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The Commencement Ceremonies will be held in the W. A. C. Hughes Memorial Stadium and will begin promptly at 10:00 a.m. Guests should be seated by 9:00 a.m. to witness the procession. In case of rain, graduates and guests should bring umbrellas.
In the event of severe weather conditions (lightning, severe thunderstorm, etc.), Commencement Ceremonies will be held in Hill Field House, and admission tickets will be required. Only in case of severe weather will guests be required to have admission tickets. Under those circumstances, graduating students may have three guests, and, beginning Monday, May 12, 2008, students may pick up those three admit tickets in the office of their dean or director at the time when they are given clearance for graduation. Guests without admit tickets will not be admitted.
MOBILITY IMPAIRED PARKING AND SEATING  UP
Parking for guests who have impaired mobility will be available on “M,” “L” and “W” Lots. Police officers will be strategically located throughout the campus to provide traffic and parking directions. Guests with mobility impairments will be able to sit in designated areas. Ushers will be available to provide instructions and assistance. Professional signers will sign for the hearing-impaired. See Parking.
GENERAL PARKING UP
Free parking will be available at Morgan State University in the New Student Center Parking Garage and on Parking Lots “Qn” (Northwood), “T” (Blount Towers), “U” (Montebello Complex), “X” (east of Murphy Fine Arts Center), “Y” (behind Murphy Fine Arts Center) and “Qe” (Engineering School on Perring Parkway). For the convenience of your guests, the University will provide shuttle service to and from the Commencement Ceremonies. Shuttles will be available for the mobility impaired. See Parking.
FIRST AID UP
For first aid services, graduates should see the marshals, and guests should see the ushers. Ambulance service will be available for emergencies.
RADIO BROADCAST UP
The Commencement Ceremonies will be broadcast live over WEAA-FM Radio Station, 88.9 FM.
ELIGIBILITY UP
The policy of Morgan State University is that only persons who have applied for graduation by the published deadline and have completed ALL academic and financial requirements for graduation may participate in the Commencement Ceremonies. There are no exceptions to this rule! In addition, participation in the Commencement Ceremonies, receipt of graduation invitations, the appearance of names in the printed program, or receipt of this information packet will not be considered evidence of graduation.
FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS UP
The Graduation Fee for all candidates is $75.00. Students’ TOTAL accounts, including any tuition, fees, and fines, MUST be settled in full on or before April 18, 2008. All payments are cash, certified check, credit card, or money order— no personal checks. If any charges are reported to the Bursar’s Office, Montebello 124A, after April 18, 2008, students will be notified so that payment may be made immediately.
Students should make certified checks or money orders for the amount due payable to Morgan State University. NO PERSONAL CHECKS WILL BE ACCEPTED. If additional information is needed, call 443.885.3108.
NDSL/Perkins Loan Exit Interview
All students who received NDSL/Perkins Loans must report to the Bursar’s Office (Montebello 124-A) for their exit interviews between April 14 - May 2, 2008, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon and 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. All other exit interviews may be scheduled with the NDSL Coordinator by appointment at 443.885.3010 or, by e-mail, at bursar@morgan.edu.
Federal Education Loan/ Federal Direct Loan Programs (Subsidized/Unsubsidized STAFFORD)
All students who received Subsidized/ Unsubsidized Stafford Loans must complete the required Loan Exit Interview online at www.dlservicer.ed.gov prior to the last day of classes for the Spring 2008 semester. Students are also urged to attend a Debt Management Counseling Session to be presented by loan specialists from the private sector, April 15-17, 2008, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., in the Montebello Complex, Room 215. Students should call the Loan Department to schedule an appointment: 443.885.3637, 443.885.1013, or 443.885.1008.
FINAL EXAMINATIONS UP
Final examinations for graduating seniors and graduate students will be given April 28 - May 3, 2008. A validated copy of the Application for Graduation will admit students to final examinations. Students who have not met the requirements by May 7, 2008 may not be certified in time for graduation.
CERTIFICATION FOR GRADUATION UP
The Office of the Dean of the college or school or the Director of the institute will certify students academically for graduation. Students must consult with those offices or other designated locations between Monday, May 12, 2008, and Friday, May 16, 2008, to determine if they have been certified academically for graduation. Under no circumstances should they wait until after May 16, 2007, to make that determination. No certifications can take place on the day of rehearsal or the day of Commencement.
REHEARSAL UP
Only students who have been certified for graduation may participate in the graduation rehearsal. Graduate degree recipients’ rehearsal is at 9:00 a.m., on Saturday, May 17, 2008. Undergraduates will meet at 10:00 a.m. on the same day. Both rehearsals will be in Hill Field House. Chief Marshal Dr. Clayton C. Stansbury, his assistants, and the marshals for graduation will provide detailed instructions. Certified students should bring their cap, gown and hood to the rehearsal. Diploma release forms will be distributed at rehearsal. Graduates may not get their diplomas on Sunday without these diploma release forms.
