The Class of 2008 and their guests need the assistance of many UCSB staff to insure that everyone enjoys a fun, safe and successful Commencement weekend. The Office of Public Events invites you to consider working all day or for several hours on Saturday, June 14 and/or Sunday, June 15. All staff who are eligible for compensated overtime should receive either pay or comp time for overtime hours they work on Saturday or Sunday. Staff should talk with their supervisor prior to signing up to confirm approval to work additional overtime hours or to  flex  their work schedule during the same week to avoid the accrual of overtime. Here's how you can sign up to help with Commencement:

• Pick one of the positions described below
• Pick one of the shifts
• Send your choices by e-mail to Julie.Miller@ia.ucsb.edu or call x7382

Several staff are needed for each shift and Public Events attempts to accommodate specific requests. However, some re-assignments may be needed to meet actual needs. "Business-casual" attire and comfortable shoes are recommended for all assignments and it's strongly recommended that you bring a jacket, hat and sunscreen to be prepared for changes in the weather. Although breakfast and lunch are provided for staff and faculty participating in Commencement ceremonies, you should bring food or beverage items to accommodate any special dietary needs. Personal items may be placed inside Hatlen Theater during work shifts.

Book Sales
Each shift on Saturday & Sunday needs 6-8 staff:
7:30 am – 6:00 pm
7:30 am – 12:00 noon
10:00 am – 3:00 pm
11:45 am – 6:00 pm

The Book Sales tent is located near the road at the top of the Faculty Club Green. Commencement Book Sales staff work as cashiers and assist guests in locating the names of their graduating students in the souvenir book. This assignment requires the ability to handle money, make change and read small print.

Faculty Robing
Each shift on Saturday & Sunday needs 4-5 staff
(Graduate Division requires 10-12):
7:30 am – 6:30 pm
7:30 am – 12:00 noon
11:45 am – 6:30 pm

Faculty Robing occurs on the stage inside Hatlen Theater. You will be working directly with faculty, staff and special guests as you help them with their regalia (hat, gown and hood). This assignment requires bending, stooping, moving boxes, lifting and hanging gowns and hoods, and working intimately with faculty, administrators and guest speakers. You will need to work quickly because there are 60-150 participants to assist in a very short time-especially with the Graduate Division ceremony. At the end of the day you will retrieve all regalia, sort and re-hang the gowns, and re-box the hats. After the last ceremony on Sunday an inventory of all items will be completed. All rental items will be put in boxes for Collegiate (the rental company) to retrieve.

Tent for Disabled Guests
Each shift on Saturday & Sunday needs 1-2 staff:
8:00 am – 11:00 am
10:45 am – 2:00 pm
1:45 pm – 5:00 pm

The tent for disabled guests is located at the top of the Commencement site, near the road and to the left of the Book Sales tent when facing the stage. Only the guest who is handicapped and one member of their family is allowed to sit under the tent-not the entire family, because there is limited space. Please assist guests into the tent and make sure they understand the limitations on seating availability.

Lower & Upper Information Tents
Each shift in each tent on Saturday & Sunday needs 2-4 staff:
7:00 am – 6:00 pm
7:00 am – 12:00 noon
10:45 am – 2:00 pm
1:45 am – 6:00 pm

The Lower Information Tent is located at the road turnaround at the top of the Commencement site; the Upper Information Tent is located between Parking Lot 23 and the road leading down to the Faculty Club and the Commencement site. Staff who work at the Lower Information Tent play a key role in directing people, answering questions and troubleshooting when problems arise. The Lower Information Tent also serves as the main location for staff to check in at the beginning and end of their shifts, and as a "lost and found" site. Both the Upper and Lower Information Tents are busy before, during and after each ceremony as students, parents and other guests arrive, depart and seek assistance. Staff who work at the information tents should be extremely knowledgeable about the campus, comfortable with a high volume of fast-paced interaction with commencement guests, and capable of being on their feet for most of their shift. Please plan to attend a Commencement dress rehearsal on Wednesday, June 11, at 4:00 pm to learn how to use walkie-talkies and familiarize yourself with other duties.

Small Program Distribution
Each shift on Saturday & Sunday needs 4-6 staff:
8:00 am – 10:00 am
11:00 am – 2:00 pm
2:30 pm – 4:30 pm

The distribution of small complimentary programs for each ceremony occurs at the top of the Faculty Club Green at the main sidewalk entrance to the Commencement site. Your job will be to hand out complimentary programs to guests as they enter the site to find their seats. Staff who distribute small programs should be capable of being on their feet and in the sun for their entire shift.

Staff Marshals
Each shift on Saturday & Sunday needs 8 staff:
8:00 am – 11:15 am
12:00 pm – 3:15 pm
3:00 pm – 6:15 pm

If you enjoy direct interaction with students, this is a great opportunity. Staff Marshals are full participants in the Commencement ceremonies and walk with the students onto the Faculty Club Green, sit with them during the ceremonies and in some cases guide students in appropriate behavior. Staff Marshals help to manage the ceremonies from beginning to end, including prompting the students on when and where to line up for their opportunity to cross the stage, have their name read to the audience and their photo taken with the Chancellor. New Marshals will be trained and guided in their role by experienced Marshals who have worked previous years.

Student Line-up at Events Center
Each shift on Saturday & Sunday needs 12-15 staff:
7:45 am – 9:15 am
11:45 am – 1:15 pm
2:45 pm – 4:15 pm

If you enjoy direct interaction with students, this is a great position for you! Student Line-up staff work inside the Events Center, directing students into their processional lines, helping students with their regalia, making sure they have signed the photo release on the back of their stage pass, handing out sunscreen, safety pins, answering questions, and trying to keep the students in line as they walk from the Events Center to the Faculty Club Green. ECen workers typically work in teams, situated in different areas in the ECen to keep students moving toward the lines. New helpers are paired with experienced staff who have worked previous years. Your shift will end after the students are in their seats on the Faculty Club Green.