Commencement

Candidate Letter

September 15, 2011

Dear Graduation Candidate:

The Fall 2011 Commencement will be held Saturday, December 10, 2011 in Stopher Gymnasium on the Nicholls campus. In an effort to accommodate students’ families and friends, commencement is divided into two ceremonies.

Graduation candidates will participate as indicated in the following chart. Graduate School students will participate in the session assigned to their college:

There will be no reserved seating; tickets will not be required. Please notify your guests to arrive early to sit in designated areas on a first-come, first-served basis. Seating for individuals with disabilities will be available. Once the procession begins, guests will not be allowed to enter until the procession of graduates, faculty, and administration is complete.

Enclosed are important instructions concerning the commencement program. Please study these carefully. When you arrive, you should report immediately to your seat in Talbot Auditorium. You will be asked to complete a short employment survey card with pencils provided. All diplomas will be mailed. Please make sure your permanent address on file is current.

Congratulations as you near the completion of your degree at Nicholls State University.

Sincerely,

Alice B. Templet, Chair

Commencement Committee

COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES

Fall 2011

TO:   Faculty and Candidates for Graduation

FROM:   Commencement Committee

SUBJECT:   Commencement Instructions

Below are instructions concerning the commencement exercises at Nicholls State University.  You are urged to study these instructions carefully, save them and bring them when you come to Commencement.  Questions will be answered at that time.

GRADUATION CEREMONY SCHEDULE AND SEATING

1. The Fall 2011 Commencement will be held Saturday, December 10, 2011.  Because of fire marshal regulations and efforts to accommodate students’ families and friends, commencement is divided into two ceremonies:
   1. Session I – 10:00 a.m. in Stopher Gymnasium on the Nicholls campus. College of Arts and Sciences (including graduate students), and College of Education (including graduate students)
   2. Session II – 2:00 p.m. in Stopher Gymnasium on the Nicholls campus. College of Business (including graduate students), College of  Nursing and Allied Health, and University College
2. There will be no reserved seating; tickets will not be required.  Please notify your guests to arrive early to sit in designated areas on a first-come, first-served basis.  Handicapped seating will be available.  Once the procession begins, guests will not be allowed to enter until the procession of graduates, faculty, and administration is complete.

ARRIVAL AND LINEUP INSTRUCTIONS

1. Session I Graduation Candidates must assemble in Talbot Auditorium on the Nicholls campus no later than 9:15 a.m.
2. Session I Faculty marching in Commencement Exercises assemble in the lobby of Talbot Hall at 9:30 a.m.
3. Session II Graduation Candidates must assemble in Talbot Auditorium on the Nicholls            campus no later than 1:15 p.m.
4. Session II Faculty marching in Commencement Exercises assemble in the lobby of Talbot Hall at 1:30 p.m.
5. Further instructions concerning formation and lineup will be given upon arrival, but please note the following:
   • Each graduate will find an index card with his/her name on it at his/her designated seat.  The graduate must take this card when he/she proceeds to the arena floor.
   • Also, at each designated seat, will be found a pencil and short employment survey.  Each graduate should complete the card and submit it to the University administrator present.
   • Tassels on mortarboards are to be worn on the left side at all times.

PROCESSION INSTRUCTIONS

1. Fifteen minutes before the ceremony begins, all candidates will proceed to their seats in Stopher Gymnasium as directed by the faculty marshals. Please remain standing after being directed to your designated section.
2. Faculty, double file, will be directed to proceed to the entrance of the gymnasium and down the center aisle.  At that point they will be directed to the faculty seating areas by faculty marshals.  Please remain standing.
3. Officials and dignitaries will move to positions on stage and remain standing.

CEREMONY PROCEDURES

1. All will remain standing during the rendition of the National Anthem and delivery of the Invocation.  Males will remove caps and place them over the left side of the chest during this phase of the program.
2. Upon the conclusion of the Invocation, all will be seated and males are requested to replace    mortarboard caps.  All will remain seated during the introductions and address of the guest speaker.
3. Dr. Eugene Dial will recognize honor graduates.  Each individual named will rise and remain standing in place until all have been recognized, after which all will be seated as a group.
4. Important to all degree candidates:  Presentation of Candidates for Degrees will be made for each group of degree candidates by Dr. Allayne Barrilleaux followed by the Conferring of Degrees for these candidates by Dr. Hulbert.  Each group will be asked to stand in unison, be recognized, and then be seated in this order: 
   1. Associate degree candidates
   2. Bachelor degree candidates
   3. Masters and Specialists degree candidates
5. President Hulbert will announce the Presentation of Diplomas by college/institute.
6. A reader will call the name of individual graduates (the graduate will present his/her name card to the reader) for each college/institute. Associate degrees will be awarded first.  Faculty marshals will assist the degree candidates during the ceremony.  The first row will rise and form a single line starting at the left side of the stage.  As each graduate receives his/her diploma cover, he will move off stage, to the right, return to his seat and remain standing until all associate degree candidates for the college have returned.  This group will then be seated.  Bachelor’s degree candidates will follow them.  The same procedure will be followed by each respective college.
7. All will rise for the Alma Mater and remain standing during the Benediction.  Males will remove mortarboard and place over the left side of the chest.
8. Upon completion of the Benediction all will remain standing in place until the officials and dignitaries have departed the stage and moved past the first row of the faculty. The faculty will follow the official party in reverse order.  All graduates will stand fast until the last row of the faculty has formed in the aisle.  Then the graduates will proceed from their seats (in reverse order) and remain in the procession line.  Candidates are urged not to bring purses and/or valuables inside. 
9. All diplomas will be mailed.  Please make sure your permanent address on file is current.

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR PREPARATION OF COMMENCEMENT

1. Each graduation candidate must order a cap and gown with the Bookstore, which is usually done in conjunction with Graduate Day held at the beginning of the semester.  If you did not attend Graduate Day, you must see the bookstore to order your cap and gown.  You may check with the Bookstore the last week of November regarding the arrival of caps and gowns.  It is your responsibility to pick up your own cap and gown order from the bookstore on campus before the day of the ceremony.  The bookstore can be reached at (985) 448-4540.
2. BOTH MEN AND WOMEN SHOULD WEAR DARK SHOES.
3. Women should wear the gowns over street-length dresses, preferably of a dark color.  Earrings, necklaces, and bracelets should not be worn. White shoes are NOT appropriate.  Black shoes are preferable, if possible.
4. Men should wear white shirts without coats.  Ties (not bow ties) and trousers should be dark.   Men, please do not wear white socks.  White shoes are NOT appropriate.  Black shoes are preferable, if possible.
5. Please respect the dignity of your academic robe by avoiding the attachments of personal decorations or signs.  In addition, gum chewing detracts from the solemnity of the occasion.
6. The academic cap should be pulled halfway down the forehead so the upper part of the forehead is covered.  The sides of the cap should be equidistant from the top center of the head.  The cap must not be worn at an angle.  The long part of the cap fits over the back of the head. The tassel is to be placed on the left side of the cap.
7. Graduation announcements are on sale at the Bookstore.  For prices and ordering information, you may reach the Bookstore at (985) 448-4540.
8. A professional photographer will take an individual picture of each graduate receiving a diploma.  The photographer will mail proofs within two weeks of graduation.  Please make sure your mailing address is correct with the University; if not, contact our Records Office (985) 448-4153, as soon as possible to provide correct information.