A Celebration for Graduating Seniors
All campus invited

2008 SENIOR SEND-OFF
Thursday, May 8
11a.m. - 1p.m.
Main Quad

Hosted by the SSU Alumni Association and Student Alumni Ambassadors, this event will feature free food, live performances, music, games, prize drawings, giveaways, a free first-year membership in the Alumni Association, graduate focused vendor tables, and much more.

For more information, call the Alumni Association at 707 664.2693
or e-mail: alumni.office@sonoma.edu.  You can also
stop by the Alumni Office at Stevenson Hall, room 1027.

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GRADUATE INFORMATION

Who is Eligible to Participate

Students who graduated in December, 2007 and candidates for May and August, 2008.

No pre-registration is required to participate in Commencement. Students will be given cards to fill in their names as they line up on Commencement day. Names are read as the student crosses the platform.

There is no dress rehearsal for Commencement. Monitors and Ushers will guide students on Commencment day.

Arrival Times and Location

Both ceremonies are held at The Commencement Lawn by the Lakes.

Info for Graduates: Report to the processional line-up area on the north side of Stevenson Hall
            Report by 8:15 a.m. for the 9:00 a.m. ceremony

• School of Science and Technology
• School of Social Sciences

            Report by 2:15 p.m. for the 3:00 p.m. ceremony

• School of Arts and Humanities
• School of Business and Economics
• School of Education

Info for Guests:

Seating

Graduates are encouraged to invite family and friends to attend Commencement. Due to the large crowd expected (about 5,000 each ceremony) and the limited seating capacity, graduates are asked to invite no more than five guests. Reservations and tickets are not needed. Seating is on a first-come basis. ALL GUESTS SHOULD BE SEATED AT LEAST 15 MINUTES BEFORE THE CEREMONY OR RISK MISSING THE PROCESSIONAL AS CERTAIN PATHWAYS WILL BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED WHILE THE GRADUATES WALK IN. For those who cannot attend, the ceremonies will be broadcast in real-time via a web cast.

Indoor Webcast Viewing of Commencement

A limited number of seats inside the Multi-Purpose Room of the Student Union (adjacent to the Commencement lawn) are available to view the Commencement ceremonies via a live Webcast. Seating in this area is on a first-come basis. Reservations are not taken for seating in this area. Additionally, during and after, the ceremony can be viewed by visiting SSU's Streaming Media website from any location with internet access, for those who wish to view the ceremony from home or some other location.

Graduates or Guests with Disabilities or Mobility Limitations

Graduates:
Special seating for graduates with disabilities, limited mobility or for those in need of a sign language interpreter will be available in the Graduate seating area (with, or close to your school, depending on your request.)  Contact Christy Giambastiani in Disability Services for Students, at (707) 664-2677 or giambasc@sonoma.edu. to make arrangements.  Requests should be made as soon as possible.

Guests:
An Assigned Seating area is available for guests with disabilities, mobility limitations and for those needing an American Sign Language interpreter. 

The Commencement area is within walking distance of parking areas, but graduates and guests should plan to provide assistance for those who have a disability or have mobility limitations, including bringing walkers and wheelchairs with them.  Check your local yellow pages for medical equipment rental.  A parking pass for Lot G and a campus map will be included when assigned seating guest passes are mailed.  Persons needing assigned seating can have a helper sit with them in the assigned seating area.  Carts and volunteers can assist guests with limited mobility from Lot G to the Commencement Lawn/Assigned Seating area. 

To request assigned seating, email the University Affairs office at affairs@sonoma.edu. or call (707) 664-4214.  Requests should be made as soon as possible.  Please provide the following information so that we can send seating and parking passes and campus map:
1) Name to whom passes are to be mailed,
2) Address where passes are to be mailed (e.g. parent of graduate that is bringing a grandparent with limited mobility)
3) Attending the AM or PM ceremony?
4) Indicate that request is for a person with limited mobility, needs a sign language interpreter, etc.

Arrangements for the Assigned Seating area must be made ahead of time and will be taken through May 15 (to allow processing and mailing time.)  If you miss the request deadline, please advise your family member that needs assigned seating, due to a disability or limited mobility, to go directly to the assigned seating area on Commencement day.  The volunteer monitors will make every effort to seat those who have not made reservations in advance.

