COMMENCEMENT GUIDE for graduates and guests WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2016
CONTENTS 3 Important Dates 4 Preparing for Commencement Eligibility to Participate Graduation Fair Caps and Gowns Commencement Tickets IMPORTANT Student Speakers Graduation Announcements Career Services Graduation Census Legacy Alumni Network web american.edu/commencement facebook facebook.com/aufallcommencement twitter #2016AUgrad email commencement@american.edu 6 7 Fall Commencement Toast to Graduates Commencement Ceremony School and College Receptions Things to Know Commencement Day Photography Video Accommodations for Persons with Disabilities Getting to AU Parking IMPORTANT 9 Campus Map 10 For More Information
IMPORTANT DATES March September 29 October 10 Mid-October October 31 November 1 November 7 December 19 20 Students finishing in fall 2016 may submit graduation applications at myau.american.edu Career Center Job and Internship Fair Deadline to submit doctoral regalia orders to Registrar s Office Eligible students may submit cap and gown orders via myau.american.edu Deadline to submit graduation application via myau.american.edu Graduation Fair (noon 6 p.m.; Mary Graydon Center, rooms 2 and 3) Deadline to submit cap and gown orders Regalia, tickets, and parking passes distributed in Bridge Lounge December 21 1 p.m. Fall Commencement 5 p.m. Rental regalia due to Campus Store 2 3
PREPARING FOR COMMENCEMENT Eligibility to Participate Students who received degrees in August and eligible December degree candidates are invited to participate in the 2016 Fall Commencement on December 21. The graduation application for students completing their degree requirements in December (available at myau.american.edu) is due by October 31. Late applications may result in omission of the student s name from the commencement program and other printed materials and will delay rental of commencement regalia. The graduation application triggers a review of the student s records by the academic advisor to determine whether degree requirements can be completed at the end of the specified term. All qualified students are eligible to participate in commencement. Students who will not have completed degree requirements must reapply for graduation and participate in a later commencement. The university strictly enforces the policy for participation in commencement. Students are responsible for maintaining an appropriate course load and completing degree requirements in time to be eligible for their targeted graduation. A degree is awarded only after a student has satisfied all degree requirements; the degree is subject to final certification by the university registrar. Diplomas are mailed within five weeks after certification of degree requirements. Graduation Fair AU s Campus Store will host the Graduation Fair on Tuesday, November 1 (noon 6 p.m.; University Club, Mary Graydon Center, first floor). Get information about commencement, speak with a Herff Jones representative about announcements and class rings, and have measurements taken for regalia. 4
Caps and Gowns Students participating in commencement wear academic regalia in AU s distinctive red, white, and blue colors. Each student rents a cap and gown (and hood, if receiving a graduate degree) appropriate for their degree. Rental of regalia serves as registration for commencement. Students must complete a rental form, available in mid-october at myau.american.edu. Regalia must be rented no later than Monday, November 7; exact fit cannot be guaranteed for late orders. Caps and gowns will be distributed in the Bridge Lounge (former lower level of Campus Store) 9 a.m. 7 p.m. Monday, December 19, and Tuesday, December 20. All regalia must be returned to the Bridge Lounge by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, December 21. Doctoral students may purchase, rather than rent, regalia. Orders are due Monday, October 10. For more information, contact the Registrar s Office (degree clearance team) at record_services@american.edu or call 202-885-2252. Commencement Tickets Seating in Bender Arena is limited; tickets are required for admittance to the Fall Commencement ceremony on Wednesday, December 21. An allotment of six tickets will be distributed to students who have rented regalia and registered to participate in the ceremony (participating graduates do not need a ticket). Students must pick up tickets in person; a student ID is required. Lost tickets will not be replaced. Tickets will be distributed in the Bridge Lounge (formerly the lower level of the Campus Store) on Monday, December 19, and Tuesday, December 20, between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. Guests who do not have tickets can view the ceremony remotely in the Ward Circle Building, Rooms 1 and 2. It will also be livestreamed at american.edu/commencement. For information about commencement parking passes, see page 8. Student Speakers AU will select one undergraduate and one graduate student to speak at fall commencement. Candidates must be eligible for their degree in August or December 2016. They should have strong academic records, contributed to the university community, and be articulate communicators. If interested, contact Andrew Toczydlowski at andrew@american.edu. Application deadline is Monday, October 17. Graduation Announcements Students can order personalized announcements beginning in late October at herffjones.com/graduation. Career Services The Career Center, Kogod Center for Career Development, and SIS Office of Career Development offer support for students preparing to graduate. Students can meet with career advisors regarding job search strategies, graduate school applications, or merit-based scholarships; connect with employers and alumni at recruiting and networking events; and browse job opportunities in AU CareerWeb or Kogod CareerSource. Alumni enjoy the privilege of lifelong access to AU s career services. Graduation Census This annual census surveys students experiences at AU and postgraduation plans. It provides a basis for improving support and services to students and alumni and generates information useful to prospective students and recruiters. To see previous outcomes and statistics, visit american.edu/weknowsuccess. Please complete the census when you order your cap and gown. Students who are not participating in commencement will receive an email about the survey in early December. Legacy Alumni Network (LAN) The LAN recognizes AU alumni and students who are the children, grandchildren, parents, or grandparents of an alumnus or alumna. For information, visit alumniassociation.american.edu/legacy. 5
