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Graduation / Commencement
Commencement Questions A-Z
All 2008 Spring undergraduate candidates are cordially invited to participate in Spring Commencement ceremonies being held Saturday, May 10, 2008 in the Multipurpose Building. This web site contains extensive information about commencement, including a schedule of activities. If you have specific questions or just need more information, visit the Office of the Registrar in Ward Edwards 1000, call 660-543-4900 or email registrar@ucmo.edu.
Looking for Graduate School Commencement Information?
Commencement Schedule, Saturday, May 10, 2008
10 a.m.
Harmon College of Business Administration
College of Education
College of Science and Technology
2 p.m.
College of Health and Human Services
College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
YOUR COLLEGE DETERMINES WHICH CEREMONY YOU ARE TO ATTEND.
2008 Spring Commencement Ceremonies Guide (A to Z)
Accommodations
Acquire Caps and Gowns
Announcements
Assembly Areas
Becoming an Alumnus
Career Services
Diplomas
Frame Your Diploma
Graduation Fees
Interactive Map of Campus
Map of Warrensburg
Name Cards
Photos
Receptions
Returning Books
ROTC Commissioning
Schedule of Activities
Special Needs
Tips
All residence halls close at 6:00 pm, Friday, May 9. Degree candidates living in the residence halls and participating in the Commencement Ceremony can make arrangements with their Assistant Director to stay in their rooms Friday evening and check out by 1:00 p.m. on Saturday. Arrangements must be made prior to Friday, May 2, 2008.
All apartments close at 6:00 p.m., Friday, May 9. Degree candidates living in Foster/Knox, Nickerson Apartments, Greenwood Park, Central Village, Todd Hall or Hawkins Hall may remain in their apartments until 1:00 p.m., Saturday, May 10.
For Spring 2008 graduation candidates, caps and gowns will be available for pick-up 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday at the University Store beginning Monday, April 7. Picture ID is required. Spring 2008 graduation candidates who are education majors will be able to pick up caps and gowns at the University store on March 24, 2008 during the Student Teacher meeting on campus. Picture ID is required.
The University Store will also open at 8:00 a.m. on graduation day, May 10, for cap and gown pick-up. For more information call the University Store at 660-543-4370 or 800-330-7698. Inquiries via e-mail can be directed to ucmbookstore@ucmo.edu.
Announcements
Graduation announcements can be purchased from the University Store. Information can be obtained by calling 660-543-4370 or 800-330-7698 or through the University Store in Elliott Union, Room 128. Inquiries via e-mail can be directed to ucmbookstore@ucmo.edu. You may also visit the University Store web site.
The Multipurpose Building will open for guests and participants at 9 a.m. for the morning ceremony and at 1 p.m. for the afternoon ceremony. Each ceremony lasts approximately 90 minutes.
Undergraduate candidates in academic regalia will assemble at 9:30 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. on the second floor of the Multipurpose Building. Look for your college sign in the line-up areas. Check Ceremony Times for the time of your ceremony.
10 a.m.
Harmon College of Business Administration
College of Education
College of Science and Technology
Second Floor (See Signs)
2 p.m.
College of Health and Human Services
College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Second Floor (See Signs)
When you graduate, you become an official Central Missouri alumnus and a member of the UCM Alumni Association. As such, you become part of a network of some 78,000 UCM alumni living throughout the world. The UCM Alumni Association keeps you in touch with reunion dates, chapter events, Homecoming and other special activities throughout the year. By staying in contact with UCM through e-mail or our web site , you can stay up to date regarding news about the university and your fellow alumni. You'll also receive the UCM alumni quarterly publication, Central Today.
We recommend that all degree candidates register with the Office of Career Services in Elliott Union, Room 302. Registration workshops are held weekly. You can obtain a schedule of workshops by visiting the Office of Career Services or by requesting one be mailed to you. For information, call 660-543-4985. Inquiries via e-mail can be directed to tierney@ucmo.edu.
