Instructions for Graduates

The College community makes every effort to assure that this event becomes a major landmark in the lives of its graduates and their families. You are asked to assist in creating a highly enjoyable and successful event by complying with instructions and plans during Commencement weekend.

Saturday, May 18, 2013

Rehearsal, 12:00pm, Assemble behind Donahue Hall

This event is crucial to the success of Sunday's Exercises! Saturday practice for graduates will be held at noon. Assemble behind Donahue Hall. Following a procession to your seats, President Cregan will address the graduates. Graduates will then receive instructions regarding their role in the Commencement ceremony and there will be a brief 'walk through.'

Pick Up Caps & Gowns, 1:00-2:30pm, Bookstore

Immediately following the rehearsal, graduates will pick up caps, hoods and gowns at the College Bookstore. These are only available from 1:00 until 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 18th.

Students must pick up their own caps, gowns and hoods and each student should assure that their outfit is complete and appropriate in size before departing the Bookstore area.

• The gown and hood should be hung up overnight to reduce wrinkles prior to Sunday's ceremony. Other clothing worn on Sunday should be suitable for the occasion.
• You are to wear your class pin on your gown during the Commencement Exercises. If you did not receive your pin (they were distributed during Convocation), be sure to contact the Academic Affairs office (Duffy 134).

Baccalaureate Mass, 4:00 pm, Sally Blair Ames Sports Complex

Graduates and their families are invited to attend the Baccalaureate Mass on Saturday, May 18th at 4:00 p.m. in the Sally Blair Ames Sports Complex. Graduates do not march in procession for the Mass and no academic robes are worn for the occasion. Please plan to sit with your families and friends for this important part of the Commencement activities.

Bishop George Coleman of the Diocese of Fall River will celebrate the Mass. Concelebrants will include President Mark Cregan, C.S.C., Vice Presidents and other members of the Congregation of Holy Cross. Accompanied by the Stonehill Chapel Choir, The Cranberry Brass and by Stonehill graduating seniors as liturgical ministers, this regal celebration will end in ample time for all participants to drive to Boston for the gala dinner event.

Commencement Eve Dinner Dance, 7:00 pm, Hynes Convention Center

Graduates, parents and friends are invited to attend the Commencement Eve Dinner Dance on Saturday, May 18, following the Baccalaureate Mass. The event takes place at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston and is organized by the Office of Student Activities. Transportation is not provided to the Dinner Dance. Each graduate will receive a complimentary ticket for him/herself along with 2 additional free tickets for a total of three (3) complimentary tickets for the event. Additional tickets may be purchased for $65 each (payment can be made by personal check, cash or on a student's Hill Card). Tickets may be obtained by only using the Ticket/Meal Order Form which students will be receiving. Order forms may be turned into the Office of Student Activities beginning Monday, April 22. The last day that ticket forms will be accepted is Friday, May 3. Students will be assigned tables by the Office of Student Activities. Confirmation of meals, number of tickets and seating assignments will be sent to their Stonehill email address as forms are processed. Please contact the Office of Student Activities with any other questions at 508-565-1308.

Procession Protocol

For the Commencement procession, graduates do not wear the hood but carry it on their left arm. When it comes time to move forward to receive diploma covers, designated faculty members will place the hood on the graduate's shoulders. The tassel is worn on the right rear side of the cap during the procession.

At the completion of the Exercises, graduates process down center aisle to the faculty reception line.

Diplomas

Diplomas will be available in the first-floor hall of Duffy Academic Center (room 134) immediately following Commencement. Please pick up your diploma after the ceremony by exchanging your name card (you will receive a name card when you are assembled for the procession) for your diploma.

Final Grades

Final grades will not be given over the telephone; therefore, seniors are asked not to call the Academic Affairs Office or the Registrar's Office for grades. Seniors should access their grades on line to confirm that they have satisfied all academic requirements.

Contact the Director of Academic Services (508-565-1306) if you determine that you will not complete graduation requirements!

Financial Obligations

Students with outstanding financial obligations as of 4:00 PM on Friday, May 17, 2013 will not receive their diplomas until their obligations have been resolved. Student account balances can be viewed on myHill at myBill.

Moving out of the Residence Halls

• Graduating seniors have until 6:00 PM on Commencement day to check out of their rooms. In order to avoid traffic issues and speed up the move-out process, it is strongly recommended that students remove their belongings from their rooms prior to the Commencement ceremony.

• The College does provide a limited number of pushcarts for students to transport their belongings, and they are available on a first-come, first-serve basis; however, we strongly advise students and families to bring their own dollies/hand trucks in case a pushcart is not readily available.

• For moving purposes after Commencement, students and families may park in any residence hall lot, Lot 4 (Duffy), Lot 17, Lot 15 (Roche Commons East), Lot 2 (MacPhaidin Library South), Lot 9 (MacPhaidin Library North), Lot 3 (Old Student Union) and Lot 11 (Sally Blair Ames Sports Complex). Please park only in lined parking spaces. Cars may not pull up to the front of the residence halls, as these areas must remain clear for emergency vehicle access.
• Please try to limit your time in the residence hall lots to 20-30 minutes at a time, so that others have the convenience of loading their vehicles in close proximity to the building. Please move your vehicle as soon as it is packed. Vehicles not being used for moving items should be parked in Lot 17.
• Please follow the directions of our Campus Police officers. We also ask for your patience and understanding, as this is one of the busier times of the academic year for our staff members.
• Seniors living in New Hall and DuLac should check out with an RA at New Hall. Seniors living in Colonial Court should check out at Endicott. Seniors living in Commonwealth Court should check out at Ipswich. The RA staff will collect keys and process checkouts only after a student has fully moved out of his/her room.
• For questions on move-out day, you may call Campus Police at 508-565-5555. Officers will also be posted around campus to provide assistance and answer questions. In addition, Residence Life staff members will be available at Endicott, Ipswich, and New Hall to answer any questions about room inspections, returning keys, and the end of the year damage assessment process.