With 4,000 clear ponchos in storage, UF has the Spring 2016 graduates covered in case of rain.
With construction delayed at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center, the Spring 2016 commencements being held in the football stadium again looks like a possibility, said Lynda Reinhart, director of the O’Connell Center.
Construction was set to begin in March, but challenges to the process have delayed the timeline, Reinhart said.
“We’re hoping to have everything finalized by the end of next month,” she said.
With layout drawings due mid-June and the final budget due at the end of June, a final review is set to occur July 1 and 2.
Reconstruction of the 35-year-old building has already begun, Reinhart said, and it’s being gutted from the inside, out. Mercury abatement — or the removal of mercury in the flooring — is the first step and will take about six weeks.
If the plans go through in July, construction will be visible around November, Reinhart said.
Summer and Fall 2015 graduations will be held in the O’Connell Center, although it is unclear whether the Spring 2016 commencements will be held in the O’Connell Center or in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
Donna Stricker, director of presidential events and commencement, helped ensure that ponchos were readily available for students and marshals during the Spring 2015 commencement.
The 4,000 ponchos, which is enough for two commencements, were kept in the stadium store as a precaution in case of bad weather, Stricker said.
“We all know you can’t fight Mother Nature,” she said.
Audience members were advised to come prepared for the weather and dress accordingly, as umbrellas aren’t allowed in the stadium. Ponchos were also available for purchase for $7.95 or $18.95, depending on the quality and style.
Ashleigh Whyte, a UF animal sciences major, is set to graduate in Spring 2016. The 21-year-old said graduating in the stadium wouldn’t be too bad, considering it is an iconic symbol of UF.
“If it was a really nice day out, I think I’d prefer (graduation) in the Swamp,” Whyte said. Although getting rained on wouldn’t be ideal, she added.
Serena Martin, 21, a health science major set to graduate in Spring 2016, said she’d prefer graduating in the O’Connell Center but wouldn’t mind the stadium.
She admits the stadium allows for better pictures, but the unpredictable Florida weather would be a problem.
Although in the end, Martin said, she’s going to graduation no matter what.
[A version of this story ran on page 9 on 5/28/15]
