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Instructions to Graduates

University of Arkansas 2008 Commencement

Congratulations! You are entering the home stretch toward graduation.

On May 10, 2008, during the All-University Commencement, the University of Arkansas Board of Trustees will confer degrees on all students who have completed graduation requirements in the summer or fall semesters of 2007 and the spring semester of 2008. All are considered to be the Class of 2008.

COMMENCEMENT PREPARATION SCHEDULE 2008

February 25 - 29
Class of 2008 graduates may pick up regalia and order announcements during the Graduate Salute at the UA Bookstore. Graduate Salute hours are Monday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.; Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Thursday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

May 6 - 10
Class of 2008 graduates who did not receive regalia during the Graduate Salute may pick up regalia in the UA Bookstore. Regalia will be distributed between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and between 7:45 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 10, 2008, Commencement Day.

May 10, 2008, Saturday, Commencement Day
7:30 a.m. Arena doors open

  • Guests must use the South entrance and be seated in the south section above the main floor. Guests requiring accommodation can be dropped off at the South entrance.
  • Because of security concerns, each person entering Bud Walton Arena will be required to pass through a security checkpoint. Cameras and personal items will be checked. Please allow extra time for this preventative measure. Please do not bring backpacks or baggage. These items must be left at the entrance.
    8:00 a.m. Degree candidates and faculty assemble at Bud Walton Arena as follows:
  • Undergraduate degree candidates on the lawn outside the South entrance and faculty in the lower-level corridor on the south side of the arena.
  • Graduate degree candidates and dissertation directors of doctoral candidates in the truck tunnel under the Harrod (east) entrance.
    8:45 a.m. All-University Commencement, Bud Walton Arena

Regalia
Candidates for degrees must wear robes appropriate to their degree without added adornment such as markings on mortar boards, beads or flowers. If you wear additional adornment, it will be taken away before you enter the arena floor.

Tassels
Degree candidates place tassels on the left side of the mortar board until their degrees are conferred at the All-University Commencement ceremony. The tassels are switched to the right side as a part of the ceremony and are worn on that side thereafter. Undergraduate stu­dents enrolled in Fulbright College with a grade point average of 3.8 or better graduate with distinction and wear a red and white tassel.

Hoods
Candidates for master's, educational specialist, or law degrees wear hoods around their necks and down their backs. Candidates for Ph.D. and Ed.D. degrees carry their hoods over their right shoulders until the hoods are conferred during the ceremony.

Stoles
Undergraduate degree candidates who will graduate with honors wear stoles. The cardinal stole is worn by graduates with honors; the white stole is worn by graduates achieving high honors; and the white stole with a cardinal and white cord is awarded to graduates with highest honors. Honor graduates are identified in the commencement program.

Undergraduate/Law Degree Awards
Undergraduate and law degree recipients will not be individually recognized at the All-University Commencement ceremony.

Graduate Degree Awards
In recognizing candidates for graduate degrees, the Provost asks the marshals to escort the degree candidates to the platform. As each candidate approaches the platform the candidate's name is read. The Graduate Dean presents the diploma cover to the candidate, who then advances across the platform to be congratulated by the University Chancellor and President and returns to be seated. Ed.D. and Ph.D. candidates are accompanied by their dissertation directors as they are hooded by the Graduate Dean.

Eligibility
Students completing degree requirements by Spring 2008 will be members of the class of 2008. Undergraduates who have applied for
graduation Summer 2008 and Fall 2008 will be members of the class of 2009. Undergraduate students are invited to attend all commencement activities for 2008 and will be allowed to pick up regalia. Graduate students planning to graduate Summer or Fall 2008 should contact the Graduate School at (479) 575-4401.

If you have questions:

  • Regarding regalia (cap and gown) or announcement cards, call (479) 575-2157.
  • Regarding commencement procedures or graduation eligibility, undergraduates contact the dean's office of your college; graduate students contact the Graduate School; or call the Registrar's Office at (479) 575-5451.
  • If physical accommodations (including parking or drop-off) are necessary, undergraduates contact the dean's office of your college; graduate students contact the Graduate School.
  • You may order announcements or rings directly from http://www.shop.jostens.com/ or by calling 1-800-854-7464.
  • Regarding the Class Gift Program, you may contact 575-3238 or visit http://classgift.uark.edu/
  • Regarding photographs, contact Chappell Graduation Images at http://www.chappell.com/.

COLLEGE AND SCHOOL CEREMONIES FOLLOWING THE ALL-UNIVERSITY COMMENCEMENT

May 10, 2008

Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences,
1:00 p.m.,
 Pauline Whitaker Animal Science Center
Graduates and faculty assemble for procession at 12:30 p.m. in the graduate robing room.
Architecture,
1:00 p.m.,
 Arkansas Union Ballroom
Graduates and faculty assemble for procession at 12:30 p.m. in the hallway north of the ballroom.
Arts and Sciences,
1:00 p.m.,
 Bud Walton Arena
Graduates and faculty assemble for procession at 12:15 p.m. inside the truck tunnel under the Harrod (east) entrance.
Business,
12:30 p.m.,
Barnhill Arena
Bachelor of Science in International Business, Accounting, Economics, Finance and Information Systems majors assemble in the south corridor. General Business, Management, Marketing and Logistics majors assemble in the north corridor. Graduate students assemble in the west corridor.
Education and Health Professions,
4:00 p.m.,
 Bud Walton Arena
Graduates and faculty assemble for procession at 3:30 p.m. inside the truck tunnel under the Harrod (east) entrance.
Engineering,
3:30 p.m.,
Barnhill Arena
Graduates and faculty assemble for procession at 3:00 p.m. on the south side of Barnhill Arena.

May 17, 2008
School of Law, 2:00 p.m. Saturday, Fayetteville Town Center

AFTER GRADUATION

Senior Walk
The University of Arkansas will honor you and your classmates by engraving your name on Senior Walk. The 2008 walk is scheduled to be located next to the Greek Theater on the curved walk. It will include all graduates from the summer and fall semesters of 2007 and the spring semester of 2008 who complete their degree work by the last day of the spring semester, May 10, 2008. The engraving is expected to be completed by May 2009.

Diplomas
Approximately two months after graduation, the University will mail your diploma to the diploma mailing address you provide on the student information system.

Arkansas Alumni Association
The Arkansas Alumni Association welcomes you to the alumni family with a one year complimentary membership following graduation. Your membership includes access to services and benefits including an Arkansas Alumni Membership sticker, ARKANSAS magazine, the Arkansas Alumni Online Community (featuring an online directory of alumni, career network and class notes), inclusion in a local chapter, and more. Visit www.arkalum.org, call 1-888-ARKALUM or come by the Janelle Y. Hembree House to learn more about the Association and activate your membership.

Graduation Photograph
At the All-University Commencement ceremony and all college recognition ceremonies (except Architecture), Chappell Graduation Images, a professional photog­raphy company from Iola, Kansas, will take pictures of each candidate as diplomas are presented. Chappell Graduation Images will contact respective graduates directly. You may contact Chappell by calling. 1-800-424-3686 or by visiting www.chappell.com on the web.

Video Recording
A video recording of the All-University Commencement ceremony will available for purchase. Contact the Department of Media Services, School of Continuing Education and Academic Outreach, at (479) 575-5710.