Graduation tickets
Your graduating midshipman will automatically receive six tickets in company areas and as many tickets as they request for general admission stadium seating. Tickets will be available by the end of April. First class midshipmen have priority, but underclassmen may request too. If bad weather forces graduation into Alumni Hall, seating will be severely limited. Midshipmen will be limited to four indoor graduation tickets for Alumni Hall. Those without indoor seating tickets are asked to watch from hotels on Comcast Cable, channel 8. If a graduation video is available this year, your midshipman has details. The Color Parade is May 22, Worden Field. Each graduating midshipman receives four tickets for the bleachers.

Attire for Graduation Festivities
Be prepared for Maryland's unpredictable weather; and wear low?heeled, comfortable shoes to cope with Annapolis' uneven brick streets. During mid? May, temperatures range from cool (in the 50s) to mid?summer hot. Rain showers may occur. Bring casual outfits for recreational outings; simple dresses or suits for spectator sports, parades or informal dinners; and a business suit or semi-formal dress for evening balls. A lightweight coat for evenings and a raincoat/umbrella are advisable. Children attending functions should follow the same general guidelines. Information for retirees or active duty guests wanting to wear uniforms: Navy members are requested to wear summer whites; Marines, Blue Dress "D." Your midshipman has more uniform information.

Special Needs Visitors
Special graduation seating is available for people in wheelchairs, or for those who cannot easily climb stairs or who would benefit from a sign language interpreter. Your midshipman host must make requests in advance. USNA maps in the Commissioning Week mail out will show which facilities are modified for the handicapped, building entrances, rest rooms and parking. For rental wheelchairs, inquire at a medical supply house shown under "wheelchairs" in the yellow pages.

Dining Facilities
During Commissioning Week, the Officers' and Faculty Club offers a la carte service at lunch, Monday to Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and dinner, Tuesday to Friday from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Reservations are needed for dinner and at lunch (only) if you have a group of six or more. Special buffet dinners may be offered Wednesday and Thursday. Call ahead for details. The club’s lounge is open Tuesday to Saturday until 11 p.m. On Sunday, May 18, brunch is served; seating times, 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Reservations required and limited, call early, (410) 263?8280. The Drydock Restaurant in Dahlgren Hall is open Monday, May 19 through Thursday, May 22, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Friday, May 23, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., serving breakfast, fast food, snacks, pizza, and sandwiches. Concession stands around the Yard will also offer fast food. Concessions are open Tuesday, May 20, for the Blue Angels' rehearsal and Wednesday, May 21, during the Blues' flight demonstration. Graduating midshipmen may also invite families to a special King Hall meal. Ask your midshipman to buy advance tickets.

Security Information
All persons over 16 years of age or older can expect to present a picture ID card for entry into the Academy. Boxes, book bags, large purses, coolers, and the like will not be permitted through USNA gates. All vehicles and persons are subject to search.

Park at stadium; take the shuttle to USNA
During Commissioning Week, May 18-23, the Naval Academy will provide a free, daily shuttle service between the Navy?Marine Corps Memorial Stadium and the Academy. Due to extreme congestion downtown and at USNA, stadium parking is strongly advised. The fee is $4 for cars, $8 for recreational vehicles, and $10 for buses except on graduation day (May 23), when parking is free for those with graduation tickets. The shuttle buses operate at 30?minute intervals between 7:30 a.m. and 9 p.m., Monday through Thursday, May 20 ? 23. Buses pick up and drop off passengers at the Navy?Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, Hubbard Hall, Alumni Hall, the area near the Cutter Shed and the USNA Store, and at Halsey Field House. No shuttle buses will operate on graduation day, Friday, May 23, unless weather dictates that the ceremony be moved into Alumni Hall. If that occurs, buses will run every 15 minutes, 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., between the Stadium and Alumni Hall.
This schedule may change; call the USNA update phone line at 410-293-3109 or visit the web site at www.usna.edu

Traffic, Parking and Pedestrian Rules
The Academy gates will normally be closed to vehicles without Department of Defense decals. Due to the limited parking, you should strongly consider the shuttle bus service. Buses and recreational vehicles must park at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Parking restrictions are strictly enforced in red curb zones. Only official vehicles may park by white curbing. Speed limit on USNA is 25 miles per hour or as posted. All traffic must yield to midshipmen marching in formation. Seat belt usage is required at the Naval Academy, for front and back seat occupants. The Naval Academy bridge (Rt. 450) will be closed during the Blue Angel’s circle and arrival, both during rehearsal May 20 and for their flight demonstration May 21. Earphones may not be worn on Academy while walking, jogging, bicycling, or driving a vehicle. Roller skating/blading are not allowed on Naval Academy grounds. Possession and consumption of alcohol on Academy grounds is forbidden.

Pets
Dogs or pets should not be brought onto the Academy grounds during commissioning week.

Child Care Services
The Family Child Care Program has limited spaces available for child care. Call (410) 293-9395 to inquire. The Fleet and Family Support Center at the Naval Station may be able to help your midshipman find a child care giver. The Center is located on the Naval Station in Building 348. Phone (410) 293-2641.

Illnesses and Medical Care
For all emergencies on the Academy, call (410) 293-3333 and (410) 293-?1000 for the operator. For non-emergencies on the Academy, call (410) 293-5760. For emergencies that occur off the Academy, the state?wide emergency number is 911. The closest emergency room is Anne Arundel Medical Center. For emergencies call, (443) 481-1200. General AAMC information: (443) 481-1000.

Public Rest Rooms
Public rest rooms are located in the Armel-Leftwich Visitor Center/Halsey Field House, Lejeune Hall, Dahlgren Hall, Worden Field Bandstand, and in the gate house at Gate 3. In town, restrooms are at the harbor master building on the City Dock. Visitors wanting to change clothes between events may use Dahlgren Hall’s rest rooms. Shirts are always required at USNA, even during jogging and exercise sessions.

Picnics
Picnicking on the Naval Academy is prohibited, but there are a few approved sites on Hospital Point and across the Severn River at Naval Station Annapolis. Reservations must be made in person by your midshipman host and are taken on a first-come, first-served basis. The number to call for Hospital Point information is (410) 293?2174. Picnic grounds at the Naval Station are located in a wooded area off Kinkaid Road and at Retelle Beach overlooking the Severn River. Midshipmen interested in the Retelle Room, a facility rented for private parties, may call (410) 293-9200.

Alumni House
The USNA Alumni Association and Naval Academy Foundation extend a warm welcome to families of the Class of 2003. Each year these organizations host a picnic for families and their graduating midshipmen--be sure to look for more details in the next official graduation mailing. Parents are welcome to stop in for relaxation at the Alumni House (formerly Ogle Hall), a pre-revolutionary colonial home, at 247 King George Street, near USNA's Gate 3. Alumni House is open to visitors Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information on alumni services, visit www.usna.com or call (410) 263-4448 or to find out more about private funding for the Academy go to www.usnafoundation.com.