Commencement Information

Friday, May 16

11:30 a.m. - Graduate and Faculty Brunch for all degree candidates, faculty and guests in Fort Hays Ballroom, Memorial Union (no academic gowns). Tickets required. Contact the alumni association at (785) 628-4430 or 1-888-351-3591.

2 p.m. - REHEARSAL FOR COMMENCEMENT: Degree candidates assemble inside Cunningham Hall for Commencement processional rehearsal and final instructions (no academic gowns).

3 p.m. - 6 p.m. Grad Fest 2008: Robbins Center. Contact the alumni association at (785) 628-4430 or 1-888-351-3591.


Saturday, May 17
9:15 a.m. - Degree candidates assemble inside Cunningham Hall. Please be punctual.

9:30 a.m. - Faculty assemble inside Cunningham Hall. Faculty will precede the candidates in the line of march.

10 a.m. - COMMENCEMENT
Paul B. Gross Memorial Coliseum. Gates open at 8:30 a.m.

Commencement Viewing Options
Paul B. Gross Memorial Coliseum – Commencement is viewed live in Paul B. Gross Memorial Coliseum. Seating is available on the bleachers and in the balcony area. All seats in the coliseum are filled by about 9 a.m. Please arrive early.

Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center in Sheridan Hall – Commencement is viewed on a large screen in air-conditioned Sheridan Hall.

TV broadcast – Campus residence halls will receive a live broadcast of Commencement over the campus system. Commencement will also be broadcast over the local cable TV system on Channel 67.

Internet – Commencement will be broadcast live on the Internet. Those who wish to view Commencement on a computer should download either Quicktime 7 or Windows Media Player prior to May 12. For the Internet option, use Windows 2002 or Windows XP or Mac OS X v. 10.3.9 or later. The address for the Internet broadcast is http://www.fhsu.edu/.

Seating
Faculty will be seated with the candidates at the end of each row on the arena floor of Gross Memorial Coliseum. Persons other than degree candidates attending Commencement are asked to enter the Coliseum through Gates 1, 2, 3 or 4 – not through Cunningham Hall. Relatives and friends choosing to view Commencement in the Coliseum will be seated on the bleachers and in the balcony. The university requests that the audience not reserve large sections of seats in the bleacher and balcony areas. Seating arrangements for the disabled have been made in the bleacher area on either side in front of the stage. There are no reservations for this area. One person, if necessary, will be allowed to accompany an individual in this seating area. There is simply not sufficient space in this area for entire families. The most convenient entrances are Gates 2 and 3. An interpreter for people who are deaf or hard of hearing will be near Section B in the bleacher area. Limited seating within close proximity will be available.

Automobile Parking
Please leave early to allow sufficient arrival time. Traffic is extremely heavy in the Gross Memorial Coliseum area for Commencement. The Coliseum parking lot is normally full before 9:00 a.m. Shuttle bus service for those who park on campus will be provided to and from Gross Memorial Coliseum. In the event of rain, please park on campus. For those choosing to view Commencement in Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center, parking is available on campus near Sheridan Hall. Drivers may let off passengers with disabilities at Gates 2 and 3. Access vans are available to transport passengers with disabilities who park on campus to and from Gross Memorial Coliseum and Sheridan Hall. After the event, vehicles leaving the parking lot at the north exit will be directed north. Those exiting south will be directed south.

Courtesy Statement
The university expects courtesy to be extended to all candidates crossing the stage. Therefore, please do not shout or applaud to an individual candidate. An appropriate time will be announced for applause. Noisemakers or air horns are not allowed. Candidates are required to participate in the entire ceremony. The audience is asked to refrain from moving around and leaving to ensure all graduates are provided appropriate courtesy.

Motel Accommodations
If you have out-of-town guests who need a listing of motel accommodations, please contact the Hays Convention & Visitors Bureau at (785) 628-8202; from outside the Hays area call 1-800-569-4505 or go to http://www.haysusa.net.

Master’s Degree and Specialist in Education Degree Candidates
Graduate degree candidates will wear hoods during the processional. Candidates will walk across the stage alphabetically by degree groups. After the name is announced, the candidate receives congratulations from the graduate dean, receives diploma cover and congratulations from the university president.

Associate and Baccalaureate Degree Candidates
Undergraduate degree candidates walk across the stage alphabetically by department within each college. After the name is announced, the candidate receives diploma cover and congratulations from the university president.

Commencement Attendance
All July 2007 graduates who did not participate in the 2007 ceremony are eligible to participate in 2008, as well as all December 2007 graduates and May 2008 candidates and those July 2008 candidates who have filed an Intent to Graduate. We urge all those eligible to participate.

Names and Honors in Commencement Program
All July and December 2007 graduates and May 2008 candidates will have their names printed in the Commencement program, with honors noted where appropriate. There is no special distinction for honors for graduate students. Students’ names and honors will be read at Commencement from the name card which will be issued at cap and gown check-out. Names of July 2008 candidates will not have their names printed in the program until Commencement 2009, but names will be read as candidates cross the stage. The listing of honors in the program is not a guarantee of receiving honors. The official honor awarded will be noted on the student's diploma and transcript. Students who do not wish to have their names included in the Commencement program should inform Dr. Herb Songer, Vice President for Student Affairs, Sheridan Hall 208, in writing, no later than Friday, April 4, 2008.

Alumni Association Membership
The FHSU Alumni Association extends congratulations and best wishes to the Class of 2008! All graduates receive a congratulatory Tiger gift and six-month membership in the FHSU Alumni Association. After this time, you will be given the opportunity to purchase a membership. Enjoy the many membership benefits provided to you compliments of the FHSU Alumni Association.