Commencement Guide 2009
Event Information
The 2009 Western Connecticut State University graduating class will hold Commencement exercises on Sunday, May 24, 2009, at the Westside Athletic Stadium on the Westside campus, 43 Lake Avenue Ext., Danbury. The ceremony will begin promptly at 10:30 a.m. and will conclude at approximately 12:30 p.m. For planning purposes, remember that this is Memorial Day weekend and traffic could be heavy before and after the ceremony. Please consider parking at the Midtown campus and taking a convenient air conditioned, coach shuttle to the ceremony.
Academic Dress – Academic Regalia
All participants in the academic procession are required to wear academic regalia. There will be only one day for graduates to pick up their academic regalia:
Friday, May 22, 2009
3 to 7 p.m.
Westside Campus Center
Westside campus
If you are unable to pick up your regalia, please ask a friend or family member to do it for you. Due to space limitations, regalia will not be available for pickup on the day of Commencement.
Commencement Procedure
A continental breakfast will be provided for all graduates and faculty from 7:30 to 8:45 a.m. Graduates should arrive at the Feldman Arena in the O'Neill Center no later than 9 a.m. to line up for the procession. Look for the banner with your school name and proceed to that area to pick up your name card.
You will need to keep your name card with you to assemble for the procession and to have your name announced during the ceremony. Graduates will assemble in the large blue chair area in the arena. Please find your seat with your school. This is the order in which you will process to the field. The procession will begin promptly at 10 a.m.
Staff members will direct all graduates to the appropriate areas to line up. University marshals will lead the procession onto the field and direct you to your seat. Remain standing until the University President asks you to be seated.
When the dean says, “Candidates for the degree of Bachelor of Arts, please rise,” all B.A. graduates are to stand.
The marshal will guide you to the stage. Hand your name card to the announcer who will read your name. Shake hands with your dean and the University President, then proceed back to your seat. Remain standing until the University President officially confers the degree upon your group. At this time, you may officially move the tassel on your cap to the left side.
Respective deans will give the same cue to each graduating degree group.
At the conclusion of Commencement exercises, all graduates rise for the Recessional. Following is the order of the Recessional: Dais party, faculty, and then graduates, beginning with the first row. March out two-by-two, using the center aisle.
Ceremony and Facility Protocol
Please have respect for the other graduates and their guests. Do not leave the Commencement ceremony early.
To preserve the dignity of the ceremony and the safety of those in attendance, air horns, beach balls, and other inflatable items are prohibited and will be confiscated by the campus police.
Alcoholic beverages are not allowed at the ceremony. Campus police will confiscate any alcoholic beverages brought onto the field.
Please inform family members that Commencement is held outdoors and suggest they consider wearing a hat for sun protection and flat-heeled shoes for walking on the grass.
The use of cellular phones is disruptive to both participants and guests. Please silence all phones and pagers during the ceremony.
Graduation Honors for Baccalaureate Degree
Graduation honors for the baccalaureate degree recognize high academic achievement at Western Connecticut State University as demonstrated by the following cumulative grade-point averages:
Cum laude (honors) |
3.50–3.69 |
| Magna cum laude (high honors) | 3.70–3.89 |
| Summa cum laude (highest honors) | 3.90–4.00 |
January graduates and May candidates for Graduation Honors, who will be recognized at the May Commencement ceremonies, are identified at the conclusion of the January Intersession semester preceding graduation. Students who have earned a minimum of 45 credits toward their graduation requirements in residence at Western Connecticut State University with a cumulative earned GPA of at least 3.50 are considered to be Graduation Honors candidates eligible for recognition at the May Commencement. Candidacy for May Graduation Honors does not guarantee the award of Graduation Honors upon completion of degree requirements.
Graduation honors, which appear on the transcript and on an honor’s certificate, will be awarded only to students who complete their graduation requirements with a minimum of 45 credits in residence at Western Connecticut State University and have a cumulative earned grade-point average of at least 3.50. The residency requirement for honors may not be waived. Students with questions regarding academic honors should consult the Academic Dean of their major.
