The 2011 University Commencement has been rescheduled to 10:30 a.m., University officials announced Friday.
In the past, all of the schools held convocations on either Friday or Saturday of graduation weekend. Events will begin on Thursday with the new schedule.
Associate Provost of Academic Initiatives Jake Julia said the schedule change will provide more flexibility over the course of the weekend.
“With President Schapiro on board we sat down and did the regular follow up that we do every year,” Julia said. “The thought was raised that it might be helpful to provide a little flexibility for some of the activities that go on, so it didn’t feel like going from one thing to the other that day.”
The weekend will begin Thursday, June 16, with the President’s reception and Baccalaureate service. University Commencement and the SESP convocation will take place the following day. The McCormick, Bienen, Medill, Weinberg and Communication convocations will take place the day after.
According to Julia, the university will be making calls to local hotels on behalf of members of the community who need to rearrange their travel plans.
“We’re really hopeful that moving it up from evening to daytime doesn’t cause too much disturbance,” Julia said.