Commencement 2009
Congratulations Class of 2009!
GENERAL COMMENCEMENT INFORMATION
The 2009 Commencement Ceremony will be held on Sunday, June 14, 2009 (12:00 p.m.) at the Allstate Arena .
• Be at the SKYLINE ROOM at the North end of the stadium NO LATER THAN 11:00 a.m.
• Wear comfortable shoes.
• Bring your Reader’s Card with you! (This is the yellow or blue card you receive at cap and gown pick up with your name, program, and number.)
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Friday, June 12, 2009
4:00 p.m.
St. Vincent de Paul Church,
1010 W. Webster
Chicago, IL 60614
Commencement Weekend Kickoff Party
Friday, June 12, 2009
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Lincoln Park Campus, On the Quad
Chicago, IL 60614
This is an outdoor event; please be prepared for the weather.
College of Commerce
Kellstadt Graduate School of Business Commencement
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Rd., Rosemont, IL 60018
11:00 a.m. – Arrival of graduates
12:00 p.m. – Processional & Ceremony
*The ceremony will last approximately three and a half hours. It is required that all graduates stay for the entire ceremony.
For more detailed information regarding commencement or to RSVP to attend the Baccalaureate Mass and the Commencement Weekend Kickoff Party, please visit http://oaa.depaul.edu/what/commencement_schedule.jsp
CAP & GOWN DISTRIBUTION
If you are unable to pick up your cap and gown in person, you may send a designee with a note indicating your permission, including your name and student ID number. Lunch hours are typically the busiest times for distribution.
Loop Campus Pick-Up
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
DePaul Center
1 East Jackson – Concourse Level 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
DePaul Center
1 East Jackson - Concourse Level 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Please note: Regalia will be returned immediately after the ceremony. Plan your photo opportunities accordingly.
COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY (Sunday, June 14, 2009) - GRADUATE ARRIVAL
Graduates will gather at 11:00 a.m. in the Skyline Room, located directly across the street from the North Entrance of the Allstate Arena, to assemble for the processional. Under no circumstances are guests allowed to join graduates in this area. Wear your cap and gown from home, there will not be an area for robing. The tassel should be positioned on the left side of the cap before the ceremony. DePaul University and the Allstate Arena are NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR LOST OR STOLEN ITEMS. Please keep your personal belongings with you at all times. Graduates who arrive late (after the start of the graduate processional) will not be seated until the National Anthem has concluded.
PARKING AT THE ALLSTATE ARENA/GUESTS ARRIVAL
Parking is available near all entrances of the Allstate Arena. Guest seating is open and no tickets are required. Seating is on a first-come-first-served basis. The processional and ceremony will begin promptly at 12:00 p.m. Guests should be seated by that time to view the processional. All parking lots immediately surrounding the Allstate Arena are free. No parking is allowed in the lot to the west of the Skyline Room or in the Target parking lot. You will be towed.
SPECIAL SEATING - A GUIDE FOR GUESTS WITH DISABILITIES
The Allstate Arena is accessible to physically challenged persons. Wheelchair seating is located behind row R of sections 113 and 116 on the lower level of the east end of the stadium. Only two additional guests are seated with your physically challenged guest. Please notify the parking attendant upon your arrival if you require entrance at the East Gate for handicapped accessibility. During the ceremony, real time captioning and a sign interpreter will be provided.
For guests who need assistance walking to their seat, or use a cane or walker we recommend the following:
1. Arrive early
2. Bring an escort
3. Sit in the outer area seats of a section (there will be fewer stairs)
GRADUATE LINE UP
There will be four lines of students assembled for the processional. Graduates are lined up alphabetically and by program, and are assigned a numbered card. The number and color corresponds with your position in line. Kellstadt students are the first two lines (on the left side of the tunnel); your card will be the color of your line.
• Line 1–Yellow Masters Degree Candidates
• Line 2–Blue Masters Degree Candidates
• Line 3-Pink Bachelor of Science in Commerce Degree Candidates
• Line 4-Green Bachelor of Science in Commerce Degree Candidates
The numbered card will also be used during the ceremony as the Reader’s Card. PLEASE REMEMBER TO BRING YOUR NUMBERED CARD WITH YOU TO GRADUATION TO ENSURE THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF YOUR NAME DURING THE CEREMONY. DePaul staff will be available to help you find your position in line.
Please turn off all cell phones during the ceremony. It is inconsiderate and disruptive to the other graduates.
PROCESSIONAL
At 12:00 p.m. processional leaders will escort the lines into the Allstate Arena. IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT THAT YOU ALWAYS FOLLOW THE PERSON IN FRONT OF YOU. DePaul staff will assist in seating graduates. Please pay close attention to the processional leader’s directions to guarantee sufficient seating for all graduates. Graduates who arrive late (after the start of the graduate processional) will not be seated until the National Anthem has concluded.
CEREMONY
Once you reach your seat, please remain standing until the faculty processional, president’s party processional, invocation and National Anthem have concluded. Male graduates should remove their caps during the playing of the National Anthems. DURING THE CONFERRAL OF DEGREES, PLEASE BE SURE TO BRING YOUR NAME CARD AND ALL PERSONAL ITEMS WITH YOU. LEAVE YOUR COMMENCEMENT PROGRAM ON YOUR CHAIR. All students will enter the stage at the right (facing the stage) staircase. Your name card will be collected and your name will be read as you walk across the stage to receive your diploma cover from the President. Please note that your diploma will not be included in the diploma cover you receive – it will be mailed to you. All students will exit the stage at the center staircase and proceed back to your seat. DePaul staff will be there to guide you.
Please note: Graduating ‘With Distinction’ is based upon your GPA after the completion of your program or the completion of the winter quarter, whichever comes first. To receive ‘With Distinction’ students must obtain a GPA of 3.6 or higher.
There are approximately 1, 200 graduates (includes undergraduate Commerce students) participating in commencement. With respect to all, graduates are required to remain for the entire ceremony.
RECESSIONAL/CAP, GOWN & HOOD RETURN
Faculty marshals will lead you in the appropriate direction after the ceremony has concluded. The recessional will lead graduates into the tunnel and back to the Skyline Room for cap and gown return. It is the sole responsibility of the graduate to return regalia before leaving the Allstate Arena. Failure to do so will result in the graduate being charged a fee (approximately $800). Do not leave the Skyline Room without returning your cap and gown.
PHOTOGRAPHER/PICTURES
A professional photographer will take photos of each graduate as the diploma cover is received. The photographer from Chappell Studios will contact you regarding your photos; however, you are under no obligation to purchase them. Please contact Chappell Studios directly at (800) 424-3686 for additional information or visit the website at www.chappell.com.
WEBCAST
DePaul University will broadcast the Commencement Ceremony on the Web! Guests who are unable to attend the ceremony may view it on Commencement Sunday at: http://oaa.depaul.edu/what/commencement_schedule.jsp. Scroll down to College of Commerce Commencement and click on “Live Webcast.”
If you have any questions (or if your plans have changed), please contact Sarah Malasaga at 312-362-8812 or via e-mail at smalasag@depaul.edu