Information for Guests
(Additional Information for Graduating Seniors)
Hotel Accommodations
Spelman College has reserved rooms at a special rate for Commencement at the preferred hotels listed below. Room availability is limited and space is not guaranteed so make your reservations early.
Atlanta Airport Marriott Gateway
2020 Convention Center Concourse
Atlanta, Georgia 30337
404-763-1544
Rate: $102
- Up to four reservations per person can be made without a charge.
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A non-refundable deposit is required for five or more reservations in one name.
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Please use 0CD when making reservations.
SpringHill Suites Atlanta Airport Gateway
2091 Convention Center Concourse
Atlanta, Georgia 30337
707-907-8880
Rate: $101 - $111
Parking
For the Class Day ceremony on Friday, May 17, and the Baccalaureate on Saturday, May 18, all campus parking facilities will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. There will be no charge for parking.
Guests may park in the Spelman College Parking Deck, the Milligan Parking Lot, and the Fine Arts Parking Lot. In addition to these locations, several parking areas will be reserved to accommodate guests with special needs.
Please allow ample travel time with traffic, and plan to arrive at least an hour before the doors close to allow time for parking and admittance to the event hall. To ensure emergency access, all roadways must remain clear of parked vehicles.
Photography and Videotaping
All senior photos are taken for the yearbook on Nov. 7 - 9, 2012, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. in Lower Manley. Please contact the Office of Student Life and Engagement (Manley 201, 404-270-5139) with any questions.
Your class photo will occur at 8 a.m. prior to the Founders Day Convocation, and is offered as part of Commencement photo packages.
Personal audio-video taping and photography during the Baccalaureate and Commencement ceremonies are prohibited; however, each graduate will receive a copy of the Commencement ceremony, and additional copies may be ordered. Families may also order professional photography of graduates.
Video Request Form
- Family and friends wishing to take photographs of candidates are asked to do so either before or after ceremonies.
- Personal audio-video taping and photography during the Baccalaureate and Commencement ceremonies are prohibited.
Information for Mobility Impaired Guests
Please note: Spelman College and the Georgia International Convention Center do not provide wheelchairs for mobility impaired guests.
ADA Medical
4970 Austell Road
Austell, GA. 30106
Contact: Mr. Aniedi James
Phone: 678-398-0505
Power Wheel Chairs
Contact: Dallas Colla
Office: 404-669-3565
Cell: 404-478-7148
Dcolla@powerchairservices.com
Mobility impaired guests may be dropped off at the entrance closest to the event designated for guests needing special assistance. Upon entrance into the event area, there will be hostesses available to assist with seating. A special seating section is available for mobility impaired guests. Only one person may accompany that guest and sit in the special seating area. No exceptions will be made.
Commencement Etiquette
The Commencement exercise is a formal academic ceremony. We ask that all guests respect the ceremony, graduates and other guests by behaving in the dignified manner that the occasion merits. In keeping with decorum and the Spelman tradition, we ask that guests adhere to the following guidelines.
Key Points:
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There will be no moving out of dormitories between the hours of 7 a.m. and 12 p.m. on the day of Baccalaureate
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Keep all confetti, balloons, and noisemakers outside of the venue
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Food, beverages, or rude and disruptive behavior will not be permitted. Security personnel will be on-site to enforce these restrictions and prevent disruptive behavior
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Cellular phones should be turned to their silent operating modes to help ensure that all guests can hear and enjoy the graduation activities
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During the reading of the names of the graduates, we ask guests to be considerate in their applause so that all names are heard clearly and the ceremony is not disrupted. We ask that you express your excitement in ways that will not prevent others from hearing the speakers and enjoying the ceremony
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Please remain in your seats for the duration of the ceremony until after the recessional. Please do not block the aisles or passageways by attempting to greet or take photos with graduates
Other Information