OAKLAND UNIVERSITY
Fall 2012 Commencement Packet
University Graduate Ceremony
For Masters and Doctoral Graduates and Candidates
Saturday, December 15, 2012
COMMENCEMENT INFORMATION
GRADUATION CHECKLIST
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Fill out Graduation Application (Deadline June 29, 2012- August Graduates;
September 28, 2012 – December Graduates)
Graduation Requirements
(Academic Status, Application)
Page 2
Ceremony Information: (Graduate Seating, Guest Seating, Guest Tickets, Pages 2 & 3
Parking, Regalia, Announcements, Rings, Diplomas)
Attend Graduation Fair
(November 10th and 13th)
Page 4
Obtain information about announcements and class rings
Page 4
Purchase Regalia - Student Regalia Prices
Page 5
Mail invitations, tickets and parking information to guests (November)
Order Form - Commencement DVD
Page 6
Student Guide to Career Services
Page 7
OU Alumni Association Information
Page 8
Commencement Day (Saturday, December 15, 2012)
(Arrive at the Recreation Center one hour before your ceremony begins)
IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS
Academic Affairs (Commencement Ceremony Questions)
Academic Records (Degree Application or Diploma Questions):
Registrar
Graduate
Transcripts
Alumni Relations
Barnes & Noble at Oakland University (Regalia, Announcements, Rings)
Commencement Ceremony
College of Arts and Sciences
Grad Images (Photographer)
Career Services
Graduate Studies
School of Business Administration
School of Education and Human Services
School of Engineering and Computer Science
School of Health Sciences
School of Nursing
(248) 370·2100
(248) 370·3460
(248) 370·4156
(248) 370·3457
(248) 364·6130
(248) 370·2404
(248) 370·2190
(248) 370·2140
(800) 261-2576
(248) 370·3250
(248) 370-4156
(248) 370-3286
(248) 370-3050
(248) 370-2217
(248) 370-3562
(248) 370-4081
Oakland University
F
2012 FALL COMMENCEMENT INFORMATION
On Saturday, December 15, 2012 Oakland University will honor its August and December (master’s and doctoral)
graduates during Commencement exercises in the Athletic Arena.
1. GRADUATION REQUIREMENT S:
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APPLIC ATION FOR DEGREE
To be eligible to graduate, you MUST complete a Graduate Application for Degree online at the commencement
website by clicking on the applying to graduate link. The application deadline is Friday, June 29, 2012 for August
and Friday, September 28, 2012 for December graduates. Only degree seeking students may participate in
commencement. Students earning post-master certificates (non-degree seeking certificate, master’s certificate,
continuing education certificate) are not eligible to participate.
For questions regarding your Degree
Application or Diploma call: (248) 370-3460
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AC ADEMI C STATUS
If you have questions concerning your Academic Status, please direct them to the Office of Graduate Study at
(248) 370-4156.
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HONORS AN D AW ARDS
Students receiving recognition for the Outstanding Dissertation and Thesis Award should contact the Graduate
Study Office for instruction on special seating arrangements.
2. CEREMONY INFORMATION: 1:00pm
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CEREMONY SCHEDULE – S ATURD AY , December 15, 2012 (Doctoral and Mast er’s )
College of Arts and Sciences; School of Business Administration; School of Education
and Human Services; School of Engineering and Computer Science; School of Health
Sciences; School of Nursing
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GR ADU ATE SE ATING
Graduate seating is reserved and tickets are not required for graduates. Special accommodations are made for
physically challenged graduates at each ceremony. Please contact the Office of the Provost at (248) 370-2190,
prior to commencement, if you have specific seating requirements or if you will need assistance ascending and
descending the stage during the ceremony.
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GUEST SE ATING
To ensure a pleasant, high-quality experience and to guarantee seating for your guests, each graduate may
request tickets for family and friends. A completed application for graduation form must be submitted, by the
graduate, in order to receive his or her guest tickets. Please complete the application for graduation form on the
web.
IMPORTANT GUEST TICKET PROCEDURE:
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Guest tickets will ONLY be distributed to graduates at the Graduation Fair in the Oakland Center on
November 10th and 13th.
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If you are unable to attend the Fair please make arrangement to have them picked up by a family
member or friend along with a signed permission letter and picture I.D.
