Dear Degree Candidate LetterJanuary 30, 2004 Dear Degree Candidate, The University’s 136th graduation ceremony will be held on Saturday, May 8, 2004, for all candidates having completed their degree requirements as of Summer 2003, December 2003, and May 2004. This letter is directed to all prospective graduating seniors. Neither receipt of this letter, participation in the Commencement Exercises, receipt of invitations, nor the appearance of a name in the printed program will be considered as conclusive evidence of graduation on May 8, 2004. Candidates are personally responsible for satisfactorily completing all general University, major department, academic, and financial requirements. (See “Clearance for Graduation” on page three of this correspondence.) As you near the completion of your degree program, you will need pertinent information regarding the events of the week of May 3, with particular emphasis on the May 8th Commencement Exercises. THE FOLLOWING CHECKLIST SHOULD BE CAREFULLY READ AND RETAINED FOR GUIDANCE AND CONTINUED REFERENCE THROUGHOUT THE GRADUATION PROCESS. TIME AND PLACECommencement Exercises will be held on Saturday, May 8, beginning at 10:00 a.m., on the Upper Quadrangle, Main Campus. Please encourage your guests to be seated by 8:45 a.m. to witness the procession of the graduates. The inclement weather site is Burr Gymnasium. Further details will be included with your invitation packet. ADMISSION OF GUESTTwo reserved seat tickets will be issued to each graduate. Other guests may be seated in the general seating section on a first-come, first-served basis. BROADCAST ARRANGEMENTSThe Commencement Exercises will be broadcast live over WHUR-FM Radio and WHUT-TV. There will also be a delayed broadcast of the exercises on WHUT-TV. Videotapes of Commencement Convocation will be available. Purchase Order Forms for the videotape can be obtained at the distribution site where the invitations will be available for pick-up beginning March 11, and at the distribution site for academic costumes beginning May 3 - 8, as noted in this letter. The cost is $39.95 per videotape.. *These arrangements are subject to change. ACADEMIC COSTUMEThe academic costume consists of cap, gown, hood, tassel, and black shoes. The cap is an essential part of the academic costume and is to be retained on the head throughout the academic exercises, except during prayer and the singing of the Alma Mater. In particular, the cap is not to be removed at any point during the conferring of degrees. PROCUREMENT OF COSTUMESThe University will issue souvenir academic costumes consisting of cap, gown, tassel, and hood. Candidates for degrees who have Clearance Slips from their respective Dean and the Office of Student Financial Services may obtain academic costumes in the lounge area of Cramton Auditorium during the period Monday, May 3 through Friday, May 7, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (See “Distribution Schedule for Academic Costumes” on page four.) Access to the distribution point will be through the south door of Cramton Auditorium near the Ira Aldridge Theatre. In addition, please be advised that an official Howard University Kente stole depicting academic excellence will be available for purchase at the time and place of distribution. The purchase price of the Kente stole is $15.00. IMPORTANT: TO ASSURE RECEIPT OF A PROPERLY FITTING ACADEMIC COSTUME, YOU SHOULD KNOW YOUR HEAD OR HAT SIZE, AND YOUR HEIGHT AND WEIGHT. A SIZE CHART WILL BE PROVIDED AT THE DISTRIBUTION CENTER TO ASSIST YOU IN SELECTING THE APPROPRIATE COSTUME SIZE.
ASSEMBLY OF DEGREE CANDIDATESDegree candidates will report to Greene Stadium not later than 8:00 a.m. on May 8 for the assembly and
procession to the staging area. The procession must begin at 9:00 a.m. (In the
event of inclement weather, degree candidates will assemble in Burr Gymnasium,
with no academic procession.) CONFERRING OF DEGREES (GRADUATES)
2.
The Dean presents the class to the President of the University. SECURING DIPLOMASThe Commencement Exercises will be concluded with a recessional. The graduates of each School and College will proceed to a designated location where diplomas will be issued. REHEARSALA rehearsal of the graduation proceedings will be held in Cramton Auditorium on Tuesday, May 4, at 10:30 a.m. All degree candidates and all marshals of the divisions of the University must attend. INVITATIONSALL OFFICIAL INVITATIONS FOR
COMMENCEMENT ARE FURNISHED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE UNIVERSITY ONLY AND MAY BE
PICKED UP IN THE LOWER LEVEL OF CRAMTON AUDITORIUM. PHOTOGRAPHIC SERVICEThe University has
arranged for photography service that will capture graduates individually as
they enter the staging area. Information in this regard may be obtained from
the Office of the Dean of your School or College. CLEARANCE FOR GRADUATIONEach candidate for graduation is personally responsible for obtaining clearance for graduation. You are urged to consult the Dean of your School or College to determine if you have met all academic and financial requirements in order to graduate. If you have not been financially cleared, you must report to the Student Accounts Office to settle your account in order to be eligible for graduation. Only candidates with official University clearance by both the respective Dean and the Office of Student Financial Services will be approved for graduation. COMMENCEMENT INTERNET ADDRESSInformation pertinent to Commencement, such as the Commencement Calendar of Events, Inclement Weather Plan, the “Dear Degree Candidate” letter, and the names of the Convocation orator and honorees, can be accessed via the Internet, beginning March 15. The address is http://www.howard.edu/commencement/2004. Should you have questions concerning the Commencement Exercises or this correspondence, please do not hesitate to write to the Office of the Secretary, Room 731, 2225 Georgia Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20059, or call (202) 238-2598. With best wishes, Sincerely,
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