Information for Undergraduates
This page contains important information concerning Commencement 2009. Please read the information carefully.
A final Commencement schedule indicating any changes will be distributed to graduating seniors following final exams. Updates will also be posted on this Web site.
If you have any questions about the Commencement program or this information, please contact Conference and Events Services at ext. 6-4300 or ces@brandeis.edu.
To apply for graduation, confirm diploma name and specify mini-Commencement ceremony attendance, visit sage.brandeis.edu. The Graduation and Commencement link will be available on Feb. 9, 2009.
If you have any questions, please contact Sheila Reeder in the Office of the University Registrar at ext. 6-2021 or sreeder@brandeis.edu.
Schedule for Commencement Day
| Sunday, May 17, 2009 | |
| 8 to 9:30 a.m. |
School and Department Ceremonies Individual graduates will be recognized by name. The presentation of prizes and awards will also be made during this ceremony. If you are a double major, your name will be read at both ceremonies. Although you might be able to attend both mini-ceremonies, the actual diploma will be handed out at the ceremony location you have confirmed at sage.brandeis.edu. |
| 10 a.m. |
Formation of Academic Procession All graduating seniors attending the main ceremony must line up for the academic procession at the exterior tunnel entrance (near the baseball field) of the Gosman Sports and Convocation Center. After lining up, the procession will enter Gosman for the main ceremony. NOTE: Graduate students participating in the main Commencement ceremony should line up in the Shapiro Gym. |
| 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. |
Main Commencement Ceremony Gosman Sports and Convocation Center Undergraduate degrees will be conferred en masse, honorary degrees will be conferred individually and the Commencement address will be given. The program will begin promptly at 10:30 a.m. Please advise your guests that admission into the arena (through the stadium doors on the arena level) will be permitted only with the presentation of entrance tickets. We recommend that guests arrive well in advance to allow time to enter and find seating. Doors open at 8:45 a.m. |
| 1:30 to 3 p.m. |
School and Department Ceremonies Individual graduates will be recognized by name. The presentation of prizes and awards will also be made during this ceremony. If you are a double major, your name will be read at both ceremonies. Although you might be able to attend both mini-ceremonies, the actual diploma will be handed out at the ceremony location you have confirmed at sage.brandeis.edu. |
| 4 to 5:30 p.m. |
School and Department Ceremonies
Individual graduates will be recognized by name. The presentation of prizes and awards will also be made during this ceremony. If you are a double major, your name will be read at both ceremonies. Although you might be able to attend both mini-ceremonies, the actual diploma will be handed out at the ceremony location you have confirmed at sage.brandeis.edu. |
Invitations
Conference and Event Services will mail one invitation to the Commencement ceremony to your parent(s) or guardian(s) at your permanent address as listed in sage.brandeis.edu. More information regarding deadlines will be available in the coming months.
Remember that Commencement invitations do not constitute tickets of admission to the main ceremony.
Please note: You may purchase additional graduation announcements at the bookstore.
Commencement Tickets/Senior Exit Survey
Admission to the main Commencement ceremony will be by ticket only. Each graduating senior will receive six tickets to the main ceremony. Seniors who need more than six tickets should obtain them from other class members who may not need all of their tickets.
Information regarding arrangements for guests with disabilities will be available when you pick up your tickets.
The senior exit survey will be open in March and remain open for graduating seniors to take through May 17. Seniors will receive an e-mail invitation with the survey link to complete the survey when it opens. The e-mail message will come from research@brandeis.edu.
Seniors who complete the senior survey can pick up Commencement tickets at Senior Odds & Ends on April 27, 28 and 29 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in International Lounge.
Senior week tickets will also be on sale at that time, and you will be able to visit with representatives from the Alumni Association and the Hiatt Career Center. In addition, a representative from the bookstore will be available to answer questions about caps and gowns, and the Archon Yearbook will be verifying mailing addresses for seniors. Please bring your student identification with you to Senior Odds & Ends.
If you will not be on campus during the above dates to pick up your tickets, please notify Conference and Events Services at ces@brandeis.edu. Conference and Events Services will arrange an alternative day for you to pick up your tickets.
Students who have questions about the senior survey may contact the registrar's office at research@brandeis.edu.
Caps and Gowns
Caps and gowns for graduating seniors will be available for purchase at the bookstore in April. The exact date is to be determined. As approved by the Student Senate Executive Board in 1990, the gowns will be black with a hood included as part of the regalia.
Seniors who will not be on campus prior to Commencement weekend should contact the bookstore at bksbrandeis@bncollege.com or (781) 736-4272 as soon as possible to reserve commencement attire.
In addition to being open regular hours during May, the bookstore will also be open for extended hours Commencement weekend.
Commencement Photos
The university has made arrangements with Commencement Photos, specialists in graduation photography, to photograph all graduation seniors during the formation of the academic procession. Commencement Photos will send you a proof approximately one week after commencement. If you are satisfied with the proof, you may order final prints directly from the company.
Commencement Photos guarantees complete satisfaction with your photograph or you will receive a full refund, no questions asked. For additional information, please contact Commencement Photos:
IMPORTANT: If you would like to have your picture taken, please arrive as early as possible. Also, please bring your completed photo card to give to the photographer. (These will be given to you when you pick up your cap and gown.) Commencement Photos will stop taking photos once the procession begins at 10:30 a.m. In the event that you are unable to get your picture taken prior to the main ceremony, there will be a photographer available in the tunnel afterwards to take pictures.
School and Departmental Ceremonies
School and departmental ceremonies will begin promptly at the times indicated. Tickets are not required for admission, but seating for guests is on a first-come, first-served basis. The faculty from the department conducts these ceremonies. Students should wear their cap and gown to both the department and the main ceremonies.
>Go to mini-Commencement Schedule
Hearing Enhancement Equipment
Hearing-enhancement equipment will be available to reserve for the main Commencement ceremony. Please complete this order form (PDF) and return it to Conference and Events Services, MS 087, Kutz 9, by Friday, May 1, 2009.
Exit Interviews
All graduating seniors who have received student loans while at Brandeis are required by federal regulations to complete an Exit Interview. If you are not sure if this applies to you, please call the Office of Student Financial Services at ext. 6-3700.
Most graduating seniors can complete all of their exit requirements online.
- If you received Stafford Loans, you can do the mandatory exit counseling on the U.S. Department of Education Web site.
- If you received Perkins Loans, you can do the mandatory exit counseling on the Campus Partners Web site.
If you received institutional loans (Brandeis Loan, Saval Loan or Wien Loan), you will need to complete the mandatory exit counseling in person. Follow the instructions mailed to you to complete this process.
You will receive notification in your on-campus mailbox in March 2009 summarizing your student loan debt, and if you qualify to complete your exit counseling session online, or if you must attend an exit counseling session in person.
To complete any online exit interview, you will need a personal identification number (PIN) from the U.S. Department of Education. If you have forgotten the PIN that was assigned to you, you can request your PIN at www.pin.ed.gov.
We recommend that you request your pin now. A hold will be placed on your diploma and commencement tickets if you do not complete your exit interview.
More information to come. Check your campus mailbox.
