1.	My son/daughter is a member of the Class of (XXXX) - can you tell me what their graduation date will be?
	Class of 2009 - 27 May 2009; Class of 2010 - 2 June 2010; Class of 2011 - 1 June 2011; Class of 2012 - 30 May 2012
2.	What kind of security restrictions are in place at the Academy right now?
	The Academy is now open to visitors and guests, with the exception of the Cadet Area. Visitors may show their parking pass, drivers license, and/or a photo ID to enter the base through either the North or South gates. Guests may not enter the terrazzo or the cadet area buildings (dormitories and Fairchild Hall) without an authorized escort (generally, military member with a Cadet Area Badge). If guests require additional passes, they must request their cadets pick them up from their squadrons. All vehicles entering the base may be subject to inspection by security personnel. Guests should refrain from bringing large bags, coolers, backpacks or other items that will require additional scrutiny or searches from security personnel. If you are driving a rental car, please keep the rental agreement and current proof of insurance in the vehicle at all times.
3.	I am bringing elderly guests to the Graduation Week events. What should I consider when bringing infirm or handicapped guests to the Academy?
	Disabled guests should bring or rent any walkers, wheelchairs, breathing support or other special-needs or medical equipment they require (see question #36 for more information). They should also bring their state-issued "handicapped" placard or other documentation in order to park in designated handicapped lots. Because of the high altitude and possibility of extreme (hot, cold and/or wet) weather, guests with serious medical conditions such as anemia, heart disease or pulmonary disease should consult their doctor about the need for portable oxygen or preventive medication and the advisability of traveling to the Academy. Although handicapped shuttles will be available, there may be extensive walking required from bus stops to your final destination. Please make sure to consider this when bringing elderly or infirm guests to the Academy.
4.	Where is handicapped parking for events in the Cadet Area?
	Handicapped parking is available in the lot just north of the parade field. Guests should bring their own state handicapped placards. On Monday and Tuesday prior to graduation, handicapped shuttles will transport guests to event locations in the Cadet Area. For events on Saturday and Sunday, guests may park in the public lot closest to the event they are attending (such as the Harmon Hall lot for the Baccalaureate Services on Sunday at the Cadet Chapel).
5.	Where do handicapped park at the stadium for the Graduation Ceremony?
	Handicapped parking is available in Lot 5 of Falcon Stadium (immediately north of the stadium). There is also another smaller handicapped parking area in Lot 2. You may use your own state handicapped placard to enter these lots.
6.	How do handicapped guests get from the parking lot to the stadium?
	Golf carts or vans will be available to transport guests from these parking areas to the stadium. Entry to the stadium will be through Gates 3 or 4, which allow guests access to the handicapped/wheelchair seating at the top of the L sections of the stadium. Please allow plenty of extra time to get to the stadium. Although golf carts will do their best, there may be a wait for a cart to bring you to the stadium gate.
7.	Is there special handicapped seating in the stadium?
	Handicapped/wheelchair seating is available at the top of the L sections of the stadium. These seats are not ticketed and are first come, first served. Handicapped guests may sit here accompanied by one attendant. Stadium gates open at 8:00 a.m. and we recommend you arrive early if you require this seating. Please note that there are no elevators in the stadium. In addition, please remember that this is an outdoor, uncovered stadium. Whatever the weather brings on Graduation Day (very hot or very cold or even rain!), the guests in the stadium will have to tolerate for the duration of the ceremony. Once the ceremony begins, no one may leave the stadium until the end of the Thunderbirds Performance (around 12:45 p.m.). Please take this into account when making post-graduation travel plans.
8.	My mother is in a wheelchair. Are your shuttles able to transport wheelchairs?
	The shuttle buses that pick up guests at the handicapped lot just north of Stillman Parade Field will have special hydraulic lifts for wheelchairs. We recommend that guests bring (or rent) foldable or portable wheelchairs for convenience with the shuttles (see question #36 for more information).
9.	I need to leave the ceremony early to catch a flight? Is this a problem?
	Once the ceremony begins, the gates will be closed due to security considerations. Following the ceremony, the gates will open upon completion of the Thunderbirds performance at about 12:45 p.m. Please make your travel arrangements accordingly.
10.	How do guests get from the parking area to Mitchell Hall for the Graduation Reception?
	Shuttle buses will transport guests from the Field House parking areas to Fairchild Hall, where they will be escorted through the building and across to Mitchell Hall. Elevators will be available for handicapped or wheel chair guests.
