Commencement

Tips and Information for Graduates and Guests

 

Prior to Commencement:

1. Attend the Graduation Fair on Thursday, November 5, 2009 to purchase your cap and gown, order a class ring, order graduation announcements, and to check-out the great products for gradutes at the Lundberg Bookstore. Click here for more information on the Graduation Fair.
   
   

   If you are unable to attend the Graduation Fair you may purchase your cap and gown anytime between November 5 and December 19, 2009, but sizes may be limited if you wait until December 19. Graduates who are unable to visit the Lundberg Bookstore may call the bookstore and ask that their regalia be sent directly to them. A shipping fee will be charged to all orders that are shipped. Click here for prices of regalia (cap and gown). Click here for contact information and bookstore hours.
   
   

2. Students who are eligible to receive an honor cord from the Colleges of Allied Health Sciences, and Education and Human Services may purchase them at the Ferris Bookstore located in the Rankin Student Center. Click here for the distinction key.

   Students who are eligible to receive an honor cord from the Colleges of Arts & Sciences, Business, Engineering Technology and Professional and Technological Studies may pick up their honor cord from their college's Commencement Coordinator.

   If you have any questions about your eligibility to receive an honor cord, please contact your college's Commencement Coordinator.
   

3. After you have purchased your cap and gown, open it up to make sure that you have everything you need. You should have a tassel (see colors below) and a cap and a gown. If you are receiving a masters or doctorate degree you should have a gown (see description of gowns below) and a hood. If you have the incorrect regalia please contact or visit the bookstore to get the correct regalia.

4. Hang your gown up and iron it if needed.
   
   

5. Exit Interviews - If you are graduating and have a loan, you will will to do Loan Exit Counseling before you graduate - click here for more information.
   
   

6. Graduates who require special accommodations should contact the Commencement office by calling
   (231) 591-2612 to make neccesary arrangements.
   
   
7. Guests who require special accommodations - Wink Arena is handicap accessible and has several areas available that will accommodate wheelchairs, the elderly, and strollers on the main level. Ushers will be stationed in Wink Arena to assist if you should need help.  If you or a family member requires special accommodations, other than mentioned above, please contact the Commencement office by calling (231) 591-2612, at least two weeks prior to the event.
   
   
8. Instructions for Graduates - you should receive a copy of the Instructions for Graduates when you purchase your cap and gown from the bookstore. You may also print a copy of the instructions by clicking here.
   
   
9. Visit Career Services to have your resume critqued. Career Services is located in the Rankin Student Center, room 135. Click here for more information on Career Services.
   
   
10. If you have an interview set up and can't afford a suit, vist The First Lady's Attic, located in the Rankin Student Center, Room 171. The First Lady's Closet has men's and women's professional clothing and accessories available for students. Just show your student I.D. and walk out with a suit and accessories to go with it.

Before you Leave Home:

1. Make sure that you have your academic regalia. All graduates must wear the appropriate regalia in order to walk in a Commencement ceremony.
   
   
2. Graduates - please plan to arrive 45 minutes prior to the start of your ceremony. The ceremony will start on-time, so don't be late.
   
   
3. Allow extra time for parking. Handicapped parking is available directly west of the Ewigleben Sports Complex in Lot 48.  Wink Arena is handicap accessible and has several areas available that will accommodate wheelchairs, the ederly and strollers on the main level.  Seating is on a first-come, first-serve basis.  Ushers will be available to assist with seating.  

Arrival:

1. Check-in with your college's Commencement Coordinator located in the Ice Arena. You will receive your name and photo card at that time.
   
   
2. Leave valuables, such as purses and coats, with family members during the ceremony. Please DO NOT leave items unattended. Commencement staff are not responsible for lost items.

 

Other Important Information:

Announcements:
Standard graduation announcements may be purchased at the Lundberg Bookstore (located in the Rankin Student Center) in person or by calling (231) 591-2607. Personalized announcements may be ordered by visiting Balfour at www.balfour.com. If you have a question on the name of the degree or how it should be listed on an announcement please contact your college's Commencement Coordinator.

 

Flowers:

Flowers will be available to purchase in the Ewigleben Sports Complex during the Commencement ceremonies.

James L. Lundberg Bookstore:

Purchase caps and gowns, tassels, announcements and alumni apparel.

Bookstore Hours 2009 Spring Semester

Phone: (231) 591-2607
Located in the Rankin Student Center

Length of Ceremony:

Each ceremony should last approximately an hour and a half in length.

Photographers:

A professional photographer will take photographs of each graduate during the ceremony. After Commencement, Graduation Foto will contact each graduate by e-mail or by mail with ordering information. You may contact Graduation Foto by calling (800) 482-0321.

 

Regalia/Color Key:

• Tassel Colors

College	Tassel Color
College of Allied Health Sciences	Bright Green
College of Allied Health Sciences - Masters of Nursing	Apricot
College of Arts & Sciences	White
College of Arts & Sciences - Bachelor of Social Work	Citron (Yellow)
College of Business	Drab (Beige)
College of Education and Human Services	Light Blue
College of Education and Human Services - Masters of Criminal Justice	Gold
College of Engineering Technology	Orange
College of Professional and Technological Studies	Red
Michigan College of Optometry	Sea-Foam Green
College of Pharmacy	Olive Green

 

 

• Hood Colors

Masters Degree Hood Color
College of Allied Health Sciences - Nursing	Apricot
College of Business	Drab (Beige)
College of Education and Human Services	Light Blue
College of Education and Human Services - Criminal Justice	Gold
Michigan College of Optometry	Sea-Foam Green
College of Pharmacy	Olive Green

 

 

• Academic Regalia (Gowns)

Academic Regalia (Gowns)
Bachelor's Gowns	Have long, bell-shaped sleeves.
Master's Gowns	Have oblong sleeves which drape gracefully below the knees and are open at the wrists
Doctoral Gowns	Are faced with black velvet and have three bars of velvet across the bell-shaped sleeves

 

 

Tickets:

December - Tickets are not needed for December Commencement

May - Tickets are required for all May Commencement Ceremonies due to limited seating. You may pick up your allotted number of tickets starting March 30, 2010 at the Grad Fair or from your college's commencement coordinator starting March 31, 2010. If you plan to participate in Commencement, and do not need all of your allotted tickets, you may give them to another graduating student who may need them. Guests with or without tickets are welcome to watch the ceremony on a large screen in the alternate viewing area located in the Ice Arena's multi-purpose room. The Commencement office and College Commencement Secretaries DO NOT have extra tickets.