Academic Senate Agenda – October 12, 2004 – Attachment J
COMMITTEE ON
CEREMONIAL OCCASIONS
Michael Cesarano, Chairperson
Humanities Building, Room 125
718-281-5371/FAX: 718-281-5137
Memorandum
DATE:
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
Aug. 20, 2004
Dr. Kenneth Pearl, Secretary, Academic Senate Steering Committee
Michael Cesarano
Committee on Ceremonial Occasions Annual Report, 2003-2004
Dear Dr. Pearl,
Please include the attached report in the Academic Senate Agenda you are preparing for
the next meeting.
Thanks,
Michael Cesarano, Chairperson
Committee on Ceremonial Occasions
Cc:
Thomas Gerson, Chairperson, Committee on Committees
Academic Senate Agenda – October 12, 2004 – Attachment J
Committee on Ceremonial Occasions Annual Report, 2003-2004
I.
COMMITTEE ON CEREMONIAL OCCASIONS and YEARLY ACTIVITIES
The COCO met officially nine (9) times during the 2003-04 academic year
(9/16/03, 10/14/03, 11/11/03, 12/9/03, 1/13/04, 2/10/04, 3/9/04, 4/15/04, 5/11/04). A
special meeting of the committee and personnel from all departments at the College
involved in Commencement was held on 5/17/04. The first part of the meeting was held to
go over the responsibilities agenda and clarify everyone’s role. The second half of the
meeting was held for the committee. The 2003-04 committee members included:
Committee Member
Wilma Anthony
Michael Cesarano, Chairperson
Georgina Colalillo, Secretary
Millie Conte, Administrative Liaison
Anita C. Ferdenzi
Sophia Foglia, Administrative Liaison
Jeffrey Hest
Peter Marchitello
Lisa Michaelessi, Administrative Liaison
Eladia Raya
Department
Student Affairs
Speech Communication and Theatre Arts
Nursing
Office of the President
Social Sciences
Continuing Education
Music
Health, Physical Education and Dance
Career Services
Foreign Languages and Literature
In addition to the Committee members' contributions, Ms. Millie Conte (Office of
the President) and Ms. Sophia Foglia (Continuing Education) provided invaluable
assistance, and in April of 2004, Millie Conte replaced Lisa Michaelessi as the
administrative liaison. Thanks also to Mr. Joseph Cartolano, Mr. Joseph Cunningham, Ms.
Susan Curtis, Ms. Ardelle Donohue, Vice President Ellen Hartigan, Mr. David Moretti, Mr.
Bruce Naples, Ms. Gisela Rivera, Ms. Rosalind Rosencrantz, and Ms. Monica Stancanelli,
whose contributions are greatly appreciated.
The administrative aspects of the COCO are conducted under the auspices of the
Office of the President. Other offices involved in the planning and execution of the
Commencement activities included: Academic Affairs, Box Office, Buildings and
Grounds, Campus Planning, Central Receiving, Information Technology, Development &
Alumni Relations, Homebound Office, Institutional Advancement, Metropolitan Food
Service, Mailroom, Sponsored Programs, Printing Services, Publications, Purchasing,
QCC/QSA Association, Registrar, Security and Safety, Telephone Services, and the
academic departments. Each office played a significant role in the success of the
graduation.
II.
BROCHURES & OTHER PREPARATIONS
The COCO coordinated the composing and mailing of the Commencement
information brochures and posters. Information was mailed to students and posted on
campus throughout the spring semester to encourage students to file for graduation.
Information was included on the QCC Website. Students and faculty were given updated
information regarding Filing, Graduation Fee, Purchasing of Caps and Gowns, Graduation
Hotline and Commencement Regalia. Professor Pete Marchitello compiled and submitted
this information. The Graduation Hotline was established to provide students with
continual access to current information. Students were able to speak to a live person during
regular business hours; Ms. Susan Agin and the Box Office staff handled calls. After
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Academic Senate Agenda – October 12, 2004 – Attachment J
Committee on Ceremonial Occasions Annual Report, 2003-2004
hours, callers were greeted with a recorded message providing current detailed information.
