The Commencement Ceremony of the Simon School will begin at the Eastman Theatre on Sunday, June 14 at 10 a.m.
Please feel free to contact the Commencement Office by phone at (585) 275-4111 or click here to send an e-mail.
To order your cap and gown, please complete the online order form (click here for MBA form or click here for Ph.D. form) and forward to the University of Rochester Bookstore no later than Friday, May 8. Individuals placing orders after this deadline cannot be guaranteed proper academic attire.
Caps, gowns, and tassels will be individually packaged and available for distribution beginning Monday, June 8 until 11:00 a.m. Friday, June 12 at the University of Rochester Bookstore, Frederick Douglass Building. Bookstore hours are Monday - Thursday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and Friday 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
You will need to complete a Post-Graduation Survey which can be found through Simon Exchange or in person at the Simon School Advancement Office (2-306 Carol Simon Hall). Once this survey has been completed, you may pick up your "Regalia Ticket” from the Advancement Office. These "Tickets" may be picked up any time (Monday - Friday) during office hours after Tuesday, May 26. You will need to take this "Ticket" to the Bookstore to receive your cap and gown.
If you are unable to pick up your cap and gown during the week of June 8, Bookstore personnel will be at the Eastman Theatre on Sunday, June 14, the day of Commencement, for late pick-up. We recommend, however, you pick up your gown the week prior so there is a chance for the wrinkles to hang out. The hood will not be supplied at the time you pick up your cap and gown because it will be presented in the formal hooding, which is part of the Commencement ceremony.
Please (click here) for a list of hotels located near the Eastman Theatre and near the University of Rochester, River Campus.
Guests may enter through the main entrance to Eastman Theatre beginning at 8:30am. Tickets are not required for this ceremony.
GradTrak by Chappell Graduation Images will be at Commencement and will take a candid photo as each graduate receives his/her hood. At this time, there is the possibility that a second photographer may take a "head shot" of each graduate prior to the procession entering the auditorium. A free proof (or proofs) will be sent by GradTrak to your current address by mail and e-mail within five to seven days following the ceremony. You will have the option of ordering prints if you wish, and you are under obligation to buy.
For further information about your photos and orders after Commencement, please contact GradTrak directly or visit http://www.gradimages.com. The Simon School will be listed as "University of Rochester" and our Customer Number is 1599.
If you haven't already done so, please complete the online Graduating Student Information Form (click here for online form) to confirm your attendance at the Commencement ceremony no later than Friday, May 8. If you have already completed this form and your plans change (i.e. - you're no longer attending commencement), you may edit your response to this online form.
All graduates, faculty, staff and guests are invited to attend the Dean’s Picnic on Saturday, June 13, 2009 from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. on campus at the Florescue-von Manstein Plaza (outside between Carol Simon and Schlegel Hall). If inclement weather, the picnic will be moved inside Schlegel Hall. A picnic lunch of hot dogs, hamburgers, veggie burgers, Italian sausage, salads, chips, pretzels, cookies, dessert, beer, soft drinks as well as entertainment will be provided.
Please RSVP via the online Dean’s Picnic Response Form (click here for online form) no later than Thursday, June 4. If you are attending and bringing family or guests, please indicate total number attending so that we can provide an accurate count to the caterer.
You will receive your diploma at the Commencement Ceremony if you have met your program requirements and financial obligations to the University. If you do not attend Commencement, your diploma will be mailed to the address you indicated on the Commencement Response Form (click here for online form).
There is handicap access at the door located near the corner of Gibbs Street and Main Street. An usher will be present to assist guests. Please notify the Conference and Events Office at rehearsal as to the number of guests who will require handicap access. If you do not attend rehearsal, please contact the Commencement Office at 275-4111 to make arrangements for guests with special needs.
Guest invitations to Commencement are provided by the Simon School for graduates who would like to send their guests a formal invitation. These invitations are free and will be available for pick up beginning Wednesday, April 15 at 305 Schlegel Hall, Office of MBA Admissions and Administration.
Commencement Guests do not need tickets to attend the Commencement Ceremony. There is plenty of seating available and family and friends are welcome to attend.
Free parking is available in the East End Garage located next to Eastman Theatre.
For information on parking and directions (click here).
Commencement rehearsal for the Class of 2009 will be held Friday, June 12, at 9:00 a.m. at the Eastman Theatre, 26 Gibbs Street, Rochester, New York 14604. Beginning at 8:30 a.m., there will be a continental breakfast available for you on the 2nd floor of the Cominsky Promenade at the Eastman School of Music. We hope you will come a little early to enjoy a breakfast snack (bagels, muffins, donuts, juice and coffee) before you start the rehearsal process. It is very important that you attend this rehearsal as we want to be certain that you are familiar with the process that will take place atSunday’s Commencement and to ensure that everything will run smoothly. The rehearsal will last one hour.
