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Commencement Ceremony Participation
All students who
complete their requirements in the Fall 2007 semester or the Spring
2008 semester are invited to participate in the commencement
ceremony. Students who have a maximum of 2 courses to complete beyond this
spring semester, may petition to participate. All other requirements must be met. (Please see the current Bulletin for Graduation Requirements.) These students
must notify the Registrar’s Office of their desire to participate no later than April 4. Any student who does not inform the
Registrar’s Office of his or her intent to participate by April 4 will
not be included in the printed commencement program.
Clearance to Graduate
Degree candidates must finish
"Incomplete" grades, forward any necessary transcripts, clear all
financial aid, business office, and library obligations in order to
graduate. A $100.00 degree completion fee will be billed by the
Business Office. You must pay this fee in order to receive your
diploma and any transcripts. If
you have any doubt that all holds have been cleared from your record
please visit the Registrar's Office immediately.
Announcements and Graduation Regalia
If
you were unable to attend the Oglethorpe Bookstore's Graduation Fair
on March 12 and/or have not purchased your cap and gown, please
contact the bookstore immediately to do so. A graduation
packet with a cap, gown and academic hood for undergraduates is
$52.95; for graduate MAT candidates, it is $55.95. Please try your gown on several days before graduation so any
problems with size and necessary exchanges are not a last-minute
emergency.
Invitations are not necessary for admittance to commencement
ceremonies, but printed announcements are available
through the bookstore. Candidates can also purchase diploma frames
and other commencement memorabilia. Contact the bookstore at 404.364.8361 with any
questions.
Responsibilities for Surveys and Information
Each student who has applied for graduation, either as a bachelor's or master's candidate, will receive an email with a link to two surveys. The first is a form requesting information on such things as your plans for next year and your permanent contact information. This information is essential for our alumni office, for the career services office and for your permanent record. The second is a survey regarding your experiences at Oglethorpe. Both surveys must be completed prior to graduation rehearsal.
'08 for OU Campaign
Don't forget to give back to OU with a gift to the '08 for OU
campaign. This year our goal is to raise $2,500 and get 50%
participation from the class of 2008. Your gift provides support for student
scholarships, faculty/staff development, building and ground upkeep,
and much, much more. Please make your gift of at least
$20.08 "in honor of" or "in memory of" someone who
influenced your college career. For more information, please contact Betsy Oliver in the
Development Office or
Keith Griffin,
Senior Class President. Gifts must be received by April 4,
2008.
Name Pronunciation
Look for the name pronunciation form
distributed at the graduation rehearsal and turn it in before
leaving that evening. This form will be used by the Provost to
ensure that your name is pronounced correctly when your diploma is
awarded.
The Big Day!
Parking
Parking will be ably handled and directed by Campus Safety and DeKalb County police officers; overflow parking is directed to the two churches adjacent to Oglethorpe. Graduates must check in by 8:00 a.m., and guests should be
seated no later than
8:50 a.m.; be sure to allow ample time for parking and walking to
the ceremony site.
Disability Access
Special access and seating arrangements
can be made for any guest using a wheelchair, walker, or other
assistance device. Please contact Pamela Tubesing in the
Provost's office immediately (404.364.8317).
Appropriate Dress
The gown and hood add an extra layer of clothing to whatever you are wearing. You will also be sitting in the sun, which will warm you significantly. Unless the weather is exceptionally cool, you should dress according to the general guidelines below. And by the way, don’t even think about going barefoot - the black stage gets very hot, and you will burn the bottom of your feet.
Men: It is advisable that you wear a short-sleeved white or light colored shirt with a dark tie. Light-weight, dark colored trousers will be most comfortable and will look best with the gown. Jeans or shorts are unacceptable. Dark shoes are recommended footwear, with no athletic shoes, sandals, or flip-flops.
Women: It is advisable that you wear a light-weight dress or light blouse and pants. Jeans or shorts are unacceptable. Dress sandals are acceptable for footwear, as long as they do not “clop” when you walk. No athletic shoes or flip-flops. Keep in mind also that the ground is soft and sometimes damp, so narrow, spiked heels can sink right into the ground.
Your "Stuff"
Please leave purses, bags and other
items with family members or locked in your car out of sight. You
should not have anything in your hands when the ceremony begins, and
the only thing in your hands when you exit should be your diploma!
If you must carry your cell phone (and we STRONGLY
discourage you from doing so), turn the
ringer off and refrain from making or accepting calls from the time
we begin the processional to the time the ceremony is concluded.