* Graduates or Guests who use a telephone relay station may call (707) 664-2958 to make arrangements.

Maps, Campus and Area

Please go to http://www.sonoma.edu/university/maps.shtml for campus and area maps. The main campus map slows the location of the Commencement Lawn and parking lots.

Parking permits are not required on Commencement day. All lots are open and available, including metered spaces and reserved lots. Do not park in disabled parking spaces unless you are legally able to do so. See campus map for locations http://www.sonoma.edu/university/maps.shtml

Grad Fair

This is a must attend event for graduating seniors.

The SSU Bookstore is holding a Grad Fair on March 11, 12 and 13 in the University Commons from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. It is highly recommended that all graduates attend as the following vendors will be available to answer questions and assist graduates with their purchasing needs:

Framing Success- Diploma Frames
Herff Jones- Announcements and Class Rings
Bob Knight Photo- Free photo sitting in Cap and Gown
SSU Bookstore- Academic Regalia and Alumni Apparel

Photographers will take cap and gown (loaned for the shoot) photos of graduating students at the Grad Fair. There is no sitting fee and no obligation to purchase. Proofs will be emailed to students within 48 hours of the sitting.

In addition to refreshments, attendees will also receive 10% off their academic regalia, alumni apparel, and diploma frames. There is a chance to win $5,000 in the Bright Future Sweepstakes.

Graduation Announcements

Custom imprinted announcements (featuring graduate's name and degree) can be ordered online at www.herffjones.com/college or at the Grad Fair. Please allow four weeks for delivery. Generic (non-personalized) graduation announcements and printed insert cards are available for purchase at both the SSU Bookstore. The phone number of the SSU Bookstore is (707) 664-2329.

Class Rings

Class rings can be ordered online at www.herffjones.com/college. A representative from Herff Jones will be present during Grad Fair and on the day of Commencement for in-person ordering.

Academic Regalia

Traditional academic regalia (cap and gown) is considered standard apparel for graduates at Commencement. If you cannot attend the Grad Fair in March, these items can be purchased at the SSU Bookstore through May 24. To ensure proper sizing, graduates are encouraged to purchase their regalia as soon as possible.

Costs are:

Bachelor’s Regalia (cap, gown, tassel) = $32.98 plus tax
Master’s Regalia (cap, gown, tassel) = $34.98 plus tax
Master’s Hood = $26.98 plus tax
Souvenir Tassel = $5.98
Stole of Gratitude = $21.98

Diploma Photographs

Photographers will take each graduate's photograph as he or she receives his or her diploma. Graduates will receive an e-mail proof of their photo within 1 week of the ceremony (e-mail addresses will be written by the graduates on their "green" card that they fill out when lined up prior to the ceremonies). Orders can be placed once photo proofs are received. Students may feel comfortable listing their Sonoma State University e-mail addresses for this purpose since these e-mail addresses remain active for one semester after a student graduates.

Personal Photography

Audience members are free to take photographs or to videotape, however they should do so from their seating area and take care not to disrupt the ceremony, block another person's view, or in any way detract from the enjoyment of the event. Photographs of each student receiving his or her diploma will be taken and are available for purchase (see above).

Commencement Programs

Printed programs containing the names of graduates, a list of faculty, and other information about Commencement will be distributed on Commencement day. Graduates’ programs will be on their chairs. Guests will be able to pick up their programs as they enter the Commencement area (2 per family).

Flowers

The Sonoma State University Children’s School, a program of the Associated Students, Inc., offers a variety of flowers for sale from booths at various campus sites on Commencement day beginning at 7:30 a.m. The booths remain open until 5:30 p.m. Roses, orchids, spring bouquets and leis will be available. Prices range from $8-$30. Proceeds benefit the Children’s School. Cash, checks or credit cards are accepted.

