Organized by: Office of Student, Academic & Multicultural Services
(734) 763-5985

Information for the 2009 Nursing Commencement

Who may participate in the Nursing commencement?

To provide more focus on students who have actually completed or are about to actually complete their education in the current year, convocation participation and program inclusion will be limited to only students on the current year's tentative degree lists, as provided by the program offices.

1.          Winter 2009 tentative degree list
2.          Spring/Summer 2009 tentative degree list
3.          Fall 2009 tentative degree list

As outlined above, only those graduating in 2009 will be able to participate in the School of Nursing 2009 commencement ceremony and be listed in the Nursing commencement program.

You may check for your inclusion on a degree list by clicking here. Please note, you must be included on the degree list for your Nursing program to participate in the Nursing commencement ceremony. If you are not on the appropriate degree list, your commencement pass will not be issued to allow your participation in the School of Nursing ceremony.

If you are not on a degree list and think you should be, or if you feel your information is incorrect, contact the appropriate Nursing program office directly. OSAMS will only accept degree list changes in writing from the Nursing program office. No changes will be accepted once the commencement program is finalized for printing (after April 10).

I’m eligible, what do I need to do?

• Your academic program office will provide information regarding diploma applications and deadlines to apply.  Graduate information will only be accepted from program offices for inclusion in the Nursing commencement program.  Therefore, be sure to submit your information before the cutoff date! 
• Information concerning the Nursing commencement will mainly be distributed to the graduating class via email messages from OSAMS and posted to the Nursing commencement web site.
• You will need to wear academic attire (robes, caps, hoods) to participate.  Local suppliers are listed on the University Spring Commencement website. Please do not delay in ordering your attire, as demand is high.
• It is strongly recommended that graduates do not carry personal items (purses, cameras, etc.) during the Nursing ceremony, to avoid loss during the activities included in the ceremony, as items may not be left on/under the graduate's seat, and to avoid encumbering the graduate during the ceremony. Please leave any personal items with your guests before assembling for the procession into Hill.

When will I receive information about commencement?

The Nursing commencement web site will be updated periodically through the Winter semester, with most information available in February and March.  Notices and information will also be distributed via the appropriate School of Nursing student email groups.
Want to check if you are included on a Nursing student email group?  Click here for instructions.

When is the Nursing commencement held?

The date of the Nursing commencement coincides with the date of the University’s Spring Commencement; usually the last Saturday in April or the first Saturday in May.

For 2009, the date of the Nursing commencement will be Saturday, May 2.
The Nursing commencement will begin at 12:40pm and we anticipate it to be approximately 1.5 hours in length.

Graduates and the platform party will need to arrive by 12:20pm to be in their assembly areas and prepare for the processional.  Doors to the side entrance will open for graduates and special needs guests at 12:10pm, with all guests admitted at 12:15pm.

Please note that we do not take graduate attendance nor can we postpone the starting time of the ceremony. In the event that you miss the student processional, a member of the convocation staff will guide you to your appropriate area.

Where is the Nursing commencement?
The School of Nursing’s commencement ceremony is held in Hill Auditorium.

Will I have time to go to the University commencement?
Yes; in our history of Nursing commencements, graduates are able to reach Hill Auditorium by the needed time and assemble for procession into the Auditorium.

In the Graduate's Guide to Spring Commencement booklet the Spring Commencement in Michigan Stadium is noted as anticipated to end at approximately 11:00am, giving Nursing graduates over an hour to reach Hill Auditorium. We do suggest that graduates make plans in advance for transportation between venues.

Are tickets needed for the Nursing commencement?
You will need to complete the online commencement registration by Sunday, April 12 to receive an attendance pass for yourself and to indicate any guests you would like to have attend.  The form to register for the Nursing Commencement is available at the following link:

http://fs16.formsite.com/snosa/form330732161/index.html

You will need to complete the online commencement registration by Sunday, April 12 to receive an attendance pass for yourself and to indicate any guests you would like to have attend.

