FAQ for Students : FAQs : December Commencement : University of Vermont

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Academic Ceremonies - December Commencement

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FAQ for Students

1. What time should I arrive?

Undergraduate and graduate students are asked to arrive at Patrick Gym by 8:15 a.m. with their academic regalia. Upon arrival they are to check-in to receive their pre-printed “Student Name Card.” Pens will be available for students to add phonetic spelling of their name (if necessary) PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY. Every student will need a name card as they walk on stage as this will be their only means of announcement.

Students will line up with their college/school.

Doctoral and Master degree students will carry their hoods over their left arm and be hooded on stage. Graduate College Coordinators will assist with the line-up order.

The December Commencement Ceremony will begin at 9:00 a.m. in the Multipurpose Facility in the UVM Athletic Complex.

2. When may I get my academic regalia?

Academic regalia will be available for purchase online or at the UVM Bookstore beginning Monday, December 3. A complete outfit is required for all degree candidates.

3. What is the University's policy on allowing students to "walk" at commencement?

The Commencement “Walk” Policy states that only students who have successfully completed all degree requirements will be allowed to walk at Commencement and that exceptions are made only in truly exigent circumstances. View complete transcript of the policy approved by the Associate Deans Group.

4. How do I know if I am eligible to participate in the December Commencement Ceremony?

Eligible students must have completed their degree requirements by the end of the summer semester or be enrolled in fall courses, which if successfully completed would result in satisfying all degree and graduation requirements. This eligibility will be verified after the last day to withdraw from courses has passed.

Invitations will be mailed to all eligible students. Ceremony related communications and RSVP details will be handled electronically through each eligible student’s UVM email account only.

5. I am planning to participate in the December 2012 Commencement Ceremony, may I also participate in the May 2013 Commencement Ceremony?

Eligible students who choose to participate in the December Commencement Ceremony may not participate in the May Commencement Ceremony. However, if they do not successfully complete the requirements for their degree by the end of the fall semester they may participate in the May ceremony providing requirements have been fulfilled by that time.

6. A member of my party has mobility limitations. May I request special seating?

Yes. Guests who have mobility limitations may make arrangements for accommodations for parking and seating. Please complete the Online Deaf and Disability Accommodation Request Form or contact Sharon Mone in the ACCESS office at (802) 656-7852 (voice) for assistance.

7. A member of my party is visually impaired. May I request special seating?

Yes. Guests who are Visually Impaired may make arrangements for accommodations for parking, seating, amplification, captioning, interpreters, large print or Braille, by completing the Online Deaf and Disability Accommodation Request Form . If you need assistance completing this form or have any questions, please contact Sharon Mone in the ACCESS office at (802) 656-7852 (voice) for assistance.

8. A member of my party is Deaf. Will ASL interpreters be present?

Yes. ASL interpreters will be provided at the December Commencement Ceremony. Also, guests who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing or Deaf-Blind, may make arrangements for accommodations for parking, seating, amplification, captioning, interpreters, large print or Braille, by completing the Online Deaf and Disability Accommodation Request Form .

9. Where do I park for the December Commencement Ceremony?

Commencement parking is located on the main campus in the parking lots at Jeffords Hall and Given Medical Building near the Davis Center where the reception will be held. Campus shuttle buses will transport you to and from the commencement ceremony in the Multipurpose Facility on the Athletic Campus. Buses will run every 5-7, minutes from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. to the Patrick Gym/Multipurpose Facility (ceremony), the front door of the Davis Center (reception), and parking lots (bus stops located at the east door of Jeffords Hall and the Lobby of the Given Medical Building). Both Jeffords Hall and the Given Building will be open to provide shelter from the weather.

Please leave adequate time to park and shuttle to the ceremony.

