Now I’m ready to graduate – how do I get to here?

Graduation is the completion of your degree requirements so you can officially receive your diploma.

Commencement is the ceremony of conferring degrees at the end of the academic year.

What’s the difference between . . .

You do not have to participate in Commencement to graduate

Why are there two ceremonies? Main ceremony and departmental

Main Commencement Ceremony - Includes remarks by the Commencement speaker, President of the College and the student Commencement speaker. Commencement awards are presented and degrees are conferred by the President of the College.

• Graduating students do not receive diplomas at the main ceremony

• Graduating students receiving PhD and EdD degrees are the only students called by name and process across the stage at this ceremony

• All other degrees are conferred upon graduates in groups by major Departmental Ceremonies - The departmental ceremonies are where students are recognized individually. Most students will receive their diplomas at that time.

College-Wide Ceremony

Just the facts . . . • Official Commencement tickets are required for admittance to the main ceremony

• Kaplan Hall opens at 8:00 a.m. on Commencement Saturday • Guests must be seated by 9:30 a.m. • • Academic Procession begins at 10:00 a.m.

• Concessions are sold at the Hall prior to the start of the ceremony

• Prohibited items in the Hall -- check the list on the Commencement website • • There is no rehearsal for the main ceremony

• Live streaming of the ceremony is available at the Sadler Center (Commonwealth

Auditorium) and Mason School of Business (Brinkley Commons) – doors open at 9:00 a.m.

Congrats The May ceremony is the only formal Commencement held by W&M each year.

The ceremony includes the speeches by the main speaker, the student speaker, and the presentation of prizes and awards. No diplomas are presented at the main ceremony.

Who can participate in May 2017 Commencement?*

Undergrads: January, May, August Graduate Level: August 2016 (MA, MS, PHD, EDD only) January and May 2017 August 2017 (MBA, MAED in CI, JD, LLM only)

*must meet all academic eligibility requirements in order to be a participant.

Communication

Commencement Weekend is May 12-14, 2017

Communication — We will communicate information, deadlines, etc. to students via their

W&M email account.

Winter Grads — Do not inactivate your W&M account you will not be able to receive

important information regarding the Ceremony, etc. Leave it open.

Yes, we have a Commencement website: www.wm.edu/commencement

Weekend Event Traditions

Families of graduating students are encouraged to attend and participate in weekend event traditions as highlighted below. Attendance at these events is traditionally high, though they are not mandatory.

Baccalaureate Service: this multi-faith service consists of music, readings, and prayers, as well as an address by an invited

speaker. Graduates sit with their families for this service and no regalia are worn by degree candidates. (Friday)

Candlelight Ceremony: brief remarks are given by a student, professor, and

administrator chosen by the Senior Class. Families are welcome to attend, be advised

there are no chairs for seating at this event. (Friday)

Walk Across Campus: degree candidates gather in front of the Wren Building

for a final walk across campus together. You should be at the Wren Building promptly at 8:45 a.m

(Saturday)

Alumni Induction Ceremony: this ceremony formally welcomes students into the family of William & Mary alumni.

New grads will receive alumni pins and sign the Class of 2016 banner. (Saturday)

RSVP for the Main Commencement Ceremony

Required If you are participating in the main Commencement

Ceremony.

Why do we have to RSVP? This process tells us how many

graduates plan to attend the main ceremony so we can determine seating capacity.

When do we RSVP? This will take place in January - you will receive

an email to your W&M email account when to begin. This is only to tell us about your participation in the main Commencement Ceremony.

How do we get guest tickets? In March, we will contact

students who RSVP’d to attend the main the main Commencement Ceremony in order to request guest tickets. Tickets are only available to those who are participating (walking in the academic procession and sitting with the degree candidates). This is only a request for that number of tickets, and not a guarantee.

How many tickets? Typically, we have provided 3-4 guest tickets per

graduate (graduates do not need a ticket for themselves). The maximum number of tickets will be calculated based on the number of students participating and the capacity of the venue. The College reserves the right to reduce the ticket allocation based on the number of Commencement candidates. Live streaming is available for guests who do not receive tickets.

Only those who have filed the Notice of Candidacy with the Registrar are permitted to RSVP. For those who do not RSVP by the deadline -- we cannot guarantee you will receive tickets. Attendance at the College-Wide Commencement Ceremony is NOT mandatory.

I requested my tickets – how do I get them?

• Commencement tickets are handed out on the main campus in late April (you will be notified via email).

• Only you can pick-up your own tickets (photo ID is required).

• We do not mail tickets to families.

• Students participating in the main Commencement Ceremony do not need a ticket for themselves.

