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TABLE  OF  CONTENTS  

   

INVITATION  .............................................................................................................................  1  

COMMENCEMENT  CEREMONY  ..................................................................................................  2  

ATTENDANCE  .........................................................................................................................  2  

PROCESSIONAL  PREPARATION  .................................................................................................  3  

CEREMONY  PROGRAM  .........................................................................................................  3-­‐4  

DIPLOMA  PROCESS  ..............................................................................................................  4-­‐5  

DIPLOMA  PROCESS  DIAGRAM  ..................................................................................................  6  

RECESSIONAL  PROCESS  ...........................................................................................................  7  

ADDITIONAL  INFORMATION  

DISABLED  GUESTS  ............................................................................................................  8  

FLOWERS  &  BALLOONS  .....................................................................................................  8  

HOTELS  &  RESTAURANTS  ..................................................................................................  8  

PARKING  .........................................................................................................................  8  

PHOTOGRAPHER  ..............................................................................................................  8  

STROLLERS  ......................................................................................................................  8  

ULTRA  GREEN  CAP  AND  GOWN  ..........................................................................................  9  

VENDORS  ........................................................................................................................  9  

INSTRUCTIONS  FOR  WEARING  ACADEMIC  HOOD  .......................................................................    10  

SENIOR  SEND-­‐OFF  INVITATION  ................................................................................................  11  

   

ARENA  LAYOUT  DIAGRAM  ......................................................................................................  12  

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INVITATION  

 

We   invite   you   to   participate   in   this   year’s   Commencement   Ceremony.     Commencement   at  William  Paterson  University  is  an  important  event  for  you,  your  family,  and  friends,  as  well  as  the  faculty  and  staff.     The   ceremony   brings   together   all   involved   to   celebrate   your   achievements   and   successful  conclusion  of  earning  a  higher  education  degree.  

 

The  commencement  ceremony  is  a  formal  celebration  steeped  in  academic  ritual  and  the  traditions  of   the   University   complete   with   procession,   academic   regalia,   and   other   elements   of   pageantry.    Personal  attention  takes  center  stage  as  each  graduate  is  individually  recognized.  

 

Ceremony  highlights  instituted  by  your  predecessors  have  become  traditions.    They  are  experienced  as  you  witness  your  peers  in  varying  roles:  leading  in  the  graduates  with  College  banners,  singing  the  National  Anthem  and  Alma  Mater,  as  well  as  speaking  on  behalf  of  the    degree  candidates.  

 

As   this   is   a   ceremonial   event,   we   ask   that   all   members   of   the   community   conduct   themselves  befitting   the   occasion.   The   ceremony   is   expected   to   last   approximately   two   and   one-­‐half   hours.    Please  respect  your  fellow  students  and  their  experience  of  the  ceremony  by  remaining  in  your  seats  until  its  conclusion.  

 

Guests  do  not  need  tickets  to  attend  the  ceremony.    Complimentary  parking  will  be  available  at  the  IZOD   Center.     Family   members   will   not   be   able   to   interact   with   graduates   in   the   ceremony-­‐level  staging  and  exit  areas.    Please  arrange  for  a  mutually  agreed  upon  meeting  location  with  your  family  members  outside  the  IZOD  Center  at  the  end  of  the  ceremony.  

 

We  hope  that  you  will   join  us  on  Wednesday,  May  14,  2014,  as  we  pay  tribute  to  your  achievements  and  potential!  

 

Congratulations  on  your  achievement!  

