| Who: | All students who will meet graduation requirements on, or prior to, September 6, 2019 who have notified the institution that they will be participating and any former graduates who have provided notification. |
| When: | Friday, June 28, 2019 at 6:30pm |
| Where: | Times Union Center for the Performing Arts
Jacoby Theater 300 Water Street Jacksonville, FL 32202 |
How do I get to the Times Union Center? Directions can be found at http://jaxevents.com/venues/times-union-center-for-the-performing-arts/directions/ rel=”noopener noreferrer”>http://jaxevents.com/venues/times-union-center-for-the-performing-arts/directions/
Where do I park? The Times-Union Center is within walking distance of several convenient parking locations. Parking prices may vary. Some of these locations include:
What time should I arrive? Graduates are required to arrive at the Times Union Center no later than 5:30 pm so you can get in your cap and gown, take some selfies and get in line for the ceremony!
Where do I go when I arrive? Graduates should enter the theater through the main entrance. You will be directed upstairs to the check-in table where you will receive instructions on picking up your cap and gown.
When do I get my cap and gown? They will be provided to you at the theater prior to the ceremony. Honor Cords will also be handed out at this time for those who qualify.
What should I wear? Male graduates should wear dress pants, dress shirt and dress shoes (tie is optional). Female graduates should wear a dress or dress pants and dress shoes. Ladies, be sure you can walk across the stage comfortably in your shoes. There will be stairs involved.
What time should my guests arrive? Your guests can arrive as early as 5:30 pm. The doors will open around 6:00 pm for seating. All guests should arrive and be seated by 6:15 pm. The ceremony starts promptly at 6:30 pm. Anyone arriving after 6:25 pm will not be allowed to enter until after the graduate processional and National Anthem.
How many guests can I bring and are there tickets? You can invite as many guests as you would like. There are no tickets necessary and no charge to attend. No ‘noise makers’ will be allowed in the theater.
Will I receive my diploma that day? You will be handed an empty diploma cover when you walk across the stage. Diplomas and transcripts are distributed once graduation requirements are met.
How will we be lined up? You may sit next to whomever you like. You will line up prior to entering the theater. Please follow the directions of the ushers who will be escorting you during the processional and dismissing you for the recessional.
How will my name be announced? During check in, you will receive a card with your name and program along with any academic honors listed on it. Please do not write on this card. If you wish to include a phonetic spelling of your name, see a graduation committee member at the check in table for assistance. Hold onto your card until your turn on stage. You will hand your card to the ‘reader’ on stage. They will read your name from this card as you cross the stage.
Will I get to wear an honor cord? Students possessing a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or better will be given a lime green honor cord to wear during the ceremony. This is yours to keep along with your tassel. If you are unsure of your GPA, please contact someone in administration.
Are there other cords I can earn? Yes. Students who have taken, and passed, a third-party proctored ASE exam will receive a blue cord. Proof of the ASE exam must be provided prior to the ceremony.
What do I need to know about the caps and gowns? Graduates will be wearing traditional black gowns with black caps. The caps and gowns are rented by J-Tech and must be returned to a member of the J-Tech administration prior to leaving the venue. You will receive a 2019 tassel to wear that you may take home.
Will pictures be taken during graduation? Yes, a photographer will be on hand to capture the exciting moment when you walk across the stage.
Can I take pictures after the ceremony? Yes, you will be provided the opportunity to take pictures in the lobby before you turn in your cap and gown. A J-Tech backdrop will be provided for photos and/or selfies. Have fun!
Will food be served? J-Tech has arranged for cake to be served following the ceremony.
Can I bring my children? Children may attend the ceremony but must be left with a friend or family member and must be supervised at all times. Children will not be allowed in the graduate preparation area.
Where do I store my personal items such as purse and cell phone? Please plan on leaving your personal items with a family member. Cell phones must remain on silent.
Should I “celebrate” before the ceremony? Please wait until after the ceremony to celebrate. Alcoholic beverages are not permitted at the ceremony and will be confiscated if found. Please do not show up under the influence of any mind-altering substances. We don’t want to have to ask you to leave and miss out on this celebration of your accomplishment.
