Important Dates and Deadlines for Graduates.pdf

Summer Commencement Ceremony 2009

Saturday, August 22 at 10:00 a.m. in Carver Gym

Procession begins 15 minutes earlier

The summer commencement ceremony will be held on Saturday, August 22, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. in Carver Gymnasium. The procession begins 15 minutes earlier. The ceremony will last approximately 1 hour, 30 minutes.

Please note that University policy does not allow students to attend commencement prior to the quarter the degree will be awarded.

There are 2 distinct fees associated with graduation:

• Degree Application fee ($40 undergraduates)
• Commencement Package/Reservation fee ($45 undergraduates and $55 masters). The commencement package includes cap, gown, tassel and diploma cover. Master's candidates also receive a hood.

Commencement Package Fees
The fees for the commencement package (tax included) are:
Bachelor's degree candidates $45.00 (or $65.00 after 5 PM, July 17, 2009)
Master's degree candidates $55.00 (or $75.00 after 5 PM, July 17, 2009)

Eligible students who wish to participate in the summer commencement ceremony must complete the reservation form and purchase a commencement package from WWU Alumni Association by July 17th to avoid a late fee. Orders postmarked later than the July 17th deadline will still be accepted but must include a $20 late handling fee. If you need a Commencement Package Order Form by mail, please contact the Registrar's Office @360-650-3701. Graduates keep their commencement package.

PLEASE NOTE: Graduates must purchase their own commencement package from WWU Alumni Association and complete the reservation form to participate in the ceremony. A cap and gown borrowed or purchased elsewhere does not guarantee participation in the ceremony and you will not be able to get tickets for your guests.

Grad Packs are available for purchase through WWU Alumni Association and are not associated with making a reservation to participate in the commencement ceremony. There are several Grad Pack options available for graduates to purchase.

Admission Tickets
Seating in Carver Gym is limited. All guests, regardless of age will be admitted by ticket only. It is highly recommended that you arrive early as seating is first come, first serve in Carver Gym and the procession begins 15 minutes prior to the ceremony. Each student who has made a commencement reservation with Alumni Association will receive 6 guest tickets.

Academic Apparel
If you have questions about picking up your apparel, contact staff at WWU Alumni Assocation at 360-650-3353. If you are unable to pick up your apparel, a friend may pick it up for you. Tassels should be worn on the right side of the cap.

Bachelor's Candidates Apparel, Lineup & Ticket Pickup (*Photo ID required)
Apparel & Tickets - Friday, August 21, 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM, VU Multi-Purpose Room

Bachelor's Commencement Day, Saturday, August 22:
Apparel - 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. in Red Square, Alumni Tent
Tickets - 8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. at Carver Gym Ticket Booth
Name cards & Lineup - 9:15, Red Square. Pick up your name card at marked posts on Bond Hall.

Master's Candidates Apparel, Lineup & Ticket Pickup (*Photo ID required)
Apparel & Tickets - Friday, August 21, 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM, VU Multi-Purpose Room
Tickets - Monday through Friday, August 17-21, 8:00 AM to 5 PM, Old Main 530

Master's Commencement Day, Saturday, August 22 :
Apparel - 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. in Red Square, Alumni Tent
Tickets - 8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. at Carver Gym Ticket Booth
Name cards & Lineup - 9:15 a.m. in Red Square. Pick up your name card at master's post on Bond Hall.

*Please be prepared to present photo ID to pick up tickets. If you are unable to pick up your tickets, a friend may do so for you. You must provide your friend with a signed note that states the name of the person who is to pick up the tickets. The named person must present his or her photo ID.

Change of Plans
Bachelor's candidates who find themselves unable to participate in the ceremony can move their commencement fees to the next quarter by contacting the WWU Alumni Association, 360-650-3353. Master's participants with a change of plans must contact the Graduate School at 360-650-3170.

Announcements and College Rings
To order announcements, go to Royal T Papers or call 800-442-4696. Graduation announcements are on display at the Western Alumni House, Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM—5:00 PM.

To order class rings, go to Jostens or call 800-854-7464. Class rings are on display at the AS Bookstore, Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM—5:00 PM.