After you register, you will receive an email announcement when your pass has been created and placed in your student mailbox at the School of Nursing. Check with your Nursing program office if you don't know where your program's student mailboxes are located. Students at Kalamazoo and Traverse City campuses will receive their pass in the mail.

Did you miss the registration deadline? Contact OSAMS now at (734) 763-5985

How many guests are allowed per graduate?
You may invite as many people as you wish, however, you must indicate their number on the commencement registration by the stated deadline.

I have a physically challenged guest, what do I do?
You will need to indicate this on the commencement registration form you will complete online.  Passes for seating in reserved boxes with easy access will be issued to graduates who request them via the form. This seating is reserved on a first come-first serve basis.

Hearing impaired guest?
An American sign language interpreter will be present on stage for the duration of our ceremony.

Is there a pinning ceremony?
Graduates completing their BSN degree will receive a complimentary Nursing pin when they cross the stage to be acknowledged with their Nursing program cohort.

Gold pins and invitations may be ordered through Graduate Service, (734) 699-4757 or the company of the graduate’s choice. Check with Graduate Service for ordering deadlines. 

If you did not receive a packet, please contact Graduate Service directly and as soon as possible.

What about parking?
Parking is available at Thayer Street and in front of Hill Auditorium for vehicles with handicap permits.  There are no charges or fines for parking in area University structures or lots for this day.

BSN with Honors?
Students who have excelled in their program may qualify to graduate with Honors.  Graduating with Honors will be determined as follows:  calculated separately for each of the three undergraduate programs (Traditional, Second Career, RN-BSN):

          Top 3% (GPA) = Summa cum Laude
          Next 3% (GPA) = Magna cum Laude
          Next 4% (GPA) = Cum Laude

The class standing used for notation in the Nursing commencement program is based on the previous Fall semester grade point average.   

Students graduating with Honors will be notified via e-mail by March 15, 2009.

Honors cords are available at academic attire providers.

Doctoral and Master’s program graduates may also wear honors cords if they are eligible, but are not recognized in the commencement program.

Members of the Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society of Nursing are also eligible to wear their society’s cords.  Please contact the RHO chapter for more information on how to purchase these cords or for more information on Sigma Theta Tau.

Who is speaking?
Dean Potempa and graduating representatives of each Nursing degree program will give brief addresses.
Dr. Richard Redman will be our Master of Ceremonies for the event.

Is there a reception afterwards?
Yes, a light, informal reception will be held in the Michigan League immediately following the Nursing commencement.

Is there a rehearsal for the Nursing commencement?
Yes, a rehearsal will be held in the School of Nursing auditorium on Friday, May 1 from 10:00am-11:30am, with lunch provided immediately afterward.

Attendance at rehearsal is not mandatory to participate in the commencement, but is strongly recommended to provide the best possible experience for all involved in the ceremony.  Graduates who will not be able to attend rehearsal will be asked to contact OSAMS prior to commencement to obtain needed materials and information.

Questions about Nursing pins?
Gold pins and invitations may be ordered through Graduate Service, (734) 699-4757, or the company of the graduate’s choice. 

If you would like to order a gold pin or have lost yours, please contact Graduate Service directly.

Will there be a photographer?
Photographs of all graduates and candidates are taken by Graduation Foto when they cross the stage during the Nursing commencement ceremony.

Participants will receive a free photo proof mailed by Graduation Foto to the address on the graduate’s photo card used during the ceremony and can order photographic prints for an additional fee.  Photo cards will be distributed during the commencement rehearsal.

Individuals who have not received a photo proof within 3 weeks of the ceremony should contact Graduation Foto at (734) 677-3400.

If you have questions regarding your photograph from the Nursing commencement or ordering pictures, please contact Graduation Foto directly.

Will the Nursing ceremony be videotaped?
No, we do not professionally tape the Nursing commencement.  Audience members may use a camera/recorder from their seats, but graduates will be unable to carry cameras during the ceremony.

Can I say a few words during commencement?
Unfortunately, we only have time during the ceremony for class representatives to make an address on behalf of their program class.

You have the opportunity on the Nursing commencement registration form to include a short message in the Nursing commencement program booklet.