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William E. Simon Graduate School of Business Administration

Commencement Ceremony

The Commencement Ceremony of the Simon School will begin at the Eastman Theatre on Sunday, June 8 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.


Academic Attire

Caps, gowns, and tassels will be individually packaged and available for distribution beginning Monday, June 2 until 11:00am Friday, June 6 at the University of Rochester Bookstore, Frederick Douglass Building. Bookstore hours are Monday - Thursday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm and Friday 9:00 am - 2:00 pm . Reminder - You need to complete the Post-Graduation Survey which can be found through Simon Exchange or in person at the Office of Alumni Relations and Development (2-306 Carol Simon Hall).

Once the survey is completed you may pick up your “Regalia Ticket” at Alumni Relations located at 2-306 Carol Simon Hall. You will need to take this “Ticket” along with a completed 2008 Simon Order Form click here for MBA form or click here for Ph.D. form) to the Bookstore to receive your cap and gown.

If you are unable to pick up your regalia during the week, Bookstore personnel will be at the Eastman Theatre on Sunday, June 8th 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 academic regalia because it will be presented in the formal hooding, which is part of the Commencement ceremony. Purchases can be made in person at any of the three University of Rochester bookstores: River Campus - April 4-25, Eastman School of Music - April 4-25 and Medical Center - April 11-25.


Accommodations

Please (click here) for a list of hotels located near the Eastman Theatre and near the University of Rochester, River Campus.


Arrival Times

Guests may enter through the main entrance to Eastman Theatre beginning at 8:30am. Tickets are not required for this ceremony.


Commencement Photos

Chappell Graduation Images will be at Commencement and will take a candid photo as each graduate receives his/her hood. A free proof will be mailed by Chappell to your current address by mail (or possibly electronically by e-mail; this is in the planning stages right now) within five to seven days following the ceremony. You will have the option of ordering prints if you wish, and you are under obligation if you do not wish to make a purchase.  

For further information about your photos and orders after Commencement, please contact Chappell Graduation Images directly on the Web at http://www.gradimages.com (enter your last name and the UR ID number 1599); by phone at 1-800-424-3696 from the U.S. or 001-641-472-6892 outside the U.S.; by fax at 1-641-472-6472 from the U.S. or 001-641-472-6472 outside the U.S.; or by mail to Chappell Customer Service, P.O. Box 1029, 2280 West Tyler, Fairfield, IA 52556. 


Commencement Response Form

Please complete the Commencement Response Form (click here for printable form) to confirm your attendance at the Commencement ceremony no later than Friday, May 9. You may have already indicated if you were planning to attend Commencement on the Graduating Student Information Form however, you will need to complete this form also. You can fax the completed form to: 585-271-3907


Dean’s Picnic

All graduates, faculty, staff and guests are invited to attend the Dean’s Picnic on Saturday, June 7, 2008 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 hotdogs, hamburgers, veggie burgers, Italian sausage, salads, chips, pretzels, cookies, dessert, beer, soft drinks as well as entertainment will be provided.  

Please RSVP via the Dean’s Picnic Response Form (click here for printable form) no later than Thursday, May 29th. 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 can fax the completed form to: 585-271-3907.


Diplomas

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 form).


Handicap Access and Disabilities

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.


Invitations to Commencement

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 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.


Parking and Directions

Free parking is available in the East End Garage located next to Eastman Theatre.

For information on parking and directions (click here).


Rehearsal for Commencement

Commencement rehearsal for the Class of 2008 will be held Friday, June 6th, at 9:00am at the Eastman Theatre 26 Gibbs Street Rochester, New York 14604. Beginning at 8:30am, 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 at Sunday’s Commencement and to ensure that everything will run smoothly. The rehearsal will last one hour.

To add some excitement, we will award a Garmin eTrex Legend Personal Navigator (12 parallel channel GPS receiver) to one lucky graduate that attends 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 ’08 before you officially graduate on Sunday!


Visiting Relatives

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.


Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who will appear in the Commencement Book?
A: Students who met their degree requirements at the end of summer 2007 (and whose names were not included in the 2007 Commencement book), fall 2007, winter 2008, spring 2008 and summer 2008 (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 2007, fall quarter 2007, winter 2008, spring 2008 and summer 2008 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 8.

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 Commencement Response 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 2007 – October 19, 2007

• Fall 2007 graduates - March 13, 2008

• Winter 2008 graduates - June 8, 2008

• Spring 2008 graduates - June 8, 2008

• Summer 2008 graduates – October (date to be determined), 2008.

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 9:15a.m. on June 8th.

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 commencment, but now I cannot attend. What do I do?
A: Please email us at commencement2008@simon.rochester.edu with your name, UID number, expected degree and your complete address to mail your diploma. 

Q: More Questions?
A: Please direct questions to commencement2008@simon.rochester.edu, not to the Registrar's Office e-mail account