FALL COMMENCEMENT Tuesday, December 20 Fall Toast to Graduates 8 10 p.m., Rotunda, Katzen Arts Center The American University Alumni Association invites August and December 2016 graduates and their families and friends to this annual event featuring a dessert buffet, coffee, champagne toast, and cash bar. Invitations and ticket information will be mailed in early November. 6 Wednesday, December 21 Commencement Ceremony 1 p.m., Bender Arena American University s 132nd commencement ceremony will feature the commencement address, remarks by President Neil Kerwin, and the conferral of undergraduate and graduate degrees from AU s five main schools. School and College Receptions Immediately following the ceremony, each school and college will host a reception for graduates and guests in the following locations: COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES Katzen Arts Center KOGOD SCHOOL OF BUSINESS Kogod School of Business Building SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATION McKinley Building SCHOOL OF INTERNATIONAL SERVICE School of International Service Building SCHOOL OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS Ward Circle Building 6
THINGS TO KNOW Commencement Day Doors to Bender Arena will open for guests approximately 45 minutes prior to the ceremony. Students should arrive at Bender Arena 45 minutes before start of the ceremony. There is no rehearsal for commencement; students will receive line-up instructions via email in early December and during cap and distribution in the Bridge Lounge (former lower level of Campus Store) on December 19 and 20. Participants must wear the proper AU academic regalia (see Caps and Gowns). For family and friends unable to attend, the ceremony will be streamed live at american.edu/commencement. The student processional will begin approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony; entry to the arena will not be permitted during the processional. Large bags (e.g., backpacks, briefcases, duffel bags) will not be permitted inside Bender Arena. University photographers and videographers will document the ceremony for possible use on the AU website and in the press, AU marketing materials, and other university publications. The ceremony will run approximately two hours. The university requests that guests refrain from using any type of noisemakers during the ceremony. Students should determine in advance where to meet guests after the ceremony. Alcoholic beverages are not permitted at the commencement ceremony; this policy is strictly enforced. American University is committed to the promotion of a healthy and safe learning, living, and working environment. We are proud to be a tobacco- and smoke-free campus. 7 7
Photography A commercial photographer from GradImages will photograph each student approaching the stage and shaking hands with President Neil Kerwin. Following commencement, GradImages will send proofs and ordering information to students. Photographs taken by university photographers will appear on the commencement website several weeks after the ceremony. Please note that parents and guests are not permitted on or near the stage to take photographs during the ceremony. Video If you miss commencement on December 21, you can view the archived video online at american.edu/commencement. A link will be available on the website after the ceremony. Accommodations for Persons with Disabilities The commencement ceremony is fully accessible to guests with disabilities. Guests with valid state-issued handicapped permits or plates will be permitted to park adjacent to the Asbury and Osborn buildings (see campus map). Parking spaces are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis; plan to arrive at least 45 minutes prior to the ceremony to secure a spot. Guests with disabilities can be dropped off at the accessible entrance on the south side of Bender Arena, across from the Asbury building, for ground-level access to the commencement venue and seating. Accessible seating is not reserved; it is recommended that you arrive early. Sign language interpreters and closed captioning will be provided. For more information, contact the Academic Support and Access Center at 202-885-3360 or asac@american.edu. Getting to AU Parking on campus will be limited on commencement day. We strongly encourage our guests to use public transportation, if possible. (Take the Red Line to Tenleytown-AU Metro station.) The university will provide complimentary shuttle service to and from the Metro station. Shuttle buses will run every 10 minutes from Nebraska Avenue and south-side shuttle stops (see campus map); afternoon service to and from the north-side shuttle stop will be suspended and the tunnel closed to vehicular traffic on Wednesday, December 21. Taxi and ride-share pick-up and drop-off is located between the McKinley Building and Letts Hall. Parking Regular AU parking permits are not valid on commencement day. Each graduate will be issued one complimentary commencement parking pass during cap and gown distribution in the Bridge Lounge on December 19 and 20; the pass is valid 11 a.m. 4 p.m. in the Katzen Arts Center garage. Parking for university events is prohibited on neighborhood streets in accordance with Washington, DC, regulations and AU s Good Neighbor Policy. 8
CAMPUS MAP P P AU shuttle stop for Tenleytown Metro (Red Line) Kogod shuttle stop closed Accessible entrance Accessible parking with plate or placard (limited spaces available) Route to accessible parking and entrance Visitor parking with commencement pass (Katzen Arts Center garage) AU permit-only parking (Sports Center and SIS garages) Taxi and ride-sharing service Bender Arena tunnel; closed to traffic 9
FOR MORE INFORMATION Academic Support and Access Center 202-885-3360 Alumni Relations 202-885-5900 AU Central 202-885-2200 Campus Store 202-885-6322 Career Center 202-885-1804 College of Arts and Sciences 202-885-2439 Kogod School of Business 202-885-1982 Parking and Traffic 202-885-3111 School of Communication 202-885-2019 School of International Service 202-885-1600 School of Public Affairs 202-885-2940 Special Events 202-885-2430 For updates, please visit american.edu/commencement. For information regarding the accreditation and state licensing of American University, please visit american.edu/academics. UP17-129 10