There is no such thing as discreet cell phone usage during
Commencement! Such usage would be a distraction for other
guests and a detraction from your fellow graduates' special day.
Similarly, pagers should be turned to silent mode.
You may wear sunglasses for the processional and at your seat,
but please remove them before going to the stage.
Comfort Tips
Commencement day is typically very warm, and you are encouraged to drink plenty of water before coming to campus. While bottled water will be available for all participants and guests, you should make a point of stopping off at the restroom before joining the processional assembly. And if at all possible, refrain from drinking anything once you have checked in. After the processional, and when you are seated there will be a bottle of water under each chair.
If you have long hair, consider pulling your hair
back or up, but remember you will need to be able to wear your
mortar board!
Checking In and Lining Up
Please check in on the sidewalk in front of
Lupton Hall (or in the Schmidt Center) no later than 8:00 a.m.
Allow ample time to find parking, freshen up, and say hello to
friends before that time. Please make rest room stops before
checking in.
You will line up by number. Upon arrival, find the list of
graduation candidates and check off your name, making note of your
number. (It's true, we've never treated you like a number before. We
hope you will bear with us for this one time - it's simply the best
way to make sure you end up processing and sitting in the correct
order and receive the right diploma!)
It will take an hour to line everyone up properly. Wear
comfortable shoes and try to be patient.
Please do not leave the assembly area once you have checked
in!
Alumni Association volunteers will staff a "Help Station" on the side of Hearst Hall. Stop here for assistance with your cap, hood or
gown; with minor first aid and tailoring emergencies; or for sunscreen.
Other alumni and staff volunteers will be on hand to assist the faculty marshals with the
processional assembly. Don't be shy about asking for help or
introducing yourself!
Medical Assistance
The university nurse will be on hand to assist with any first aid needs. In addition, EMS will be on site throughout the morning.
Photography
Sure Shot Photography is pleased to work with the Alumni Association again to provide commencement photographs for the class of 2008.
Composite class photographs of traditional undergraduate candidates, evening program candidates, and graduate program candidates will be taken at the rehearsal Thursday evening.
At commencement each candidate will be photographed receiving his or her diploma; a second photo is also taken as you exit the stage. You will receive one 5 x 7 photograph compliments of the Alumni Association. (Make sure the office has your correct mailing address.) Sure Shot will provide complimentary color proofs.
These photos will be posted online at www.sureshotphotography.com – the password is Oglethorpe. Ordering information is also available online. Any questions may be directed to: sureshotphoto@pic-man.com or 678-336-6450.
To ensure a safe and smooth ceremony, please ask family
members to cooperate with the directives from commencement marshals
who are assisting graduate candidates throughout the program.
Guests should respectfully remain behind roping and stanchions that
are set to facilitate the work of the professional photographers and
the flow of commencement participants and graduates to and from the
stage.
Following the Ceremony
The ceremony will be
over by 11:00 a.m. Faculty, staff and honored guests will form receiving lines to greet our newest alumni and their guests. Spend as much time as you'd like mingling on the quadrangle
taking photographs with family and friends. Bottled water will be provided.
Moving Day
The residence halls close at 5:00 p.m. on
Saturday, May 10 (the day of graduation). Graduation candidates in
good disciplinary standing with the university may have until 11:00
a.m. on Sunday, May 11, to check out. All students need to set up
a check out time with their RA or House Manager during final
examinations. If you have questions about moving out please contact
the Residence Life Office at 404.364.8520.
After Graduation
Congratulations! You are now part of a very special group - the
only truly permanent component of the Oglethorpe community - the
alumni.
Unlike most other institutions, the Oglethorpe Alumni Association
is not a dues-paying organization. All graduates are considered
members and as such receive the benefits of membership. These
benefits will be detailed in a membership brochure you'll receive
later in the calendar year. Among them are continued access to most
campus facilities, discounted museum memberships, free tickets to
many campus events, and potential membership in professional and
social clubs within the association.
You will be encouraged to support the association and the
university through participation in the annual fund and other
fundraising initiatives. Your support will enable Oglethorpe to
continue offering a wide range of services to alumni, and will of
course help ensure we can continue to offer the Oglethorpe
experience to future generations of students.
You will also be encouraged to remain actively involved with the
university and other alumni through alumni events, volunteer
opportunities, and communications. The Alumni web site is your
front line resource for information about your association, and you
will also receive periodic mailings from the Alumni Office. Please
be sure to submit address updates! |
