Guest Information

Family and Friends
Guests should go directly to the stadium stands.

Seating
Tickets are not necessary; seating in the stands is first-come, first-served. All unoccupied seats will be released at 10:30 a.m. Guests are not permitted in the graduate seating area at any time.

A section is reserved for handicapped guests, who may be accompanied by one family member or friend. Please tell the usher if you need to be seated near the hearing impaired interpreter.

Photos
Photos available from Chappell and Photo Genius.

Weather

The Commencement ceremony will be held in Carl Smith Stadium rain or shine. Guests may want to bring sunglasses, sunscreen, hats, ponchos, stadium cushions and comfortable shoes. In the event that extreme weather conditions threaten personal safety, the ceremony may be delayed or concludes early.

If the ceremony concludes early, degrees will be conferred en masse and diplomas may be picked up in the Greear Gymnasium.

Weather information will be updated daily on the Web site beginning May 14, and a recorded message will be available at 276-376-4766.

Disability Accommodations
Handicapped-accessible parking is available; however, guests must walk a short distance. Limited wheelchair seating is available. If you need to be seated near an interpreter for the hearing impaired, or if you need to borrow a wheelchair, please call 276-328-0285 no later than May 11.

UVa-Wise is pleased to offer the following services for guests with disabilities during Commencement weekend. The locations for these services are clearly marked with signs posted at the events.  In addition, there will be ushers wearing red polo shirts at each event. Please feel free to ask for assistance.

Parking

There are a limited amount of handicapped accessible parking spots available for guests with mobility impairments at the Alumni Reception and Awards Convocation and at Commencement. Guests who wish to use the handicapped accessible parking spots must have a handicapped parking tag or license plate. Spaces will be held until 10:30 a.m. for those who have made a reservation.

Restrooms
Restrooms at both locations are handicapped-accessible.

Seating and Wheelchairs

Space for guests in wheelchairs, as well as seating for others with impaired mobility, will be available at the Greear Gymnasium and the Carl Smith Stadium. When you reply to your invitation for these events, please let us know if you will need special seating.

In order to accommodate as many wheelchair users as possible, only one additional family member may sit in the wheelchair seating area at the Carl Smith Stadium.

Additional Services
American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation is available at both the Alumni Reception and at Commencement with prior arrangements made by May 1.  Please let an usher know if you have requested this service.

For more information or to reserve handicapped seating or parking, please contact:

Diane Cornett

276-328-0285

commencement@uvawise.edu

Parking
There is ample parking at the Carl Smith Stadium. When those lots are full, overflow parking will be directed to the campus and a shuttle bus will run to the stadium and back. Graduates should park at the stadium.

Videos
An official videographer will videotape the ceremony. To purchase a video, contact:
Photo Genius
PO Box 1238
Gate City, VA 24251
276-386-2547

www.photogenius.org

Lodging
Best Western of Wise 328-3500
Holiday Inn-Norton 679-7000
Super 8 Motel 679-0893
Comfort Inn 523-5911
Jefferson Motel 679-1280
Travelers Motel 796-5428

The Office of Summer Conferences is pleased to announce that Culbertson and Henson Halls will be available for families of graduating seniors to rent, May 17-19, 2007.  Culbertson and Henson Halls are air-conditioned, suite-style residence halls. The fee is $22 per person (does not include linens).  Rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis. More information will be sent to the parents of graduating seniors.  Please contact Julie Scott at (276) 376-1000 or Tamara Robinson at (276) 376-4502 if you have any questions. 

Dining
Applebee's 679-5790
Bonanza Family Restaurant 679-1918
China Cafe 679-1502
China Garden 679-5201
Fishtales 679-1651
Huddle House 679-6526
Mi Finca (Mexican) 679-3330
Monterrey’s (Mexican) 679-5850
Mosby’s 679-1101
Prime Sirlion 679-0673
Reno’s 328-2924
Roma’s (Italian) 328-3714