TABLE OF CONTENTS INVITATION ......................................................................................................................1 COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY ...........................................................................................2 ATTENDANCE ...................................................................................................................2 PROCESSIONAL PREPARATION ...........................................................................................2 GRADUATE LINE-UP AREA DIAGRAM ...............................................................................3 STAGING LOCATIONS ..................................................................................................... 3-4 NAME CARD .....................................................................................................................4 ACADEMIC HOODS ............................................................................................................4 TASSEL/HONOR CORDS ....................................................................................................4 CEREMONY PROGRAM ......................................................................................................5 DIPLOMA PROCESS ............................................................................................................5 DIPLOMA PROCESS DIAGRAM ............................................................................................6 CONFERRING OF DEGREES ................................................................................................6 RECESSIONAL PROCESS .....................................................................................................6 INSTRUCTIONS FOR WEARING ACADEMIC HOOD .............................................................. 7 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DISABLED GUESTS .......................................................................................................8 HOTELS & RESTAURANTS.............................................................................................8 PARKING .....................................................................................................................8 PHOTOGRAPHER ..........................................................................................................8 PROHIBITED ITEMS.......................................................................................................9 SECURITY SCREENING..................................................................................................9 ULTRA GREEN CAP AND GOWN ...................................................................................9 VENDORS ....................................................................................................................9 SENIOR SEND-OFF INVITATION ........................................................................................ 10 ARENA LAYOUT DIAGRAM .............................................................................................. 11
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INVITATION We invite you to participate in this year’s Commencement Ceremony. Commencement at William Paterson University is an important event for you, your family, and friends, as well as the faculty and staff. The ceremony brings together all involved to celebrate your achievements and successful conclusion of earning a higher education degree. The commencement ceremony is a formal celebration steeped in academic ritual and the traditions of the University complete with procession, academic regalia, and other elements of pageantry. Personal attention takes center stage as each graduate is individually recognized. Ceremony highlights instituted by your predecessors have become traditions. They are experienced as you witness your peers in varying roles: leading in the graduates with College banners, singing the National Anthem and Alma Mater, as well as speaking on behalf of the degree candidates. As this is a ceremonial event, we ask that all members of the community conduct themselves befitting the occasion. The ceremony is expected to last approximately two and one-half hours. Please respect your fellow students and their experience of the ceremony by remaining in your seats until its conclusion. Guests do not need tickets to attend the ceremony. Please visit the Prudential Center website regarding directions at www.prucenter.com/getting-here#/directions. Family members will not be able to interact with graduates in the ceremony-level staging and exit areas. Please arrange for a mutually agreed upon meeting location with your family members outside the Prudential Center at the end of the ceremony. We look forward to seeing you on Friday, May 20, 2016, as we pay tribute to your achievements and potential. Congratulations on your achievement! The Commencement Committee
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COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY FOR BACHELOR’S DEGREE CANDIDATES
Friday, May 20, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. Prudential Center 25 Lafayette Street, Newark, NJ 07102 THE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS PERTAIN TO THE CEREMONY: Instructions are posted at www.wpunj.edu/commencement Questions pertaining to the ceremony should be directed to commencement@wpunj.edu ATTENDANCE Your participation in the ceremony is voluntary. There is no rehearsal for Commencement. Doors to the Prudential Center will open at 7:30 a.m. for students. Graduates must enter at the Lafayette Tower Entrance. Please allow time to go through the Security Checkpoint. Please bring your regalia (cap, gown, hood, tassel, honor cords if applicable) and your name card with you to your staging area. Family members and guests are requested to go directly into the arena. Doors will open for admittance of guests at 8:00 a.m. through the PNC Tower Entrance. All guests will go through a Security Checkpoint. Please leave any valuables or personal belongings in your vehicle or with family members as you will not return to the staging areas. PROCESSIONAL PREPARATION Upon entrance into the Lafayette Tower Entrance, you must go through the Security Checkpoint including a bag check. University personnel and signage will direct you to the service level of the arena and the appropriate staging area by your academic major within the appropriate department and College. Please see the listing of Colleges and majors on pages 3 and 4.
