Guide to the 70th
Commencement
Exercises
Graduate & Adult
Undergraduate
Ceremony
Friday, May 20, 2016
Adult and Graduate Commencement Guide 2016
Page 3
Application for Graduation
Line-up Cards/Cap and Gown Distribution
Pronunciation of Names
Page 4
Commencement Day
Parking Information
General Seating
Disabled Guests
Closed Circuit Viewing
Web Broadcasting
Red and White Cords
Page 5
Virtual Rehearsal
Weather Policy
Helpful Hints
Alcohol Policy
Area Accommodations
Diplomas
Flowers
Photographs
Page 6
Hometown Newspaper Announcements
Personalized Announcements
Alumni Information
Important Dates and Deadlines
Page 7
Commencement Ceremony Site Maps
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Adult and Graduate Commencement Guide 2016
Congratulations!
The countdown to your graduation is here. Congratulations on making it to
this point—a culmination of years of hard work and dedication. Just as your
studies required careful attention to directions and deadlines, participating
in Commencement activities requires advanced planning. The following
information is intended to help you and your guests enjoy Commencement 2016
exercises to the fullest. You deserve it!
Application for Graduation
By now, all candidates should have submitted a completed
Application for Graduation form to the Registrar’s office. Forms
are available in the Registrar’s office or on the Commencement
web site (www.marist.edu/commencement). If you have not
done so, please submit your application by March 21. The
information provided on the form will be used to order your
diploma and for the Commencement program.
Line-up Cards/Cap and Gown Distribution
All graduates must have a line-up card for cap and gown pickup and for the Commencement ceremony itself.
Line-up cards and caps and gowns will be available in Donnelly
Hall on Thursday, May 19, from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. and Friday,
May 20, before the ceremony. Please note regalia is not available
earlier than 4:30 p.m. on Thursday. Signs will be posted
throughout the building directing you where to go. Students
must pick up their line-up card in person and will be required
to show photo ID and sign the alcohol policy statement. Lineup cards are required for cap and gown pick up and in order
to cross the stage. The Registrar’s office should be contacted
immediately if the line-up card is lost.
Caps are provided by the College to all graduates at no cost
to the student, and they may be kept as keepsakes. Gowns
and hoods are rented by the College for all graduates. There
is no cost to the student for gowns and hoods, but they must
be returned to the distribution room in Donnelly Hall by
8:00 p.m. after the ceremony, or the student’s account will
be charged for replacement of the rental unit ($400-$700). If
students are interested in purchasing gowns or hoods, please
see the Registrar’s office for ordering information.
Pronunciation of Names
Marist wants to make sure each name called on Commencement
day is pronounced correctly. For this reason, names are all prerecorded by the Dean of each school. Marist provides students
with the opportunity to record their own names so that the
Deans may use those recordings as a reference.
To record your name, log into iLearn. Under your sites where
you will find a course named Commencement Name Recording.
Follow the directions described in the assignment. You will
need a computer with a built-in microphone. If you don’t have
one of your own, stop by the Help Desk in Donnelly or the
Media Center in LT 208 for assistance. The Commencement
Name Recording course will be available from March 28 - April
15. If you have questions, please contact the Media Center at
(845) 575-3635.
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Adult and Graduate Commencement Guide 2016
parking from the South Entrance. For a complete list of parking
sites and instructions, please see the Parking Information &
Map link on the Commencement web site (www.marist.edu/
commencement).
General Seating
Admittance to the outdoor ceremony is by general admission.
Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis, and no saving of
seats will be allowed. Please inform your guests to follow the
directives of the security staff and ushers. All persons must
stay within the roped-off areas to allow the best visibility for
everyone. Please do not block the view of others by standing on
chairs or in the aisles.
Commencement Day
The Marist College 2016 Adult Undergraduate and Graduate
Commencement Ceremony will be held on Friday, May 20, at
6:00 p.m. Weather permitting, the ceremony is held outdoors
on the Campus Green.
Students, faculty, and staff will assemble for the procession at
5:15 p.m. on the Lowell Thomas Quad, between the Hancock
and Dyson Centers. The procession is scheduled to begin
promptly at 5:45 p.m. Candidates for bachelor’s degrees will
march together, led by their marshal, and will be called to
receive their diploma covers in alphabetical order. Candidates
for master’s degrees will march together, led by their marshal,
and will be called to receive their diploma covers by graduate
program. Line-up cards will be collected from students as they
approach the platform.
Family and guests are encouraged to arrive before 5:30 p.m.
However, no guests will be permitted to enter the actual
ceremony site before 5:00 p.m. The ceremony is expected to last
approximately one hour. Immediately following the ceremony,
all graduating students and their guests are invited to join their
fellow graduates at a reception on the Saint Peter’s Meadow.