Food and Beverages for Sale

Food and beverages are available for sale in well-traveled areas of campus beginning at 8:00 a.m. Consumption of alcoholic beverages is not permitted before, during or after Commencement. Drinking and misconduct by even a few would be disturbing to the graduates, faculty, and guests who expect and deserve a safe, orderly, and dignified ceremony. Any graduate who appears to be intoxicated will not be permitted to participate in the ceremony.

Bookstore

The Bookstore will be open Commencement day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Guests can purchase medication for headache, hay fever, sunscreen, batteries, disposable cameras, etc. as well gift items for graduates. See the Commencement Map for additional booth locations around campus where these items can also be purchased.

Restrooms

Restrooms in nearby buildings surrounding The Commencement Area will be open, including Stevenson Hall, Salazar Hall, the Art Building, and the gymnasium. Maps of open restrooms will be available at many locations during Commencement and in the Commencement program.

Smoking

In order to reduce the hazards of exposure to secondhand smoke, smoking is prohibited inside and within 20 feet of the outermost perimeter of all campus buildings, exterior ramps, stairways, and dining patios, as well as outside gathering and seating areas and any other location that unavoidably exposes others to second hand smoke.

Cell Phones

Please turn off cell phones and pagers during the ceremony.

Dogs

Dogs and other animals, other than service animals, are not permitted at Commencement or on the University grounds on Commencement day.

First Aid

An emergency first aid station will be set up near the northeast side of the Student Union building. University Police Officers will be on duty in the Commencement area to assist with first aid, emergencies and lost and found. Look for signage on Commencement day.

Heat Alert

The weather can be very warm, and there is little shade available at the Commencement site. Be sure to take appropriate precautions. Also please forewarn your guests, especially elderly people.

In Case of Rain

Commencement will go forward even if it rains. In case of rain, bring raincoats, umbrellas, and appropriate footwear. Depending on the severity of the rain, some parts of the ceremony may be shortened or omitted.

Information, Messages, and Lost and Found

An information, message and lost and found center, North of the Commons including a board available to graduates and guests for posting messages, will be set up and staffed on Commencement day.

Meeting Guests After the Ceremony

Graduates are urged to make arrangements before Commencement to meet family and friends after the ceremonies at the academic School receptions or another pre-designated location. Please remind guests that the audience must remain in their seats during the Recessional.

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PROCESSIONAL

Begins promptly at 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.

Line-up for Processional

Graduates should report to the processional line-up on the north side of Stevenson Hall by 8:15 a.m. for the 9 a.m. ceremony, and 2:15 p.m. for the 3 p.m. ceremony. Graduates line up by academic School. Within each School, master’s degree candidates march first, followed by bachelor’s degree candidates. Graduates should line up two across. If graduates want to sit together, they should line up behind one another, not next to one another as the lines will split in two directions upon entering the Commencement site. If your family is sitting on the Art Building side of the Commencement site, line up in the right position of the line. If your family is sitting on the Commons side of the Commencement site, line up in the left-side position.

Personal Belongings

Please do not carry any personal belongings during the ceremony. No checking facilities are available.

Science & Technology (9 a.m. ceremony)

Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Engineering Science, Geology, Interdisciplinary Studies/Special Major, Kinesiology, Mathematics, Nursing, Physics

Social Sciences (9 a.m. ceremony)

Anthropology, Counseling, Criminology and Criminal Justice, Cultural Resources Management, Environmental Studies and Planning, Geography, Global Studies, History, Human Development, Liberal Studies (Ukiah Program), Political Science, Psychology, Public Administration, Sociology, Women’s and Gender Studies

Arts & Humanities (3 p.m. ceremony)

American Multicultural Studies, Art, Art History, California Cultural Studies, Chicano and Latino Studies, Communication Studies, English, Fine Arts, French, Interdisiciplinary Studies/Hutchins, Liberal Studies (Hutchins School), Music, Philosophy, Spanish, Theatre Arts

Business & Economics (3 p.m. ceremony)

Business Administration, Economics, Management

Education (3 p.m. ceremony)

Education Master’s

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Signs will identify academic School line-up areas. Faculty marshals and staff serving as monitors will be present to direct graduates. Graduates who have double majors may line up with either academic School; only one diploma will be given. Graduates who have interdisciplinary majors should line up with the academic School of their primary field of study.

