STUDENTS: Download "Almost Alumni," your guide to Commencement 06, here.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND COMMENCEMENT?
Prevailing policy on attendance is that the University expects attendance by those who will graduate at the end of
the spring semester; a spring semester graduate who does not plan to participate has the responsibility of communicating
with his or her dean. August and December 2005 graduates are urged to attend but will not be expected unless they notify
the University that they will be present by completing the attendance form from the University Registrar.
Graduates should plan to attend the Main Ceremony. If they are receiving a master's degree or a doctorate, they should
attend the graduate or professional school's ceremony as well. Guests and graduates are expected to remain at their
respective ceremonies until the conclusion. Much depends on the courtesy and cooperation of all who attend.
May graduates who do not participate in the ceremony will receive their diplomas by mail after Commencement.
WHAT IS REQUIRED FOR PARTICIPATION IN COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES?
Degree candidates must have completed successfully all curriculum requirements and have passed all prescribed
examinations by the published deadlines to be allowed to participate in the ceremony. There will be no exceptions.
For information about whether you are or your student is a candidate for graduation, please call the Registrar's
office at (615) 322-7715.
A student completing degree requirements in the summer or fall semester 2006 will be invited to participate in
Commencement 2007.
WHERE IS THE MAIN CEREMONY?
The Main Ceremony takes place on Alumni Lawn. This is the grassy area which extends from behind the Fine Arts Building located on West End Avenue to the Sarratt Student Center (see campus map).
WHAT ARE THE LINEUP PROCEDURES FOR MY SCHOOL?
Lineup procedures for each school can be downloaded at http://www.vanderbilt.edu/commencement/seating.html.
WHERE CAN I RENT OR PURCHASE REGALIA?
Graduates, faculty and others participating in the ceremony must wear regalia. Please visit www.herffjones.com/college to rent your regalia and order your personalized Vanderbilt announcements.
WHERE CAN I PICK UP MY REGALIA?
Regalia can be picked up between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Thursday, May 11, and from 7 to 8:30 a.m. Friday, May 12, in the Branscomb Quad Rec Room.
ARE TICKETS REQUIRED FOR COMMENCEMENT EVENTS?
Tickets are not required for any ceremony on May 12. Tickets are required for The PARTY on Wednesday, May 10. One ticket will be distributed at no charge to degree recipients. Additional tickets will be available for purchase at $15 each at the event. Children under 12 will be admitted free.
Senior Class Day, May 11, is open to all graduating students and their families, who must obtain tickets from the Sarratt Center Ticketmaster. A limited number of tickets will be available to Vanderbilt faculty and staff. Visit the Senior Day Web site for more information on tickets.
Tickets are also required to attend the Commodore Brunch on Thursday, May 11, 2005, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the
Student Life Center--NOTE: Tickets for this event are sold out.
Questions? Call 615-322-2837.
CAN I GET A SHUTTLE BUS FROM THE PARKING LOTS TO THE PARTY?
Shuttle bus service will be provided to THE PARTY site from lots # 73, 74 and 75 on Natchez Trace across from the Student Recreation Center. Buses will run continuously from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Look for THE PARTY signs in those lots for appropriate pick-up and drop-off points.
HOW DO I ORDER INVITATIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS?
Herff Jones is the official provider of the custom Vanderbilt University announcement. Orders may be placed at www.herffjones.com/college.
WILL PROGRAMS BE PROVIDED?
Programs will be available in the seating area of Alumni Lawn or in the north and south lobbies of Memorial Gymnasium in the event of rain. The Commencement Program lists the name, major(s), honors, and hometown of each graduate. It also lists previously earned degrees and dissertation titles for postbaccalaureate graduates where appropriate, armed forces commissions awarded at Commencement, prizes and awards to students, and membership in honor societies.
WILL A PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER PHOTOGRAPH GRADUATES?
The University will provide an official photographer to photograph each undergraduate shaking hands with the Chancellor on the platform. A professional photographer will also be on hand to take photographs of graduates and their families with the Chancellor at the Strawberries and Champagne Celebration at Bishop's Common after the Main Ceremony. An official photographer will also be present at the graduate and professional schools' hooding and diploma-awarding ceremonies. The photographer will mail proofs and a rate sheet to the graduate's permanent address within 10 days. School of Medicine graduates will be contacted by the Dean's office for photograph arrangements. To avoid obstructing the view of others, parents and friends will not be permitted to approach the platform areas.
WILL THE CEREMONY BE VIDEOTAPED?
The Main Ceremony, the Undergraduate Ceremony, and the Medical School Ceremony will be taped. For information on ordering a copy of the videos, visit www.vandygrads.com.
