Indiana University of Pennsylvania

Sunday, December 16, 2007

Graduate School Ceremony at 10:00 am, Memorial Field House
Undergraduate Ceremony at 2:00 pm, Memorial Field House

Salute to Grads: All students who apply for December graduation were invited to attend a “Salute to Grads” event in the HUB on October 23, 2007, 10:00 am - 6:00 pm. At this event, students were able to order/purchase commencement ceremony robes/regalia; order graduation announcements and memorabilia. Undergraduate students who earned academic honors pick up their honors medallions, picked up Commencement tickets, and verified their diploma name and mailing address.

Commencement Ceremony (Master's and Doctoral): All graduating students from the Graduate School will be asked to participate in the December Commencement ceremony held in the morning at Memorial Field House.

Students who wish to participate should come to Auxiliary Gym in Memorial Field House at 9:15 am on the day of Commencement for the processional lineup, already wearing their graduation regalia. The procession of the students into the Main Gym in Memorial Field House will begin promptly at 9:45 am.

Family members, relatives and friends are all invited to view the ceremony, no tickets are necessary for Master’s degree candidates; however, guests for Doctoral students are issued special seating tickets via the student by the Graduate School for seating in a reserved area of Memorial Field House.

The formal ceremony begins at 10:00 am, and students are conferred their degrees individually, with a reading of their name and degree, then processing across the ceremonial stage and receiving their diploma cover, presented by their college dean. This ceremony is designed specifically for Graduate Level students, and all ceremonial speeches are specially selected for these degree recipients.

There will be a professional photographer who will take pictures of each individual graduating student as the student receives his/her diploma cover, and students who wish to order the finished photographs will have an opportunity to do so.

The ceremony typically lasts about an hour and a half. There will be a reception for all Graduate students and their guests immediately following the ceremony. This reception will be held at the Crimson Event Center in Folger Dining Hall.

Commencement Ceremony (Undergraduate Students): (This ceremony should be attended by all August and December undergraduate candidates.) All undergraduate level students who are receiving a baccalaureate or associate degree will be asked to participate in the December Commencement ceremony held in the afternoon at the Memorial Field House main gymnasium.

The students who wish to participate should come to the Memorial Field House Auxiliary Gym no later than 1:00 pm on the day of Commencement for the processional lineup, already wearing their graduation regalia.

The procession of the students into the main Field House gymnasium will begin promptly at 1:45 pm. The tremendous popularity of the ceremony prompts the need to ensure that every graduating student has the opportunity to have three guests, since seating in the Memorial Field House gymnasium is limited. (These guest tickets are available to the graduating student at the special “Salute to Grads” event held earlier in the semester. Students who did not attend Salute to Grads may pick up their tickets in the Registrar's Office in Clark Hall). Only those spectators who have received the blue guest tickets may enter the Memorial Field House for viewing the ceremony. Seating is open seating style in the bleachers, with no prearranged reservation for seats. There will be an area designated for spectators who are physically challenged. For family members, relatives and friends who have received yellow tickets from the graduating student, there is overflow seating at designated campus auditoriums where the entire ceremony will be shown via closed circuit television. No tickets are available on the day of the ceremony.

The formal ceremony begins at 2:00 pm, and students are conferred their degrees individually, with a reading of their name and degree, the student processing across the ceremonial stage and receiving his diploma cover, presented by the student’s college dean. This ceremony is designed specifically for Undergraduate Level students, and all ceremonial speeches are specially selected for these degree recipients. There will be a professional photographer who will take pictures of each individual graduating student as the student receives his diploma cover, and students who wish to order the finished photographs will have an opportunity to do so. The ceremony typically lasts two hours. There will be a reception for all Undergraduate students and their guests immediately following the ceremony. This reception will be held at the Crimson Event Center in Folger Dining Hall.

Undergraduate Honors: In order to receive an honors medallion to wear at the December graduation ceremony, undergraduate students who have earned a minimum of 3.25 cumulative grade point average and who have met all the requirements for the awarding of the IUP academic honors by the last graded semester may pick up their medallion either at the Fall semester “Salute to Grads” event or anytime after that day from the IUP Co-op Store. For any undergraduate students who did not have the required minimum 3.25 cumulative grade point average prior to the ceremony, but who will have achieved this once the final semester grades are posted, their honors medallion will be mailed to them along with their diploma. Students who have achieved academic honors when the final degree checkout is made will have the honors posted on their diploma.

Diplomas: Diplomas are not presented at any of the Commencement ceremonies. Instead, the diploma covers are awarded to the individual graduating students at each of the December ceremonies. The actual diploma will be sent to each graduate after the student’s final academic record has been checked for completing all graduation requirements and final grades. The diploma is sent usually within four to six weeks after the semester, mailed to the address that was indicated by the student on his/her graduation application.

