Emory Commencement - Emory University

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Instructions and Special Information

THIS INFORMATION IS CURRENT FOR 2008

Prospective Graduates | Faculty | Special Information

Instructions to Prospective Graduates

Information about Commencement and Events
For the most accurate and timely information and instructions about Commencement activities, visit this web site often. New information will be posted as Commencement approaches. Visit Frequently Asked Questions for helpful hints.

Requirements for Graduation
These instructions are meant for all prospective graduates; requirements for graduation must have been met. Students who are unsure whether they have fulfilled all requirements for graduation should contact the academic dean in their school as soon as possible.

Address Information
Commencement announcement postcards are mailedt to graduating students' post office boxes or home addresses and to parents home addresses of record. In order to receive a postcard announcement, your address mustt be correct in OPUS. All students are encouraged to check their mailing addresses and their home addresses on OPUS and keep the information current. Access OPUS at Registrar's Office.

Degree Applications
In order for a degree to be granted, degree candidates must follow appropriate procedures as stipulated by the school in which they are enrolled. Filing a degree application by the due date, during the semester in which the student anticipates graduation, is one of the requirements. Students should contact the degree coordinator in each school for information.

Registrar's Office
The Registrar's Office web site contains information about filing for degrees, verifying personal information, final examination schedules, privacy rights (F.E.R.P.A.), and transcripts. Visit the sight for answers to frequently asked questions.

If you have requested that information about your identity or status be suppressed (F.E.R.P.A.), you will not be listed in the Commencement program and your graduation cannot be verified. Contact the Registrar's Office to rescind your request and to allow information to be released.

Baccalaureate Service
The Baccalaureate tradition is an integral part of commencement exercises, marking the end of the student's undergraduate years just as opening Convocation marked the beginning. Emory's Baccalaureate (see Event Schedule) is an inter-religious service with prayers and readings from various religious traditions and a time for reflection. Baccalaureate is for all students receiving bachelor's degrees (BA,BS,BSN, BBA) and their guests.

On Sunday, May 11, 2008, Baccalaureate graduates, in caps and gowns, assemble on the south side of the Quadrangle at 9:00 am on Sunday before Commencement; marshals will direct the formation and a bag piper will lead the procession.. In case of rain, graduates should go directly to Fellowship Hall of the Church School Building, behind Glenn Auditorium. The service will last no more than one hour.

Commencement Ceremony
Attendance at the commencement ceremony on the Quadrangle is obligatory, unless your academic dean has sent special permission to the registrar in advance for your diploma to be awarded in absentia. In this case, the diploma will be mailed later to the address furnished by you to your dean.

There will be no rehearsal for the commencement ceremony on the Quadrangle. Graduates will assemble in cap and gown no later than 7:15 am, Monday, May 12, at locations designated by school; return to this site in April for a map of line-up locations. Graduates should be prompt in order to give the marshals time to arrange the lines in exact conformity with the program. The procession will begin at 8:00 am sharp. The Quadrangle ceremony will last approximately one hour and thirty minutes.

Diploma Ceremonies
Diploma ceremonies will be held following the University ceremony. Marshals of the various schools will direct the exit of their graduates from the Quadrangle to the places indicated on the Event Schedule.

In case of severe weather, the all-schools ceremony on the Quadrangle will be canceled and the diploma ceremonies for the various schools will be held at times and locations listed on the Inclement Weather Schedule. In that event, graduates should go directly to those locations in cap and gown.

Tickets to Commencement Ceremonies
Tickets are not required for admission to the Commencement Ceremony on the Quadrangle. Some school diploma ceremonies may require and may limit tickets in the event of inclement weather. Schools will distribute tickets to their graduates. For information about Emory College ticket distribution, contact Brenda Nix.

Graduates and Guests with Disabilities

PLEASE NOTE: The processes for accepting requests and for distributing tickets will change in 2009.

If you have persons in your party who are unable to walk long distances, who use wheelchairs, or who have other special needs, you may complete the Special Services form. . Two tickets admitting the guest and one accompanying person to a special seating area will be mailed beginning April 15, 2008. Requests received after May 2 and telephone requests cannot be honored.

Regalia: Caps, Gowns and Hoods

All student participants are expected to wear academic costume at both the Baccalaureate service and Commencement. This includes cap, gown, tassel and hood.