Diplomas will be mailed approximately 6 to 8 weeks after grades are available to the diploma address you listed when you applied for graduation. The address you indicated must be good for that time frame. Diplomas will not be forwarded by the Post Office. This address is only used to mail your diploma. To make necessary changes contact the Office of the Registrar in Ward Edwards Building, Room 1000 or call 660-543-4900. Inquiries via e-mail can be directed to registrar@ucmo.edu.
If you move to an address other than the one on file in the Registrar's Office and fail to notify the Registrar's Office, we cannot guarantee you will receive your diploma. A fee is required before a duplicate diploma will be ordered.
A great way to show your Central Missouri pride and to let the world know of your accomplishment is to frame your diploma. A variety of custom frames and mats are available from the University Store. Prices start at just $35.88 for brass or silver finished frame. Shipping and handling charges apply to orders placed via the web or phone. Check the University Store web site for the complete assortment.
Each degree candidate must pay a non-refundable graduation fee. The graduation fee for undergraduate candidates is $50. Graduation charges will be placed on accounts in mid-April.
All charges must be paid before a transcript or diploma will be issued. Charges may be paid in the Office of Student Financial Services, Ward Edwards Building, Room 1100, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. M-F, with cash, check or credit card. Payment may be made online. Or, if you prefer, your payment may be mailed to the Office of Student Financial Services. Please call 660-543-8266 if you have any questions.
The name card is the card a graduation candidate presents to the reader before crossing the stage at the commencement ceremony. Name cards will be available to be picked up in the Registrar's Office during the week of final exams (May 5-9) or in the Multipurpose Building on Saturday (May 10). Picture ID is required. This is how your name will appear on your diploma. Do not alter your name card. You must bring your name card to the ceremony. You must have this card with you to have your name read.
Graduation Photos
To help preserve your memories of commencement, Graduation Images will take professional photos of each candidate during the ceremony. You will receive a free passport-sized digital proof of your photo on an order card within 5 to 7 days following the ceremony. You are not obligated to purchase any of these photos. Graduation Images can be contacted at 800-424-3686. Register with Chappell Graduation Images to ensure that your graduation proofs can be delivered to you in a timely manner.
Each college will host a reception for degree candidates and their guests. Please contact your college regarding time and location.
| Morning | Afternoon |
Harmon College of Business |
College of Health and Human Services 660-543-4245 |
| College of Education 660-543-4272 |
College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences 660-543-4750 |
| College of Science and Technology 660-543-4450 |
Honors College 660-543-4633 |
Returning Books
Rented textbooks may be returned anytime during the semester to the University Store. During finals, returns will be accepted in the Sandra Temple Elliott Union Ballroom until 5:00 p.m. Friday, May 9. Textbooks will be accepted on Saturday, May 10, in the University Store. Returns will be subject to a $36 late fee per book. No returns will be accepted after May 12. Students will be charged the new replacement cost for the non-returned rental textbooks when the books have not been received by close of business on May 12, 2008.
ROTC Commissioning
Commissioning ceremonies will begin at 4:30 p.m. in Hendricks Hall. A reception will follow for family, friends and guests in the Union 237 A/B.
April 7 - May 10, 2008
- 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. - Academic regalia (cap and gown) distribution, University Store, Elliott Union 128. Picture ID is required.
- 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. - Graduation fees and/or other charges owed must be paid in the Office of Student Financial Services, Ward Edwards Building, Room 1100.
May 5-9, 2008
- Final Examinations
- Undergraduate name cards can be picked up in the Registrar's Office beginning May 5, 2008. Picture ID is required. Candidates will give these name cards to the reader as they cross the stage at the commencement ceremony.
May 9, 2008 (Friday)
- 5 p.m. - Deadline for checking in textbooks.
- 6 p.m. - All residence halls close.
May 10, 2008 (Saturday)
- 8 a.m. - Elliott Union opens. Information for visitors and graduates, as well as a lost and found center, will be available at the Information Desk.
- 8 a.m. - Academic regalia (cap and gown) distribution, University Store, Elliott Union 128.
- 9 a.m. - Food service available, Elliott Union.
