Commencement

Ceremony Particulars Investiture Ceremony Academic Regalia Official Graduation Photograph
Graduation DVD
 Guests with Disabilities Parking Information Commencement Events

May Commencement 2008
Saturday, May 10th
Regional Special Events Center
10:00 a.m.

KEY DATES
Graduation Meeting
Wednesday, May 7th
Regional Special Events Center
12:30 p.m.
Commencement Day
Student Lineup
Inside Lower Level Gate A
Regional Special Events Center
9:00 a.m.
Ceremony
10:00 a.m.

The Commencement Exercises and Investiture Ceremony will take place in the Regional Special Events Center. Seating is available on a first-come basis for families and friends. The processional, ceremony, and recessional are a time for dignity and decorum. The ceremony takes approximately two hours and graduates are not allowed to leave before the ceremony is over.

CEREMONY PARTICULARS
Candidates for graduation are asked to be at Regional Special Events Center, Lower Level Gate A, at 9:00 a.m. to pick up graduation/name cards.

Graduation/Photo Cards - Once the graduation/photo card is received the graduate should proceed to the tables provided to complete the contact information on the photo portion of the graduation/name card. A student will be removed from the line before entering the stage if their card is missing the required contact information.

The name listed on the graduation/photo card is the official name of record for the graduate. If an alternate name (such as a middle name) is to be read, write it legibly under the printed name.

The academic honor and grade point average listed are based on the semester prior to the graduation semester. The announcer will only read the pre-printed information regarding honors and GPAs.

Personal Items - Personal items such as a cell phones, purse, coat, umbrella, books, etc. shall not be carried during the processional. There will not be a place to secure these items. They should be left with one of your members of the audience.

Restrooms - Restrooms are located inside the lobby of lower Gate A. Graduates should use the facilities prior to the start of the ceremony being as exit prior to the end of the formal ceremony is not allowed.

Student Line-Up - Line-up for the processional will be outside Lower Level A. Signs will be posted denoting the line-up areas for the various degrees. There will be no set seating arrangement and the candidates may sit in any order and with anyone they choose, within their degree category (associate, bachelor, master, specialist). If a graduate wishes to be seated beside a friend, line up should be front to back--not side by side.

The processional will enter the lower Gate A entrance to the main arena. The processional will file into the arena in four lines to be seated in two sections.
Line 1
Left Aisle
 Line 2
Middle Aisle
Line 3
Middle Aisle
Line 4
Right Aisle

Each line will go into alternating rows and will be directed by Faculty Marshalls.

Invocation - Remain seated during the invocation. Men will remove caps during the invocation only.

Investiture Ceremony - In 1996, Murray State University implemented a Residential College System, comprised of eight residential colleges: Clark, Elizabeth, Hart, Hester, Regents, Richmond, Springer-Franklin, and White. The purpose was to promote the development of student leadership skills and the responsibility of goverance, all of which was to result in the establishment of traditions, enduring friendships and lasting bonds.

During the Investiture Ceremony, graduates will be invested as lifelong members of their respective residential colleges. Upon prompting, graduates will stand for the investiture.

Diploma Presentation - The Provost will announce, "Mr. President, the faculty presents to you the following candidates for conferring of degrees." The graduates will then be called in the following order: Associate, Bachelor, Master, and Specialist. Faculty Marshals will indicate when each row is to rise. When instructed, please rise together, go across the row where you have been seated and move up the left aisle. Be sure to take the graduation/name card with you and tear the two sides apart to be checked.

Conferral of Degrees - After all diplomas have been received, graduates will be instructed to stand. The president will say, "By virtue of the authority.....I declare you graduates of Murray State University." At this time, undergraduate students will move their tassels from the right side to the left side (in unison). When instructed, be seated.

Recessional - At the playing of the first note of the recessional, all graduates will rise and file out BEHIND THE STAGE PARTY and FACULTY, moving out from the front to the rear. Watch the Faculty Marshals for instructions. At the December ceremony, graduates possibly may not exit the floor depending on the weather. They may be dismissed once the Stage Party and Faculty have exited.
Academic Regalia - Caps, tassels, gowns, residential college stoles, honors cords, and graduate hoods may be purchased at the University Store in the Curris Center. Call (270) 809-4388 for more information. All graduates must be in cap and gown to partipate in the Commencement Ceremony. Overall, we try to emphasize with all graduating students that the robe/stole/cords, etc., need to be worn in a tasteful manner. Marking on the top of graduation hats and the wearing of excessive stoles/cords should be avoided.
Photographs - There will be an official photographer taking your photo while you are shaking the President's hand and another photo will be taken after you walk across the stage and down the ramp before going back to your seat. The photo information must be completed on your card BEFORE you enter the arena floor. All graduates must bring both sections of their card with them as they proceed to the stage to receive their degrees. Complimentary proofs will be mailed to the graduates's home address. Inexpensive, quality enlargements are available for purchase from Graduation Foto, Nashville, TN. www.mygradfoto.com
Graduation DVD
Preserve the memories of Murray State University's Commencement by purchasing your copy of the Graduation DVD.

You may place your order the morning of Commencement by visiting the Graduation Video table in Lobby B. Orders may also be placed in advance by sending in an order form. Click here to order.
Guest with Disabilities
Parking/Drop-Off Zone - Parking lot located off of Gilbert Graves Drive. A handicapped parking tag or special permission will be required to park in this location (contact the Office of Equal Opportunity). Guests will limited mobility may be dropped off at this location.

Seating - The top two rows of chair seats in the arena are reserved for guests with limited mobility. A limited mobility guest may have two additional guests sit with them. Additionally, there are two special seating areas on each side of the arena for special seating. In these areas, two additional guests are also allowed.

Wheelchairs - Entrance B is accessible to guests using wheelchairs. There will be ushers available to assist guests. Each guest in a wheelchair may have two chairs seats located next to them for guests accompanying them. Wheelchairs will not be provided.

For additional information or special requests, contact the Office of Equal Opportunity, (270) 809-3155, or the Regional Special Events Center, (270) 809-5577. TDD - (270) 809-3361.




Parking - Ample general guest parking is available in the Stewart Stadium parking lot, east of the Regional Special Events Center, off of Hwy. 641. Shuttle busses are available to transport guests from the parking lot to the front doors of the RSEC beginning at 8:00 a.m. Busses are also available until 1:30 p.m. to transport guests from the RSEC back to the parking lot.