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Graduate Line-Up Area Map
STAGING LOCATIONS The staging areas are as follows: College of the Arts & Communication Art Art History Cotsakos College of Business Accounting Business Economics Finance Financial Planning
Communication Music
Global Business Management Marketing Professional Sales
Box Office Lobby
Loading Dock
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College of Education Early Childhood Elementary Education Secondary Education
Locker Rooms
College of Humanities & Social Sciences Loading Dock Africana World Studies Legal Studies Anthropology Liberal Studies Asian Studies Philosophy Criminology & Criminal Justice Political Science English Psychology French Sociology Geography & Urban Studies Spanish History Women’s and Gender Studies Latin American &Latino Studies College of Science & Health Applied Health Athletic Training Biology Biotechnology Chemistry Communication Disorders Computer Science Earth Science Environmental Science
North Storage Environmental Sustainability Exercise Science Integrated Math and Science Mathematics Nursing Physical Education Public Health Sport Management
NAME CARD If you have lost or forgotten to bring your name card with you, please stop at the table in the Lafayette Tower Entrance lobby to receive a duplicate card. ACADEMIC HOODS Bachelor’s degree candidates will wear their hoods throughout the ceremony. Hoods are draped around your neck (see the instructions on page 7 for how to put on the hood) or watch the instructions at http://bit.ly/wpunjhood. TASSEL/HONOR CORDS Wear your tassel on the right side of your cap. If you have a Latin Honors cord, it is to be draped over your shoulders, tassels in the front. For your own safety, please do not throw your cap.
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CEREMONY PROGRAM The procession will start from the staging areas promptly at 8:40 a.m. Four lines will be processing at the same time by College. Commencement programs will be on your seats in the arena. The ceremony includes: Processional Singing of the National Anthem Introduction of Guests Address by Bachelor’s Degree Candidate Speaker Address by Dr. Kathleen Waldron, President Awarding of Faculty Excellence Awards Awarding of Honorary Degrees/President’s Medals Commencement Address Diploma Process Conferring of Degrees Singing of Alma Mater Recessional DIPLOMA PROCESS Please listen to the directions given by the faculty and administrative marshals who will be assisting with this process. During the diploma process your photo will be taken by Grad Images as you process to the platform and while you receive your diploma cover. Two lines of students will be processing simultaneously across the platform. At the designated time during the ceremony, the Associate Dean of your College will lead your College line to the diploma platform. Prior to proceeding up the ramp, the first picture will be taken at the side of the stage. You will process single file halfway across the stage (notated in black/orange on diagram on next page), Line B followed by Line A on the left and Line C followed by Line D on the right. Process up the ADA ramps and hand your name card to the reader. After your name is announced please proceed to your College Dean to receive your diploma cover and congratulations. The second picture will be taken as you receive your diploma cover. Exit the platform by proceeding down the steps at center stage and return to your seat.
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BACHELOR’S DEGREE CANDIDATES DIPLOMA PROCESS
CONFERRING OF DEGREES At the completion of the diploma process, the President will confer the degrees. This conferment is the official granting of your degree. This is also the appropriate moment for the bachelor’s degree candidates to turn the tassel on your cap to the left side. Diplomas will be issued upon verification of completion of degree requirements and obligations. You will be notified by the Registrar’s Office when diplomas are available for pick up or upon arrangement can be mailed to your home. Please respect your fellow students and their experience of the ceremony by remaining in your seat until its conclusion. RECESSIONAL PROCESS The singing of the Alma Mater (printed in the program) will immediately follow the conferring of the degrees. The recessional will be led by the University Grand Marshal followed by the Platform Party. The graduates will follow after. The ceremony is expected to be completed by 11:30 a.m. Graduates will exit from the Lafayette Tower Entrance doors.
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INSTRUCTIONS FOR WEARING THE ACADEMIC HOOD The academic hood is a visual representation of your level of academic achievement and the scholastic degree being conferred. This hood has been designed within the guidelines established by the Intercollegiate Bureau of Academic Costume.
The velveteen trim (2) represents the degree you have earned. The chevron (4) and the lining (3) represent the University colors. The black shell (1) is the traditional color determined by the Intercollegiate Bureau of Academic Costume.
The following instructions are designed to assist you in the proper way to wear the hood: 1.
Put the graduate hood on over the robe.
2.
The hood should be placed over your head so that it drapes off your shoulders and over the back of your gown. The border trim should be placed on the outside of the hood with the trim side facing up under the chin (as below). Pin the hood to the gown to prevent it from riding against the neck.
