Entering Class (Student) Questions
When should students arrive for the ceremony?
Student rehearsal will be held at Centennial Hall from 12:30 - 1:45pm on July 26th. Students should enter through the West Side doors of Centennial Hallno later than 4:15 PM and report upstairs backstage to their assigned dressing rooms (EAST or WEST). The front doors of Centennial Hall will open for your guests at 4:00pm.
What is the recommended attire?
Business casual dress is required. Please advise your guests against wearing jeans, tennis shoes, or other casual attire.
Can I bring guests?
Yes, we encourage you to bring guests. Please make sure that your direct guests to the White Coat website for all info related to the ceremony and reception. Please let your guests know that the processional will begin promptly at 5:00PM. Guests arriving during the processional may be asked to wait in the lobby until students and faculty have been seated.
Where is the ceremony and how long is it?
Centennial Hall Auditorium, located on main campus, is the venue for the event. The ceremony is relatively short and should only take around an hour and a half.
How many people can I bring, where do I get tickets, and how much does it cost?
There will be plenty of room for whomever you wish to bring. Tickets are required for guests and will be distrubuted to students during the week of orientation; there is no limit to the number of guests you may invite and tickets are free. Tickets will also be available at the box office the afternoon of the event.
How will we be lined up?
Students will be lined up in alphabetical order within your groups and again in alphabetical order according to the last name of your mentor.
Can I bring a hand bag, purse, and/or cell phone with me backstage?
No personal belongings will be allowed. All personal items must be left with family, friends, or in your car.
How will the ceremony proceed?
Students will assemble backstage where your white coats will be passed out. You will line up with your mentor leading your group to march around to the front of the hall. Then each group will march into the hall, into their row and remain standing until instructed to be seated.
- Faculty and Student Processional
- Opening Remarks
- Welcome
- Keynote Speaker
- Recitation of the Mission Statement
- Presentation of the White Coats
- Signing of the Mission Statement
- Faculty and Student Recessional
- Family and Friends Reception
When it is time to be coated, your group, led by your mentor will line up on the stage right steps until your mentor's name is called. He or she will proceed onto the stage and wait for the members of her/his group to be called. You will come onto the stage, with your white coat laid over your left arm. You will present your coat to your mentor who will open the coat and assist you in putting it on. After being coated, you will stop and pose for a photo. A staff photographer will be in the hall in front of this area. Following the photograph, you will proceed to the 1st podium to sign your class mission statement, then proceed to the platform group to shake hands. After this, go across the stage to the College of Medicine banner, located to the left of the Main podium, and pose for a formal photograph, then return to your same seat for the remainder of the ceremony.
Where should the guests sit?
Programs and seating will be available for your guests during the time before the ceremony while you are lining up. Any seat that is not marked reserved is available. Row A on all sections is reserved.
Is there a reception afterwards?
Yes, the White Coat Ceremony will be followed by a light reception on the plaza in front of Centennial Hall, or depending upon inclement weather, under a tent across the street on the lawn of the Arizona Museumfor all students and their guests to mix and meet the college of medicine faculty and leadership.
Guest Questions
Where can I find information on hotel accommodations, directions and parking?
Find lodging options, parking information and directions to the University here.
Directions to Centennial Hall:
Directions to Centennial Hall are available here.
Can I bring an infant or small child?
Yes. Guests of all ages are encouraged to attend.
Where can we park?
Pay parking is available at any of the garages, including Tyndall, Main Gate or Second Street. For further parking information, see the Parking and Transportation website.
Parking garages accept Visa and MasterCard, no checks.
What is the recommended attire?
The recommended attire is business casual.
Will students be individually recognized at the ceremony?
Yes, each student will be called by name to the stage to don his or her White Coat.
May I take photographs or video?
Yes, you may take photographs and video. However, for traffic flow, safety purposes, and to allow the professional photographer to take photos of all students unimpeded, the area in front of the stage must stay clear. Please also show courtesy to other guests around you so that you do not block their views.
Will there be professional photographs taken? Can we purchase these?
Professional photographers will be taking photos of each student as they are coated and cross the stage for a formal photograph next to the College of Medicine banner, as well as a class photo right after the ceremony and candid shots before and after the ceremony. These photographs will be available for downloada few days after the ceremony at no cost. All students will receive an email as to how to access these photographs for themselves and their families. While personal photography is permitted, we ask that guests be courteous of those around them and for safety purposes, keep all aisles and walkways clear. Guests are NOT permitted behind the platforms or in front of the seating area.
Will we have an opportunity to take a photograph of our student?
Yes, there is a photo opportunity area complete with College of Medicine background on the west side of Centennial Hall on the womens plaza, or in the event of inclement weather, the photo area will be located under a large tent on the lawn of the Arizona Museum across the street from Centennial Hall.
Will there be food and drinks at the Ceremony?
Yes, the White Coat Ceremony will be followed by a reception with light refreshmentson the plaza in front of Centennial Hall, or in the event of inclement weather, under a tent on the lawn of the Arizona Museumfor all students and their guests to mix and meet the college of medicine faculty and leadership.
