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Governance Minutes ArchiveProcedures for Graduates At Commencement Ceremonies
2.0 Procedures for Graduates At Commencement Ceremonies UNIVERSITY CEREMONY University Commencement is a formal ceremony to recognize and honor the candidates for degrees. All degree candidates participating in the proc- ession are required to wear academic apparel. Only candidates and commence- ment officials will be allowed on the playing field of Lane Stadium before and during the ceremony. Academic apparel is available at the University Bookstore. ALL DEGREE CANDIDATES It is customary for men wearing academic apparel to keep their caps on ex- cept during prayer. Women wearing academic apparel keep their caps on at all times. When the American flag passes, all candidates should stand with their caps on. Tassels are worn on the right side prior to receiving a de- gree and on the left side after the degree has been conferred. Following the benediction, candidates will follow the marshals' directions for the recessional. Diplomas will be distributed to candidates at college/curriculum ceremonies (see commencement schedule). CANDIDATES FOR BACHELOR'S DEGREES Candidates for May degrees who cannot participate in the commencement exer- cises may request to be excused by writing to W.H. Dean, University Registrar, 236 Burruss Hall. Questions pertaining to participation may be directed to the Registrar (703) 231-5187 or to the Commencement Committee secretary (703) 231-5118. All Bachelor candidates participating in the procession must arrive at Lane Stadium by 8:15 am. The staging area will be the southwest corner (large grassy area, outside the stands) of Lane Stadium. Signs will designate where the students from each college will assemble and the commencement of- ficials will form the columns beginning at 8:25 am. Anyone arriving late may be refused permission to enter the processional. Candidates for Graduate Degrees (See Special Instructions from the Graduate School Office) MASTER'S DEGREES Candidates for master's degrees may be excused from the commencement exer- cises by writing M.J. Johnson, Assistant Dean of the Graduate School, giv- ing instructions for mailing the diploma. Questions pertaining to participation should be directed to the Graduate School (703) 231-5078 and the academic department. DOCTORAL DEGREES Candidates for doctoral degrees who have met all requirements for gradu- ation by April 22, 1991 are eligible to participate in the doctoral cere- mony. The ceremony will be held May 3 at 4:30 pm in Cassell Coliseum. Candidates should report to practice gym 220A no later than 3:30 pm. Can- didates may be excused from the ceremony by writing M. J. Johnson, Assist- ant Dean of the Graduate School. You must confirm your attendance by calling the Graduate School (703) 231-5078 by April 5, 1991. Academic ap- parel is required for this ceremony and may be ordered from the University Bookstore. FACULTY All members of the faculty are invited to participate in the commencement processional. Academic apparel is required and may be ordered at the Uni- versity Bookstore. Faculty are asked to assemble behind the scoreboard at the south end of the playing field no later than 8:30 am to form into col- umns. GUESTS Families and guests of the candidates are urged to arrive in time to be seated by 8:30 am. Guests are asked to use the gates at the north and west sides of the stadium as the procession will be occupying the total area at the south end of the complex. It is suggested that guests bring umbrellas or raincoats for protection in the event of a shower during this outdoor activity. The procession of candidates will begin at 8:45 am, followed by the faculty and stage party. The program will begin at 9:00 am. Seating for persons with impaired mobility is available in the stadium, as are reserved parking permits for the handicapped. For information call Wayne E. Speer, (703) 231-3787. For your convenience in selecting a seating location, the following areas are suggested in order to be on the same side of the field as the degree candidates. Seating Areas: Advanced degrees - East Stands Agriculture & Life Sciences - West Stands Architecture & Urban Studies - West Stands Arts & Sciences - East Stands Business - East Stands Education - West Stands Engineering - West Stands Human Resources - West Stands INCLEMENT WEATHER INSTRUCTIONS In case of inclement weather, an indoor ceremony will be held in Cassell Coliseum beginning at 9:00 am. All degree candidates are invited to report in academic apparel to the Coliseum rotunda by 8:30 am for seating in- structions. Faculty in academic apparel are asked to sit in the spectator seating between Gates 12 and 14 or 13 and 15. All families and guests of the candidates are invited to fill the available seats in the Coliseum to hear the commencement speaker and to participate in the ceremony. The decision to move the ceremony because of inclement weather will be an- nounced by 7:00 am. Radio (WUVT, FM 90.7; WVTF, FM 89.1; WJJJ, AM 1260) and television stations (WDBJ, Channel 7; WSLS, Channel 10) will cooperate to make this announcement. A "hot line" telephone service for commencement in- formation will be available after 6:00 am on May 4, at (703) 231-5646. If the University flags are flying over Lane Stadium, there will be an out- door ceremony. If the flags are not flying, the ceremony will be held in Cassell Coliseum.
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Last modified on: Tuesday, 25-Sep-2001 13:56:12 EDT