I have been receiving a number of calls and e-mails about transporting elderly and/or disabled visitors to Gregory Gym for the MPA Commencement. There will be a drop-off area in front of Gregory Gym, between the gym and McCombs.  Visitors can be dropped off there at 2:30 p.m. on the day of the ceremony and then can walk into the entrance at the front door.  There they can sit in line to wait for the elevators.  Gregory Gym staff will also have wheelchairs to wheel guests from the curb into the building, if necessary.  All able-bodied visitors can enter the gym at 2:30 p.m. by accessing the stairs outside of the gym (again, between the gym and McCombs).  MPA graduates will enter the building at 2 p.m. to get ready for the ceremony.  More information for graduates will be e-mailed to you a few days before the ceremony.

Also, the MPA Commencement reception will be a nice air-conditioned, indoor venue for elderly and/or disabled guests to wait until the ceremony starts.  It will be from 1 – 2:30 p.m. in the Atrium and CBA Events Room on the third floor of McCombs. There will be beverages, cookies, and fruit, and a balloon artist for entertainment.  Ask him to make your mom a wrist corsage–they’re always a hit!

If you or your guests require a sign-language interpreter at the MPA Commencement, please e-mail MPAEvents@mccombs.utexas.edu or call the MPA Program Office at 512-471-6559 by May 6 so that arrangements can be made.

There is information regarding services for people with disabilities at the UT-wide ceremony online.

For more information about the MPA Commencement ceremony on May 20, please look here and here.  For anything not addressed online, please contact me at MPAEvents@mccombs.utexas.edu.  And share this information with your families!

Submitted by Madeline Chauvin