Florida Commencement

Florida Commencement 2008    (updated March  20, 2008)
Sunday, May 18, 1:00 pm

Event Hotel*

Hilton Miami Airport
5101 Blue Lagoon Drive
Miami, Florida, 33126
Tel:  305-262-1000   Fax: 1-305-267-0038
http://www1.hilton.com/en_US/hi/hotel/MIAAHHH-Hilton-Miami-Airport-Florida/index.do
Directions to hotel   

*Please contact the hotel to reserve rooms. 

NEW:  The hotel will be charging $5.00 to park. 

Commencement Speaker

This year's speaker is James Bell, the founder and executive director of the W. Haywood Burns Institute.  He received his J.D. from Hastings College of the Law.  Bell and his colleagues at the Burns Institute are working with systems and community stakeholders to reduce disproportionality of youth of color in the juvenile justice system in 23 jurisdictions throughout the country.  He has extensive experience in the international juvenile justice arena; prior to founding the Burns Institue, Bell served as a staff attorney at the Youth Law Center in San Francisco for over 20 years, representing incarcerated youth.

Eligibility to participate in this year's Florida commencement:

  • You have already graduated and received your diploma but have not participated in a past commencement, OR
  • Your final term to fulfill academic requirements will begin on or before Spring /Summer Session, April 28, 2008, and you have met all financial obligations required to date. 

Your financial obligation can only be processed through the Business Office in Cincinnati, Ohio.  Please contact Lisa Schnapp, learner account manager, 800-486-3116, ext. 1187, lisa.schnapp@tui.edu

Note: Participation in the commencement ceremony is not certification of graduation, but rather an event celebrating your academic achievements. Graduation occurs when you complete all degree requirements and financial obligations to the university. Only then do you receive your diploma and transcript.

Petition to Commence packets of information were mailed out from the Communication Department in Cincinnati, Ohio, on January 30, 2008. If you have not received this information, contact Angela Byles, Florida Center:  305.653.7141, ext. 2108 or angela.byles@tui.edu

May 7 and May 8 from 1:00 pm–7:00 pm

Formal commencement portraits prior to the ceremony at the Florida Academic Center by Photos by Goguen.  View your proofs instantly. Payment due at time of the photo shoot—cash and checks only.  Three packages available:

Package A (one pose):  $35.00 + tax; includes 1 8x10, 2 5x7, 8 wallet size
Package B (two poses):  $80.00 + tax; includes 2 8x10, 4 5x7, 1 11x14, 16
Package C (up to six poses):  $159.95 + tax; includes 3 8x10, 6 5x7, 1 16x29, 24   wallet size, and all proofs.

Ceremony and Reception Schedule

  • Robing Rooms:  Open 10:30 am – 4:00 pm. Look for posted signs directing you to specific locations for ironing, robing, and procession line-up.
  • Photographer:  Available: 10:30 am – 12:30 pm
  • Procession Line-up: 12:30 pm in front of the International Ballroom
  • Commencement Ceremony: 1:00 pm in International Ballroom
  • Commencement Reception: 2:30 – 4:00 pm  in International Foyer
  • Admission by ticket only.  There is no charge for the tickets. Due to space restrictions, commencers are limited to seven (7) guests—including children ages four (4) and older.
     

Request for Special Services for Persons with Disabilities

Requests for special accommodations for disabilities (ADA) must be submitted no less than 30 days prior to the event.  However, if the necessary accommodation is a reader or a signer, a 60-day minimum notice is required. The request will be reviewed, verified with the requester regarding the necessary accommodation, and then final arrangements made.  Accommodations cannot be guaranteed if the request is made in less than the stated minimum timeframe. Contact: Neal Meier, Ph.D. / Associate Provost for Administration /  802.828.8837 / 800.336.6794 / FAX 513.861.9021 / neal.meier@tui.edu / www.tui.edu

Commencement questions?

Contact Angela Byles: 305-653-7141, ext. 2108  /  800.486-7141, ext. 2108
TDD: 800.486-9968  /  FAX: 305-653-2109  /  E-mail: angela.byles@tui.edu