Questions about graduation regalia and Commencement announcements should be directed to the Co-op Store. The phone number is (800) 537-7916. Local dialers may dial (724) 357-3145, then access the operator.

Academic Regalia
Faculty planning to participate in the academic processions at commencement on December 16 are reminded that the deadline for ordering rental regalia at the Co-op Store is October 19.

Parking and Accommodations
The university's parking garage is located along Grant Street, near Eleventh Street. Memorial Field House is a short walk from the garage. Parking also is available in front of Memorial Field House, which is located on Eleventh Street, near Maple Street. See driving directions to the Parking Garage. There also are a number of hotels in the Indiana area. More information is available about accommodations.

What is the date and time of Commencement?
The Graduate School Ceremony will take place at Memorial Field House on Sunday, December 16, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. The Undergraduate Commencement will take place at Memorial Field House on Sunday, December 16, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. with the academic procession beginning at 1:45 p.m.

How much time will the ceremony take?
The Graduate Ceremony runs about one and one-half hours and the Undergraduate Ceremony usually runs about two hours.

When and where do the graduates report on Commencement day?
All graduates participating in the Graduate procession and ceremony must report to Memorial Field House Auxiliary Gym, no later than 9:15 a.m. on Sunday, December 16, 2007. All graduates participating in the Undergraduate procession and ceremony must report to Memorial Field House Auxiliary Gym, no later than 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 16, 2007.

What about parking?
Guests of the graduates can use the entire parking area on campus including the lot near Memorial Field House, Pratt Drive, R&P Lot, and the Parking Garage located near the corner of Grant Street and Eleventh Street. A shuttle bus service is available to everyone. All parking is free that day.

Do you need an admission ticket to the Commencement Ceremony?
Tickets are not required for the Graduate Ceremony. Each Undergraduate is allowed three tickets for the ceremony in Memorial Field House. These tickets are distributed when the graduate attends the Salute to Grads program on October 23. The Registrar's Office will distribute tickets for those students who are not able to attend this special event through Friday, December 14, 2007. Students who are off-campus with internships or student teaching assignments may have tickets mailed to them by writing to Office of the Registrar, Attention: Commencement Tickets, 312 Clark Hall, 1090 South Drive, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana, PA 15705. Guests without Field House tickets can view the ceremony via closed circuit television in the Eberly College of Business Alumni Auditorium and in Beard Auditorium in Stouffer Hall. It is suggested that those who cannot sit on bleachers or climb one or two steps may be more comfortable in one of the two closed circuit television areas since movement up and down the stairs can be difficult.

Tickets are available for the closed circuit television areas.

Are there any special arrangements for guests who are physically impaired?
Any graduate whose parents or other guests are physically impaired may obtain special parking and seating permits by calling the Registrar's Office at (724) 357-2217, extension 2377.

For the University Commencement, there will be special seating for the physically impaired. Some, however, may find it more comfortable to watch the ceremony via closed circuit television in the Eberly College of Business Alumni Auditorium or Stouffer Auditorium.

After the Commencement Ceremony, shuttle service will be available to transport all guests to the Crimson Event Center in Folger Dining Hall for a reception. The shuttle will also be available to transport guests to any of the university parking lots.

How will I know if my son/daughter will be receiving a special award?
Honors medallions for baccalaureate December graduates who have attained a 3.25 or higher cumulative grade point average at IUP before the fall semester began will be distributed at Salute to Grads on October 23; medallions may be picked up at the Registrar's Office in Clark Hall after October 23. A student must present his or her Student ID Card to receive a medallion.

What about pictures?
A professional photographer will take a picture of each graduate receiving his or her diploma. Prior to the ceremony, each graduate will receive order information from the photographer.

Is there space on campus for a private reception after Commencement?
Because of so many events already taking place on campus, we are unable to offer space for private functions. Immediately after the ceremony, however, President Tony Atwater will host a reception honoring all students, families, and guests in the Folger Dining Hall Reception Area. A shuttle bus from Memorial Field House to the Folger Hall will be available for those wanting this service.

What about a cap and gown?
Our contact for caps and gowns is the IUP Co-op Store, located in the Hadley Union Building. The store is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.; Saturday from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.; and on Commencement Day from 8:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. The cost of a cap and gown, which the student may keep, is $28 for Associate’s and Bachelor’s candidates; $56 for Master’s candidates and $66.00 for Doctoral candidates. For questions regarding caps and gowns, phone the Co-op Store at 724-357-3145, extension 0 (zero).