If you are not planning to attend the reception, please feel free to park in the Gutterson Garage on the Athletic Campus

Download the parking map

If you have mobility limitations visit: Deaf and Disability Accommodation Requests

10. Will there be a photographer at the December Commencement Ceremony?

GradImages® will be photographing all graduates at the upcoming graduation ceremony. Visit our website, www.gradimages.com, and click on Pre-Event Registration. Enter your email and up to 6 emails of loved ones who would like to share in your accomplishment by viewing and ordering your photos. After graduation, order online at www.gradimages.com or call (800) 261-2576. You can feel confident that GradImages will capture your proud moment.

University of Vermont Photography will take candid photographs of the event. A photo gallery will be posted on the December Commencement website shortly after December 15th for review and purchase.

11. When will I receive my diploma?

Degrees will be conferred by the president at the December Commencement Ceremony. Diplomas will be mailed in November to students who completed their academic requirements by the end of the summer. Diplomas will be mailed in January to students who completed their academic requirements by the end of the fall semester. Graduates are asked to confirm their post commencement mailing address by updating their permanent address from within myUVM.

Questions regarding diplomas should be addressed to the registrar’s office 802-656-2045.

12. When will I be notified if I have been invited to join Phi Beta Kappa?

Invitations to join Phi Beta Kappa are made twice a year in November and May.

13. When will I be notified if I have received Latin honors?

Students participating in the December Commencement Ceremony will be notified if they have received Latin honors in May 2013. Latin honors are not awarded at the December ceremony. Latin honors (summa cum laude, magna cum laude, cum laude) are determined when all grades for seniors have been submitted. The Registrar’s Office will compile the list at the end of the current academic year (May 2013). Students graduating with honors will receive an Honors Medallion and an updated diploma signifying their achievement after the spring semester. For more information about how honors are awarded please consult the University Catalogue.

14. Will there be a reception? Where will it be held?

Yes, a reception will follow the December Commencement Ceremony. It will be held in the Grand Maple Ballroom and Olin Atrium in the Davis Center. Light refreshments will be served. Shuttle buses will be available to transport guests from the ceremony to the reception and parking lots.

15. Will the December Commencement Ceremony be available on DVD?

A 90-minute DVD of the December Commencement Ceremony will be available from the UVM Bookstore for $19.99 plus $7.99 shipping and handling (please allow 4 weeks after the Commencement ceremony for delivery). Pre-orders may be placed online or at the UVM bookstore.

16. How do I order a Folklore Senior Memory Book?

Memory Books may be ordered online through Jostens.

Senior Portraits. Students must sit for a senior portrait to have their picture included in the Folklore Senior Yearbook. Please note, you cannot submit a portrait for the memory book, you must sit for a photo session on campus. Portraits will be taken in October/November 2012, January 2013 and March 2013. If you are graduating in December, the late October/early November photo session is the only time for you to get your portrait taken. Portraits slots are available on a first come, first serve basis. It is free to sit for a portrait and be included in the Folklore Senior Memory Book. A packet of pictures, for purchase, will be mailed to your permanent address; there is no obligation to purchase photos. If you sit for a Senior Portrait you will receive your official Senior T-shirt from the UVM Alumni Association. The Memory Book is published in June, 2013 and mailed by August 15, 2013.

Registrar for a photo session time slot. Use "UVM" for the school code.

17. How do I order a class ring.

Information packets are available at the Bookstore. To order a class ring, please contact the ArtCarved-Balfour representative, Paul Trono, at (802) 658-6126 or by email at paul.trono@balfour-rep.com.

18. What happens if there is a severe winter storm?

The December Commencement Ceremony will be held indoors in the Multipurpose Facility on the Athletic Campus. Tickets are not required. In the event of a severe winter storm that would make travel unsafe, the December Commencement Ceremony will be cancelled. An announcement will be posted on the UVM home page at www.uvm.edu or call (802) 656-3309 or toll free (800) 903-6601 for updates.

19. Will there be a webcast of the December Commencement Ceremony?

Yes, those unable to attend the December Commencement Ceremony may view a live webcast by following the link posted on the University website.

Last modified December 07 2012 02:50 PM