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THE GRADUATE SCHOOL

GRADUATE SCHOOL COMMENCEMENT

SUMMER SESSION 2008

Saturday, August 16

2:30 p.m., Bryce Jordan Center

Information for Advanced Degree Candidates

Please read and keep these instructions. They will answer many questions concerning commencement and help to make conferral of your degree a memorable and joyous experience for you, your family, and friends.

Your commencement will begin promptly at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 16, in the Bryce Jordan Center and will last approximately 2 hours.

If you have questions about whether you have met all degree requirements, please contact your department.

Master’s Candidates—Check in at the Bryce Jordan Center by 1:30 p.m. Enter at Gate B; then enter the event floor via Portal 15.  Please wear your academic regalia, including hood.

Important notice: In order to reserve a seat, master’s candidates attending the ceremony must notify the Graduate School either by telephone (814-865-5448) or by e-mail (gradthesis@psu.edu) no later than August 8. Please give name and student id number.


Doctoral Candidates—Report to the Auxiliary Gym of the Bryce Jordan Center by 1:30 p.m. Enter Portal 15 and, once on the event floor, ushers will direct you to the Auxiliary Gym. Please wear your academic regalia (the hood will be carried over the left arm, and hooding will take place during the ceremony). Faculty advisers for doctoral candidates should meet their advisees at in Auxiliary Gym at this time. Personal belongings should be left in the Auxiliary Gym (security will be provided during the ceremony).

General information for graduates—At check-in, you will receive a card with your name and degree on it to be used in the ceremony. This card must be presented to a University Marshal when you approach the stage. After check-in, you will join other graduates by college in the processional directed by University Marshals. Doctoral candidates and their faculty escorts will be paired for the processional and will be seated together. Doctoral candidates who do not have a faculty escort should inform the University Marshal at check-in.

PLEASE NOTE–The use of alcoholic beverages, including champagne, is prohibited. Persons coming to the ceremony with alcoholic beverages will be asked to surrender them to University commencement staff.

Academic Dress—Academic regalia or the dress uniform of one of the U.S. Armed Forces is required. Advanced degree candidates wear the tassel of the cap on the left front edge. Doctoral candidates should carry their hoods over their left arms during the processional; master’s candidates should wear the hoods over their shoulders (velvet toward chin).

Caps and gowns and personalized announcements may be ordered from the Penn State Bookstore. You should allow 2–3 weeks for processing of printed announcements. Rental cap and gown orders need to be placed early to obtain proper hood color. If you need assistance, please contact the Penn State Bookstore at (814) 863-3558 or (814) 863-3589.

Please note—Ornamentation representing honorary societies or nationalities is not approved attire for Penn State academic ceremonies.
Procedures
1.    Stand for the procession of the platform party. Remain standing for the National Anthem. At the end of the program, rise and remain standing for the singing of the Alma Mater.

2.    Following the commencement address and the authorization by the Trustee for conferral of degrees, the Dean of the Graduate School will be recognized.

3.    Degree conferral—master’s candidates. University Marshals will direct the movement to the stage. Candidates give the card with their name and degree on it to the staff as you approach the stage. The University Nomenclator will then announce each candidate as he/she moves onto the stage. The candidate will shake hands with the President, Trustee, Dean of the Graduate School, and College Dean. The process moves quickly, allowing no time for conversation. University Marshals will direct graduates back to their seats.

4.    Degree conferral—doctoral candidates. At the conclusion of the conferring of master’s degrees, candidates for the doctoral degree and their faculty escorts will rise and hooding will take place. University Marshals will direct the movement to the stage. Candidates give the card with their name and degree on it to the staff as you approach the stage. The University Nomenclator will announce each candidate and escort by name and program as they move onto the stage. Diplomas will be awarded on stage for doctoral candidates. The candidate and escort will shake hands with the President, Trustee, Dean of the Graduate School, and College Dean. The process moves quickly, allowing no time for conversation. University Marshals will direct graduates back to their seats.

5.    The recessional will include all those who participated in the processional and will be directed by the University Marshals.
Parking
General parking will be available in Stadium West, Jordan East, and Orange E (near Shields Building). Guests should enter Gates A, B, C, or D. Degree candidates should enter Gate B, Portal 15. There is no fee for parking.

Guests with disabilities should park in Orange L (Founders Room lot) and may enter the building at the Founders Room entrance; special seating is available but is limited to the guest with a disability and one other person. There is no fee for parking.  For more information regarding parking and seating, please visit: http://commencement.psu.edu/guestseating.html
Additional Information and Transcripts
For more information about commencement, visit http://commencement.psu.edu/, call 814-865-5448, or email gradthesis@psu.edu. To order transcripts, visit the Registrar’s home page at http://registrar.psu.edu