Accommodation Requests
Guests
You do not need to contact us if your guest is unable to climb stairs, is in a wheelchair, or needs sign language interpretation as arrangements have been made for them. Please see the Guest Seating section. To request other disability accommodations for your guest, contact commencement staff in the Registrar's Office, 360-650-3701 (Washington State TDD Relay Service, 800-833-6388) or by e-mail, at least 14 days in advance of the ceremony. Sorry, but we are unable to provide wheelchairs for use on commencement day.

Graduates
You do need to contact commencement staff in the Registrar's Office, 360-650-3701 (Washington State TDD Relay Service, 800-833-6388) or by e-mail, at least 14 days in advance of the ceremony if you plan to attend in a wheelchair (or have other mobility limitations), are hearing or visually impaired, or need to request other disability accommodations.

Campus Map
A campus map and directions to Western Washington University are available online.

Graduation Honors for the Ceremony
Graduation honors (magna cum laude and cum laude) for the ceremony are determined by using the honors GPA for coursework through spring quarter of 2009 and apply to first undergraduate degrees only. Undergraduates who are attending the ceremony and are eligible for academic honors will be given gold cords when they pick up their commencement tickets.

The honors GPA's that are necessary to wear an honor cord at the ceremony are available online.

Rehearsal
There will be no commencement rehearsal. Please see Ceremony and Degree Conferral section for instructions.

Parking
Guest parking is free on commencement day and available in most lots. Visitors must observe regulations for handicapped and individually reserved spaces. Please remind your guests to arrive early to avoid traffic congestion and to allow for travel time between the parking lots and gym. Shuttle bus service will be available from the 12A parking lot off Bill McDonald Parkway near Fairhaven College, but cannot accommodate wheelchairs. The shuttle service begins at 8:30 AM and ends at 12:30 PM or until there is no demand. Guests in wheelchairs may park in Lot 10G behind Miller Hall. Parking attendants will be available to assist guests with special parking needs. Refer to the campus map.

Graduate Lineup
Bachelor's and Master's candidates are asked to arrive in Red Square no later 9:15 a.m.. Go to the Bond Hall side of Red Square to pick up your name card (You will hand your name card to your Dean as you cross the stage so your name can be announced.) Name cards will be distributed by college affiliation at marked posts. If you are unsure of your college affiliation, it is listed at the end of your academic history, available on Web4U. After getting your name card, remain at your post because the procession and seating will also be done by college affiliation.

Tassels should be worn on the right side of the cap.

There is no secure place to leave coats and/or purses on commencement day; we recommend you leave these items with a family member. Please remember your student ID card for Memory Walk.

Food Services
Concessions will be available outside Carver Gym and Miller Hall on commencement day.

Guest Seating
Carver Gym opens at 9:00 AM All guests should be seated 15 minutes before the posted time of the ceremony. The procession starts 15 minutes prior to the ceremony.

The first 4 rows of bleachers are reserved for those who have difficulty climbing stairs. In order to accommodate everyone we must request that only one family member accompany guests using these seats. Ushers are available to assist guests in wheelchairs, and Carver 109 has a video monitor for the convenience of guests with small children. For guests requiring sign language interpretation, seating is available in section C/D until 10 minutes prior to the ceremony. At that time, unused seats in section C/D will be released. Guests attending the ceremony should remember that Carver Gym has bleacher seating, is not air conditioned, and may be uncomfortable.

Ceremony and Degree Conferral
The ceremony begins at 10:00 a.m. with the Academic Procession from Red Square beginning approximately 15 minutes earlier. After seating, the program begins with the President's greetings, followed by the National Anthem, introductions, opening remarks, student address, commencement address, graduate degrees, and baccalaureate degrees.

The following are details for conferral of degrees:

Master's Candidates:
(Graduate School commencement staff will demonstrate folding and presentation procedures for your hood prior to the ceremony on commencement day.)

1. The marshal at the left will signal an entire row to rise and move to the left.
   
2. Proceed toward the stage and hand your hood to the graduate faculty member.
   
3. Turn your back to the faculty member and remove your cap.
   
4. After the hood is placed over your head, replace your cap and continue to the stage.
   
5. Hand name card to the Dean who will read your name.
   
6. Proceed across the stage, shake hands with the President, who will hand you your diploma cover.
   
7. Leave the stage and walk down the outside aisle to your row and take your seat.
   

1. The marshal at the left will signal an entire row to rise. Move to the left and proceed to the stage.
   
2. Hand name card to the Dean who will read your name.
   
3. Proceed across the stage, shake hands with the President, who will hand you your diploma cover.
   
4. Leave the stage and walk down the outside aisle to your row and take your seat.

The program concludes with the President's closing remarks and Alma Mater followed by the recession to the Memory Walk Ceremony.