When the voice mail system went down, Professor Cesarano installed an answering
machine onto his personal extension, 5371, which included the Commencement Hotline
information on its outgoing message. He informed the Box Office staff to refer calls to this
extension, and subsequent Commencement materials included this number as well as the
Commencement Hotline. Faculty cap and gown order forms were mailed out in March.
The Committee was also involved with food, music and floral arrangements, and
publishing a map of the physical layout of the entire ceremony and activities.
III.
CAP & GOWN MEASUREMENTS
The distribution of student caps and gowns was coordinated by the on-campus
Barnes and Noble Bookstore. Students were required to pay $33.25 plus tax ($38.70 total)
for a cap and gown in addition to the regular filing fee of $19.00 for graduation. Anita
Ferdenzi handled the faculty cap and gown orders.
The purchasing of student caps and gowns was in two sessions. The first session
began on March 8 and continued to April 1. The second session began on April 14 and
continued to June 4. The Bookstore continued selling student cap and gowns up-to-andincluding the morning of Commencement (Friday, June 4, 2004). Professor Cesarano
tracked the frequency of student cap and gown orders from the beginning of May through
Commencement Day. He did this by periodically picking up the order forms from the
bookstore and counting them. He did this at irregular intervals, usually about one to two
times per week. Based on his findings, the orders occurred as follows:
From
Through
Number of Orders Elapsed Time Period
March 8, 2004
May 3, 2004
76
32 business days
May 4, 2004
May 6, 2004
41
3 business days
May 7, 2004
May 11, 2004
17
3 business days
May 12, 2004
May 13, 2004
24
2 business days
May 14, 2004
May 20, 2004
63
5 business days
May 21, 2004
May 25, 2004
49
3 business days
May 26, 2004
May 28, 2004
54
3 business days
June 1, 2004
June 2, 2004
111
2 business days
June 3, 2004
June 4, 2004
21
2 business days
Total Student Cap & Gown Orders
473*
55 business days
*Figure includes an additional seventeen (17) graduates, all from the Verizon Next
program, whose orders are not accounted for in the table above because the times of
their orders are unknown.
Note: There were an additional seventeen (17) graduates, all from the Verizon Next
program, whose orders are not accounted for in the table above because the times of their
orders are unknown.
With regard to the student cap and gown order form: The committee recommends
that the bookstore’s point-of-purchase cap and gown order form be revised so that it
requests the student’s contact information. There should be space for students to enter not
only their mailing addresses, but two phone numbers and an email address as well.
Professor Cesarano originally made this recommendation on May 12, 2004 at the
Committee Chairs Meeting in room M-136.
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Academic Senate Agenda – October 12, 2004 – Attachment J
Committee on Ceremonial Occasions Annual Report, 2003-2004
Faculty and dignitaries wore their own graduation attire or ordered traditional rental
apparel from Herff Jones Cap and Gown Company. Faculty caps and gowns were
distributed on:
Wednesday
Friday,
June 2, 2004
June 4, 2004
9:00 am – 10:00 am
8:00 am – 8:30 am
Room M-136
Room M-136
Anita Ferdenzi and Mike Cesarano organized this activity, which was implemented
by Herff Jones Representative Steve Clarke.
IV.
REHEARSAL and CEREMONY
Rehearsal for graduation took place on Wednesday, June 2, 2004, in the Humanities
Theater, as well as outdoors on the Athletic Field. Queensborough's Forty-Third
Commencement exercises were held outdoors on Friday, June 4, 2004 in the Athletic Field.
The total available seats numbered approximately 2,250 to accommodate all graduates,
guests and faculty. In compliance with New York State regulations regarding individuals
with disabilities, Ace Party Rental Company erected ramps leading on and off the stage.
