Commencement Information for Graduates and their Guests
Be Planning Now for the Big Day on May 29, 2021!
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- Commencement day activities for graduates begins with rehearsal on Saturday morning at 9:00 AM followed by a Meet and Greet Time at 10 AM. Be certain to plan your travel accordingly so graduates can be present at the mandatory rehearsal that morning. Doors will open at 2 PM for the actual commencement ceremony that begins at 3 PM. (Guests may attend rehearsal in the morning, while seated separately to allow for graduates to receive uninterrupted instructions.)
- All graduates (those attending in person and those not attending) should be watching their email inbox closely for important information, instructions, and response forms (including instructions for placing your online order for cap and gown by the deadline of May 6, 2021) that will be coming from the Registrar’s Office. Please respond promptly to the notifications so this special combined class commencement ceremony can be properly designed to appropriately honor every graduate from both class years.
Seating for Family and Friends
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- Sanctuary doors open for Commencement at 2 pm. NBC will abide by our host facility’s current local COVID-19 public meeting guidelines including any prescribed facial coverings and/or social distancing for seating arrangements. All family and guests should arrive at 2 pm in order to select their seating area within the current group size limits. Ushers have been instructed to seat people within the unreserved designated public seating areas. There is no private reserving of seats available.
- Please help us by informing your family and friends ahead of time, and making arrangements to sit within you “safe group cells” of immediate household members as much as possible.
- Currently there are no set limits on the number of guests graduates may bring, but this could be subject to change depending on demand and local conditions. Graduates will be informed if/when limits are imposed.
Photography and Videography
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- Graduates may not carry or use a camera or cell phone during the Commencement Service. Family and friends are welcome to take photos at all events while encouraged not to disturb the ceremony or prevent others from enjoying the service.
- Guests may move into socially-distanced pre-marked positions for taking photos as their graduates receive their diploma, then quickly move on to allow room for others to do the same.
- Videographers must practice social distancing while using the designated area behind the audience seating.
- The Commencement ceremony will be professionally videotaped and will be live streamed and available for viewing on the NBC website.
Parking
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- Graduates, family, and friends, should plan to park in the lower level north parking lot of Central Church unless handicap parking is required.
Protocol for Graduates’ Attire
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- Graduates attending commencement should come prepared to meet the following standards of dress for this special occasion.
- WOMEN – Dress, or nice slacks and blouse; dress shoes or dress sandals (no tennis shoes or flip-flops).
- MEN – White dress shirt and tie (suit coat is optional); dress slacks; dress shoes (no tennis shoes or flip-flops).
- Do not attach flowers, jewelry, adornments, or messaging on the outside of your commencement regalia.
- You may not carry anything during the processional (including purses, cameras, or mobile phones). There will not be any reserved location to store purses or valuables during the ceremony. Please plan accordingly by securing all personal items and/or valuables prior to line-up.
Office of the Registrar
Published: 03/08/2021
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