Instructions for Graduating Students

2009 Commencement

The Commencement exercises will be held on Sunday, May 17, 2009, at noon, in the McLane Center on the Alfred University campus.

The graduates will receive four tickets in their graduation packets. Remember to bring your seating tickets with you to the Commencement ceremony. Those without tickets will not be admitted.

Graduation Packets

Packets may be picked up from the Campus Bookstore anytime after April 13. The packet contains your graduation gown, cap, and tassel; a photo card; several notices regarding the graduation ceremony; and four tickets.

Guest admission to the exercises will begin at 11:30 a.m. Parking and seating for guests with disabilities (including wheelchairs) is available; contact the University Police at (607) 587-3999 for a temporary handicapped parking permit and this reserved seating. If additional special accommodations are necessary due to a disability, the graduate should inform Student Disability Services in The Learning Center at (607) 587-4122 so appropriate arrangements can be made.

Commencement exercises begin promptly and will last approximately two-and-a-half hours. Students should arrive no later than 11:20 a.m. with academic regalia. Students assemble outside the parking lot entrance of the McLane Center according to academic area. (Look for the sign identifying your area.) If you are a prospective honor student, be sure to get an honor cord from the Honor Marshal who will have a listing of the honor students. Honor students' names will be posted on a "sandwich" board. As Commencement begins, all graduating students will march to their seats by academic area.

Important

Each student's name is announced as he/she crosses the stage. It is extremely important that you complete and bring the photograph card (from the graduation packet) with you to Commencement. When your area is called forward, bring the photograph card with you. Hand the card to the name reader on stage.

Attire

You are expected to dress professionally for this prestigious ceremony. Try on your academic gown to check for size as soon as you pick it up. Please iron your gown prior to Commencement. You should not wear jewelry or flowers with academic regalia.

• Men should wear dark slacks and dress shoes.
• Women should also wear dress shoes.
• Please do not wear jeans, sweats, casual sandals, or sneakers.

The mortarboard (the Commencement cap) should be worn with the tassel on the right. After the College Council member authorizes the awarding of degrees in your school, the name reader invites the students to come forward for recognition. Be sure to keep the tassel on the right. After all candidates have walked across the stage, you will be inducted into the Alumni Association and the tassels will then be moved to the left. This tradition signifies the conferment of the degree. Men should remove their mortarboards during the National Anthem, the invocation, and the benediction.

Please Note

The May 17 event is a ceremony to recognize graduation. Attending the ceremony does not signify that you have, in fact, successfully completed all requirements; unfortunately, some will go through the ceremony, but not be recommended for graduation by the faculty. You will receive only the diploma cover at Commencement ceremonies. The actual diploma will be mailed in mid-July.

Receptions

A reception for graduates, guests, and faculty will be held immediately following Commencement at the Orvis Activities Center. Light refreshments will be served. Separate sections will be designated for the individual schools. This is an excellent time for final good-byes and photographs.

Campus Bookstore

The Campus Bookstore will be open from 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. The store phone number is (607) 587-4020.