Approximately 473 graduates attended this year's Commencement. The number of faculty
members who attended was approximately 110. The President’s Platform Party sat
approximately 35 guests, including special guest speaker Governor George E. Pataki.
V.
MARSHALS
The following Commencement Marshals, led by this year's Grand Marshal, Dr. Paris
Svoronos (Chemistry) did an admirable job. The marshals’ efforts to line up the students,
seat them, and correctly pronounce students’ names were invaluable.
Name
Dr. Maureen Wallace, Nursing
Dr. Thomas Smith, Speech Communication and Theatre Arts
Dr. Joseph Culkin, Social Sciences
Dr. Anne-Marie Bourbon, Foreign Languages and Literatures
Dr. David Lieberman, Physics
Dr. Patricia Schneider, Biological Sciences and Geology
Dr. Jonas Falik, Business
Dr. Donald Engelberg, Physics
Dr. Aaron Krac, Health, Physical Education and Dance
Professor Norton Reid, Mechanical Engineering Technology and Design Drafting
Dr. Antonella Ansani, Foreign Languages and Literatures
Marshal Assignment
Faculty
Dignitaries
A.A. Graduates (A-L)
A.A. Graduates (M-Z)
A.S. Graduates (A-L)
A.S. Graduates (M-Z)
A.A.S. Graduates (A-G)
A.A.S. Graduates (H-M)
A.A.S. Graduates (N-S)
A.A.S. Graduates (T-Z)
Certificate Marshal
VI.
BANNERS
Two banners (approximately 25’ long) reading "CONGRATULATIONS
GRADUATES" were hung several days prior to Commencement. One of the signs was
hung outside the entrance to the Administration Building, and the other banner was near the
entrance to the Athletic Field. Additional banners (6’ high) with the QCC logo were
suspended from the poles in the main parking lot. Two banners (5’ and 7’, borrowed from
Admissions) were hung onstage. Five Tabletop banners (3’ x2’) were borrowed from
Admissions and placed on the three water tables, the program table, and the Nurse’s table.
During the processional, the first graduate in each degree group carried a degree banner.
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The four degree banners (A.A., A.S., A.A.S. and Certificate), which were new for 2004,
were then placed in holders to the right and left of the stage. Wilma Anthony was in charge
of ordering these new banners; her duties included (but were not limited to) recommending
a vendor and acting as liaison. She did an excellent job and the committee is grateful to her.
Blue and white balloon arches were erected over pedestrian entrances at either end of the
field. All of the banners and decorations contributed to the festive mood of the celebration
week and graduation ceremony.
VII. PHYSICAL PREPARATIONS FOR THE CEREMONIES
Ace Party Rental Company provided the stage (20’ x 42’ 2.5’ high), two ramps,
(each 4' x 24'), railings and steps, approximately 2,300 chairs, and stanchions. Under the
supervision of Mr. Joseph Cunningham (Director of Security), the College assumed the
responsibility for the security of the stage, which was erected on Tuesday, June 1, 2004,
three days prior to graduation.
All Affairs Chair Rental provided ten (10) portable toilets (including one wheelchair
accessible toilet), toilet paper and paper towels. The portable toilets were delivered at
approximately 7:00 am on Commencement Day and placed near the southwest corner of
the tennis courts. They were picked up at approximately 2:00 pm on the same day, June 4,
2004.
Coca Cola provided 1300 bottles of Dasani water, free of charge, for the
Commencement Ceremony. The bottles were placed under the seats of all graduates,
faculty members and platform party members. Mr. Anthony Hladek (Treasury
Management) initiated the arrangements with Coca Cola representative Eric Haag; Mike
Cesarano followed up afterwards with Mr. Haag.
Building and Grounds personnel, under the direction of Mr. Joe Cartolano, provided
various physical arrangements, structures and services required for this complex operation.
Building and Grounds also supervised the construction of the stage and all electrical
connections. Special accommodations were made for QCC graduates with disabilities
participating in the commencement ceremony—several students were seated in the front
row and joined the graduation line to receive diploma covers and shake the President’s
hand.
