<p>@45 Percenter Are these individual school ceremonies the same times and venues every year? I don’t have to worry about this until next year, but was just curious if there was a policy of no overlaps or not. It looks like there could be a few. </p>
<p>Also, It looks like this only covers times for undergrads. I am worried about a potential conflict between CAS and the Law School. </p>
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<p>I don’t know if they’re the same every year, but this year, the Law School ceremony is on Sunday at 12 noon (off campus at Philly’s historic Academy of Music), so no conflict with the CAS ceremony this year:</p>
<p><a href=“Commencement Media • News & Events • Penn Carey Law”>https://www.law.upenn.edu/newsevents/commencement.php</a></p>
<p>And again, as you may be aware, there will never be a conflict between any individual school ceremony and the actual university commencement at which degrees are formally conferred.</p>
<p>Congratulations to the Proud parents of soon to be college graduates :)</p>
<p>^^Thank you! I have seen the commencement page. It has a list of prohibited items and suggests only bringing things that will fit in your pockets. I don’t have anything with pockets to wear - but besides that, with staying at a hotel in Center City and most likely going to dinner and other events/parties directly following graduation, I would really like to have my purse with me. Husband says to bring it anyway but I don’t want a kerfuffle from security. Does anyone know if people just bring their purses anyway, even though the literature says not to?</p>
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<p>Where did you see that? I took a look at the site and couldn’t find it, but I probably missed it.</p>
<p>Did it say just bring a small bag or things small enough to fit into your pocket as a guideline?</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.upenn.edu/pennnews/current/2013-03-28/latest-news/frequently-asked-questions-about-commencement”>http://www.upenn.edu/pennnews/current/2013-03-28/latest-news/frequently-asked-questions-about-commencement</a></p>
<p>(If that link works.)</p>
<p>“Oversized bags will not be allowed in the stadium and guests are strongly discouraged from bringing bags (including handbags) unless absolutely necessary.”</p>
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<p>That was specifically for last year’s commencement, at which the speaker was Vice President Biden and at which, accordingly, security precautions were significantly more stringent than usual (as pointed out in that Penn Current article). I’m fairly certain that purses will be allowed this year (albeit subject to inspection), although you could call the Office of the University Secretary to verify that:</p>
<p><a href=“https://secure.www.upenn.edu/secretary/index.html”>https://secure.www.upenn.edu/secretary/index.html</a></p>
<p>As exciting and impressive as this year’s speaker–multiple-Grammy-winner (and Penn alum) John Legend–may be, I don’t think he comes with his own Secret Service detail and heightened security. ;)</p>
<p>For commencement, go EARLY especially if you need to take a cab to campus. For my son’s commencement years ago, we were in a taxi stuck in traffic and creeping, so we decided to get out and walked about 3/4 of a mile to Franklin Field. I think that was for the All University ceremony. For my son’s Wharton commencement, it was also at Franklin Field and not as congested.</p>
<p>The costs of staying at Sheraton or Hilton Inn hotels were high and required a 3 or 4 day minimum stay but I can see its benefits.BTW, these hotels should be booked a year ahead of commencement.</p>
<p>45% - I know that was for last year but they linked to it on this year’s commencement page. I can only go by what they tell me.</p>
<p>Good info about the taxi. We booked our hotel as soon as the dates became available for booking. But we chose not to stay near campus so we’ll be taking that taxi in from center city.</p>
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<p>I just found that link at the bottom of the page but, again, that Penn Current article specifically states that security was heightened to an unusual degree last year because of Vice President Biden’s presence. So it’s very possible that purses will be allowed THIS year. As I previously suggested, you can call the Office of the University Secretary–which is in charge of commencement–to verify at (215) 898-7005 between 8:30 am and 5:30 pm on weekdays:</p>
<p><a href=“https://secure.www.upenn.edu/secretary/index.html”>https://secure.www.upenn.edu/secretary/index.html</a> (see bottom of page)</p>
<p>Thank you 45% - that is very helpful information. I’m glad I came here and asked.</p>
<p>So another question about graduation - where do you go for a fancy dinner in Philly?</p>
<p>^ Too many choices! Philly is a FANTASTIC restaurant town. What kind of cuisine? And in which neighborhood? There are several restaurant districts, and the choices are extensive. Probably a good idea to get a reservation as soon as possible. Here are a couple of sites to help you get started:</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.phillymag.com/articles/50-restaurants-philadelphia-2012/#gallery-1-1”>http://www.phillymag.com/articles/50-restaurants-philadelphia-2012/#gallery-1-1</a></p>
<p><a href=“A Guide to the Best Food and Drink in Philly - Visit Philadelphia”>A Guide to the Best Food and Drink in Philly - Visit Philadelphia;
<p>For more, Google “Philadelphia restaurants.”</p>
<p>@Class of 2018 parents, is there a facebook group for Penn '18 parents?</p>
<p>Good question! </p>
<p>What??? Parents know how to use FACEBOOK??? :P</p>
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<p>I would suggest that after your fancy dinner, if you still have about a dollar left per person, go over to Federal Donut and have an amazing dessert.</p>
Just bumping this thread to see if there are new Penn parents around. There is another thread going that has info on a private fb page, Parents of UPenn Students. If you want to join, send me a PM or look it up on fb.
Just a little tip that CC blanks out personal emails sometimes, so be patient if you’ve sent me a PM to join our private Facebook group, Parents of UPenn Students.
@sbjdorlo I’m not sure I understand. There is a Facebook page for Penn Parents that can only be joined if someone on CC lets you in? What about all the parents who aren’t on college confidential?