Commencement Information

Class of 2013

Seniors who have been cleared for graduation and whose names appear on the official graduation list from the Office of the Registrar, may begin to pick up their commencement tickets beginning on Wednesday, March 6th in the Commencement Office/Office of Conferences, Suite 215A of the Campus Recreation Center. Tickets may be picked up with a student ID during the hours of 8:30am-4:30pm, Monday-Friday.  Tickets must be picked up (before rehearsal) on Thursday by 11am. 

IMPORTANT UPDATE FROM THE REGISTRAR'S OFFICE   4/12/2013

This is a reminder to those intending to graduate in May 2013 who have not yet submitted a degree application.

Degree applications are due in the Registrar's Office. This will allow us to know that you intend to graduate and to place your name on the tentative graduation list. The degree application is available online at:  http://www.rwu.edu/about/university-offices/registrar/graduation-information

If you previously applied to graduate at the end of the Spring 2013 semester and find that your plans have changed, please notify the Registrar's Office immediately at 254-3151, or via email at abonanca@rwu.edu, and we will correct your graduation date.

Students who complete degree requirements in the Winter Intersession graduate in May.

Please note: graduates who would like their name to appear in the commencement program must have all paperwork in to the Registrar's Office and be cleared for graduation by May 1, 2013.  Anything received after that date may not be included in the program becuase of print deadlines.

All graduates should be sure that the Registrar’s Office has the most updated mailing address on record so that important information and your diploma will reach you. There is a form on the Registrar’s website to make these changes.

From Commencement Office (Department of Conferences) (401) 254-3067

Tickets
Each graduate will receive 6 tickets for seating under the Commencement tent. Small children who will be sitting on a lap are not required to have a ticket. Fire regulations prohibit any guest to stand on the outskirts of the tent. Everyone must be seated and seating is on a first come, first served basis. Graduates may invite as many guests as they would like, but must realize that seating under the tent is limited to 6 tickets per graduate. There will be no extra tickets given.  Additional guests beyond the 6 who receive tickets for seats under the tent, may view the ceremony via a live stream from the comfort of the Campus Recreation Center Gymnasium or the School of Law Room 283.

Tickets will be available to those graduates who have been cleared and apprear on the graduation until 11am on Thursday, May 16.  Tickets may be picked up in the Conferences Office, Suite 215A of the Campus Recreation Center during the hours of 8:30am-5:00pm.  Graduates must show a picture id and sign for their tickets when picking them up.  Only the graduate themself may pick up their tickets.  Graduates who are out of state/out of the country and can't come to campus to pick up tickets, should contact Debbie Burgo at (401) 254-3067 to make arrangements.  If there are any extra tickets, they will be given out at the rehearsal on Thursday, May 16.

Simulcast of Ceremony
The ceremony will be simulcast in the Campus Recreation Center Gymnasium and in the Law School, Room 283, for additional guests. No tickets are needed at either of these locations. Graduates may invite as many guests as they would like but realize that seating under the tent is limited to 6 tickets per graduate.

The Ceremony
The Commencement Ceremony will begin precisely at 10:00am on Saturday, May 18, 2013 under the tent on the main athletic field, rain or shine. Graduates must arrive at the Campus Recreation Center Fieldhouse at 8:15am. Instructions for lining up will begin at 8:45am and the procession for graduates will promptly leave the Campus Recreation Center at 9:10am.

Graduates who arrive late will not be allowed to join the ceremony. Graduate students will lead the procession in front of the undergraduates in their designated schools.

Family members may ask how long the ceremony will last. To be safe, we estimate that you allow at least two and a half hours from the start of the ceremony. An informal reception for each respective school follows the ceremony and we encourage graduates and their guests to attend these gatherings. The locations for these receptions will be listed in the commencement program you will receive at the ceremony. If you would like to stay on campus for lunch, Bon Appetit puts on a wonderful commencement luncheon in the Upper Commons. Please see the section on the luncheon for more details.

Guest Seating
Guests must be seated no later than 9:30am as that is the time the procession begins. While we encourage guests to arrive early, no one is allowed to take their seat before 8:00am and no one may reserve seats. Fire regulations prohibit any guest to stand on the outskirts of tent. Everyone must be seated. Strollers should be placed along the back of the tent to keep aisles open for egress.