• Children 2 years old and younger may sit on an adult’s lap - no ticket needed. Children 3 and over must have a ticket and sit in a seat.

• If your plans for graduation change, you must return your tickets if you wish to obtain tickets the year you finish your degree.

• You cannot purchase extra tickets -- we do not sell Commencement tickets.

• The buying and selling of Commencement tickets is prohibited and considered a violation of the Student Code of Conduct.

Saturday ticket pick-up - for working students a Saturday will be scheduled to accommodate you. (Date to be

announced)

Winter graduates - You will be notified via your W&M email account when to RSVP and when to request guest tickets.

Also, if you are no longer in the area you may request to have your tickets mailed and will be notified of the process in the spring

Student Commencement Speaker - Do you have something to say?

Each year a graduating student is selected to

deliver an address at the college-wide Commencement ceremony

Students who are eligible for the May 2017 Commencement may apply

The topic must be a theme to which

any graduate (undergrad or grad) could relate

When the Competition is Announced in December

How to Apply . . .

Complete the online application between December 1st and January 31st (by 11:59 p.m.). Late applications will

not be accepted. Please visit the Commencement website for the application and more information.

ADA Accommodations at the Main Ceremony

If you have guests that need special accommodation at the main ceremony, please take into account that Kaplan Hall main entrances have a significant number of steps to access the doors. Once inside the building access to the higher

levels can be steep . For guests with limited mobility issues, we recommend you request special accommodation seating.

Special Accommodations

Wheelchair seating (floor level - the college does not provide wheelchairs)

Limited-Mobility seating (lower level seating 3-10 steps)

American Sign Language

Vehicle Access Pass for drop-off at Hall ramp - request this form if you will be utilizing wheelchair or limited seating

The Vehicle Access Pass is NOT for handicapped parking. Handicapped parking spaces require a state-issued hangtag or plate

Special tickets are required for these seating sections. One person may accompany the limited mobility guest in order to

assist. These tickets are part of your ticket allotment.

A form to request these services will be available February lst

Live Streaming Locations

Video / Audio Stream Locations (9:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m.)

Sadler Center, Commonwealth Auditorium

Mason School of Business, Brinkley Commons

Online at:

w.wm.edu/watchcommencement

Live audio and video streaming of the college-wide ceremony is at the Sadler Center and Mason School of Business, as well as online. Doors at the Sadler Center and the Mason School of Business will open at 9:00 a.m. Broadcast begins at approximately 9:40 a.m. with the Walk Across Campus (unless it was canceled by inclement weather). Live content begins at 10:00 a.m. with the start of the Academic Procession.

Walk Across Campus - What’s the Route?

Graduating students should be at the courtyard of the Wren Building by 8:45 a.m. Saturday morning for the final walk together across campus. The Honorary Marshals will lead the procession from the Wren Building to the Student Rec Center before going to Kaplan Hall. Once at the Hall, you will form the academic procession. Commencement staff and signs will guide you to the proper location. Family members may watch. However, all guests should be seated in the Hall no later than 9:30 a.m. A pre-recorded video of the Walk Across Campus will play in Kaplan Hall starting at approximately 9:40 a.m.

Departmental Ceremonies

• Most schools and departments will hold individual ceremonies

• Only Graduate level students in the School of Ed, Business, and Marine Science receive diplomas on Saturday ceremonies.

• The remainder of diplomas are presented/available on Sunday.

• Graduating student's names are called individually at these events.

• If you don't attend your department's ceremony, the registrar's office will email you in the week following Commencement regarding your diploma.

• Typically, departmental ceremonies do not require tickets.

• Check with your department to find out if they have any seating limitations.

Exceptions to the rule . . .

Global Studies, International Relations - due to the large number of majors and faculty involved in Global

Studies (GS), International Relations (IR), and Public Policy, special recognition events for these majors are held on Saturday immediately following the main ceremony. There is no formal ceremony on Sunday for GS, IR, and Public Policy graduates. Instead, GS, IR, and Public Policy graduates will pick up their diplomas at the Wren Building on Sunday morning.

Undergraduate Degree Candidates in Interdisciplinary Programs - have events on Saturday

(No diplomas are presented). Graduates in this category may choose any department’s ceremony to attend on Sunday to receive their diploma. However, they must select in advance by indicating their preference during the Commencement RSVP in January.

Undergraduate Degree Candidates with Double Majors-undergraduates who have two

majors may choose only one departmental ceremony to attend on Sunday. Double-majors must indicate their ceremony preference during the Commencement RSVP in January.

Why do we have to choose a department in advance? That way, the registrar’s office knows where to send your diploma for presentation.

Regalia – how to get your cap, gown, hood, etc.

