Information for Spring 2008 Graduation

TO:           DEGREE CANDIDATES,                 SPRING COMMENCEMENT FROM:       Linda Roberts-Betsch, D.S.N.                 Vice President for Academic Affairs SUBJECT:  Graduation DATE:       March 19, 2008

This memorandum provides important information for students graduating at the conclusion of Spring Semester, 2008.  There will be four graduation exercises.  All the ceremonies will be held in Memorial Hall Gymnasium. 

1. Students receiving degrees from the School of Arts & Letters (Art, Art Education, Art Marketing, Criminal Justice, English, Fine Arts, French, History, Political Science, Psychology, Social Science, Social Science Education, Sociology, Spanish, MS degree in Community Counseling), and all MPA degree candidates will graduate on Friday, May 2, at 7:00 p.m.  Students should be present to line up at 6:15 p.m. at Dunlap Hall/Newton Oakes Center*.

Students receiving degrees from the School of Science & Health Professions (ASN degree candidates; Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics, and Physics, BSN degree candidates, MS degree – Family Nurse Practitioner, and MSNE degree candidates will graduate on Saturday, May 3, at 1:00 p.m.  DPT students will also line up with the School of Science & Health Professions and will be recognized in the ceremony. Students should be present to line up at 12:15 p.m. at Dunlap Hall/Newton Oakes Center*.

Students receiving degrees from the Mike Cottrell School of Business (all BBA degree candidates) will graduate on Saturday, May 3, at 4:00 p.m.  Students should be present to line up at 3:15 p.m. at Dunlap Hall/Newton Oakes Center *.

Students receiving degrees from the School of Education (Early Childhood Education, Middle Grades Education, Special Education, Physical Education, and all EDS and MED degree candidates) will graduate on Sunday, May 4, at 2:00 p.m.  Students should be present to line up at 1:15 p.m. at Dunlap Hall/Newton Oakes Center *.

*NOTE:  If you will be certified to teach at the secondary level, your major is in your disciplinary specialization and not in the School of Education.

2. Due to the number of graduation ceremonies, ticket distribution will not be necessary.  There is no limit to the number of guests a graduate may invite. 
   
   
3. The commissioning ceremony for new second lieutenants will take place on Friday,          May 2, beginning at 1:00 p.m. on the Military Leadership Center Drill Terrace.  The
    reception will be held simultaneously with the individual commissionings in the Military Leadership Center Conference Room.
   
   

   *     In the event of inclement weather, the commissioning will take place in the Military
          Leadership Atrium.
   

4. Any graduating student not planning to participate in the commencement ceremony should so indicate on the Application for Graduation.  Any graduating student not participating in commencement will be charged an additional $5.00 fee to cover the cost of mailing the diploma.  Should a student change his or her plans to participate, or not participate, in the commencement ceremony, the student must notify the Registrar’s Office no later than close of business on Friday, April 16, 2008.  Failure to do so will result in an additional late fee.
   
   
5. Students who are participating in the ceremony and who need special accommodations (wheelchair, etc.) should notify the Registrar’s Office no later than Tuesday, April 15, 2008.
   
   
6. Graduation announcements may be ordered in Print Services through Friday, April 25.  The price is $1 each, prepaid, and the minimum order is 10.  A sample of the announcement can be seen in Print Services.  For more information, phone 706/864-1631.
   
   
7. Caps, gowns, and hoods (graduate degree) may be picked up at the bookstore in the Student Center April 28 – May 1 (Monday-Thursday), 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., May 2 (Friday), 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., May 3 (Saturday), 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and May 4 (Sunday), 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Honors hoods for baccalaureate degree candidates will not be available until the afternoon of May 1, after final grades are computed.  Phone 706/864-1635 for information on regalia or visit our web site www.ngcsu.edu/enrollment/registrar/graduate.shtml.  To check on honor status, phone the Bookstore at 706/864-1635 after noon on May 1.
   
   
8. Graduating students with names that might be mispronounced are asked to stop by the Registrar’s Office no later than April 30 to provide the correct pronunciation.
   
   
9. Graduate students should not wear their hoods for the processional but should drape them neatly over the right arm as they enter the Memorial Hall arena.  Graduate students will be hooded individually on stage immediately prior to receiving their diplomas.
   
   
10. Undergraduate honor students wear their hoods throughout the ceremony.  The mortarboard hat should be worn centered on top of the head with the tassel to the right.
    
    
11. Appropriate attire for graduating men includes a dress shirt with tie and dark shoes.  Women should wear dresses that do not show above the collar or below the hem of the gown.  Nothing should be attached to the outside of the gown except for academic awards.
    
    
12. There will be no commencement rehearsal.  All graduates must report to Dunlap Hall (100 level)/Newton Oakes Center (000 and 100 levels) forty-five minutes prior to the scheduled time for their graduation ceremony.  Students will line up by degree-granting school according to signs posted in the lineup areas.

13. Presentation of diplomas to undergraduate students:

1. Graduating students will be directed to the left of the stage by the ushers.
2. The first row of graduates will stand and move to the left stage as soon as the two ushers are in place at the steps.
3. Remaining rows will move to the stage when about eight candidates are in line at the steps.
4. Each candidate will mount the stage at the time his or her name is called.
5. Upon receipt of their diplomas, graduates leave the opposite stage steps, move their cap tassel from right to left, return to their original chairs, and seat themselves.

14. Presentation of diplomas and hooding of graduate students:

1. Graduate students will be directed to the right of the stage by an usher.
2. Each candidate will mount the stage at the time his or her name is called.
3. Each student will be hooded by the dean of her/his school.
4. After being hooded, students will walk toward President Potter for the presentation of the diplomas, move their cap tassel from right to left, and exit by the stage left stairs. 

15. The photographer will be off the stage to the right of President Potter.  Please pause when receiving the diploma, so a photograph can be taken.

16. Students who arrive late will be placed at the end of the graduation line.  Graduates are encouraged to avoid this possible embarrassment by arriving on time.  If you arrive in Dunlap Hall/Oates Center after roll is taken for your degree, you MUST notify the faculty marshal for your school.  Failure to do so will result in your name not being called during the ceremony.

17. Students should check to be sure that cell phones and pagers are turned off during the ceremony.

18. All fees, fines, and other debts to the university must be paid at least three working days prior to commencement or the diploma will be withheld and transcripts will not be mailed.

Congratulations upon reaching this graduation milestone.  If you have questions, telephone 706/864-1602.