In the case of rain or severe weather, the ceremony will be
moved indoors to the McCann Center (See the Weather Policy
on page 5). Details will be available on the Marist web site
(www.marist.edu) and the Marist weather hotline at (845) 5755500.
A virtual rehearsal video with more information for Friday
graduates is available on the Marist Commencement web site
(www.marist.edu/commencement).
Parking Information
Family and guests are encouraged to arrive before 5:30 p.m.
to better ensure a parking space. Parking will be available
on the east and west campuses. Vehicular access to the main
campus will become increasingly difficult as the parking lots
become filled. Guests with handicapped permits should enter
the North Entrance only. There is no access to handicapped
In addition to the outdoor seating area, the College has arranged
for a special live-viewing of the ceremony to be broadcast
indoors in several campus locations. Please see Closed Circuit
Viewing below for further information.
Disabled Guests
There will be a designated seating section to accommodate
disabled guests, and the ceremony will be interpreted in sign
for the hearing impaired. Graduating students may request
disabled seating tickets and parking permits in the Registrar’s
office starting Wednesday, May 4. A limit of one disabled
parking permit and two disabled seating tickets per graduate
will be issued.
Lots are reserved for vehicles with handicapped license plates,
handicapped parking placards issued by a municipality, or
special parking permits issued by the Registrar’s office. Guests
with handicapped parking permits should enter the North
Entrance only and should be prepared to show their permits
to the security guard, who will direct them to the appropriate
parking area. There is no access to the handicapped parking
areas from the South Entrance.
Closed Circuit Viewing
In addition to the outdoor seating area, the College offers livebroadcasting of the ceremony in posted campus locations.
These locations offer air-conditioned venues for guests who
prefer to be out of the “elements.”
Web Broadcasting
Family and friends of graduates who are unable to attend the
event can view the ceremony live on the Internet by visiting
Marist’s homepage at www.marist.edu and clicking on the
commencement link.
Red and White Cords
At the time of cap and gown pick up, all adult students –
undergraduate and graduate – will receive a red and white cord,
known as the “Putting Him/Her Through” (PHT) recognition
cord. Students are to give the cord to one of their guests to
wear during the ceremony. The cord is intended to recognize
the support, patience, and encouragement that helped the
graduate on his or her journey toward degree completion.
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Adult and Graduate Commencement Guide 2016
Virtual Rehearsal
There is no rehearsal for Friday’s Commencement ceremony.
Graduates should assemble for the Commencement procession
at 5:15 p.m. on the Lowell Thomas Quad, between the Hancock
and Dyson Centers. There will be plenty of staff on hand to
help the graduates line up.
A virtual rehearsal is available on the Commencement web
site (www.marist.edu/commencement), and graduates are
encouraged to take a few moments to watch the video.
Weather Policy
Helpful Hints
• Your tassel should be worn on the right until President
Murray confers all graduates’ degrees.
• Only one honor cord should be worn with regalia.
• The weather can be unpredictable, so remember both your
umbrella and your sunblock.
• Remember the grass can be wet even if it isn’t raining, so
consider your footwear carefully.
Commencement is such an important occasion for graduates
and families that the College strives to accommodate as many
of your guests as possible. Weather permitting, the Marist
Commencement Ceremony is held on the Campus Green.
In the event of rain or severe weather, the ceremony will be
moved to the McCann Center.
• Leave ample time for parking.
Indoor Guidelines
Alcohol is not permitted before or during the Commencement
exercises and will be confiscated if brought to the ceremony.
Please advise all guests of this policy. Graduates participating
in the Commencement ceremony will be required to sign a
statement to acknowledge that they understand the College’s
alcohol policy. These statements will be available on Thursday,
May 19, between the hours of 4:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. (during
line-up card distribution).
If the ceremony is moved indoors, students should report to
the small gymnasium in the McCann Center for the procession
line-up. Caps and gowns will be available for pick-up in the
small gymnasium. The ceremony will begin as close to 6:00
p.m. as conditions allow.
Much of the guest seating in the McCann Center is on bleachers.
Some individuals may find the climb to the upper seats difficult
and may prefer to view the ceremony in areas designated for
live broadcast. Seating for disabled guests will be available for
those who prearranged for disabled seating tickets.
As with outdoor exercises, Marist will have the ceremony
professionally recorded and have professional photographers
on hand to capture graduates as they receive their diploma
covers.
Listen For Announcements
Announcements will be made on the Marist web site (www.
marist.edu) and the Marist weather hotline (845) 575-5500 as
early as possible on Commencement day. Please check these
sources before traveling to campus.
• All graduates and guests must turn off cell phones. Please be
considerate of others.
Alcohol Policy
Area Accommodations
A list of local hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, and restaurants
is available on the Commencement web site.