Memory Walk Ceremony

Fall & Winter Memory Walk
After completion of the commencement ceremony, faculty and graduates will proceed to the stage where they will deposit their identification cards in a box which is later cemented into Memory Walk. Please remember your student ID card.

Spring & Summer Memory Walk
After completion of the commencement ceremony, faculty and graduates will proceed across Red Square to the walk in front of Old Main. Here graduates pass through two lines of faculty and deposit their identification cards in a box which is later cemented into Memory Walk. Please remember your student ID card.

Photographs, Videos & DVDs
Photographs
A professional photographer will take pictures of each graduate crossing the stage. One week after commencement, each graduate will receive a color proof and no-obligation ordering information. Commencement photos will be on-line by the Monday following commencement at BobKnightPhoto.com. A password will be sent by mail with the ordering information for viewing your proofs online. Guests will not be allowed to leave their seats or block the view of others for the purpose of taking pictures or videos. The use of tripods is prohibited for the safety of all.

Videos and DVDs
You can purchase a videotape (VHS) of the commencement ceremony for $16.26 per tape plus $5.00 shipping and handling. DVDs are also available for $21.28 plus $5.00 shipping and handling. (These prices include 8.4% Washington sales tax.) Videotapes and DVDs will be shipped to your address approximately 2-4 weeks after commencement. Order forms are available online and will also be available on commencement day in the gym lobby. For further information, please contact WWU Video Services at 360-650-3302 or by e-mail.

Past Ceremonies Available for Viewing

Summer 2008

Fall 2008

Winter 2009

Lost & Found
Please check with University Police (360-650-3555) or with the Viking Union Lost & Found Office (360-650-4772).

Diplomas are not distributed at commencement. After verification that all degree requirements have been completed, bachelor's diplomas will be mailed to your diploma mailing address approximately 6-8 weeks after the end of the quarter of graduation. Master's diplomas are generally mailed within 1-2 weeks after the end of the quarter of graduation. Notification of diploma address changes may be made online. Diploma reissues within the first six months after graduation are handled by the Registrar's Office, 360-650-3701.

After the six month period, replacement diplomas are issued through WWU Alumni Association. Visit their website for more information.

Graduation Souvenirs
Graduation souvenirs, gift items, and WWU clothing may be purchased at the Associated Students Bookstore which will be open commencement day from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. You may also shop online.

Bellingham Area Guide & Lodging
For information on lodging and the Bellingham area click here.

Important Notices
Students who make their commencement reservation after July 17th will be assessed a $20 late fee.

Use of cellular phones, air horns, and tripods is prohibited. Pagers must be set on vibrate mode.

A commencement ceremony at Western is conducted in an atmosphere of dignity and decorum. You deserve this and so do your loved ones who are present to honor you. For this reason alcoholic beverages have no place during commencement. Please remind your friends and family that this important occasion is not an appropriate time for the use of alcohol, as it can spoil the event for classmates and observers, including spouses, parents, grandparents, and children.

Out of respect for each other and the solemnity of the occasion, graduates and guests are asked to stay for the entire ceremony.

Please note that pursuant to Washington Administrative Code 516-52-4010, dogs and/or service animals are not permitted in University buildings except for assisting persons with physical, mental and/or sensory disabilities. They must always be under immediate control of their handlers.

Future Commencement Ceremonies
Commencement exercises are held each quarter on the Saturday following finals week. Information and sign-up forms will be available on-line on this website the first week of the quarter. Only students with a degree application on file in the Registrar's Office may sign up for commencement. Master's students must contact the Graduate School. Please note that University policy does not allow students to attend commencement prior to the quarter the degree will be awarded.

Students without access to a computer may call 360-650-3985 for a printed copy of commencement information.

Academic Year 2008-2009

Fall Ceremony: December 13, 2008, 10:00 a.m., Carver Gym, completed.

Winter Ceremony: March 21, 2009, 10:00 a.m., Carver Gym., completed.

Spring Ceremonies: June 13, 2009, Carver Gym, completed.

Contact Us
Commencement@wwu.edu