On commencement day, doors to the Athletic Arena will open for guest seating one hour before the start time of
the ceremony. All guests, except infants (under one year), must have a ticket for admission and are asked to be
seated 15 minutes before the ceremony begins. Children are welcome to attend; however, it is the parents’
responsibility to keep them quietly seated during the ceremony, so that the other guests may enjoy the festivities.
Each of the ceremonies will be interpreted in American Sign Language for the hearing impaired.
Handicapped (wheelchair) accessible seating for guests is available at the top of the arena. There is
handicapped accessible parking in front of the arena, as well as a ramp.
COMMENCEMENT CERE MONY LIVE ON THE WEB
Family and friends who are unable to attend the commencement will be able to view the Fall 2012 ceremonies
online, at the OU website at http://www.oakland.edu/ as they occur.
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REG ALI A, ANNOUN CEMENTS, RINGS
Commencement attire is required for participation in the ceremony. Graduates may purchase their caps, gowns,
personalized announcements and rings through Barnes & Noble at Oakland University (248) 370-2404 located
in the lower level of the Oakland Center. Appropriate dress attire is required for graduates. Casual clothing such
as jeans, t-shirts, and tennis shoes, etc. is not allowed.
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GR ADU ATE ARRI V AL, LINE -UP, RECEIVING DEGREE
Graduates should arrive at the Recreation Center one hour prior to the start time of their ceremony and proceed
immediately to the lower level of the Recreation Center where they will pick up their name card from the
registration table. Faculty marshals will be there to direct and assist graduates in lining up (in pairs) for the
processional and with any questions they may have. When the ceremony is ready to begin graduates process
into the Arena. Each ceremony will begin promptly at the scheduled time and will last approximately 2 hours.
Graduates must NOT carry purses, backpacks, jackets, etc (please leave valuables with family members).
Graduating students must not bring alcohol or toys, i.e., beach balls, Frisbees, bubbles or noisemakers into the
Arena. All cell phones, pagers and electronic devices must be turned off prior to the start of the procession.
During the ceremony, marshals will direct graduates to the stage. Each graduate will be recognized as they cross
the stage, where the Provost and School/College Dean will hand them a diploma cover and they will shake the
President’s hand. They will exit the stage using the center stairs and return to their seat.
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DIPLOM AS
Diploma covers are handed out during the ceremony. Diplomas are mailed to graduates approximately 8-12
weeks after graduation. Diplomas will not be issued to any degree candidates who have outstanding financial
obligations. For questions regarding your Diploma contact the Registrar’s Office at (248) 370-3460.
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P ARKING
To make commencement a more enjoyable experience, we urge you to provide parking information (campus
maps) to your invited guests. Campus Maps, with parking lots labeled, can be printed from the Oakland
University website.
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INCLEMENT WE ATHER
In case of inclement weather, please call the university at (248) 370-2000 or tune in to WJR or WWJ radio, or
watch FOX 2, WDIV-TV or WXYZ-TV for information on cancellation of ceremonies.
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PHO TOGR APHS
Professional photographers have been engaged to photograph graduates. The company will contact the
graduates independently. For graduation photography questions please contact Grad Images at (800) 261-2576.
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COMMENCEMENT DVD
DVD’s of each ceremony may be purchased from the Instructional Technology Center (248) 370-2460. Please
see attached flyer for details. You can also order the DVD online by credit at the CSITS MarketPlace Store
website (link found on the commencement website).
For questions regarding the commencement ceremony please call (248) 370-2190
For questions regarding degree application or diploma please call (248) 370-3460
For questions concerning academic status, contact the Office of Graduate Study at (248) 370-4156
Attend the Graduation Fair!
November 10th – 10am – 3pm
November 13th – 10am – 6pm
In the Barnes and Noble Bookstore of Oakland University in the Oakland
Center
The “one stop” event for all your graduation needs
Presented by
Barnes & Noble at Oakland University
(248) 370-2404
www.oakland.bncollege.com
G RADUATION I NFORMATION
R E G AL I A :
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Regalia will be available in the bookstore beginning November 10th.
Graduates must wear all black regalia (this includes the cap and gown) to participate in the
ceremony.
Regalia should be steamed. Do not iron the gowns.
