the inclement weather plan. You may also call our Commencement hotline at 202-806-2166 (for local calls) or 1-877-482-6699 (for toll-free long distance calls). Up-to-date advisements will also be available on the Commencement 2008 website.
Each graduating senior will receive four (4) tickets for special guests seating on the Upper Quadrangle. If the weather permits, the ceremony will be held outdoors on the Upper Quadrangle as planned. If there is only a threat of inclement weather or overcast conditions, prospective graduates should proceed to the Burr Gymnasium and follow the instructions of the faculty marshals. In the event of inclement weather, the following conditions will govern our proceedings.
Thank you for your continued support of the University’s efforts to make this a most successful and enjoyable Commencement Convocation.
Inclement Weather
Under our Inclement Weather Plan, the Convocation will be held in the John H. Burr Gymnasium, 6th and Girard Streets, NW, and seating will be restricted. If there is inclement weather (continuous rain showers or thunderstorms) the morning of the event, all prospective graduates should report immediately to the Burr Gymnasium and be seated by 7:30 a.m. Ticketed and un-ticketed general admission guests should report immediately to the simulcast viewing locations, which will be distributed across the main campus at locations identified later in this letter.
If weather conditions are such that the Commencement Convocation must be held indoors, announcements will be made by Howard University’s radio and television stations. Also, status updates will be available at information booths, and from hosts/hostesses who will be stationed around the Convocation Arena.
Intermittent Showers
If the weather forecast calls for the possibility of intermittent showers, the University will proceed with an “accelerated” Commencement Convocation on the Upper Quadrangle (on-time start or weather delayed basis), unless heavy rain, thunder and lightning make that plan unfeasible.
Simulcast Viewing Sites
In the unlikely event that we must implement the Inclement Weather Plan, the University has limited indoor seating to accommodate all guests, and there will be restricted seating in Burr Gymnasium. In order to maximize ceremony viewing site accommodations for graduate guests, space will be made available at the simulcast viewing locations on a first-come, first-served basis until all designated University facilities have reached their optimum allowable capacity, consistent with fire and safety regulations.
The simulcast viewing sites on campus are listed below:
- Burr Gymnasium
- Cramton Auditorium
- Blackburn – Auditorium, Ballroom, Forum, and Reading Room
- Ira Aldridge Theater
- School of Business Auditorium
- Social Work Auditorium
Note: Inclement weather seating on the Burr Gymnasium main floor will be restricted to the graduates, the faculty, the choir and orchestra, and the guests of the Convocation Orator and the honorary degree recipients.
WHUT-TV, Channel 32 and WHUR Radio, 96.3 FM Broadcasts
In the event of inclement weather, graduates are requested to encourage their guests to view the Commencement Convocation on WHUT-TV, Channel 32, or listen to the broadcast on WHUR Radio, 96.3 FM. Both University broadcast outlets will carry the ceremonies live, whether they are held on the Upper Quadrangle or in Burr Gymnasium. A Webcast of the Commencement Convocation can also be viewed on the World Wide Web.
The University is making every effort to accommodate as many guests and visitors as possible in the event of inclement weather. If we are forced to implement our Inclement Weather Plan for the 140th Commencement exercise, we ask for your cooperation, consideration, patience, and understanding.
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