Commencement Day Schedule
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Commencement Brunch 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Higgins University Center
Seniors and their families are invited to a brunch in the Higgins University Center on the morning of Commencement. Reservations for your entire family should be made on the reservation form that was sent to students and parents in the Matter of Degree brochure. Contact Clark Dining Services at 508-793-7507 if you need to make reservations for or have questions about the brunch.
Assembly 12:30 p.m. sharp Kneller Athletic Center
If you are graduating, please be wearing (or carrying) your cap and gown. Anyone who does not arrive in time for accurate placement in the procession will not receive a diploma on stage.
Dress code: Commencement is a formal affair. Commencement officials reserve the right to prohibit a student from participating in ceremonies if formal cap and gown are not worn, or if the student's identity is concealed in any way.
Seating: In Kneller tagged seats are arranged alphabetically. Find the one with your name on it and be seated. You will receive last-minute instructions at this time.
Procession
From Kneller you will walk in pairs to the Commencement area. When you take your seat on the Campus Green, stay in alphabetical order; otherwise you might get someone else's diploma.
Ceremony
The program, which begins with a commencement address and ends with the awarding of doctoral, masters and baccalaureate degrees, will run approximately 2.5 hours. To avoid disruption, and out of respect for all degree recipients, all students are expected to remain in their assigned seats for the entire ceremony.
Awarding degrees
Group 1-all graduate degrees
Group 2-all COPACE undergraduate degrees
Group 3-all undergraduate college degrees
At some point in the ceremony, the faculty marshal will ask members of your degree group to stand. Remain standing as President Bassett confers your degree. Your group then will proceed toward the podium, row by row, beginning at the front and the extreme left. Follow the person on your left. When your name is called, walk across the platform, receive your diploma and return to your seat.
Your group then will proceed toward the podium, row by row, beginning at the front and the extreme left. Follow the person on your left. When your name is called, walk across the platform, receive your diploma and return to your seat.
Recession
After the ceremony, the formal recession of the platform party (including the president, trustees, honorary degree recipients and faculty) begins. You are expected to remain seated until the party has left the platform. Graduates will follow them in a recession from the platform to Atwood Plaza along the walk beside Jefferson Academic Center, where faculty members will have formed an aisle to congratulate you.