11.	How do guests get from the Graduation Reception to Arnold Hall for the Graduation Ball?
	Shuttle buses will transport guests from the Field House parking areas and Fairchild Hall to Arnold Hall. Cadet-escorted guests may walk across the terrazzo to Arnold Hall.
12.	How do handicapped guests get to the commissioning ceremonies?
	Individual squadrons are responsible for arranging any required transportation for commissioning ceremonies. Parents or cadet guests who anticipate difficulty must contact their cadet to arrange special transportation.
13.	How many tickets can I get to the Graduation Ceremony?
	Graduating cadets will receive as many tickets as they need for their family and guests through their squadrons. An initial allotment of 20 tickets per graduating cadet is issued; after the initial allotment, cadets may request additional tickets for their guests, however these tickets may not be in the same location as the first tickets. Other cadet classes may also request tickets for their guests.
14.	How can the general public get tickets for graduation?
	General public tickets are available from the Colorado Springs or the Monument Chamber of Commerce beginning in mid-May. An announcement will be made through local media to inform the public when tickets are available. The Association of Graduates can help USAFA grads get tickets. There is no will-call for graduation ceremony tickets and tickets cannot be obtained from the Air Force Academy Athletic Ticket office.
15.	Who is speaking at Graduation this year? Next year?
	The graduation speaker for the Class of 2008 has not yet been confirmed. Please check back for additional information.
16.	How do I make sure I'm not seated in an area with an obstructed view in the stadium? Last year some people sat in an area that had a tent in front of the view.
	Please make sure you sit in the seats for the tickets you were provided. There are some areas of the stands that are not ticketed because there is an obstructed view. People who moved to these areas did not have a good view of the ceremony last year. You should have no problem if you sit in your designated seats.
17.	What can we bring into the stadium for the Grad Ceremony?
	Due to security restrictions in Falcon Stadium, all guests will pass through metal detectors and may have purses or personal items searched. All guests must have tickets to enter the stadium. No boxes, alcohol, weapons, firecrackers, umbrellas, beverage containers of any sort, backpacks, large handbags, coolers, thermoses or similar items will be allowed in the stadium. Food and drink are prohibited with the exception of clear, unopened water bottles. Cameras and video cameras are permitted; however, please be prepared to remove camera lenses for security inspection at the stadium gates. Diaper bags will be allowed when a child is present - no strollers please. Refreshments will be available from vendors throughout the stadium.
18.	Are banners allowed in the stadium?
	We don't allow banners as they can create problems, one for those around not being able to see and then they can be a real problem in terms of policing and what is on them. We allow hand held poster-sized signs that do not present a problem for other patrons and of course are appropriate in content. We ask that you and your guests not wear T-shirts with potentially offensive sayings to this event.
19.	Can I bring a video camera or a camera with a telephoto lens into the graduation ceremony?
	Yes, video cameras and telephoto lenses may be brought into Falcon Stadium. Guests should be prepared to turn on the camera and remove any telephoto lenses for inspection at the stadium gate upon entry.
20.	I am a diabetic and need to bring special foods into the stadium for the ceremony - how do I do this?
	Food and drink are available from a variety of vendors at Falcon Stadium during the ceremony. If you require special food items not available from the vendors, please make sure you bring a doctor's note stating your requirement for the food items you bring in. Please note that coolers, thermoses and backpacks may not be brought into the stadium.
21.	My grandmother/grandfather is in bad health and will need some assistance getting around the Academy. Can you provide wheelchairs or other medical equipment assistance?
	Unfortunately, USAFA has no means to provide such equipment for guests. Guests may bring their own wheelchairs or medical equipment, and may rent specialized medical equipment from companies in the Colorado Springs area (see question #36 below for more information). Special handicapped shuttles with hydraulic lifts will transport guests during events held in the Cadet Area. No transportation will be provided from the Cadet Area to the stadium on Graduation Day. Parking will be available at Falcon Stadium and golf carts or vans will transport handicapped guests from the handicapped parking areas to the stadium gates.
22.	I (my parents) did not receive the graduation parent mailing and don't have the necessary parking passes - how do I get them?
	Additional passes are available in the cadet squadrons. Cadets may pick up passes and provide them to their guests. Remember that the base is open to visitors from 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. every day. You need only show a valid photo ID to enter the base during these hours. Complete Graduation Week information is also available on the USAFA website at http://www.usafa.edu including a printable copy of the Graduation brochure and schedule of events.
23.	My family is overseas and probably won't get the parent mailing information in time. How do I get them the passes they need?
	Cadets may stop by the Plans and Special Events Office (Rm 3800, 3rd floor, Harmon Hall) to pick up information packages addressed to overseas locations and mail them or provide them to their guests when they arrive in the area. Complete Graduation Week information is also available on the USAFA website at http://www.usafa.edu.
