UMass Dartmouth Commencement 2004
Information
Dear Family and Friends of Graduating Students:
The commencement committee extends congratulations to you as your student prepares for graduation on May 23, 2004. We hope the following information will be helpful to you in planning the day.
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Graduates will gather by the different departments and colleges at various locations throughout the campus quadrangle. The graduates are expected to be ready and in line for procession no later than 9:45am.
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Although the ceremony itself starts at 11:00 a.m. the procession starts at approximately 10:40 a.m. The procession will begin with the pealing of the campanile bells. Graduates arriving after the procession has begun will not be able to sit with their colleagues. Space will be provided at the end of the line and the graduate must be responsible for joining colleagues at the Registrar's table when their college is called. All students participating in commencement must be dressed in academic regalia, and assembled on the quadrangle by college at 10:15 a.m. A continental breakfast will be provided for the graduates at tents near procession locations.
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The commencement ceremony will be held in Vietnam Veterans' Memorial Amphitheater. In case of rain you will be notified via the UMD website and Marquee at the front gate to the campus by 7:00 a.m. on Sunday, May 23, 2004 if the rain plan is in effect. In that case, the ceremony will be held in the Tripp Athletic Center. Graduates will receive one blue ticket for admission to the Tripp Athletic Center and one yellow ticket for admission to the Auditorium where the ceremony will be telecast. Other areas of campus will be available to view the telecast ceremony and will be identified with the "in case of rain" announcement.
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Graduating students will receive two (2) tickets to the Commencement exercises. These two tickets guarantee that two (2) of your guests will be allowed to sit in a specially reserved area of the Amphitheater in order to watch the Commencement Exercises. This area will remain reserved until 10:30 a.m. This does not limit the number of people that may attend the ceremony, because there are additional non-reserved seats available for other guests on a first come, first served basis. In addition, the ceremony will be telecast at various campus locations, including the auditorium and the commuter cafeteria.
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Because of the formality of the ceremony, no usher will take gifts, notes or messages from any guest to any graduate. They will not take any photos. The graduates will be expected to remain seated during the ceremony. Do not plan to visit with the graduates during the ceremony. The campus police, marshals and ushers will assist in maintaining order.
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At the end of the ceremony, the recession will file out to the quadrangle.
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The campus welcomes all of your family for Commencement. We hope that everyone enjoys the day as much as possible. If you arrive early to secure seating, you may be in the amphitheater for three hours or longer. Many small children have difficulty remaining seated and quiet during the entire ceremony, and elderly people may find the seats uncomfortable. Given the variety of weather types possible, you may need sunscreen and a hat, or a warm coat, or an umbrella. We will have reserved seating areas for people with physical disabilities. Please inform Public Safety personnel as you enter the campus that you will need the reserved seating. If you have other special needs due to disability, please contact the University.
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Prior to the ceremony, there will be a continental breakfast buffet for all graduates in two locations near their assembly areas. Family and friends may purchase breakfast from 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. in the Commuter Cafe. Continental fare is available for purchase from 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. at the Magic Oven. Both are located in the MacLean Campus Center. The University Campus Store will be open from 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 am.
Sincerely,
Michael Laliberte, Chair
2004 Commencement Committee