Please note: Regalia colors have changed to be consistent with Emory's identity and with academic tradition. Tassels now feature a custom Emory seal.

Graduates should purchase regalia (robes, hats, tassels, and hoods) at the Emory University Bookstore in the Dobbs University Center (DUC). Students who are off-campus during the spring semester should contact the Bookstore or email emory@bkstr.com.

JD recipients must contact their school commencement coordinator for information about Law School regalia.

Announcements

Please note: The official Emory Commencement announcement is availabe only from Jostens. The official announcement is on display at the Emory Bookstore.

Students or parents can order personalized Commencement announcements printed with the student's name, degree, and academic major and embossed with the University seal. For more information or to order announcements click here, or call 1.800.854.7464.

Class Rings
Students may visit the Emory Bookstore to see a display of Emory Class Rings. Rings can be ordered on the web, at Herff Jones. However, delivery of rings ordered after March 6 is not guaranteed in time for the Senior Ring Ring Ceremony, April 24, at 7:00 pm, at the Miller Ward Alumni House.

Diploma Frames
Diploma frames are on display and can be purchased at the Emory Bookstore.

Parking
Free parking is available on Commencement day in parking decks around campus. (See Campus Map) Students and guests are encouraged to arrive early. More specifc information about parking and transportation will be available as the date of Commencement nears.

On-Campus Transportation
All visitors are encouraged to use the shuttle service on campus Commencement morning. Shuttles serve all parking decks except the Fishburne Deck and serve all on-campus events. All shuttle vehicles are equipped for easy accessibility and for carrying guests using wheelchairs.
(See Shuttle Map)

PLEASE NOTE:
Walking to Commencement sites on Emory's campus may require walking up and down hill or walking for some distance. Guests should consider their needs when planning whether or not to attend and when planning transporation.
Guests with disabilities or who require shuttle service should not park in the Fishburne Parking Deck.Vendors for wheelchair rentals are listed on this site. Emory does not provide wheelchairs.

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Instructions to Faculty

Regalia
Academic celebrations at Emory are more remarkable when the colors and distinctiveness of faculty regalia enhance the occasions. Members of the faculty are encouraged to join colleagues, students, trustees, and guests of honor, processing in academic costume at our special ceremonies.

Please note: Faculty members who want to process in custom faculty regalia must order six to eight weeks in advance to ensure accuracy and timely delivery for Commencement. If you have not yet ordered regalia, you must go to the Emory Bookstore to rent or purchase regalia before March 10 in order to have it available for Commencement on May 12. The bookstore may be able to obtain rental regalia for faculty cannot receive their regalia by Commencement.

Faculty Parents
Faculty members whose children will graduate may be able to hand diplomas to their graduates.
Contact Brenda Nix, 404.727.6040, for information about presentations at the Emory College ceremony.

Business School commencement coordinators will email graduating students for information about faculty parents who wish to hand out diplomas.

Baccalaureate
Faculty are invited and encouraged to sit with students' families and guests during the Baccalaureate service on Sunday, May 11, 2008, at 9:30 a.m. in Glenn Memorial. Faculty do not wear academic regalia and do not process. President Wagner will present the Baccalaureate address.

Members of the Faculty of Emory University are cordially invited to participate in Commencement ceremonies and to process at the all-schools ceremony on the Quadangle.

Commencment
Monday, May 12, 2008
8:00 am
Faculty members in full regalia are asked to line up by school on the sidewalk in front of the Administration Building no later than 7:30 am on Commencement morning. The procession, led by the Atlanta Pipe Band, will step off promptly at 8:00. Marching faculty will be able to view the ceremony on the stage from their seats via screens.

Please note: You are asked to contact your school representatives to confirm that you will march. A reminder and contact information will be sent to all faculty in April.

Inclement Weather
If weather conditions require the cancellation of the all-schools ceremony, faculty will not process or join the abbreviated all-schools ceremony. Faculty will proceed to their school diploma ceremonies or activities. Please review the Inclement Weather information.

Contact: Tricia Stultz, 404.727.6022

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Wheelchairs

Vendor listings are provided as a service to Commencement guests. Emory is not responsible for rental arrangements, products, or practices.

Enterprise Medical Service

3011 Rainbow Drive

Decatur GA 30034

770.788.1505

www.enterprisemedicalequipment.com

Linda Holder

emsu@mail.com

Manual or power, credit cards accepted, $50/day