VIII. SPEAKERS & AWARDS
During the Commencement Ceremony, greetings were offered by: The Honorable
Wellington Chen, CUNY Board of Trustees; The Honorable Otis Hill, Vice Chancellor for
Student Development and Enrollment Management; Dr. Sheena Gillespie, Chairperson,
Faculty Executive Committee; and Jorge Fanjul, President, Queensborough Student
Government. President Eduardo J. Martí was the main speaker. The keynote speaker was
George E. Pataki, Governor of the State of New York.
The President’s Award, for achieving the highest scholastic average was given to
Gerard Martins. The recipient of this award is considered to be the Valedictorian of the
graduating class. The Joseph McMurray Award for achieving the second highest average
was given to Jessica Dunsmore. The recipient of this award is considered to be the
Salutorian of the graduating class. These students delivered brief speeches.
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Academic Senate Agenda – October 12, 2004 – Attachment J
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IX.
MUSIC & VIDEO
The Royal Brass, Inc. performed the music for the processional and recessional.
Arrangements to secure the services of The Royal Brass were made by Professor Jeff Hest,
who acted as liaison between the group and this committee. Queensborough Chorus
member Gayle Wolf led the graduates in the singing of the Alma Mater, and
Queensborough student Josefina Perez performed the National Anthem. Ms. Perez was
selected from among fifteen (15) students who auditioned over a two-month period.
Professor Jeff Hest conducted these auditions in February and March 2004, during Club
Hours, in room H-138. The committee is grateful to Professor Hest for the contribution of
his guidance and expertise.
Mr. John Funke, Box Office, directed the installation and operation of the sound
system by Pragmatech Sound Corporation.
Mr. Phillip Roncoroni, under the supervision of Mr. Bruce Naples of the Academic
Computing Center produced a video recording the ceremony. The finished, edited
recording was offered for sale on DVD to students for $25 through the QCC Student
Association. The video recording also serves as an archive for the college of the event. As
of June 29, 2004, fifty-six (56) Commencement DVD orders have been taken, totaling
$1400. Increased demand and complications during post-production made it necessary to
push back the order deadline and delivery dates approximately six (6) weeks. The Bursar’s
Office has been instructed to continue taking orders through August 25, 2004, and the
finished, duplicated DVDs are scheduled for delivery to Queensborough on September 13,
2004.
X.
RECEPTION
A cake and punch reception, catered by Metropolitan Food Services, was held for all
graduates and their guests on the eastern side of the tennis courts following the ceremony.
XI.
COMMITTEE FOR 2004-05
Members of the COCO for 2004-05 include:
Committee Member
Susan Agin, Administrative Liaison
Elaine Della Vecchia
Jeffrey Hest, Chairperson
Shannon Kincaid
Peter Marchitello
Holly O’Donnell, Secretary
Eladia Raya
Margot Small
Department
Box Office
Nursing
Music
Social Sciences
Health, Physical Education and Dance
Basic Skills
Foreign Languages and Literature
Mathematics and Computer Science
On April 21, 2004, elections were held for the positions of Chairperson and
Secretary of the Committee on Ceremonial Occasions for the 2004-2005 academic year.
Four (4) of the seven (7) eligible committee members, Jeff Hest, Elaine Della Vecchia,
Shannon Kincaid and Holly O’Donnell, voted in the election, which was conducted by
Mike Cesarano. The results of this election were as follows: Jeff Hest and Holly O’Donnell
were elected Chairperson and Secretary, respectively, for the 2004-2005 academic year.
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Academic Senate Agenda – October 12, 2004 – Attachment J
Committee on Ceremonial Occasions Annual Report, 2003-2004
The 2003-2004 Chairperson, Professor Cesarano, would once again like to thank all
of the many individuals on campus that contributed to the success of the graduation
exercises.
Respectfully Submitted,
Michael Cesarano, Chairperson
Committee on Ceremonial Occasions
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