Spring 2008 Commencement

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

I have heard that the May Baccalaureate Mass and Commencement Ceremony location has been changed. Is that true?
Yes, the Baccalaureate Mass and Commencement Ceremonies on May 17th, 2008 have been moved from the Ohio Theatre back to the main campus of Ohio Dominican University.

Why has the University changed the location for Baccalaureate and Commencement?
Earlier this week the Komen Race for the Cure, held on the same day at the same time as Ohio Dominican’s Baccalaureate Mass and Commencement, announced it has changed the center location for their event to the Statehouse which is located next to the Ohio Theatre. The Race for the Cure is likely to attract nearly 40,000+ people to the downtown Columbus area. This recent change will likely create extensive transportation issues on streets adjacent to the Saint Joseph Cathedral and The Ohio Theatre. As such, Ohio Dominican University has made provisions so that the Baccalaureate Mass and Commencement Ceremony can be held on our Main Campus.

Have there been any changes to the start times for Commencement practice, Baccalaureate Mass, or the Commencement Ceremony?
YES. Commencement rehearsal will occur on main campus at 5:30pm on Thursday, May 15th. Baccalaureate Mass will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 17th in Matesich Theatre. Commencement Ceremonies will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 17th on the Oval.

Does Ohio Dominican University have enough parking to accommodate all of the people who will be on-campus for Commencement?
YES. Ohio Dominican University has a parking plan which will accommodate all patrons attending or participating in Baccalaureate Mass and Commencement Ceremonies. Rest assured that there will be ample parking on and around campus for you and your families.

How will this impact ticketing for Baccalaureate and Commencement?
In keeping with tradition, we are planning to hold the Commencement Ceremony on the Oval at Ohio Dominican University, weather permitting. This allows graduates to have as many family and friends attend as they would like. As in past years, provisions are being made for inclement weather in which case the Commencement Ceremony will be held in Alumni Hall on the campus of Ohio Dominican University. Tickets will be distributed to each graduate in the event the Ceremony needs to be moved indoors for inclement weather. In the event of inclement weather, overflow seating will be available in Matesich Theatre so the ceremony can be watched by those who do not have a ticket for Alumni Hall.

How many tickets will I receive since the venue has changed from the Ohio Theatre to Ohio Dominican University?
Remember, if weather permits, graduates will not need tickets for friends and family and they will be able to have as many people attend Commencement as they would like. Tickets will be distributed to graduates for their families and friends to be used ONLY in the event of inclement weather.

Will a waitlist still be available for additional “inclement weather” tickets?
We have now closed the waitlist for additional “inclement weather” tickets.  This decision is based on the number of graduates who have indicated they will be participating in Commencement Ceremonies.  We will maintain the list of requests from those graduates who already registered a request for additional waitlist tickets.  However, in light of the expected high turnout, we do not anticipate being able to fulfill any waitlist ticket requests.

It is important to remember, we are planning for an outside Ceremony on the Oval which does not require any tickets and allows you to have as many guests as you would like at Commencement.  Tickets will only be needed in the event the Ceremony is moved inside because of inclement weather.  If weather requires us to move indoors, those who do not have a ticket for Alumni Hall may watch the Ceremony in the Matesich Theatre.  No tickets are required to watch the Ceremony in the Matesich Theatre.  

What if I already requested additional “waitlist tickets” through Ohio Dominican University website when the event was going to be held at the Ohio Theatre?
Your position on the waitlist will be preserved and you will not need to submit an additional request for waitlist seating. Once we announce how many “inclement weather” tickets each graduate will receive, we will simply adjust your waitlist request accordingly so that those who already submitted a request for additional seating will not need to take any action.

I purchased Announcement Cards that have “The Ohio Theatre” printed on them. What is Ohio Dominican University doing to address this?
Any graduate who has paid for and received announcements from Jostens which have incorrect information relating to the Ohio Theatre will be reimbursed in-full by Ohio Dominican University.  If you are a graduate who has ordered announcements with incorrect information, you do not need to take any further action to receive your reimbursement.  Jostens has provided the University with your order information and the University will begin processing a reimbursement check that will be available for pick-up in the Office of Student Development on Friday, April 11.  If you would prefer that your check be mailed, please send a request to studentdevelopment@ohiodominican.edu with a correct mailing address. 

If you would still like to order announcements from Jostens with the updated information regarding our on-campus Commencement, you may do so by placing an order at www.jostens.com or by calling 1-800-854-7464.  Announcements typically take two weeks to receive from the time an order has been placed.  However, Jostens will work hard to try and expedite any orders received by Ohio Dominican University Graduates.  The University will not be placing any orders for additional announcements.

Are there any other changes we need to know about?
YES, just one. As a “thank you” for your flexibility and understanding of these recent changes, Bishop James Griffin, Interim President of Ohio Dominican University, will be providing each graduate with a free 5 x 7" photograph of the graduate receiving their degree at the Commencement Ceremony. The University will mail this to you in the weeks following the Commencement Ceremony (to the home address you have on file with us).