Summer Update!

It looks as though it has been awhile since we have updated our blog, so I thought I would give you an update on what has been happening in Conference and Events this summer.

The academic year officially closes with Commencement Weekend. While other campus departments are winding down, Conferences and Events is just gearing up! Between Friday, May 14 and Sunday, May 16 our office oversees a total of seven degree conferral ceremonies: School of Nursing, School of Medicine and Dentistry, the Doctoral Ceremony, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Warner Graduate School of Education and Human Development, the College and the Eastman School of Music. The Simon Graduate School of Business Administration is our eighth degree conferral, which takes place in June due to their quarter system.

In additional to the seven degree conferrals taking place that weekend, there are also close to 30 diploma ceremonies (ceremonies where the students will physically receive their diplomas), receptions, dinners, and awards ceremonies. If you have never witnessed Commencement Weekend at the University of Rochester, you are missing out on quite an event. Mark your calendars for next May 13-15, 2011. Our office is always looking for ushers during the College Commencement that takes place on Sunday morning. Ushers assist with passing out programs, giving directions and seating families and friends.

Right after Commencement Weekend, our office’s attention focuses on Conference Summer Housing. Conference and Events oversees housing for close to 30 groups who spend the summer in the residence halls on River Campus. These groups range from academic groups coming to campus to take classes on River Campus, conduct medical research at Strong Memorial Hospital, or sports camps run through the Athletics Department. Conference and Events facilities the groups check-in and check-out dates, contracts, invoices, and works with offices such as Residence Life, Athletics, the Post Office, ID Office, Campus Dining and University Information Technology to make sure our guests’ stay is as smooth as possible.

While we are still a few weeks away from wrapping up another year of Conference Summer Housing, I think it is safe to say this summer has been one of the most successful summers we have ever had. The College made a push this year to make the summer vibrant and alive for our guests. The Office of Residential Life combined many programs into closer proximity to each other, creating a “community feel” which was sometimes missing during the summer months. Campus Dining offered extended summer hours and very flexible meal options and packages. The Student Activities Office offered a variety of events from movies, to shuttles to local festivals and events, to many recreational activities. A new initiative from the Student Activities Office I heard great feedback from was their weekly “Summer Weekend Highlights” email that went out to summer guests, noting what was taking place not only on campus but in the community.

Has your office thought about housing guests in the summer, whether it is for research, an internship, or community work? Feel free to contact me at 585-273-1765 or at scott.verrenti@rochester.edu and we can discuss what options would work best for your group.

In the next blog entry I will be talking about how Conference and Events is planning some very interesting events within the next couple of months. Stay tuned!

-Scott