All degree candidates for May or August 2008 and persons who received degrees in summer or fall 2007 are eligible to participate.
Students must apply online to graduate by signing into the Enroll & Pay system, click on "Student Center," choose "Apply For Graduation" from the drop-down menu list under the Academics section or click on "Graduation" in the upper left hand corner menu and choose "KU Apply for Graduation." Undergraduates and law students generally have until April 15 to apply for graduation. Graduate students have until April 30. However, some schools may have an earlier deadline and students are responsible for checking with their individual school to determine and meet that date. March 3 is the last day students can submit their AFD to ensure they are included in the printed Commencement program.
Students with permanent or temporary physical disabilities are encouraged to participate. For information and to make arrangements, call Disability Resources, (785)864-2620 (Voice/TDD). Students who need wheelchair access should call two weeks in advance. Early notice is very important.
All participants dress for commencement according to traditions stemming from the world's oldest universities. The regalia worn by graduates and faculty members signifies the various degrees, disciplines, and institutions of the members of the academic procession and is an outward sign of membership in the university community. It also signifies the responsibility of the new graduates to uphold certain universal ideals -- freedom of inquiry, tolerance of alternative views, the pursuit of truth, and the free exchange of knowledge. These rights and responsibilities are conferred upon the graduates by the chancellor of the university during the commencement ceremony.
Bachelor's and master's degree recipients purchase souvenir regalia that need not be returned. Doctoral and law degree recipients purchase souvenir caps and tassels but must rent and return their gowns and hoods. Regalia requirements differ for degrees and schools. Participants living out of town may order regalia by calling KU Bookstores at (785)864-4640.
Graduates and faculty should follow return instructions for the campus where they rented their regalia.
The Class of 2008 lunch will be from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. commencement day at the chancellor's residence, the Outlook, 1532 Lilac Lane. A brief program begins at noon. The lunch is open only to graduates and their guests. A reservation card has been sent to all degree candidates. The Class of 2008 gift and banner will be presented. In the event of inclement weather the lunch will be held in the Kansas Union.
Students receiving a masters degree should contact their individual school for more information regarding masters hooding ceremonies.
Masters students graduating from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences are invited to a masters hooding ceremony on Saturday, May 17, at 10 a.m. in Crafton-Preyer Theatre, Murphy Hall. Information will be sent to eligible students in March regarding registration for the ceremony. For more information, contact Lindsey Hoover at linzy@ku.edu or 864-3663.
Only doctoral candidates who have fulfilled all of their degree requirements by the date established by Graduate Studies as its deadline for graduation in May will be allowed to participate in the May doctoral hooding ceremony. Candidates who received doctoral degrees last August and December may also take part in the doctoral hooding ceremony. Consult Graduate Studies or graduate division offices for more information.
Graduates wearing appropriate academic dress should assemble on Memorial Drive for the procession beginning at 2 p.m. A map in this publication shows the approximate location where graduates and faculty should gather without regard to alphabetical order. Signs will mark school assembly areas. University marshals wearing gold shoulder braids will organize the procession. Students should follow the marshals' instructions at all times. Persons receiving bachelor's degrees should wear gowns closed; master's and doctoral degree recipients may wear gowns open or closed. The tassel should be attached to the center of the mortarboard and worn hanging on the left side of the face, where it will remain throughout the ceremonies. Participants should not remove their mortarboards at any time during the ceremonies.
The procession will start promptly at 2:30 p.m. Graduates should march close to the person in front of them so gaps do not occur in the line. After entering the stadium, graduates march through a gauntlet of faculty members. Graduates may sit down when they reach their seats. When the time comes for conferring of degrees by school, graduates should stand for presentation by their dean and for the conferring of degrees by Chancellor Robert Hemenway. Graduates should remain in place until the ceremonies conclude with the singing of "Crimson and the Blue."
The commencement program will include names of degree recipients since May 2007 and degree candidates for May 2008. It is not an official list of graduates. Programs will be distributed outside the stadium and to persons in the procession.
Lawrence campus diplomas may be picked up by recipients in 151B Strong Hall approximately two months after commencement (photo ID required). Students wanting their diploma mailed can visit the Registrar's Web site and click on "Graduation" for more instructions.
Medical School campus diplomas will be handed out during the School of Medicine hooding ceremony. Medical Center undergraduate and graduate diplomas (and certificates where applicable) will be available in the Medical Center Student Records office after May 18. Medical Center campus students will be contacted via email with instructions on how to receive their diploma via mail.
Edwards Campus Pick up a Diploma Request Form at the Regents Center front desk, complete the form and return it in to the front desk in the Regents Center. You will be notified by email or phone when it arrives. If you would like your diploma mailed to you, visit the Registrar's Web site http://www.registrar.ku.edu and click on "Graduation" for more instructions.
Jolesch Photography will take photographs of graduates. They will be stationed just past the campanile on the Hill. For more information, contact customerservice@jolesch.com, call 800-833-6760, or visit the Jolesch Web site at www.jolesch.com.
Copyright © 2006 by the University of Kansas
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