 

The  Commencement  Committee  

   

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COMMENCEMENT  CEREMONY      FOR  DOCTORAL,  MASTER’S  AND  BACHELOR’S    

DEGREE  CANDIDATES  

 

Wednesday,  May  14,  2014  at  10:00  a.m.    

at  the    

IZOD  Center    

50  State  Route  120  

East  Rutherford,  NJ  07073-­‐2160  

 

THE  FOLLOWING  INSTRUCTIONS  PERTAIN  

 TO  THE  CEREMONY:    

Instructions  are  posted  at    

www.wpunj.edu/commencement  

 Questions  pertaining  to  the  ceremony  should  be  directed  to    

commencement@wpunj.edu  

 

ATTENDANCE  

Your  participation  in  the  ceremony  is  voluntary.    There  is  no  rehearsal  for  Commencement.    Graduates  should  report  at  9:00  a.m.  to  the  IZOD  Center  and  enter  at  the  Box  Office  Lobby  Doors.    Please  bring  your  regalia  (cap,  gown,  hood,  tassel,  honor  cords  if  applicable)  and  your  name  card  with  you  to  your  staging  area.  

Family  members  and  guests  are  requested  to  go  directly  into  the  arena.    Doors  will  open  for  admittance  of  guests  at  9:00  a.m.  through  Gates  A,  B,  and  C.  

Please  leave  any  valuables  or  personal  belongings  in  your  vehicle  or  with  family  members  as  there  is  no  place  to  leave  them  in  the  staging  area.  

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PROCESSIONAL  PREPARATION  

Upon  entrance  into  the  Lobby,  take  Escalator  D  (right  side  of  lobby)  down  to  the  exhibition  level.    University  personnel  and  signage  will  direct  you  to  the  appropriate  staging  area  by  your  academic  major  within  the  appropriate  department  and  College.      

 

Name  Card:  If  you  have  lost  or  forgotten  to  bring  your  name  card  with  you,  please  stop  at  the  tables  in  the  Lobby  (alphabetical  order)  before  going  down  to  the  exhibition  level  to  receive  a  duplicate  card.  

 

Doctoral  degree  candidates  will  be  hooded  on  stage.    Both  master’s  and  bachelor’s  degree  candidates  will  wear  their  hoods  throughout  the  ceremony.    Hoods  are  draped  around  your  neck  (see  the  instructions  on  page  11  for  how  to  put  on  the  hood).    Doctoral  and  Master’s  candidates  wear  the  tassel  on  the  left  side  of  the  cap.  

 

Bachelor’s  Degree  Candidates    

Wear  your  tassel  on  the  right  side  of  your  cap.      If  you  have  a    

Latin  Honors  cord,  it  is  to  be  draped  over  your  shoulders,    

tassels  in  the  front.  

 

For  your  own  safety,  please  do  not  throw  your  cap.  

 

CEREMONY  PROGRAM  

The  procession  will  start  from  the  staging  area  at  9:50  a.m.  Four  lines  will  be  processing  at  the  same  time  by  College.      

 

Commencement  programs  will  be  on  your  seats  in  the  arena.    

 

   

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The  ceremony  includes:  

Processional  

Singing  of  the  National  Anthem  

Introduction  of  Guests  

Address  by  Bachelor’s  Degree  Candidate  Speaker  

Address  by  Master’s  Degree  Candidate  Speaker  

Address  by  Dr.  Kathleen  Waldron,  President  

Awarding  of  Faculty  Excellence  Awards  

Awarding  of  Honorary  Degrees/President’s  Medals  

Commencement  Address  

Diploma  Process  

Conferring  of  Degrees  

Singing  of  Alma  Mater  

Recessional    

 

DIPLOMA  PROCESS  

Please  listen  to  the  directions  given  by  the  faculty  and  administrative  marshals  who  will  be  assisting  with  this  process  (see  diagram  on  page  10).      

 

During  the  diploma  process  your  photo  will  be  taken  by  Grad  Images  as  you  process  to  the  platform  and  while  you  receive  your  diploma  cover.  

 

Doctoral  Degree  Candidates  

At  the  designated  time  during  the  ceremony,  the  doctoral  degree  candidates  will  be  recognized  first  in  their  entirety.    The  DNP  Program  Coordinator  will  lead  the  candidates  to  the  diploma  platform.    You  will  process  single  file  across  the  entire  width  of  the  stage  (notated  in  red  on  diagram  on  page  7).      

