Graduate Studies Commencement 2008

Separate commencement ceremonies will be held on different dates at UCSD by the undergraduate colleges, the School of Medicine, the School of International Relations and Pacific Studies, and Graduate Studies. The Office of Graduate Studies invites you to join us as we host the 2008 Graduate Studies Commencement Ceremony. Details for the ceremony and celebration are as follows.

DATE: Sunday, June 22, 2008

PLACE: UCSD RIMAC Arena

TIME: 10:30 a.m. (approximately 2.5 hours)

Commencement participants must arrive at 9:15 a.m. to check-in and prepare. Commencement participants must be assembled for the processional by 10:00 a.m.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR PARTICIPATION

Degree Candidates

In order to participate in commencement, the following requirements must be fulfilled before 4:00 p.m., Friday, June 13, 2008:

1. Ph.D., D.M.A., and Masters candidates must successfully defend their dissertation or thesis and submit all final paperwork to the Office of Graduate Studies (OGS) for approval.
2. Masters candidates completing degree requirements by comprehensive exam must receive approval by OGS.

All Commencement participants must complete the online Commencement Participation Form by 4:00 p.m., Friday, June 13, 2008.

Education Studies Credential Students

• In order to participate in Commencement, all credential program requirements must be completed by 4:00 p.m., Friday, June 13, 2008.

All Commencement participants must complete the online Commencement Participation Form by 4:00 p.m., Friday, June 13, 2008.

Contacts

• Specific questions regarding completion of your degree requirements may be directed to your departmental graduate coordinator or to the OGS Academic Affairs staff at (858) 534-3555.
• Specific questions regarding completion of your Education Studies credential requirements may be directed to Ed Ashton at eashton@ucsd.edu or (858) 534-7297.
• Questions regarding the Commencement ceremony or participation may be directed to April Bjornsen at gradcommence@ucsd.edu or (858) 534-3550.
  

PROGRAM

• Procession with faculty and degree candidates
• Welcome: Kim Barrett, Dean of Graduate Studies
• Guest Speaker: TBA
• Presentation of California Teaching Credential Recipients
• Conferral of Master's degrees
• Conferral and hooding of Ph.D., D.M.A., and M.F.A. degree candidates
• Recessional

SEATING

Degree candidates and credential students will sit in the chairs on the RIMAC Arena floor; Ph.D., D.M.A. and M.F.A. candidates will sit with their hooding advisers. Guests will sit on each side of the Arena floor.

RECEPTION

A reception will be held immediately following the ceremony on the RIMAC Concourse North patio to celebrate this memorable occasion. We hope you, your family, friends, and faculty members will join us.

ACADEMIC ATTIRE (REGALIA)

All commencement participants must wear academic attire (cap and gown) to participate in the ceremony.

REGALIA RENTAL (bookstore.ucsd.edu/friends/cag)

The UCSD Bookstore will begin taking orders for rentals of regalia (cap, gown, hood, and tassel) in March 2008. Orders may be placed by phone at (858) 534-7323 or on the UCSD Bookstore website at bookstore.ucsd.edu/friends/cag. Ph.D. rental is approximately $45.00; Master's is $43.00; Education Studies credential students' rental is $43.00. The deadline for placing orders without incurring a late charge is April 06; a $5.00 late fee will be assessed for orders placed from April 07 through April 30. After April 30, a late and special handling/shipping fee will be $20.00. Candidates and faculty will be informed by the Bookstore concerning pick up of regalia.

REGALIA PURCHASE

Orders for purchasing any regalia (cap, gown, hood, and tassel) may be placed immediately by contacting Colleen Leach at the UCSD Bookstore at (858) 534-7323 or at cleach@ucsd.edu. Purchased regalia is custom-made and can take up to 10 weeks for delivery. Ordering early is important to ensure delivery in time for graduation. Prices are available at the time of inquiry. Candidates and faculty must arrange to pick up their attire at the UCSD Bookstore.

COMMENCEMENT ANNOUNCEMENT CARDS

Announcement cards, extending an invitation to attend commencement, will be available for purchase from the UCSD Bookstore or direct from the distributor at www.cbgrad.com. To order personalized announcements, thank-you note cards, and assorted packages, contact CB Graduation Announcement, Inc. at (800) 433-0296 or order on-line at www.cbgrad.com.

PORTRAITS

Graduation photos will be taken by California Candids at the UCSD Bookstore at no initial cost to you. Photo-taking will be during the GradFair, April 21 - 23, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. California Candids will also take photos at the commencement ceremony as graduates walk across the stage. Contact the UCSD Bookstore at (858) 534-7323 for more information. Proofs will be mailed to your home address in order to purchase photo packs if desired.

HOODING OF PH.D.'s, D.M.A.'s, AND M.F.A.'s

Ask your dissertation adviser (all Ph.D., D.M.A., and M.F.A. candidates) to assist in the hooding. Please indicate the name of your dissertation adviser on the Commencement Participation Form. Dean Kim Barrett will extend an invitation to your adviser to attend commencement. If you would like someone other than your dissertation adviser to assist in the hooding or if there are other special circumstances, please indicate this on the Commencement Participation Form. If your dissertation adviser is unable to attend, a departmental representative will assist with your hooding.

NUMBER OF GUESTS

There will be ample seating for your guests in the RIMAC arena. Tickets are not required to attend the graduation ceremony. For appropriate program and reception planning, please let us know your estimated number of guests on the Commencement Participation Form.

PROCEDURES TO BE FOLLOWED ON COMMENCEMENT DAY

Information will be sent to you approximately one week prior to commencement.

DIPLOMAS

Diplomas will be mailed to you approximately four to six months after the date the degree is filed.

PARKING

Parking will be free on the day of commencement. It is suggested that attendees of the Graduate Studies Commencement enter UCSD via the North Point Drive entrance. Please be aware that severe traffic congestion is anticipated. Once you arrive at UCSD, please allow yourself a minimum of 1 hour to secure parking. Please plan your time accordingly.

Parking Home Page: blink.ucsd.edu/go/splashtps

INFORMATION ON SAN DIEGO

For information on San Diego county, hotels, and other attractions, view the San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau website at www.sandiego.org. Additional links to web pages of interest on San Diego are on ogs.ucsd.edu/sandiego.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Contact April Bjornsen gradcommence@ucsd.edu or (858) 534-3550