Commencement Ceremony
Saturday, May 11, 2013
1:00 p.m.
Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall
>>Directions and Parking
Arriving, Lining Up and Getting Started
Doors open 12:00 p.m.
Graduates Line-up 12:00-12:50 p.m.
Procession begins 1:00 p.m.
When you arrive at the hall, volunteers and signs will direct you to the lining up areas:
Stop at the table designated for your degree, and pick up a card with your name and a number on it. This card will also indicate if you are receiving honors (undergrads only). Get in line based on the number on your card. Volunteers will be there to assist you. If you leave the line to go to the restroom, you must return to the line by 12:50.
Cap, Gown and Hood
It is recommended that you open your cap and gown packet before graduation day. You will probably want to iron the gown and hood. The tassel on your cap should hang to the right. You do not wear the hood; it will be placed over your shoulders on stage by one of the deans. Instead you carry it folded over your left arm.
How to hold a hood: Hold the hood in front of you, lengthwise, with the longest side on the right. Fold it in half lengthwise, and put over your left arm. The velvet band should be in back – closer to your elbow. Volunteers will be available to assist you on graduation day.
>>The Ceremony
Honors Cord
Undergraduates who graduate with honors will wear an honors cord as part of their regalia. They will also have their honors (cum laude, magna cum laude, summa cum laude) announced after their names. Certain restrictions apply. Please refer to page 19 of the Undergraduate Course Catalog for the Honors policy. Questions about your Honors designation will not be addressed at Commencement.
Diplomas
The diplomas will be mailed to graduates after the ceremony.
Children
Children over the age of 2 will need a ticket to attend Commencement. While the Commencement ceremony will not be interesting to most children, they are welcome to attend. Please be prepared to remove fussing or crying babies from the auditorium. Open strollers are not permitted in the auditorium for reasons of fire safety.
Decorum
The University asks that you and your guests please show proper respect for the Ceremony by adhering to the following:
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Remain quiet and dignified during the ceremony. Shouting between balcony guests and floor candidates is disrespectful and disruptive.
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Cell phones/pagers should be turned off during the entire ceremony.
- Guests who want to take photographs and videotapes should not disrupt the procession or stand in the aisle.
Bottles, cups or cans will not be allowed in the processional or into the auditorium.
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Those with alcoholic beverages are subject to removal from the procession and ceremony.
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Candidates are expected to remain in their seats and stay for the entire ceremony.
- No camera tripods.
- No helium balloons.
At the Presentation of Degrees, so that each graduate's name may be heard, please ask your guests celebrate in a dignified way when your name is read.
The ceremony is expected to last about two hours. All graduates are to remain in their position throughout the event.
Late Arrivals
Graduates are expected to arrive one hour before the ceremony. Those graduates who arrive late will be seated after the invocation, at the end of the graduates’ seating area.
Personal Belongings
Graduates should leave their personal belongings with a friend or family member. The University is not responsible for items left in the lining up area.
Photographs & DVD
Family members are welcome to take pictures and video; however the aisles of the auditorium must remain clear and guests are expected to act with decorum while taking pictures. Guests should not stand in the aisles or otherwise get in the way of the processional, recessional or any part of the ceremony.
A professional photographer will be present to take your photograph. Proofs will be available to view online after the ceremony on the photographer's website. Graduates will be emailed the photographer's information within 4 weeks after the ceremony.
DVD's of the ceremony will be available for purchase.
Tickets
Each graduate may invite up to six guests. All guests must present a ticket before entering the auditorium, including children. Graduates will be mailed the number of tickets they indicated on their RSVP. Only students may request tickets. Friends and relatives of students who request tickets will be politely declined. |
