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Commencement Letter

Dear Graduate Candidate:

All Graduate Candidates are recognized and walk across the stage at the All-University Commencement Ceremony.

If you plan on participating in the 2009 All-University Commencement, you must complete and return the Commencement Attendance card. The cards are available from the Registrar’s Office. Without the card, we will not have any record of your intention to participate and will not have your place in line reserved.

The 2009 All-University Commencement will be held on Saturday, May 9, 2009, in the Bud Walton Arena at 8:45 a.m.

If you decide not to participate in the ceremony, please contact our office at 479/575-4401 as soon as possible.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION

GRADUATE SCHOOL ISSUES:

The university does not award distinction or honors for graduate degrees.
Eligibility to participate in the 2009 All-University Commencement ceremony:
- You must have received a graduate degree during the Summer 2008 semester; or
- You must have received a graduate degree during the Fall 2008 semester; or
- You must be a Spring 2009 degree applicant; or
If you are a Summer 2009 or Fall 2009 degree applicant, you may participate if: (Form is available from the Graduate School or on our website at: www.uark.edu/depts/gradinfo/forms/student/req_to_participate.pdf
- You have submitted a “Request to Participate” form, signed by both you and your advisor;
- and if you will complete all requirements for the conferral of the graduate degree no later than in time for a Fall 2009 diploma
- and if you apply to graduate for the appropriate semester
- and if you understand that you may not participate in any future commencement exercises in honor of receiving the same degree

*If you are a Spring 2009 degree applicant and you will not complete all requirements by the deadlines for Spring 2009 graduation, you must file a “Request to Participate” form.

COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY ISSUES:

REGALIA:
You must be in full regalia to participate in the ceremony. This includes cap with tassel, black gown, and hood. The hood and tassel indicate the degree you hold and should be the same color. If you wear additional adornment, it will be taken away before you enter the arena floor.

Master’s and Ed.S. candidates: The hood should be placed around your neck and down your back. The hood should hang freely (no twists) so that the degree-color strip will be at the top. This allows the red/white colors of the University to flare out and be displayed.

Doctoral Candidates: Carry your hood on your right shoulder with the degree-color strip closest to your neck. The hoods will be draped by Dr. Collis R. Geren, Dean of the Graduate School, during the ceremony. Further instructions are included with your regalia.
TASSELS:
The tassel is to be worn on your right side of the mortar board for all graduate degree candidates.
CHECK-IN:
Over 500 graduate degree recipients and others will be in the Truck Tunnel to be lined up for the ceremony. This tunnel allows access for large trucks and is fully cemented. Therefore, the acoustics are terrible and any noise can impair the proceedings. We therefore ask your cooperation in maintaining minimal conversation while you are in the tunnel as well as during the ceremony.

Master’s and Ed.S. candidates: Check in at the tables located at or near the east end of the Truck Tunnel, which is located directly beneath the east (Harrod) entrance to Bud Walton Arena. Please look for a large CHECK-IN MASTER’S/ED.S. sign. You will obtain a pre-printed ATTENDANCE CARD from the staff on hand. KEEP THIS CARD WITH YOU AT ALL TIMES. The card will have your degree, your name, the line assignment and placement number. Locate the correct line and take your place in that line, verifying that your numerical position is in correct sequence with graduates before and after you. TAKE THE CARD WITH YOU AS YOU APPROACH THE STAGE. A person will take the card from you when you are on the ramp and hand it to Professor Norwood who will be calling names. All names will be read from the cards.

Doctoral candidates: Check-in at the tables located in room A131 which is near the west end of the Truck Tunnel, which is located directly beneath the east (Harrod) entrance to Bud Walton Arena. Please look for a large CHECK-IN DOCTORATES/ESCORTS sign. You will obtain a pre-printed ATTENDANCE CARD from the staff on hand. KEEP THIS CARD WITH YOU AT ALL TIMES. The card will have your degree, your name, the line assignment and placement number. Locate the correct line and take your place in that line, verifying that your numerical position is in correct sequence with graduates before and after you. TAKE THE CARD WITH YOU AS YOU APPROACH THE STAGE. A person will take the card from you when you are on the ramp and hand it to Professor Norwood who will be calling names. All names will be read from the cards.

Master’s and Ed.S. candidates: You will be grouped by degree in alphabetical order.

Doctoral candidates: You will be grouped by degree, by degree program, and finally by your faculty escort. You will not necessarily be arranged alphabetically.
NAME PRONUNCIATION:
We want to pronounce your name correctly. If you have any pronunciation suggestions or guidelines, you may contact Joni Teddleton or Jeremy Turner and we will indicate them on the ATTENDANCE CARD. Professor John Norwood will be reading the names at the ceremony. You may also contact him at 479/575-4051 and speak to him directly.
Commencement programs will be placed on the chairs at Bud Walton Arena.
The lines will move into the arena at exactly 8:45 a.m. Please arrive at the Walton Arena by 8:00 a.m.
During the ceremony, you will be handed a diploma cover with a congratulatory letter.

Summer 2008 or Fall 2008 degree recipients: You should already have received your diploma by mail. If you did not, please contact the Registrar’s Office at 479/575-5451.

Spring 2009 applicants: Please note that, due to the timing of final grade reporting, we will not have the diplomas in the diploma covers. They will be mailed to you approximately 8 weeks after May 12.

Summer 2009/Fall 2009 applicants: Diplomas will be mailed to you approximately 8 weeks after the close of the semester in which you graduate.
Do not take any personal property with you during the ceremony. There are no storage capabilities. Purses, cameras, etc. should be left with your family or friends. There have been instances of theft during the ceremony.
Only graduate degree candidates and faculty escorts are permitted on the stage. If an immediate family member (spouse, parent, child) is a member of the academic faculty at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, and you would like them to present your diploma, please contact Joni Teddleton or Jeremy Turner at 479/575-4401.
If you have need of any physical accommodations (wheelchair, crutches, etc.), please contact Joni Teddleton or Jeremy Turner at 479/575-4401 as soon as possible. The stage has an entry and exit ramp.
Chappell Photography, a professional photography company, will be on hand to take pictures of each candidate as the diplomas are presented during the ceremony. You will receive information regarding their services directly from them. You may contact Chappell Photography by calling 1-800-487-4080 or http://www.chappell.com
The Department of Media Services, Division of Continuing Education, will be recording the ceremony. If you are interested in purchasing a copy of the video, please contact them at 479/575-5710.

Once again, Commencement Staff will be on hand to assist you if you have any questions. We are pleased that you have decided to take part in the 2009 All-University Commencement and if you have any questions, please fell free to call our office.

Sincerely,

Joni Teddleton
Project/Program Specialist

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University of Arkansas

A nationally competitive, student-centered research university serving Arkansas and the world.

The Graduate School

Office of the Dean of the Graduate School

Commencement Letter