Organized by: Nursing Office of Student Affairs

Information for the 2008 Nursing Convocation

How will the location change of the University commencement affect the Nursing convocation?

We are continuing to work closely with the Office of University and Development Events since the announcement of the University commencement's location change to minimize impacts to our own ceremony. We are still planning on holding the Nursing convocation as originally planned. Any confirmed changes or updates will be sent via email to the student email groups and posted to this webpage (want to check if you are included on a Nursing student email group?  Click here for instructions).

In light of this year's special circumstances, please keep in mind that the information posted here is subject to change. We will announce any changes as soon as we are able.

Who may participate in the Nursing convocation?

Doctoral Program eligibility information

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 for the Master's and Undergraduate programs will be limited to only students on the current year's tentative degree lists, as provided by the program offices.

1.          Winter 2008 tentative degree list
2.          Spring/Summer 2008 tentative degree list
3.          Fall 2008 tentative degree list

As outlined above, only those members of the Master's and Undergraduate programs graduating in 2008 will be able to participate in the School of Nursing 2008 convocation ceremony and be listed in the Nursing convocation program. Please note, the Doctoral program graduates are subject to different guidelines.

You may check for your inclusion on a degree list. Please note, you must be included on the degree list for your Nursing program to participate in the Nursing convocation ceremony. If you are not on the appropriate degree list, your convocation 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. OSA will only accept degree list changes in writing from the Nursing program office. No changes will be accepted once the convocation program is finalized for printing (after April 13).

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 convocation program.  Therefore, be sure to submit your information before the cutoff date!  Undergraduate students completing their degree in Winter or Spring/Summer 2008 deadline to apply is November 30, 2007, per information from the Nursing Registrar.
• Check the Nursing convocation website regularly for information concerning the Nursing convocation, which will also be distributed to the graduating class via email messages from OSA.
• Check the degree lists posted to be sure that you are eligible and register for the Nursing convocation when the registration form is available.
• You will need to wear academic attire (robes, caps, tassels, 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 convocation?

The Nursing convocation  website will be updated periodically through the Fall and Winter semesters, with most information available in January.  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 convocation held?

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

For 2008, the date of the Nursing convocation will be Saturday, April 26.
The Nursing convocation 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 12:15pm to be in their assembly areas and prepare for the processional.  Side entrance doors will admit graduates and special needs guests at 12:10pm, with all doors opening at 12:20pm.

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 seating area.

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

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

The Spring Commencement is anticipated to end at approximately 11:30am, giving Nursing graduates over a half-hour to reach Hill Auditorium. We do suggest that graduates make plans in advance for transportation between venues.

Are tickets needed for the Nursing convocation?
No. However graduating students and any guest with special needs will need a pass.

Graduating students, you will need to complete the online convocation registration before Wednesday, April 9 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 OSA now!

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

Guest seating is at will on the Main Floor and Mezzanine levels, with the exception of the graduate seating area, center section invitation-only seating, and boxes reserved for special needs guests and convocation personnel (all reserved areas will be marked). The balcony level will be closed to guests, unless the other areas reach capacity.

We ask that you please stress to your guests the importance of remaining in their seats during the processionals and recessional to avoid blocking aisle and lobby traffic. Please ask your guests to meet you outside Hill Auditorium or in the Michigan League after the ceremony to allow all graduates and guests to exit in a timely manner.

I have a physically challenged guest, what do I do?
You will need to indicate this on the convocation registration form you will complete online to register for your attendance at our convocation.  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.  Orders with Graduate Service must have been placed and/or postmarked by no later than November 30, 2007 to avoid late fees and guarantee delivery in time for graduation. 

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

What about parking?
To secure parking spaces for graduates and guests not attending the University's Spring Commencement, the Thayer Street structure next to Hill Auditorium will be kept closed until 11:00am on April 26. The structure will be opened to public parking after 11am, however, please keep in mind that this structure will *not* be restricted to School of Nursing use only.

Per the Graduate's Guide to Commencement:

Several U-M parking structures near Central Campus will be open to the public. Graduates and guests are strongly encouraged to walk or take shuttles to campus to avoid expected traffic congestion. 

Maps, along with more specific information regarding parking, will be posted in the near future.

Due to the proximity of Hill Auditorium to the University commencement's relocation to the Diag, we recommend arriving early to secure parking, especially if you do not plan to attend the University commencement. We believe that parking around Hill Auditorium/the Diag will be in high demand. Please be aware that guest seating and graduate assembly for the University commencement will begin at 8am.

The "blue" parking spaces in the lots adjacent to the School of Nursing will be available for parking, but attendees will be responsible for making their way from the School of Nursing to Hill Auditorium.

Please keep in mind that Hill Auditorium and the Michigan League are both within easy walking distance of the Diag, and within a 10-15 minute walk of the School of Nursing.

BSN with Honors?
Undergraduate program students who have earned a grade point average of 3.20 through 3.49 are recommended for the degree cum laude; those with a grade point average of 3.50 through 3.74 are recommended for the degree magna cum laude; those with a grade point average of 3.75 through 4.0 are recommended for the degree summa cum laude.

The class standing used for notation in the Nursing convocation program (which is shown on the posted degree list) is based on the previous Fall semester grade point average.  Please remember, you will get final honors based on your final GPA at the end of your final semester.

Please check your transcript (GPA) on Wolverine Access to find out if you are eligible to wear honors cords based on the above information.

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 convocation 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. Coleman-Burns will be our Mistress of Ceremonies for the event.

Speaking on behalf of their Nursing Program:

Emily Klump, 2008 BSN Graduate

Sheila Ochylski, 2008 Master's Graduate

Michelle Aebersold, 2008 PhD Graduate

Is there a reception afterwards?
Yes, a light, informal reception will be held in the Michigan League 2nd floor ballroom immediately following the Nursing convocation.

Is there a rehearsal for the Nursing convocation?
Yes, a rehearsal will be held in the School of Nursing auditorium on Friday, April 25 from 10:00am-11:30am, with lunch provided immediately afterward.

Attendance at rehearsal is not mandatory to participate in the convocation, but is strongly recommended to provide the best possible experience for all involved in the ceremony.  Graduates who indicate on the registration form that they will not be able to attend rehearsal will be asked to contact OSA prior to convocation 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.  Orders with Graduate Service must have been placed and/or postmarked by no later than November 30, 2007 to avoid late fees and guarantee delivery in time for graduation. 

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 convocation 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 convocation 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 convocation or ordering pictures, please contact Graduation Foto directly.

Will the Nursing ceremony be videotaped?
No, we do not professionally tape the Nursing convocation.  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 convocation?
Unfortunately, we only have time during the ceremony for class representatives to make an address on behalf of their class.

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