During the line-up, monitors will give each graduate a green card on which to write his or her name. Be sure to fill out a card; print legibly and, if appropriate, phonetically. Keep this important card with you at all times prior to receiving your diploma. It will be used by the reader during the ceremony. The card will also be used to identify the photograph that will be taken as each graduate receives his or her diploma.

Please pay attention and move at a steady pace with the processional to avoid confusion and delays. Follow the instructions of the faculty marshals.

Once the graduates have entered the graduates’ seating section, remain standing until asked to be seated.

Conferring of Degrees

The Chair of the Faculty, Dr. Timothy Wandling, will formally commend all students who are candidates for degrees.

The Provost, Dr. Eduardo Ochoa, will then ask the master’s degree candidates to stand and will commend them. The President will then confer the degrees.

The Academic School Dean will ask the bachelor’s degree candidates to stand and will commend them, by academic School.

President Ruben Armiñana will then ask the candidates for the bachelor's degree to stand and will confer the degrees.

Following the conferral of degrees, graduates will be asked to be seated and those graduates receiving masters degrees will be asked to stand and walk to the platform to receive their diplomas. When all masters have received their diplomas, they will be seated and bachelors asked to stand and come forward to receive their diplomas. Graduates will be asked to walk to the platform to receive their diplomas.

Diplomas

For ceremonial purposes, a diploma case will be presented to students during the ceremony. December graduates have already received their diplomas by mail; May and August graduates will receive their diplomas by mail. May graduates who do not attend the ceremony will receive their diploma and case by mail. December and August graduates who do not attend the ceremony may request (in writing to the Admissions and Records Office, 1801 E. Cotati Avenue, Rohnert Park, CA 94928) that a diploma case be mailed to them.

Tassel Placement

Master’s degree candidates wear the tassel on the left side of the cap. Bachelor’s degree candidates wear the tassel on the right side of the cap. After the conferring of degrees, bachelor’s degree recipients will be given instructions to move the tassel to the left side, signifying their status as graduates.

Honors

It has already been determined which December graduates have earned the designation cum laude, magna cum laude or summa cum laude. For May and August graduates, determinations were made on the basis of academic records at the end of January. Final determination of honors for May and August graduates will be made after all grades are in for the students’ final semester. Honors will be noted on transcripts and diplomas. Honor cords (which are worn with regalia) are available in the bookstore and are identified by the following colors:

Distinction (contributed to their academic department) - Navy/Gold
Cum Laude (GPA 3.50 - 3.74) - White/Gold
Magna Cum Laude (GPA 3.75 - 3.89) - Silver/Gold
Summa Cum Laude (GPA 3.90 or higher) - Gold/Gold

During the presentation of diplomas, each graduate will walk to the platform and his or her name will be read. Each graduate will receive his or her diploma from their academic School Dean or Provost and will be congratulated by the Chair of the Faculty or the President.

 

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RECESSIONAL

The recessional, like the processional, depends on everyone’s cooperation. Please join the line promptly and in proper order. Do not stop to talk with family and friends. Family and friends need to remain at their seats until all the graduates have left the Commencement site. Graduates need to keep the line intact and moving.

Recessional music will begin at the conclusion of the Commencement ceremony. The Platform Party will leave the platform, marching down the center aisle, turning right in front of the graduates, and onto the path adjacent to the Student Union. The faculty will follow, marching two across. The graduates will exit to the inside aisle and, marching two across, will follow the faculty.

March along the path from the Commencement site, between the Commons and Student Union, and then toward the Seawolf Shops Bookstore, then south towards Salazar Hall. The faculty will continue along the pathway where they will stop and separate to form two facing lines. The graduates will continue, passing through the faculty lines. The forming of the faculty lines is a Sonoma State tradition which allows faculty an opportunity to greet and congratulate graduates. Once graduates pass through the faculty lines, they are free to join family and friends.

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FESTIVITIES

Academic School Receptions

Each Academic School hosts an informal reception for graduates and their guests immediately following the Commencement ceremonies. Refreshments are served. The receptions provide a good opportunity for graduates to greet faculty and introduce family and friends, and for informal photographs.

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