Wharton Graduate Division Graduation Ceremony

Severe Weather Plan

The Wharton MBA Graduation Ceremony will be held in Franklin Field, rain or shine. The following plan will only be implemented if weather conditions make it dangerous for students and guests to be outdoors. Students should assume that the ceremony is being held outdoors without delay unless otherwise notified by the means listed below.

If there is a threat of lightning or other dangerous conditions, the ceremony will first be delayed until the weather clears. If the dangerous conditions persist, the ceremony may be relocated to the Palestra.

In cases of a ceremony delay, students will continue to line up outside of Franklin field at noon and await further instruction. Guests should seek shelter in areas close to Franklin Field to await further notice. These areas include: the concourse of Franklin Field, Moravian Café (at 3401 Walnut Street), Penn Tower Hotel, Sheraton Hotel, Inn at Penn, Houston Hall and Sansom Common.

The Wharton Undergraduate ceremony, which precedes the MBA ceremony, may also be affected by delays. A delay of the Wharton Undergraduate Ceremony may result in a delay in the MBA Ceremony start time. Again, students should assume that the ceremony is being held outdoors without delay unless otherwise notified by the means listed below.

If the ceremony needs to move indoors:

10 – 11 AM: Emergency Message will be posted on MBA Program Office web page and SPIKE.

Voicemail message on MBA Program Office voicemail will be changed. Students will be told to report to the North Corridor of Palestra. Guests should report to the west gate of the Palestra.

Cohort Marshals will be notified of change in plan. Cohort Marshals will use phone lists to notify cohort-mates of changes or to tell them to check website.Students that will be seated on the stage will continue to report to the Donaldson Room at noon.

If dangerous weather arises during the ceremony, the ceremony will end immediately. Students and guests should report to Huntsman Hall at 3:30 PM for a celebratory reception.