Where do I park? The Times-Union Center is within walking distance of several convenient parking locations. Parking prices may vary. Some of these locations include:
- Water Street Garage: 541 Water Street (corner of Water and Broad Streets)
- Enterprise Parking: 336 W. Bay Street (Paved lot and garage at the Omni Hotel)
- Pro-America Parking: 317 Water Street West (Paved lot directly across from the Times-Union Center)
- Jacksonville Landing: 4 Independent Drive (west of the Times-Union Center)
What time should I arrive? Graduates are required to arrive at the Times Union Center no later than 5:30 pm so you can get in your cap and gown, take some selfies and get in line for the ceremony!
Where do I go when I arrive? Graduates should enter the theater through the main entrance. You will be directed upstairs to the check-in table where you will receive instructions on picking up your cap and gown.
When do I get my cap and gown? They will be provided to you at the theater prior to the ceremony. Honor Cords will also be handed out at this time for those who qualify.
What should I wear? Male graduates should wear dress pants, dress shirt and dress shoes (tie is optional). Female graduates should wear a dress or dress pants and dress shoes. Ladies, be sure you can walk across the stage comfortably in your shoes. There will be stairs involved.
What time should my guests arrive? Your guests can arrive as early as 5:30 pm. The doors will open around 6:00 pm for seating. All guests should arrive and be seated by 6:15 pm. The ceremony starts promptly at 6:30 pm. Anyone arriving after 6:25 pm will not be allowed to enter until after the graduate processional and National Anthem.
How many guests can I bring and are there tickets? You can invite as many guests as you would like. There are no tickets necessary and no charge to attend. No ‘noise makers’ will be allowed in the theater.
Will I receive my diploma that day? You will be handed an empty diploma cover when you walk across the stage. Diplomas and transcripts are distributed once graduation requirements are met.
How will we be lined up? You may sit next to whomever you like. You will line up prior to entering the theater. Please follow the directions of the ushers who will be escorting you during the processional and dismissing you for the recessional.
How will my name be announced? During check in, you will receive a card with your name and program along with any academic honors listed on it. Please do not write on this card. If you wish to include a phonetic spelling of your name, see a graduation committee member at the check in table for assistance. Hold onto your card until your turn on stage. You will hand your card to the ‘reader’ on stage. They will read your name from this card as you cross the stage.
Will I get to wear an honor cord? Students possessing a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or better will be given a lime green honor cord to wear during the ceremony. This is yours to keep along with your tassel. If you are unsure of your GPA, please contact someone in administration.
Are there other cords I can earn? Yes. Students who have taken, and passed, a third-party proctored ASE exam will receive a blue cord. Proof of the ASE exam must be provided prior to the ceremony.
What do I need to know about the caps and gowns? Graduates will be wearing traditional black gowns with black caps. The caps and gowns are rented by J-Tech and must be returned to a member of the J-Tech administration prior to leaving the venue. You will receive a 2019 tassel to wear that you may take home.
Will pictures be taken during graduation? Yes, a photographer will be on hand to capture the exciting moment when you walk across the stage.
Can I take pictures after the ceremony? Yes, you will be provided the opportunity to take pictures in the lobby before you turn in your cap and gown. A J-Tech backdrop will be provided for photos and/or selfies. Have fun!
Will food be served? J-Tech has arranged for cake to be served following the ceremony.
Can I bring my children? Children may attend the ceremony but must be left with a friend or family member and must be supervised at all times. Children will not be allowed in the graduate preparation area.
Where do I store my personal items such as purse and cell phone? Please plan on leaving your personal items with a family member. Cell phones must remain on silent.
Should I “celebrate” before the ceremony? Please wait until after the ceremony to celebrate. Alcoholic beverages are not permitted at the ceremony and will be confiscated if found. Please do not show up under the influence of any mind-altering substances. We don’t want to have to ask you to leave and miss out on this celebration of your accomplishment.