Spring 2009 Convocation Ceremony

Spring 2009 Convocation Ceremony
For Graduating Undergraduates and Graduate Students
College of Health and Human Services

Congratulations to all of our bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral graduates in January, May and August.  As you all know, convocation and graduation are fast approaching.  This letter will provide details for the upcoming convocation.  Please read it and save it for future reference.

Convocation Information
When: Thursday, May 14, 2009, 10:00 a.m.
Where: Patriot Center, George Mason University, Fairfax Campus
Time:  Be at the Patriot Center NO LATER THAN 9:15 a.m. to allow time for the approximately 300 graduates to dress in cap and gown, to get assembled in alphabetical order and to go over final instructions.
Reception: The reception will be held immediately following the Convocation Ceremony on the East side of the Concourse of the Patriot Center. 
Attire: Green cap and gown.  Master’s and Doctoral graduates bring your hoods.  Wear proper attire under your cap and gown.  No Sneakers, jeans, sweatpants, shorts or sandals please!
Notes:

There will be a Commencement Fair to purchase your cap and gown, rings, nursing pins, and also to obtain commencement tickets.   The Commencement Fair will take place in the Johnson Center, Dewberry Hall on the Fairfax campus: Tuesday – Thursday, February 24, 25 and 26, 2009, from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

After the Commencement Fair, caps and gowns only may be purchased at the Mason Bookstore, lower level, at the text book ordering office.    
                                   
Convocation announcements are available for pick-up at the reception in the College of Nursing and Health Science, Office of Student Affairs, Robinson Hall, Room B-402.  Announcements are free and each student is allotted ten.

Pins:

Nursing students may order Nursing pins by contacting the Herf Jones Company by telephone (703-368-9550). 

Guests: 

An unlimited number of guests are allowed at the Convocation ceremony for the College of Health and Human Services.  However, for Commencement (Saturday, May 16, 2009) you will need tickets to enter the Patriot Center.

Handicapped Seating is available for guests near the portal entrances.  Please ask any Patriot Center usher at the Portal entrances when you arrive to escort you to handicapped seating. 

Special Accommodations:  Please contact Pat Tope (ptope@gmu.edu or 703-993- 1914) if you or a guest will need special accommodation or assistance during the ceremony

Instructions: 

  1. Please be sure your guests park in Lot A at the Patriot Center and enter the building through the South entrance of the Patriot Center.  Handicap parking spaces are available.
  1. Bachelor’s and Master’s Students
    Bachelor’s and master’s students first pick up “reader” cards at tables near the service entrance loading dock entrance (the large “elephant doors,”) located on the East side (lower level) of the Patriot Center. 

    Once students have picked up their reader cards, they should line up in alphabetical order behind the sign for their degree program in parking lot A.  There will be staff to guide you.

    PhD Students
    After picking up reader cards, PhD students will meet in the Hospitality Room of the Patriot Center, located on the lower level.  This is the former entrance to the Patriot Center box office.  The entrance faces the Johnson Center.  Once PhD students have checked-in and robed, they will line up in parking lot A with other PhD students. 

    Inclement Weather
    In the case of inclement weather, please pick up your reader cards near the service entrance of the Patriot Center, and students will be instructed to line up inside the Patriot Center in the hallway. PhD students will still meet in the Hospitality Room prior to lining up in the Patriot Center hallway.

  1. Do not bring valuables with you to the ceremony.  If for some reason you must bring valuables, please leave them with your family or friends prior to the beginning of the ceremony.  The university cannot be responsible for lost or stolen items. 
  1. Please be prompt and plan to stay for the entire ceremony so that we may all enjoy the Convocation. 
  1. For further questions and information please contact: |

    Pat Tope, Office Manager
    Office of Student Affairs
    Robinson Hall, Room 402
    ptope@gmu.edu
    703-993-1914