IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS & GUESTS REGARDING THE 2008 COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY
Thursday, May 29, 2008
TIME AND PLACE: For January, June & September 2008 graduates, commencement exercises will be held on Thursday, May 29th at 10:30 a.m. outdoors on the South Field of the Lehman campus, rain or shine. Please advise your guests to bring umbrellas/hats to protect themselves from direct sun or rain.
GRADUATES: Report for robing no later than 8:45 a.m. to the main gymnasium in the APEX. Staff members will assist you. Do not bring coats, purses, or other personal belongings with you to the APEX. Leave them with your guests before you report to the APEX Building. There will be no attendant present in the APEX to guard your personal property during the ceremony.
CAPS AND GOWNS ARE REQUIRED: They may be purchased through the College Bookstore beginning Monday, May 1, 2008 until Commencement Day. Please place and pick up your order early to guarantee availability and proper size. Prices for the “Keepsake Set” are:
Bachelor’s Degree set (cap, gown, hood & tassel w/year) $52.75 + tax
Master’s Degree set (cap, gown, hood & tassel w/year) $58.50 + tax
All items are also sold separately. Please check with the College Bookstore for pricing.
COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY: Instructions about the line of march will be provided to graduates when you assemble at 8:45 a.m. in the APEX. There is no pre-commencement rehearsal. Graduates will be grouped by academic department and march behind their department banners. The graduates will proceed from the APEX to the South Field led by faculty Marshals.
The Marshals will lead the lines to the South Field and down the aisles to the graduates’ sections. Marshals then will direct the graduates to their seats, row by row. Graduates will remain standing throughout the faculty processional and the National Anthem, which begin the ceremony.
The candidates for degrees will be presented to the President. As your degree and department are named, stand until your Dean has called another department to be recognized. After the President confers degrees for all candidates, you should change your tassels from the right to the left side of your mortar boards (caps). All graduates will then be seated.
Following the ceremony, the Grand Marshal will lead the honored guests and faculty members from the stage and down the aisles. The graduates will then join this line. The line of march will continue back to the APEX Building area where guests may meet the graduates.
A reception for all graduates and guests will be held in the campus quad in front of Shuster Hall following the ceremony.
GENERAL INFORMATION FOR GUESTS: Guests of graduates are most welcome to attend the ceremony. Tickets are not required. A limited amount of parking space will be available in the North Reservoir Parking Lot. Guests may enter the campus any time after 8:45 a.m. through Gate 8 (Bedford Park Blvd. West), Gate 13 (Jerome Avenue) or Gate 1 (Goulden Avenue).
There are no reserved seats and seats may not be saved for late arrivals. Guests should be in their seats before the academic procession starts. Guests are asked not to block the line of march or to obstruct the view of other members of the audience.
At the end of the ceremony, guests will stand during the Alma Mater and Recessional, and should remain in place until the graduates’ line has left the South Field area. Since the campus is large and many people will be on the grounds on this day, graduates should decide in advance where they will meet their guests after the ceremony.
SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS: Lehman College is committed to making its programs and facilities accessible to students and their guests. If you have questions, need assistance, or an accommodation because of disability, please contact Ms. Merrill Parra, Director of Student Disability Services at (718) 960-8441 by Friday, May 9, 2008.
DIPLOMAS: Diplomas are not distributed at commencement. The Office of the Registrar will notify each graduate by mail when diplomas are printed and the days and hours of diploma distribution.
STATEMENT OF GRADUATION: Commencement Exercises are held too soon after examinations for any June and September graduates to have their records completed. As soon as it has been determined that you have graduated, a “Statement of Graduation” will be mailed. Diplomas or statements cannot be provided to graduates who have failed to clear any stops on their records.
The College wants to make this a memorable graduation day for you. Commencement is both a solemn and joyous occasion. We urge your cooperation in maintaining the dignity of the academic procession and the Commencement Ceremony. If you have any questions, please see Jerilyn Day in Room 206 Shuster Hall or call (718) 960-8242.
Best wishes for continued success!
Sincerely,
José Magdaleno
Vice President for Student Affairs