GRADUATION INSTRUCTIONS

THE CANNON CENTER

December 7, 2007, 1:30 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

1.         The commencement program for the December graduation will be held in the Cannon Center of the Cook Convention Center. The Center, which is located at 255 North Main Street, may be reached from Poplar Avenue, from Front Street, or from Main Street.

 

2.         Parking is available in the Cook Convention Center parking garage and other parking lots in the area.  Most of these areas do charge a fee.

 

3.         Students, faculty and staff who are participating in the graduation program are requested to be at the Cannon Center, in the appropriate assembly area by 12:45 p.m.

 

4.         The assembly areas are located on the concourses located on either side of the Cannon Center Theater.  The areas will be marked with signs for easy identification.

 

5.         DON'TFORGET TO BRING YOUR CAP AND GOWN. Orders for academic regalia can be made in the UT Bookstore.  The regalia may be picked up in the Bookstore on the Wednesday and Thursday of graduation week.

 

 

The Line-Up and Procession

 

 

6.         The class president is designated as the class marshal and is responsible for getting the class into the correct line-up.  A faculty 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 issuing of diplomas and to the "hooding sequence."  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 Head Marshal 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 one row 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 worn on the right side of the cap.

 

 

 

The Hooding and Diplomas

 

 

14.       The dean of each of the colleges will call for graduates in their college to rise and come forward to receive their diplomas and their academic hoods.

 

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 stand in front of the "hooding box" facing the audience.  After the hood is placed over the head, and on signal from the "hooder," the graduate should step to the right and 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.  As their name is called he/she should be standing in front of the "hooding box" facing the audience.  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:  Graduates are led by the Head Marshal.

 

22.       The recessional recesses from the Theater 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 may be turned in immediately following the ceremony in the gowning area, or they may be used for photographs and/or family greetings.  It is to the convenience of the graduate to turn in the academic regalia before leaving the ceremony site.

 

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 receive their diploma.  Proofs may be viewed at their web site (www.stroudphotography.com).