24.	I have a baby - can I bring her stroller into the stadium?
	Strollers are not allowed in the stadium for the Grad ceremony due to security and safety reasons. Depending on the age of the child, you may bring him/her in a baby carrier but must have a ticket for the baby in order to ensure a seat is available.
25.	We'd like tickets to graduation but don't have a cadet who is graduating and don't live in Colorado Springs. How do we get tickets?
	Public tickets to Graduation will be available at the Colorado Springs or Monument Chamber of Commerce in early May. An announcement will be made through local media to inform the public when tickets are available. Unfortunately, we cannot mail tickets. If you know a graduating cadet or a staff member at USAFA, he/she can also get you tickets. Finally, the Association of Graduates gets a block of tickets and may be able to help you. Additional information on Graduation Week events is available at http://www.usafa.edu.
26.	How do I get a parking pass for the graduation ceremony?
	There are no parking passes required for the Graduation Ceremony. Handicapped individuals should bring their state handicapped placard in order to park in the handicapped lots at the stadium (Lot 1, southwest of the stadium or Lot 5, just north of the stadium).
27.	Can I bring in my own stadium seats?
	Stadium seats are available to rent inside the stadium. Guests may bring their own, so long as they have soft seat backs, no metal, and are 18 inches wide or smaller.
28.	Are parents or family members allowed down on the field following the grad ceremony?
	Following the hat toss, parents may meet their children at the south end of the field to collect their kids, but guests are not allowed en mass to enter the stadium floor or approach the graduates until after the speaker and platform guests depart. Stairs will be available on the south side near the scoreboard to access the stadium floor.
29.	Which TV stations plan to live broadcast the Graduation ceremony?
	We are currently coordinating with the Pentagon Channel to webcast and cable broadcast the ceremony. We will post an announcement on the USAFA website if any local channels pick up the ceremony.
30.	How do I get extra parking/access passes? Are they required to get on base?
	Additional passes are available in the cadet squadrons. Cadets may pick up passes and provide them to their guests. Guests coming on base during visiting hours (8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.) may show their Graduation Week pass and a valid driver's license to the guards at the gate.
31.	How do I know what the required dress is for a particular event or ceremony?
	The Graduation Brochure lists each event and describes the recommended dress. Information on dress is also listed on the USAFA website at http://www.usafa.edu/superintendent/graduation. Click on "Event Details" in the left hand column.
32.	After the graduation ceremony and Thunderbird performance, are the families allowed down on the field to meet with their cadet?
	Following the hat toss, parents may meet their children at the south end of the field to collect their kids, but guests are not allowed en mass to enter the stadium floor or approach the graduates until after the speaker and platform guests depart. Ushers at the steps to the stadium floor will control access to the floor.
33.	Can I park my RV in the stadium parking lot for graduation? Do the shuttle buses pick up from the FamCamp?
	The shuttle buses will only run from the Field House parking lots to various locations in the cadet area on Monday and Tuesday (not to the stadium, AOG, Falcon Club or FamCamp). There are no restrictions for parking RVs in the Field House or stadium parking lots, but recommend you arrive early and plan to park in the outer areas of the parking (such as the reservoir parking lot) in order to have sufficient room to maneuver and park.
34.	What is the schedule for the commissioning ceremonies? Where will my son/daughter's squadron ceremony be held?
	There will be two "waves" of ceremonies, at 7:30 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. Ceremony locations are listed on the graduation website at http://www.usafa.edu/superintendent/graduation/Grad08Commissioning.pdf. You may also contact your cadet for this information.
35.	How can I get a picture of my cadet receiving his/her diploma, if I can't go onto the stadium floor?
	You can order the 2008 USAFA Graduation DVD, photographs of your cadet receiving his/her diploma and the 2008 POLARIS Yearbook through the Office of Cadet Wing Media. The DVD includes the Class of 2008 story plus bonus material that highlights all the Graduation Week activities. This DVD is the only graduation product officially sanctioned by the USAF Academy. You may request order forms from Cadet Wing Media by calling (719) 333-4644, sending an email to CWMedia@usafa.edu or writing to HQ USAFA/CWTMS, P.O. Box 6066, USAFA CO 80841-6066. Visit their web page at http://www.usafa.edu/34trw/cwmedia.
36.	Who can I contact to rent equipment for my handicapped guests during Graduation Week?
	Please contact special.events@usafa.af.mil for information about local companies that provide medical support such as wheelchairs, oxygen, etc.

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