   

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Proceed  up  the  stairs  and  hand  your  name  card  to  the  Provost.    After  your  name  is  announced,  please  proceed  to  center  stage  to  be  hooded  by  the  Graduate  Coordinator  and  Department  Chairperson.    After  being  hooded  proceed  to  your  College  Dean  to  receive  your  diploma  cover  and  congratulations.    Proceed  across  the  remainder  of  the  stage  and  down  the  steps  on  the  opposite  side  and  return  to  your  seat.  

 

Master’s  Degree  Candidates  

At  the  designated  time  during  the  ceremony,  the  master’s  degree  candidates  will  be  recognized  second  in  their  entirety.  The  Associate  Dean  of  your  College  will  lead  your  College  line  to  the  diploma  platform.    You  will  process  single  file  across  the  entire  width  of  the  stage  (notated  in  blue  on  diagram  on  page  7),  Line  B  followed  by  Line  C.      

 

Proceed  up  the  stairs  and  hand  your  name  card  to  the  reader.    After  your  name  is  announced,  please  proceed  to  your  College  Dean  to  receive  your  diploma  cover  and  congratulations.      Proceed  across  the  remainder  of  the  stage  and  down  the  steps  on  the  opposite  side  and  return  to  your  seat.    

Bachelor’s  Degree  Candidates  

Two  lines  of  students  will  be  processing  simultaneously  across  the  platform.      

 

At  the  designated  time  during  the  ceremony,  the  Associate  Dean  of  your  College  will  lead  your  College  line  to  the  diploma  platform.    You  will  process  single  file  halfway  across  the  stage  (notated  in  black  on  diagram  on  page  7),  Line  B  followed  by  Line  A  on  the  left  and  Line  C  followed  by  Line  D  on  the  right.    

 

Process  up  the  stairs  and  hand  your  name  card  to  the  reader.    After  your  name  is  announced  please  proceed  to  your  College  Dean  to  receive  your  diploma  cover  and  congratulations.    Exit  the  platform  by  proceeding  down  the  steps  at  center  stage  and  return  to  your  seat.  

 

   

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All  Candidates  

At  the  completion  of  the  diploma  process,  the  President  will  confer  the  degrees  in  the  following  order:  doctorate,  master’s  and  bachelor’s.    This  conferment  is  the  official  granting  of  your  degree.    This  is  also  the  appropriate  moment  for  the  bachelor’s  degree  candidates  to  turn  the  tassel  on  your  cap.      

 

Diplomas  will  be  issued  upon  verification  of  completion  of  degree  requirements  and  obligations.    You  will  be  notified  by  the  Registrar’s  Office  when  diplomas  are  available  for  pick  up  or  upon  arrangement  can  be  mailed  to  your  home  .  

 

Please  respect  your  fellow  students  and  their  experience  of  the  ceremony  by  remaining  in  your  seat  until  its  conclusion.  

 

Graduates  will  exit  from  the  Box  Office  Lobby  doors  or  from  the  concourse  level  through  Gate  A.  

 

RECESSIONAL  PROCESS  

The  singing  of  the  Alma  Mater  (printed  in  the  program)  will  immediately  follow  the  conferring  of  the  degrees.      

The  recessional  will  be  led  by  the  University  Grand  Marshal  followed  by  the  Platform  Party  and  the  faculty.    The  graduates  will  follow  after.      

The  ceremony  is  expected  to  be  completed  by  12:30  p.m.      

 

 

 

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ADDITIONAL  INFORMATION  

DISABLED  GUESTS    

Accessible  parking  with  state-­‐issued  license  plates  or  placards  is  available  in  Parking  Deck  23  adjacent  to  the  IZOD  Center.    All  entrances  at  Gates  A,  B,  and  C  are  ramped  and  accessible.    Wheelchair-­‐accessible  seating  is  located  in  each  of  the  lower  level  seating  sections.    Accessible  restrooms  are  located  on  the  concourse  behind  Sections  101  and  115.  

