Colleges of Medicine,
Dentistry, Pharmacy, Nursing, and
Allied Health Sciences
GRADUATION INSTRUCTIONS
THE FED EX FORUM
May 30, 2008, 1:30 p.m.
1. The commencement program for the May graduation will be held
in the Fed Ex Forum. The Forum is
located at
2. Parking is available in the Forum parking
garage or surrounding area lots.
3. Students,
faculty and staff who are participating in the graduation program are requested
to be at the Fed Ex Forum, in the appropriate assembly area by 12:45 p.m.
4. The assembly areas are located on the lower concourse and are
best reached through the Main entrance.
Once inside the lobby area the elevators to the lower level will be
located to the left at the top of the steps.
The areas will be marked with signs for easy identification. Only ceremony participants will be allowed in
the line-up area.
5. DON'T FORGET TO
BRING YOUR CAP AND GOWN. Orders for
academic regalia can be made in the UT Bookstore or by calling
901-448-5413. The regalia may be picked
up in the Bookstore on the Wednesday and Thursday of graduation week.
6. The
class president is designated as the class marshal and is responsible
for getting the class into the correct line-up.
A faculty committee member is designated as the college marshal. The college marshal will have a name/number
list indicating the beginning and ending person in each row. You should go to the class marshal for
assistance in locating your line-up position.
The correct line-up is
critical to the CALLING OF NAMES TO RECEIVE THE DIPLOMA. Please stay in position.
7. Tassels
on the academic caps for all candidates should be worn on the right front
quarter of the cap.
8. The
procession is led by the Mace Bearer and leaves the assembly area promptly at
1:30 p.m. Each college will be led in
the procession by the college marshal who will also assist in the seating
procedure. Please remain in correct order.
The Seating
9. The
correct seating order will be directed by the college marshals utilizing the
name/number list. Seating is done two
rows at a time.
10. Remain standing, the Chancellor will preside and ask for an
invocation and the singing of the National Anthem. Following the National Anthem all persons
should be seated.
The Charge
11. A “Charge to
the Candidates” will be given.
The Conferring of Degrees
12. Each dean will present their candidates for the conferring of
their degrees. Follow the instructions
given by the Dean and the Chancellor.
13. Tassels may be moved from right to left after the degrees have
been conferred.
The Diplomas
14. The dean of each college will call for the graduates in their
college to rise and come forward to receive their diplomas.
15. Only the front row rises.
The first person in the row steps into the right aisle
and proceeds to the stage. As the
name is called, the graduate should proceed to the
center of the stage to receive his/her diploma from the College Dean.
16. As you approach the College Dean, you receive your diploma with
your left hand and shake hands with your right hand.
17. As the first person in the class moves across the stage to
receive their diploma, the second person moves up the stairs to the stage. You must wait until the person preceding you
has received their diploma before you move across the stage. The succeeding persons continue in this
progression. There should be no more
than three persons at the foot of the stage.
18. After receiving the diploma, continue across the stage and down
the steps back to your original row, eventually regaining your original seat.
19. As the last person in the row proceeds to the stage, the next
row rises in unison in order that the first person in the next row may be ready
to proceed to the stage. The previous
row will sit, when the last person of that row has returned to their original
seat.
The Benediction and
Recessional
20. Rise and men bare the head at the benediction. Replace cap and remain standing.
21. Recessional: Faculty
and administration are led by the Mace Bearer and are followed by the
graduates.
22. The recessional recess from the Forum floor, back to the
assembly/ gowning area. Members of the
recessional are asked to keep in place until the recessional has reached the
assembly/gowning area. Please do not
break the line and congest the recessional.
23. Caps, gowns, hoods and honor stoles must be turned in
immediately following the ceremony in the gowning area.
24. Diplomas, in graduation jackets, will be distributed in the
Lobby area immediately following the recessional.
25. A photographer will be photographing each graduate as they are hooded and as they receive their diploma. Proofs of the photos will posted on the web site listed in the commencement program within a few days after graduation so that you may purchase copies, if you so desire.