Diplomas
Diplomas will be mailed by June 17 to all who have met
graduation requirements. Graduates must be clear of all
financial obligations, including loan exit interviews and library
fees, before a diploma will be mailed. Questions about financial
obligations should be directed to the Office of Student Financial
Services (845) 575-3230.
Flowers
Bouquets, corsages, and boutonnières can be purchased
in advance courtesy of the Alumni Office and picked up on
campus on graduation day between 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Please download the 1-800-FLOWERS.COM order form
found on the Commencement web site.
Photographs
Professional photographers from Island Photography (www.
islandphoto.com) will photograph all graduates as they receive
their diplomas from President Murray. To receive proofs
online, please provide an email address on the back of your
line-up card, and you will be notified when they are available
for viewing. Graduates will also receive two complimentary
proofs and an order form by mail.
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Adult and Graduate Commencement Guide 2016
Due to the large number of people attending Commencement,
it is necessary to restrict access to the platform and the
graduates’ seating area. Guests will not be able to walk or stand
in the aisles to take photographs or videotape. However, there
will be designated areas for families to take pictures following
the ceremony. The Commencement program, which you will
receive on Commencement day, will show these locations.
Hometown Newspaper Announcements
The Office of Public Affairs would like to tell the world about
your graduation…or at least your hometown newspaper.
Public Affairs receives a list of graduating students, and the
office is able to match your hometown with your local paper
automatically and send the release out electronically. Graduates
who do not wish to have a news release sent to their hometown
paper must opt out of this process. To opt out, please email
publicaffairs@marist.edu or call (845) 575-3174 by Friday,
April 8. If Public Affairs does not hear from graduates by April
8, releases are sent to hometown newspapers.
Alumni Information
The Marist College Alumni Association is a network of
more than 39,000 Marist graduates with 15 regional chapters
spanning from New York to California. The chapters are
designed to keep you involved and connected with your alma
mater and fellow alumni, and can be a lot of fun. A list of regional
chapters is available at maristconnect.marist.edu/chapters. The
best way we can keep you updated on Marist events and send
Marist Magazine, the Marist Minute enewsletter, invitations,
and other communications, is if we have your correct contact
information.
We have no way of knowing if you’re using your Marist email
address or a different address unless you tell us. You can
easily update your personal and business contact information
online by logging into maristconnect.marist.edu. Please feel
free to contact the Office of Alumni Relations at any time at
maristalumni@marist.edu or (845) 575-3283.
Marist cannot guarantee that newspapers will print the release,
but we will make sure the newspaper gets it.
Personalized Announcements
Students may wish to order announcements to alert family
and friends about their upcoming graduation. Orders for
personalized announcements can be placed online at https://
collegegrad.herffjones.com.
Important Dates and Deadlines
Friday, March 18
Monday, March 21
Friday, April 15
Wednesday, May 4
Last day to place cap and gown orders
Application for Graduation forms are due to the Registrar’s office
No changes will be made after this date to prerecording of names
Disabled seating/parking permits become available in the Registrar’s office
Thursday, May 19
4:30-7:00 p.m. Line-up card and cap and gown distribution in Donnelly Hall (photo ID required)
Commencement Day: Friday, May 20
9:00 a.m. -5:00 p.m. 9:00 a.m. -8:00 p.m.
5:00-7:00 p.m.
5:00 p.m. 5:15 p.m.
6:00 -7:00 p.m.
Continued line-up card and cap and gown distribution in Donnelly Hall (photo ID required)
Bookstore open
Flower tent open (see 1-800 FLOWERS.COM order form)
Guests allowed to enter ceremony site
Graduates line up on Lowell Thomas Quad, between the Hancock and Dyson Centers
Commencement Ceremony
Friday, June 17 Diplomas mailed to all eligible graduates
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Adult and Graduate Commencement Guide 2016
Commencement Ceremony Site Maps
Upper Map
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2.
3.
4.
5.
General Admission Seating
Graduate Seating
Reserved Seating (tickets required)
Disabled Seating (tickets required)
Restricted Area/Steep Ground
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8.
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10.
Student Center - Bookstore/Live Broadcast/ Restrooms
Marian Hall - Health Services Station/Restrooms
Water Tent/Flower Tent
James A. Cannavino Library - closed during Commencement
Champagnat Hall
Lower Map
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15.
Ceremony Site
McCann Center - Live Broadcast/Severe Weather Contingency Site
South Gate
Donnelly Hall - Restrooms/Cafe open until 6:00 p.m.
Pedestrian Walkway
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17.
18.
19.
20.
Saint Peter’s Meadow - Reception Tent/Photo Opportunity Area
Lowell Thomas Communications Center - Restrooms/Refreshments
Dyson Center - Restrooms
Main Gate - Open to pedestrians
North Gate - Handicapped parking entrance