Information on Yale SOM Commencement 2008

On May 26, 2008, the 203 members of the Class of 2008 are expected to receive their MBAs. They will be joined by 21 anticipated graduates from the MBA for Executives: Leadership in Healthcare program. The diploma ceremony, scheduled for around 1 p.m. in Caulkins Courtyard, is the culmination of five days of events. Below is a schedule of related upcoming events:

(For general information on Yale commencement, including hotels and restaurants, go to http://www.yale.edu/commencement/.)

Calendar of SOM Events for Students, Family, and Friends

Thursday, May 22:
Faculty reception, 5:00-6:30 p.m., Lawn behind 55 Hillhouse
Class dinner, 7:00-9:30 p.m., New Haven Lawn Club

Friday, May 23:
Champagne Brunch hosted by Alumni Relations and SOMAA, 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Lawn behind 55 Hillhouse
Commencement rehearsal for the Class of 2008, 1:00-2:00 p.m., Caulkins Courtyard

Saturday, May 24:
Picnic at Lighthouse Point Park, 5:30-8:00 p.m. (Advance registration required)

Bus transport: Leaves 60 Sachem Street for Lighthouse Point Park at 5:15, 5:40 and 6:00 p.m. Return transport leaves Lighthouse Point for 60 Sachem Street at 7, 7:30, and 8:00 p.m.

Driving directions to Lighthouse Point Park: Take I-95 North to the Woodward Avenue exit. Turn right at Townsend Avenue (2nd traffic light). Follow Townsend Avenue for approximately 2.25 miles. Turn right onto Lighthouse Road to enter the park. Tell park attendant that you are a guest at the School of Management event.

Sunday, May 25:
Yale Campus Tours, departing from Caulkins Courtyard at 11:00 and 11:30 a.m.
Faculty Lectures, A74, 1:00 p.m. (Professor Jeffrey Sonnenfeld) and 2:00 p.m. (Professor Erica Dawson)

Monday, May 26:
University Commencement Ceremony, 10:30 a.m., Old Campus

For directions and information about parking and shuttle transport see
http://www.yale.edu/commencement/html/directions.html

At the conclusion of the University ceremony, please proceed immediately to Caulkins Courtyard. From Phelps Archway, turn left onto College Street and proceed along College Street past Elm and Wall Streets to Grove Street, where College Street becomes Prospect Street. Continue straight on Prospect Street past Trumbull Street to the School of Management, located at 135 Prospect Street.

SOM Diploma Ceremony, approximately 1.00 p.m., Caulkins Courtyard (see Commencement Day Rain Contingency below). Optional box lunches available following the ceremony (advance registration required).

TV broadcast of the University Commencement Ceremony at SOM
Family and friends are welcome to view the University Commencement ceremony on television at SOM via cable TV broadcast in the Hall of Mirrors and A-level classrooms.

Photography
A professional photographer will capture images of the graduates as they receive their diplomas from the Dean (graduates will be contacted after Commencement when these photos become available). A small area near the stage will be reserved for family and friends who wish to take photographs during the ceremony. Space is limited; please be respectful of others.

SOM Souvenirs
SOM T-shirts, baby clothes and other items will be on sale Monday, May 26 (Commencement Day) in the SOM Mailroom between 11 a.m. and 3.30 p.m. (the mailroom will be closed during the SOM diploma ceremony).

Commencement Day Rain Contingency
The University ceremony is held outdoors on Old Campus, rain or shine. In case of severe weather, the SOM Diploma Ceremony will be postponed until 3:00 p.m. in Woolsey Hall (located on the corner of Prospect and Grove Streets); an announcement will be made via email to the Class of 2008 no later than 8.30 a.m. on Commencement Day. Lightweight rain ponchos will be available in the SOM Mailroom and Hall of Mirrors.