FLOWERS  AND  BALLOONS  

Flowers  will  be  available  for  sale  within  the  IZOD  Center  concourse.    Guests  should  be  made  aware  that  balloons  are  strictly  prohibited  in  the  arena.      

HOTELS  AND  RESTAURANTS  

The  following  link  is  recommended  to  locate  hotels  and  restaurants  in  the  Meadowlands  area  near  the  IZOD  Center:  

http://www.stayinthemeadowlands.com/  

PARKING  

Parking  is  available  at  no  charge  in  Parking  Deck  23  or  Lot  26.  

PHOTOGRAPHER  

The  Commencement  photographers  are  from  Grad  Images.    Enjoy  an  Exclusive  Discount  of  $5  off  any  picture  order  of  $25  or  more  if  you  register  with  Grad  Images  prior  to  the  ceremony.    Visit  their  website  at  www.gradimages.com  to  sign  up  under  the  Pre-­‐Event  Registration  tab  and  review  the  FAQs  on  line.    Your  proofs  will  be  online  at  their  website  within  48  –  72  hours  following  the  ceremony.    You  may  place  orders  or  obtain  answers  to  your  questions  at  www.gradimages.com  or  1-­‐800-­‐424-­‐3686.    

 STROLLERS  

Strollers  are  to  be  stored  during  the  ceremony  at  the  back  of  each  seating  section.    Ushers  at  each  section  will  direct  guests  to  the  area.      

   

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Ultra  Green  Cap  and  Gown  

The  University’s  commitment  to  sustainability,  environmental  stewardship,  and  energy  conservation  is  evident  in  your  academic  regalia.    PET  plastic  bottles  have  created  your  academic  regalia.      Each  cap  and  gown  sewn  from  recycled  bottle  fabric  prevents  approximately  27  plastic  bottles  from  being  dumped  into  a  landfill.    The  Ultra  Green  gown  is  demonstration  that  sustainability  is  a  focus  of  what’s  happening  on  our  campus  with  the  ultimate  goal  of  making  conservation  a  permanent  part  of  campus  life.  

 

 

Vendors—Commencement  Memorabilia  

The  following  vendors  are  affiliated  with  the  University  to  provide  commencement  memorabilia  to  graduates.  

   

Fond  Memories  —  www.fondmemoriesgraphics.com  

Jostens  —  www.  Jostens.com  

Signature  Announcements  —  www.signatureA.com  

University  Cap  &  Gown  —  www.gradgowns.com  

   

   

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INSTRUCTIONS  FOR  WEARING  THE  ACADEMIC  HOOD  

The  academic  hood  is  a  visual  representation  of  your  level  of  academic  achievement  and  the  scholastic  degree  being  conferred.    This  hood  has  been  designed  within  the  guidelines  established  by  the  Intercollegiate  Bureau  of  Academic  Costume.  

 

 The  velveteen  trim  (2)  represents  the  degree  you  have  earned.    The  chevron  (4)  and  the  lining  (3)  represent  the  University  colors.    The  black  shell  (1)  is  the  traditional  color  determined  by  the  Intercollegiate  Bureau  of  Academic  Costume.  

   

The  following  instructions  are  designed  to  assist  you  in  the  proper  way  to  wear  the  hood:  

   

1.  Put  hood  on  over  head  with  velveteen  side  up  under  the  chin  and  with  small  tapered  end  in  front.    Pin  the  hood  to  the  gown  to  prevent  it  from  riding  against  the  neck.      

   

   

 2.  The  long  tail  portion  of  the  hood  should  be  left  hanging  against  your  back.    Do  not  invert  the  tail.    Turn  out  the  lining  as  illustrated  in  the  picture  on  the  right.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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