The William & Mary Bookstore (757-221-1669) is the primary contact for all academic regalia and graduation merchandise. Regalia is available for purchase in mid-March.

Undergraduates – Your regalia is only available for purchase, there is no rental option. Undergraduate Regalia - consists of a robe, a cap, a tassel and a

hood with colors indicating the graduate's degree. Graduates may wear what they like underneath the robe, though we suggest pants/skirts and collared shirt/blouse. Active-duty military wear regalia at the main ceremony, but may wear a military uniform to the departmental ceremony if permitted by the department. Purchase only no rental option. Pricing will be posted on the Commencement website after winter break.

Law degree candidates -The Law School has its own separate event to acquire your regalia. You will be notified by the Law School.

Masters - Masters regalia consists of a robe, a cap, a tassel and a hood with colors indicating the graduate's degree. Graduates may wear what they like

underneath the robe, though we suggest pants/skirts and collared shirt/blouse. Active-duty military wear regalia at the main ceremony, but may wear a military uniform to the departmental ceremony if permitted by the department. Purchase only no rental option. Pricing will be posted on the Commencement website after winter break.

Doctoral regalia consist of a green open-front robe, patterned after those used at Oxford University,

and a black velvet tam. Hoods are not worn with Oxford-style robes. A white shirt/blouse with black slacks/skirt should be worn under the robe. The deadline for ordering doctoral regalia is typically early April.

Contact the W&M Bookstore to get information on deadlines and placing orders. Available for purchase or rent

When to wear regalia

No Regalia Worn Baccalaureate Service

Saturday Departmental Receptions * Alumni Induction Ceremony

Wear Caps/Gowns (no hoods) Candlelight Ceremony (tassel should be worn on the right side of the mortar board)

Full Regalia Worn (caps, gowns, hoods) Walk Across Campus

Main Commencement Ceremony Sunday Departmental Diploma Ceremony

* Students should check with their department /program

I have questions – who do I ask?

Graduation Requirements Office of the Registrar at email: wendy.urbano@wm.edu or 757-221-2807 Commencement Events Office of Student Affairs at email: commencement@wm.edu or 757-221-1236 Regalia and Graduation Merchandise W&M College Bookstore at 757-221-1669 Commencement website: www.wm.edu/commencement Questions may be sent to: commencement@wm.edu

Parking and Traffic

The College DOES NOT issue any type of parking pass for Commencement Weekend handicapped or otherwise. The Walk Across Campus will block traffic on Ukrop Way beginning around 9:00 a.m. on Saturday. Plan to arrive early to avoid delays. Once the lots around Kaplan Hall are full, cars will be directed to the parking deck on Ukrop Way near Miller and Adair Halls (approximately a 10-minute walk from Kaplan Hall). Golf carts will run on a regular back and forth basis from the parking garage to Kaplan Hall. Handicapped Parking - Only vehicles with state-issued (any state) plates or placards may park in handicapped parking.

In a nutshell . . . a quick review

Announcements — Personalized W&M announcements imprinted with an individual's name and degree may be

purchased online at the Jostens website. General W&M announcements may be purchased at the Bookstore, usually beginning in mid-March. If you have any questions about announcements, please contact the Bookstore at 757-221-1669 or Jostens at 800-854-7464.

Class Rings — Purchase through Jostens

Diploma Frames — can be purchased at the W&M Bookstore

Guest Attire — Dress comfortably take weather into account. There are no formal expectations for guests

Undergraduates and Graduate Students Attire — We suggest business casual with your regalia

Doctoral Students Attire — Wear a white shirt/blouse with black slacks/skirt under the robe

Diplomas — The University Registrar’s Office is responsible for the preparation of diplomas. They arrange for delivery to

the departments for presentation. Diplomas indicate the degree a student is receiving (Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, etc.), but not specific majors and minors. Diplomas are written in Latin.

more nutshell

Regalia — W&M Bookstore handles all regalia and grad-related merchandise. 345 Duke of Gloucester Street ·

(757) 221-1651

Honor Cords — A graduating student’s final GPA is not tabulated until all grades are certified. Due to the timing of

final grades in May, most grades are not certified until just before Commencement. It is not possible to ensure the distribution of cords to all eligible students in time for the main ceremony. Because of this William & Mary does not issue Honor Cords.

Latin Honors — awarded to undergraduates on their overall grade point average (GPA) as follows:

3.50 - 3.64 -- cum laude 3.65 - 3.79 -- magna cum laude 3.80 or higher -- summa cum laude

Latin Honors are not indicated on diplomas.

Rain locations (in case inclement weather) — are listed on the schedule, sign up to receive text alerts (available

on Commencement website). Special Events Information line 757-221-3868.