To add some excitement, we will award either a Garmin eTrex Legend Personal Navigator (12 parallel channel GPS receiver) or a Sirius Satellite Radio Status 4 with one free year of service (Satellite Radio and Complete Vehicle Kit, 10 Channel Presets - Universal Docking Capability - Parental Control) to two lucky graduates that attend the rehearsal.
At the rehearsal, you will receive some very important details concerning the procedures regarding the robing and line-up process as well as the seating arrangement for the ceremony.
Please attend the rehearsal. It will not take very much of your time and it offers you another opportunity to get together with your fellow classmates from the Class of ’09 before you officially graduate on Sunday!
If you are an international student and wish to have your relatives, who reside outside of the U.S., attend Commencement, please consult with the International Services Office and complete the Invitation Letter Request Form at http://www.iso.rochester.edu/invitationletterrequest.htm.
Q: Will I be sized for my cap and gown?
A: When you fill out your academic regalia order form, which goes to the bookstore, you are asked for your height, weight, and head size. The order for your cap and gown is then placed, based on your answers to these three questions.
Q: I will be graduating at the end of the Summer Quarter. Can I attend June Commencement?
A: You may participate in the June 14 Commencement Ceremony. Your name will be listed in the commencement program. You will proceed onstage with the graduates and receive a diploma case, unlike candidates who have completed their degree requirements, you diploma case will contain a written notice that you will receive your diploma upon completion of all your degree requirements. Please be sure we have your mailing address so we can send your diploma once it is printed following the October conferral date.
Q: Who will appear in the Commencement Book?
A: Students who met their degree requirements at the end of summer 2008 (and whose names were not included in the 2007 Commencement book), fall 2008, winter 2009, spring 2009 and summer 2009 (if they wish to participate in Commencement).
Q: Who is eligible to participate in the Commencement ceremony?
A: Students who met their degree requirements at the end of summer 2008, fall quarter 2008, winter 2009, spring 2009 and summer 2009 have the option of participating.
Q: How many people can I invite to Commencement? Where do I purchase tickets?
A: There is not limit to the number of guests. Tickets are not required to attend the ceremony.
Q: Is there reserved seating at Commencement?
A: No. There is no reserved seating for guests.
Q: How will I know where I am going to sit during Commencement?
A: The seating chart will be reviewed at rehearsal and also available on Sunday, June 14.
Q: How long will the ceremony last?
A: Approximately two hours.
Q: How do we line up for commencement?
A: Upon arrival, at the lineup location on June 14, each graduate will receive a card that contains your name and other information. Don't lose this card! You will carry it on stage with you and hand it to the reader so that the reader can announce you.
Q: What degree will appear on my diploma?
A: The Simon School lists the earned degree as follows: Master of Science in Accountancy, Master of Science in Business Administration, or Master of Business Administration.
Q: When will I receive my diploma?
A: If you have met your program requirements and financial obligations to the University, you will receive your diploma at the Commencement Ceremony. If you do not attend commencement, your diploma will be mailed to the address you indicated on the online Graduating Student Information Form.
Q: What graduation date will appear on my diploma?
A: The date your degree is awarded will depend on the quarter in which you graduate. This award date will also appear in the University Student Records System and on your official transcript.
• Summer 2008 – October 17, 2008
• Fall 2008 graduates - March 13, 2009
• Winter 2009 graduates - June 14, 2009
• Spring 2009 graduates - June 14, 2009
• Summer 2009 graduates – October (date to be determined), 2009.
Q: How do I request an official transcript?
A: Official transcripts must be requested at the Office of the University Registrar, 312 Lattimore Hall. For further information, please visit http://www.rochester.edu/registrar/transcripts
Q: Do I have to pay for my cap and gown?
A: No. The cost is covered by the Student Activities fee.
Q: I cannot attend rehearsal. What should I do?
A: If you cannot attend rehearsal please plan on arriving to the Eastman Theatre by 9:15 a.m. on June 14.
Q: Who is elected to Beta Gamma Sigma?
A: Beta Gamma Sigma is a national honor society in business and management. Membership is limited at most to those in the upper 20 percent of the M.B.A. class of institutions accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International. Election to the University of Rochester chapter of Beta Gamma Sigma takes place in the winter and spring quarters of a student’s final year of study. Those admitted are recognized formally at the Commencement ceremonies in June. Ph.D. graduates are elected in the spring.
Q: I was going to attend commencement, but now I cannot attend. What do I do?
A: If you've already completed the online Graduating Student Information Form, you may edit your response to this online form.
Q: More Questions?
A: Please direct questions to commencement2009@simon.rochester.edu, not to the Registrar's Office e-mail account.