Commencement Slide Show Pictures
Students are encouraged to submit picutres for our annual slide show prior to commencement.  Pictures will be accepted via email to dburgo@rwu.edu by May 1, 2013.  The slide show provdes some entertainment for the guests awaiting the start of the ceremony.  Please keep in mind the audience when selecting pictures for the slide show.  Also, the slide show may be posted to the web following the ceremony.  The Commencement Office reserves the right to not include pictures it deems inapporpiate for the ceremony and to limit the number of pictures per student.

Commemorative DVD
The University is proud to offer each graduate a free DVD copy of the ceremony which will be sent to your home address with your diploma in late June.

For questions or concerns, please email: commencement@rwu.edu.

Photos

Island Photography will take the traditional picture as students receive their diploma as well as a still shot beofre students go on stage. Island Photography will contact graduates after commencement provided the student has given their contact infromation. For more information, please go to their website at: www.islandphoto.com or call them at 1-516-767-1234.

Events & Receptions

Senior Class Wine & Dine Event 

The Senior class will host the Family Wine & Dine event featuring a buffet dinner and optional wine tasting on Friday, May 17  at the Venus de Milo.  Graduates, families and friends are invited to attend this annula event.  Looking for a way to celebrate with fellow graduates and their families, this is a great way to do it!  The senior class officers will post the infromation on this event and regsitration as soon as it is available. 

Rehearsal & Senior BBQ
There will be a rehearsal on Thursday May 16, 2013 at 12:00noon in the Campus Recreation Center Fieldhouse for all graduating seniors. All graduating seniors must attend this rehearsal as instructions regarding the ceremony will be given at that time. Any extra tickets for the ceremony will be given out on a first come, first serve basis immediately folowing rehearsal.  After rehearsal, enjoy the Senior BBQ at Colt State Park! There will be free food, prizes and giveaways. Free to all RWU undergraduates participating in commencement ceremony.  Tickets for this event will be given out with the commencement tickets.  Given the large number of graduates, guests and family members may not attend.

The Intercultural Center Senior Brunch will be held on Thursday, May 16 from 9:30am-12pm in the Intercultural Center. This brunch, by invitation only, celebrates seniors who embrace diversity and have exemplified intercultural learning while at RWU. For more information, call 401-254-3121.

A Commencement Luncheon is held in our Upper Commons Dining Room immediately following the commencement ceremony and is offered at various seating time from 1-3pm.  This brunch is an all you can eat buffet with family and friends. Avoid the hassle of making reservations at busy local restaurants and celebrate with fellow RWU graduate and families. Prices: Adults $25.00/person, Children 6-12 $10/child, Gradutes and Children under 6 are FREE.  The last day to register for this lunch is May 8, 2013.  Menu includes: grilled chicken with wild mushroom demi-glaze, ancho crusted swordsifh with spicy guacamole,  seafood scampi with farfalle, saag paneer, carved roast price rib of beef, tri-color roast potatoes, multi-grain rice pilaf, spring vegetable medley, roasted asparagus, salad bar, dessert bar, and artsan bread and flavored butters.  For more information, please contact Stephanie Colliton-Keith at 401-254-3217.   THIS EVENT HAS SOLD OUT

School Receptions
Informal reception for each respective school follows the ceremony and we encourage graduates and their guests to attend these gatherings. The locations for these receptions will be listed in the commencement program you will receive at the ceremony. Lemonade and festive cupcakes will be served.

From the Public Safety Office (401) 254-3611

Parking & Accommodations for Graduates & Guests with Disabilities or Special Needs
Due to the large number of graduates and guests participating in the ceremony, parking on campus will be difficult. Graduates living on campus must park in Lot J or the parking garage only. Guests and graduates arriving from off campus must enter through the North Campus Road and park in the North Parking Lots (lots F, H and I). No parking will be allowed in the lots surrounding the Campus Recreation Center. Campus shuttles will run throughout the day to transport graduates and their guests to and from the ceremony and receptions. Please plan on arriving early.