A N N O U NCE M E NT S :
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Representatives from the announcement company will be available on November 10th and 13th at
the GRADUATION FAIR.
Announcement information can be picked up at the bookstore.
The bookstore has samples on display.
Ordering is done by the student, direct to the announcement company.
C L AS S R I N GS :
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The vendor will be available for two days at the GRADUATION FAIR!
HUGE $AVINGS on rings for 2 days only! – November 10th and 13th .
Class ring samples and brochures are on display in the Bookstore.
Ordering is done by the student direct to the ring company.
D I P L OM A
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F R AM E S :
All styles of diploma frames are on display in the bookstore.
All styles are in stock and available for purchase.
A color brochure is available at the Bookstore, and any frame can be ordered through the
brochure with delivery to your home.
G R AD U AT I ON P H OT O GR AP H S :
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A professional photographer from GradImages will be present at the Graduation Fair to
photograph graduates in their regalia. This will be provided FREE of charge!
A L U M NI A S S OC I AT I O N
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Stop by the GRADUATION FAIR and sign up for your membership!
Student Regalia Prices
Commencement December 15, 2012
 Each gown is made of 23 recycled plastic bottles
 Size labels in the gown neck stamped with soy ink
 Shipping cartons are produced from recycled cardboard
 Plastic bags used to package regalia are made of recycled plastic
Bachelor
Cap/gown/tassel/hood
$ 57.98
Masters
Cap/gown/tassel
Hood
$ 59.98
$ 34.98
Education Specialist *wears Doctorate gown with Masters hood
Cap/gown/tassel
$ 55.98
Hood
$ 34.98
Doctorate
Cap/gown/tassel
$ 55.98
*your hood is presented to you at the ceremony
Regalia will be available for purchase in the Bookstore
November 10th through December 15th
Barnes & Noble at Oakland University
lower level of the Oakland Center
OAKLAND UNIVERSITY'S
2012 Fall Commencement
Ceremonies
will be available on DVD
for Purchase
ORDER YOUR COMMEMORATIVE
COPY TODAY
Please complete and return the order form
below and return to ITC,
Oakland University
Orders Processed After Payment
You can also order the DVD online by credit
at the CSITS MarketPlace Store website
(link found on the commencement website)
111 Varner Hall
Rochester, MI 48309
For questions, please call
(248) 370·2460
Order Form (Optional)
Saturday, December 15, 2012 Fall Commencement
Graduate Commencement Ceremony (Masters & Doctoral)
Name
Student's Name (if different from above)
Address
City
Total Quantity
State
x $24.99 each = $
Zip
Phone
Total Amount Enclosed
(DVDs are $24.99 each)
Please make checks payable to Oakland University.
Welcome to YOUR…
Congratulations! You have just joined a community of over 86,000 Oakland University alumni who reside
in every state in the continental U.S. As a recent OU graduate, we welcome you to the Oakland University
Alumni Association (OUAA).
The OUAA is your connection to your alma mater. We will keep you informed and involved with OU whether
you are venturing out-of-state or remaining in the state of Michigan. Wherever your career path takes you,
update your records on the OUAA website and we’ll send you electronic updates about fellow alumni, local and
national events, volunteer opportunities, returning alumni scholarships and more. Plus you’ll receive a fullcolor alumni magazine twice a year with comprehensive coverage of alumni and campus news.
You can get involved!
Take advantage of activities, events and service opportunities designed for OU alumni of all ages. Whether you
sit in the Gold Zone during Golden Grizzlies basketball games, become an Alumni Admissions Ambassador, or
volunteer to mentor current students, your involvement and OU pride says I AM OU.
I AM OU identifies five ways you can make a difference:
 Impact a student’s experience – contribute to an OUAA scholarship, support the OU Fund
 Advocate for OU – join the Grassroots Grizzlies Advocacy Network, share your OU experience and pride,
contribute to the visibility of an OU degree
 Mentor a student – share your knowledge and experience with an OU student
 Open the door for others – become an Admissions Ambassador, refer a student, continue the OU tradition
 Update your record – share your news and stories, connect with fellow alumni
For more information on OUAA programs, events, travel, benefits and more, visit our website at oualumni.com
and click on OUAA benefits.
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