Access Ability Needs
Any student or a member of the student’s family that requires special accommodations for the May Commencement ceremony must contact the Office of University Events (203)837-8800 no later than Friday, May 8th.
Accommodations
Room blocks have been reserved for May 22 & 23, 2009, at the following hotels, all within a mile of the Westside campus. For special rate information or to make your reservation, call the hotels directly. When booking your reservation, identify yourself as being with the WestConn Commencement Block.
Danbury Maron Hotel & Suites
42 Lake Avenue Ext.
Danbury, CT 06811
203-791-2200
www.maronhotel.com
$99/night
Located off Exit 4 of I-84. Features Connecticut Limousine drop off and pick up. Includes complimentary continental breakfast.
Ethan Allen Hotel
21 Lake Avenue Ext.
Danbury, CT 06811
203-744-1776 x136
800-742-1776
www.ethanallenhotel.com
$109/night
Located off Exit 4 of I-84 near the Westside Campus.
To ensure rates and availability, make your reservation by April 24, 2009.
Residence Inn (Marriott)
22 Segar Street
Danbury, CT 06810
203-797-1256
www.marriott.com
$99/night
Located off Exit 4 of I-84, near the Westside Campus.
To ensure rates and availability, make your reservation by April 22, 2009.
Handicapped Parking and Services
Only cars with official state handicap license plates or hang tags will be allowed to park in the designated handicapped lot. All others will be directed to another area.
Specific locations have been designated within the area for wheelchair access only. Wheelchair-bound guests, accompanied by no more than one escort, will be directed to proper seating by university staff.
Sign language interpreters will be available at the ceremony. Special seating for visual access to interpreters will be provided. To arrange for this seating or for any additional accommodation requests, please call the Office of University Events at (203) 837-8800 by May 5. A member of the Commencement staff will be available at the ceremony for your assistance and direction.
Parking
Convenient shuttle service to and from the Midtown parking garage on White Street will be provided for guests, beginning at 9 a.m. We strongly suggest attendees consider parking at Midtown. Please inform your guests about this service.
Parking will be available in the garage off University Boulevard and at any other surface lot. Parking will not be allowed along the sides or on the median strip of the divided end of University Boulevard. Pedestrians are encouraged to use the sidewalks and cross only at pedestrian crosswalks to avoid accidents.
There is only one entrance to the Westside campus. Traffic can be congested along Mill Plain Road and University Boulevard. It is a good idea to arrive early, as parking areas fill up quickly. Please note that businesses along Mill Plain Road and Lake Avenue Extension will be open. Non-customers parking there may be towed at their own expense.
Directions to the Campus
Click here to view directions to our campus
Driving directions following the ceremony
Cars leaving the campus after the ceremony will be directed West along Mill Plain Road. Interestate-84 can be accessed both eastbound and westbound at Exit 2, about three miles from campus.
University Fees
All fees (cashier, library, parking, etc.) must be paid prior to Commencement or your diploma will be withheld.
Graduate Portraits
Photographers from Chappell Studios will be on stage to photograph graduates. Proofs will be mailed to you after the ceremony. You are under no obligation to purchase. Visit www.chappell.com or call (800) 424-3686 for information.
Photos with the President
Graduates may have their photo taken with President Schmotter immediately following the ceremony. Dr. Schmotter will be available in the photography tent adjacent to the commencement stage.
Video
WCSU Media Services will record the ceremony. You can buy a DVD copy for $19.95. To purchase your copy, please complete the order form.
Invitations and Announcements
The WCSU Bookstore works with Balfour to provide WestConn invitations and related materials. Go to http://ww2.balfour.com/gradprod/default.aspx for more information.
Campus Bookstore
The campus Bookstore will operate a sale area near the Commencement site. Announcement cards are available for purchase at the Midtown campus Bookstore; please call (203) 837-8685.
Flowers
Flowers will be available for purchase at the field.
Diplomas
Diplomas will be mailed from the Registrar’s office approximately eight weeks after your graduation date.