Commencement Parking Map

Graduates or guests with disabilities or special needs should submit their request by completing the online form located below by May 3, 2013:

Assisted Parking & Seating Form

Pets
University policy prohibits bringing pets on campus grounds and in buildings unless it is a service animal.

From the Bookstore (401) 254-3036

Bookstore Special Event- The Bookstore will hold its annual Countdown to Commencement 2013 week- long kick off event beginning on Monday, April 8 through Saturday, April 13.  All graduating seniors are strongly encouraged to come into the Bookstore during this time to pick up their cap & gown and take advantage of the "in store" special offers, including:  a drawing for a diploma frame of student's choice, class ring discounts, and a one time discount on clothing with a special coupon provided that day. 

Caps & Gowns
The Bookstore will continue to distribute caps and gowns EVERY day from the start of the Countdown to Commencement up until the day before Commencement- Friday, May 17.

Before picking up your cap & gown, all undergraduate day graduates are required to complete a brief online survey sponsored by the Career Center before picking up their cap and gown. (School of Continuing Education students do not need to complete the survey).  Information gathered by this survey will help the Career Center with statistics when reporting to the University community regarding the employment and graduation rates of RWU’s newest graduates. Graduates can log on to http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/rwuclassof2013 to complete this quick survey.

Each day, the Career Center will provide a list of students who have completed the survey to the Bookstore. Please allow twenty-four (24) hours from when the survey is completed before picking up regalia at the Bookstore. Only those graduates who are on this list will be able to pick up their cap and gown. This survey only needs to be completed by undergraduate day students.

Flowers 

Commencement Flowers Inc., a professional florist, will be on hand before and during the Commencement Ceremony.  They will be located near the front entrance to the tent on the field.  For your convenience, you can pre-purchase and reserve flowers ahead of time and have them available for pick-up at Commencement.  Please visit their webite at www.CommencementFlowers.com/index.php/rogerWilliams for more information.  

Graduation Announcements
Celebrate the good news of your achievement with the following: Personalized college announcements, which include the student’s name, degree and major, along with text for the school’s commencement ceremony. Inner and outer envelopes are included in various packages. We also offer envelope seals, with either a gold or silver foil appliqué, for sealing announcement outer envelopes in style, and personalized address labels to provide a more formal, finished look. The announcement display is located at the Bookstore and can be ordered with Balfour via telephone at 1.877.BALFOUR (225-3687), or online.

Diploma Frames
Choose from six (6) styles of diploma frames to display your degree. Diploma frames are displayed in the Bookstore and on their website.

Rings
The Bookstore displays an assortment of college rings from our ring vendor Balfour. Catalogs are available in the store or interested students can get in touch with Balfour via telephone at 1.877.BALFOUR (225-3687), or online.

From the Career Center (401) 254-3224

Interviews

The Career Center offers graduating seniors the opportunity to interview with organizations that come to campus during the career fair who have professional positions available.  Students can see who is coming to campus by logging on to HAWKS HUNT.               

Internships

Students majoring in Accounting, Computer Information Systems (Web Development), Management, Psychology, Communications or Graphic Design, have either completed or are in the process of completing their REQUIRED cooperative education/internship experience.  If you have not yet fulfilled this REQUIREMENT, contact the Career Center immediately.

From the Office of Housing (401) 254-3161

Move out of Residence Halls
All graduates must move out of their residence hall room by 7:00pm on the day of Commencement, Saturday, May 18.

Please plan accordingly. Questions regarding this may be directed to the Department of Housing and Residential Life at 401-254-3161.

From the Office of Student Programs & Leadership (401) 254-3088

Yearbook Information
Buy the 2013 Yearbook Pack for $50 which includes the 2013 Yearbook & Potrait Sitting Fee- a savings of $30 AND you get a free tshirt!  Visit http://www.crossingsyearbook.com and place your order today. The Yearbook staff invites students and parents to submit photos for the yearbook.  If you have great photos of school and community events or photos of you and your friends having fun, the yearbook staff would like to see them.  Help the yearbook staff  get as many photos as possible to create a terrific book everyone will want to have.  Send photos or contact the yearbook staff at: crossingsyearbook@g.rwu.edu.