Saturday, May 17, 2014 COMMENCEMENT INFORMATION

ARRIVAL:
(Families and Guests)

  • College Drive from Rt. 5 to DPC will be closed beginning at 6:00 AM until Commencement is over, then it will be one way until 3:30 p.m. (going from Lot R toward Route 5) for students to load their belongings. 
  • **ALL TRAFFIC WILL ENTER THE CAMPUS FROM MATTAPANY ROAD. 
  • Lot R has been designated as Handicap Parking, elderly and those with mobility issues. Overflow for Handicap will be along DeSousa Drive. 
  • Families and guests for general parking will be directed, by Public Safety Staff, to Lot S, the field beside S, Lot T and Lot Z. Additional parking will be available, if necessary, across Mattapany Rd. in the field.

(Trustees, Staff and Faculty)

  • Lot V and V1 have been designated parking for Trustees, Staff and Faculty.

EXITING:

  • Lot R and Lot S will exit on College Drive to Rt. 5 via DeSousa Drive to West Fisher. (Once pedestrian traffic at DPC allows) 
  • ALL other Lots will exit to Mattapany Rd. Please be patient as we make every effort to get folks onto campus and off campus as quickly and orderly as possible.
DATE Saturday, May 17, 2014
TIME/PLACE The ceremony begins at 10:00 a.m. sharp on Townhouse Green. All graduates should assemble at the recreation courts no later than 9:15 a.m. Please be sure to wear caps gowns. 
CAPS & GOWNS: Cap and gown orders will be taken at Grad Fair on Thursday, March 27, at the Michael P. O’Brien Athletics and Recreation Center from3:30 -6:30 p.m., and on March 28 at the Campus Store. Students may pick up and pay for regalia May 13-17 at the Campus Store. Payment information is not required at the time these orders are placed. December graduates and those who are not on campus for the spring semester may order and pay for regalia by going to www.smcmbooks.com and clicking on the graduation info link. The cost for academic regalia will be $44.95 if ordered by March 28 and $54.95 after that date. Please contact the Campus Store at 240-895-4420 if you have questions about your cap and gown order.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Personalized graduation announcements, starting at $36.00 for a set of 15, can be ordered at www.balfour.com or by calling 1-877-225-3687.
TICKETS & SEATING:  No tickets are necessary for the ceremony. Seating is first-come, first-served.  Although the area will be tented, some seating is in an open area in full sun. Guests should be prepared with hats, sunscreen, and other protective measures. Please bring rain gear if the weather is threatening. 
ALCOHOL FREE: Commencement is a time to celebrate your accomplishments here at St. Mary’s College of Maryland, but should also be a celebration treated with the respect it deserves. Therefore Commencement will be an alcohol-free ceremony. 
FAMILY ACTIVITIES Family Night Picnic: Friday, May 16th , 6:00 p.m. A family picnic will be held at the Waterfront (Rain location Michael P. O’Brien Athletics and Recreation Center). Senior Convocation: Friday, May 16th, 8:30 p.m. Senior Convocation will be held on the Townhouse Green. Breakfast: Saturday, May 17th , Campus Center Great Room 7:30 – 9:00 a.m. A full breakfast will be offered for graduates and their families. Tickets for the picnic and breakfast must be purchased in advanced. Graduating seniors must also have a ticket.
PHOTOGRAPHS:

A group photo of the graduates will be taken at 9:15 a.m. on Saturday, May 17th at the recreation courts. Graduates must be in cap and gown to be in the pictures. Late arrivals will not be included. An 8x10” copy of this photo will be mailed to each graduate as a gift from the College. Individual photos of each person receiving a diploma will be taken by a professional photographer. One proof of that photo will be sent to each graduate at no charge. Additional prints will be available for purchase from the photographer.

Personal photography by family members and friends is allowed from behind the ropes. Family members are urged to cooperate with Commencement officials by limiting their photography to ensure that all who wish to take photos have the opportunity.
SPECIAL NEEDS: Specific information about special requirements is in the mailing to families. Sign language interpreters will be provided for the deaf/hard-of-hearing. Questions should be directed to the Conferences and Events Office at 240-895-4310. 
LIVING OFF-CAMPUS? Graduating seniors living off-campus who would like to be on campus for Senior Week may make arrangements to stay in the residence halls by calling the Residence Life Office at 240-895-4207 no later than May 1. These arrangements DO NOT include a meal plan; seniors not on the meal plan must pay for individual meals.
LIVING ON CAMPUS:

 Seniors living on campus must check out of residence halls and suites by 3:00 p.m. and out of apartments and townhouses by 5:00 p.m. on May 17, 2014.
REHEARSAL: Graduation rehearsal is Friday, May 16th at 11:00 a.m. Meet at the recreation courts. The rehearsal takes about an hour and will provide useful information and serve as a practice for the next day. If you absolutely cannot attend the rehearsal, contact the Office of the Registrar, 240-895-4336 to report your absence.
DOUBLE MAJOR:
 The St. Mary’s tradition is to have students receive their diplomas by major. If you have a double major, you must choose the major with which you wish to walk. Go to the Office of the Registrar’s table during Grad Fair on March 27 to register your preference and to check the spelling of your name.
ACADEMIC REMINDERS:
 St. Mary’s College has the strictest requirement for participation in the graduation ceremony. You must be completely finished with no incompletes and no “just need one more course this summer.” If you are in any danger of not meeting this requirement, call the Office of the Registrar at 240-895-4336.
FINANCIAL REMINDERS:  Check with the Business Office to be sure your financial obligations to the College are covered. No diploma or transcript will be issued until your account is cleared. For information, call 240-895-4315 or 240-895-4303. Students receiving financial aid should call that office, 240-895-4300, before Commencement.
FALL GRADUATES:  If you are planning on walking during Commencement, please send an email to nbtulley@smcm.edu and include your student ID, full name, and major.