GRADUATION ANNOUNCEMENTS, ACADEMIC REGALIA, ETC. UP
Graduation announcements will be available in the Bookstore beginning April 1, 2008, at a cost of $15.98 for a package of 10. (NOTE: Packages will not be broken.) Personalized announcements may be ordered directly from Jostens at 1-800-854-7464 or via the website at http://www.jostens.com, or be ordered through the MSU Bookstore. Distribution of caps and gowns will begin on Monday, May 5, 2008, from 10:00 a.m.to 2:00 p.m., to all students who placed their order by February 2, 2008. A picture ID will be required for pick-up.
The MSU Bookstore will be open on Saturday, May 17, 2008, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. A class ring representative will be available in the lobby of Hill Field House on Saturday, May 17, 2008, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Telephone the Bookstore at 443.885.3075.
COMMENCEMENT
ATTIRE UP
All graduates will wear the cap, gown, and hood. Females should wear dark dresses, shoes, and hose, and they should wear small earrings to avoid harm to the ears when hooding. Men should wear dark trousers, dark shoes, a dress shirt and a tie. ROTC cadets who were commissioned in December or who are receiving commissions in May will wear the Class A Uniform. Graduation attire should not be removed at any point during the Ceremonies, except by men, who will remove their caps during invocation, benediction and the singing of the Alma Mater.
REQUIRED PARTICIPATION IN COMMENCEMENT UP
All December 2007 and May 2008 graduates are required to participate in the Commencement Ceremonies, unless excused. Undergraduates unable to attend must request to be excused in writing to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. T. Joan Robinson, Truth Hall 300. Graduate students must request to be excused in writing to Dr. Maurice C. Taylor, Dean of the School of Graduate Studies, 206 Holmes Hall.
ASSEMBLY OF GRADUATES UP
Graduates will assemble at 8:30 a.m. on the Quad in front of Holmes Hall. They will, with the assistance of marshals, assemble by college/ school/ institute:
School of Graduate Studies
College of Liberal Arts
School of Business and Management
School of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences
School of Education and Urban Studies
School of Engineering
School of Public Health and Policy
Institute of Architecture and Planning
Students should look for the banner identifying their academic unit. In case of severe weather, graduates will assemble in Hill Field House.
ACADEMIC PROCESSION UP
Once the students have assembled, the marshals will lead them down the procession route to Hughes Stadium. Upon reaching their seats, they will remain standing, facing the stage, until the Chief University Marshal turns the Ceremonies over to the President and the President instructs them to be seated.
CONFERRING OF DEGREES UP
The President will award degrees en masse according to degree level and academic unit. Afterwards, certified graduates will walk across the stage individually, as their names are called, to receive their diploma covers. Graduates will present their Certification Card to the reader when they approach the top of the stage. When the reader calls their names, they will proceed across the stage rapidly, without delay, in an orderly and dignified manner suitable for the occasion, to receive their diploma covers from the Dean or Director and exit the opposite side of the stage. Upon returning to their seats, graduates must remain seated and depart together during the Recession from the Stadium.
PHOTOGRAPHS OF GRADUATES UP
Graduates will be photographed individually as they walk across the stage and receive their diploma covers. Graduates will be contacted by the professional photographer to make arrangements for purchases.
DIPLOMA DISTRIBUTION
Actual diplomas will be distributed immediately after the Commencement Ceremonies at designated areas according to academic unit. All recipients must present proper identification and must sign a diploma release form, which will be distributed at the rehearsal on May 17, 2008. When receiving their packets, graduates should check their white envelope immediately for diploma and plastic miniature diploma. The plastic miniature diploma cannot be re-ordered through Morgan.
DIPLOMAS BY MAIL UP
Only persons who have been officially excused from participating in Commencement may have their diplomas mailed. Those students should remit $5.00 (for postage and handling) to the Office of the Bursar and make their checks or money orders payable to Morgan State University. They should take their receipts to the Office of Records and Registration and be certain to include a current mailing address. They must clear all indebtedness to the University before diplomas will be released.
Diplomas not picked up after Commencement will be available at the Office of Records and Registration, Montebello Complex, on or after Tuesday, May 20, 2008. A financial clearance letter, an NDSL/Perkins Loan Letter, or a Financial Aid Exit Letter from the Finance Office, 124A Montebello, and picture identification are required.
GRADUATION WITH HONORS UP
In order to be considered for honors, candidates must have earned a minimum of sixty (60) credits at Morgan, must have earned no grades below “C,” and must have a cumulative average of at least 3.4.
SENIOR BALL UP
The Senior Ball will take place at Martin’s West, 6817 Dogwood Road, Baltimore, Maryland, 21244 on Friday, May 2, 2008, from 10:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. Ticket sales have already begun. The price is $50.00 each, and tickets may be purchased at the New Student Center Ticketmaster Office. Purchases can be made between 9:00 a.m. and 3:40 p.m. For more information, students may call 443.885.3454 or e-mail D_grant2004@hotmail.com.
PARENT APPRECIATION BANQUET UP
The Parent Appreciation Banquet will take place on Saturday, May 17, 2008, at 7:00 p.m. in the Calvin and Tina Tyler Ballroom of the New Student Center. Ticket information and request forms will be mailed to all graduating seniors. The cost of tickets is $25.00 per person. For more information, students should call 443.885.3454 or e-mail D_grant2004@hotmail.com. |
Additional Information