3.
Roll the edge of the hood outward so that the inside colors of the hood show. The end of the hood will look something like a fin and should not be turned inside out but hang parallel to the ground.
4.
Be sure the hood lining (the colors of the University) are showing. This can be done by turning the trim to the outside at the back just below your shoulders.
5.
There is a cord on the back of your hood that will keep it in place. Connect the cord across the front of the hood.
6.
Make sure the hood is smoothed down and lays flat against the back of your robe.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DISABLED GUESTS The Prudential Center facility is fully compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Seating is available on all levels of the arena and is accessible by elevators/escalators. Special assistance can be requested by seeing any Guest Services staff member the day of the event. Accessible restrooms are located on the main concourse outside Sections 12 and 22; Lincoln Suite level – outside Suite 120 & 127; Ford Suite Level – outside suite 216 & 217; and Upper Concourse – outside sections 110 and 127. Disabled parking spaces, including van-accessible spaces, are designated for vehicles displaying a current state-issued disability placard or license plate. The opportunity to purchase disabled spaces will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis, so please plan accordingly. To purchase parking please visit www.clickandpark.com. Additional ADA information can be obtained at www.prucenter.com/ada-information. HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS The following link is recommended to locate hotels and restaurants around the Prudential Center: www.prucenter.com/around-the-arena The Hilton Newark Penn Station is offering a rate of $159 per night for WPUNJ’s Commencement Ceremony for students, family and friends. To make a reservation please visit Hilton Newark Penn Station. Please make reservations before April 21, 2016 to receive this rate. PARKING For information regarding parking around the arena, please visit www.prucenter.com/gettinghere#/parking. Two options for Pre-paid parking are available: 1) Prudential Center Ford VIP Parking Deck www.clickandpark.com. Availability to pre-pay will open in mid-April. 2) William Paterson University has also partnered with Parking Panda to allow attendees to purchase guaranteed parking near the Prudential Center. Once purchased, parking is 100% guaranteed even if the location otherwise fills up. Purchase your parking in advance and simply present your purchase confirmation at the selected location. The confirmation serves as your payment with no additional payments or fees ever. Parking availability is very limited, so it is strongly recommended that you purchase your parking for the William Paterson University Commencement in advance. https://www.parkingpanda.com/prudential-center-parking/william-paterson-universitycommencement-%28undergraduate-ceremony%29-712373?ref=wpugrad ***Use code WPUGRAD16 at checkout for 10% off your first reservation*** PHOTOGRAPHER The Commencement photographers are from Grad Images. Enjoy an Exclusive Discount of $5 off any picture order of $25 or more if you register with Grad Images prior to the ceremony. Visit their website at www.gradimages.com to sign up under the Pre-Event Registration tab and review the FAQs on line. Your proofs will be online at their website within 5—7 days following the ceremony. You may place orders or obtain answers to your questions at www.gradimages.com or 1-800-4243686.
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PROHIBITED ITEMS For safety reasons, guests are refused entry if they are in possession of prohibited items. Balloons, beach balls, air horns, and silly string are strictly prohibited in the Prudential Center arena. For a complete listing of prohibited items: www.prucenter.com/faq. SECURITY SCREENING At the Prudential Center all persons (guests and graduates) are subject to a bag search and security screening. This security process should be factored into your arrival time to avoid delays. ULTRA GREEN CAP AND GOWN The University’s commitment to sustainability, environmental stewardship, and energy conservation is evident in your academic regalia. PET plastic bottles have created your academic regalia. Each cap and gown sewn from recycled bottle fabric prevents approximately 27 plastic bottles from being dumped into a landfill. The Ultra Green gown is demonstration that sustainability is a focus of what’s happening on our campus with the ultimate goal of making conservation a permanent part of campus life. VENDORS—COMMENCEMENT MEMORABILIA The following vendors are affiliated with the University to provide commencement memorabilia. Commencement T-Shirts—www.commencementtshirts.com/ Fond Memories — www.fondmemoriesgraphics.com Jostens — www.Jostens.com Signature Announcements — www.signatureA.com University Cap & Gown — www.gradgowns.com To receive a discount from Grad Images on the photos taken at the ceremony go to: www.wpunj.edu/commencement/memorabilia.dot
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Arena Floor Layout