- 9 a.m. - Multipurpose Building doors open for participants and guests.
- 9:30 a.m. - Degree candidates from the Harmon College of Business Administration, the College of Education, and the College of Science and Technology, in cap and gown, assemble in assigned areas. (See Assembly Areas.)
- 10 a.m. - Commencement processional begins, Multipurpose Building. Late arrivals report to the Multipurpose Building Front Office.
- 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. - The Honors College reception, Elliott Union 237.
- 11: 15 a.m. - Department of Nursing Graduation ceremony at Hendricks Hall
- 11:30 a.m. (approx) - Morning academic college receptions
- 12:00 Noon (approx) - Afternoon academic college receptions
- 1 p.m. - Multipurpose Building doors open for participants and guests.
- 1:30 p.m. - Degree candidates from the College of Health and Human Services and the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, in cap and gown, assemble in assigned areas. (See Assembly Areas.)
- 2 p.m. - Commencement processional begins, Multipurpose Building. (Late arrivals report to the Multipurpose Building Front Office.)
- 4:30 p.m. - U.S. Army ROTC Commissioning ceremonies begin in Hendricks Hall followed by a reception in the Elliott Union 237 A/B.
IMPORTANT: REMEMBER TO BRING YOUR NAME CARD TO THE COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY
Students or guests with special needs will find handicap parking at the west end of the Multi parking lot, with wheelchair seating and a seat for one companion inside the west doors. The first three rows of seats on the north side are reserved for persons with disabilities and one companion. Persons who are deaf or have low vision may want to sit at the west end of these seats to be close to the ASL interpreter and to the presenters on the stage. Assistive listening devices and program schedules in large print and Braille are also available at the west end of the building. Please contact Accessibility Services for a complete copy of the program in Braille or large print and for additional information: 660-543-4421, access@ucmo.edu.
Looking your best and conducting yourself in a manner appropriate to the decorum of this time-honored ceremony are ways you can show pride in your accomplishment. Here are some tips to help make your Commencement Day special:
- Invite all your friends and family. This is a time for sharing.
- Make arrangements to meet your family and friends at a specified location after the ceremony, perhaps at your car or somewhere in the parking lot. Finding them may be difficult after the ceremony.
- Participate in everything. There are a number of receptions and other activities in addition to the Commencement Ceremony.
- Dress comfortably but appropriately. Don't add anything "extra" to your academic costume. Members of Phi Kappa Phi are allowed to wear white ribbons with blue lettering medallions. Members of The Honors College are allowed to wear gold cords that are distributed by the Dean of The Honors college prior to the day of Commencement. Members of Mortar Board, Tassels Chapter, wear a black and gold pin. Members of various recognized student associations can wear distinctive collars or cords that are distributed by their sponsors.
- Be sure someone brings a camera for pictures before and after the ceremony. Forget all the silly stuff like the beach balls and water pistols. Even if you don't personally care about preserving the dignity and decorum of the Commencement ceremony, don't spoil it for those who are proud of their accomplishment.
- The mortar board rests squarely on the top of the head, forward enough for the point of the cap to extend about halfway down the forehead, with the tassel on your left. Remember this as you style your hair.
- Moving the tassel from right to left upon graduation, common at high school ceremonies, is not part of the ceremony at Central Missouri. The tassel stays on the left at all times.
- At UCM, faculty and staff add colorful hoods that attach in the front, drape the shoulders and extend halfway down the back. The colors indicate various academic disciplines and institutions.
- Men should wear a dress shirt and tie. Although some consider the ties optional, the shirt collar and tie are visible at the throat of the gown. A suit or sport coat is certainly appropriate, but a coat may be too warm for comfort. If that's the case, leave your coat with family or friends during the ceremony so you have it available for other activities before and after Commencement.
- Most women prefer to wear a dress, suit or skirt and blouse, although dress slacks are also appropriate. Try to choose a dress or skirt with a hemline that does not extend below the gown.
- Leave your purse with family or friends.
- Wear comfortable dress shoes.
- Programs are provided for participants at their seats.