Please read these instructions carefully, and save them for reference.
For spring 2008 potential graduates only: Receipt of this document does not signify that you have fulfilled your entire academic requirements for graduation.
Commencement at BMCC is free for the graduates. All expenses are paid from the Student Activity Fees.
The Commencement Ceremony usually lasts three and a half hours. Please be courteous and patient with your fellow graduates and with your guests. In order to assist you in planning for the day, please read this letter.
CAPS AND GOWNS
All graduates participating in the 43rd Commencement Ceremony must march in cap and gown. There is no cost affiliated with your cap and gown. Distribution of caps and gowns will take place in S206 on the dates and times indicated below.
Monday May 19 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Tuesday May 20 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Wednesday May 21 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Thursday May 22 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Friday May 23 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Tuesday May 27 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Wednesday May 28 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Please bring your BMCC ID and these instructions when you pick up your cap and gown. Upon receipt of your cap and gown you will be given a name card. Please save this name card and bring it with you to Commencement.
2008 YEARBOOK
The 2008 Yearbook will be available when you pick up your cap and gown. However, only those students whose portraits appear in the book may pick up a copy during the distribution. All other graduates may pick up any remaining copies on the day of graduation.
TICKETS
The Commencement Ceremony is for Summer 2007, Fall 2007, Winter 2008 and Spring 2008 graduates. There are over 2,200 graduates and potential graduates in the class of 2008.
As a graduate, you do not need a ticket for the Commencement Ceremony. Your cap and gown will serve as your entry ticket. However, each of your guests, including each child and adult, must have a ticket.
Each graduate will receive two (2) tickets for their guests.
Please note: If you want additional tickets, network with your fellow graduates to see if they have tickets that they are not using. Sale of tickets will result in disciplinary action. The earliest that we will know if there are extra tickets will be MAY 29th.
Pick up your tickets from the Tribeca Performing Arts Center Box Office located in the main lobby on the following dates:
Tuesday May 13 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Wednesday May 14 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Thursday May 15 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Friday May 16 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday May 17 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Tuesday May 20 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Wednesday May 21 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Thursday May 22 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Friday May 23 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday May 24 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Tuesday May 27 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Wednesday May 28 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
If you have a disability, notify Mr. Marcos Gonzalez, Director of Office of Students with Disabilities by calling (212) 220-8182 at least one week in advance of Commencement so he can make appropriate arrangements. Graduates with disabilities should enter at 8 Penn Plaza on 33rd Street between 7th and 8th Avenues (closer to 8th Avenue) where Production Assistants will escort you to the arena.
MOBILE PHONE AND PERSONAL BELONGINGS
All cell phones and pagers must be turned off before entering the Theater and remain turned off during the ceremony.
There is no coat check, so please bring very little with you. If you bring coats or any other belongings, you need to give them to one of your guests to hold.
DIPLOMAS
At Commencement, you will receive a letter of congratulations from the president in a diploma cover. It does not contain your actual diploma. The Registrar's Office will send you a letter when your diploma is ready for pick up.
GUEST SEATING
The doors open to guests at 10:45 A.M. All guest seats are unreserved. Guests may sit in any section of the Theater on a first come, first served basis. They should remain in their seats throughout the ceremony. Please let your guests know that the Madison Square Garden security screening measures require them to bring a photo ID and pass through metal detectors.
CHILDREN
Children need a ticket and must be supervised by a responsible adult. The commencement ceremony is at least three hours long, we strongly recommend that you do not bring infants, toddlers, and small children. They may become bored, restless, and noisy. Due to the length of the ceremony, please eat before arriving at Madison Square Garden.
GUESTS WITH DISABILITIES
If one of your guests is using a wheelchair or needs a sign language interpreter, notify Mr. Marcos Gonzalez, Director of Office of Students with Disabilities by calling (212) 220-8182 ahead of time. Students picking up tickets for guests with disabilities should also notify the box office. Guests in wheelchairs should arrive one hour before the event and enter at 32nd Street and 7th Avenue. There are two lifts in the center that will transport these guests to the Mall Level. From there, the guest can take the elevator to the third floor. Please escort your disabled guest to Row Z in Section 203.
COMMENCEMENT PROCEDURES FOR GRADUATES
Note: There is no dress rehearsal, so please read this section carefully.
1. Report to the WaMu Theater at Madison Square Garden promptly at 10:30 A.M. (allow adequate travel time).
2. Due to security checks, you must go through screening with the following: cap, gown, BMCC ID, these instructions, and the name card you received when you picked up your cap and gown.
3. Upon arrival, proceed to the main entrance where Production Assistants will direct you to your staging area according to your major for the processional line-up by 11:00 A.M.
4. The processional begins at 11:30 A.M.
5. Graduates will march into the Theater and sit in their departmental areas led by Faculty Marshals.
6. The program begins (music, prayer, greetings, speeches, etc).
7. When your academic major is called, stand and proceed to the stage.
8. Give your name card to the appropriate Vice President or Dean on stage, so your name can be called.
9. Dr. Antonio Pérez, BMCC President, will present you with a diploma cover.
10. Shake hands with Dr. Pérez.
11. Go off stage and take your picture.
12. Return to your seat.
13. Please be courteous to your fellow graduates and guests.
14. Refrain from leaving your seat during the ceremony.
The most solemn moment of Commencement is the conferral of degrees. This takes place after all the graduates have received their diploma covers and have returned to their seats. This occurs when the college president exercises the authority to grant your associates degree. Guests in the audience should remain quiet.
15. After the closing remarks, the Platform Party will leave the Theater.
16. You leave the Theater with your fellow graduates after the Platform Party leaves.
17. Guests must remain in their seats until all of the graduates have marched out.
Congratulations and Best Wishes on this joyous day!