Frequently Asked Questions

Graduation for Undergraduates, those receieving a Bachelor's Degree, will be held on Saturday, Mary 17, 2008 at 10:30am in the Forest Meadows Amphitheater on the Campus of Dominican University of California.

Tickets for Admission to Commencement in case of Rain

All graduating seniors receive six tickets for seating at Commencement. Tickets are needed only in case of inclement weather. No senior will receive more than six tickets for any reason and no waiting list for additional tickets is kept. You will be able to pick up your six tickets beginning on March 1 at the Commencement Fair. Starting on March 3, tickets will be available in the Admissions Office in Bertrand Hall. You must present your student ID card to receive your tickets. They will be available right up until May 16. They also will be available on the Commencement morning if it looks like Commencement will be held indoors. We ask all seniors to limit the total number of guests to six even if Commencement is held outdoors.

Where does Commencement take place?

Commencement is scheduled for Forest Meadows Amphitheater, across Grand Avenue from main campus. It is located beyond the Conlan Recreation Center. PLEASE GO LOOK AT THE SITE NOW. Forest Meadows is rustic. It is outdoors. Guests will need comfortable shoes for walking over gravel to the entrance to the amphitheater. Remind them to bring sunscreen, hats, and cushions for seating, and water. Gates open for seating at 8:00AM. It will be difficult to find a seat by ten o’clock.

How long does the Commemencement Ceremony Last?

The program starts around 10:30AM. In each of the past three years it started at 10:20AM. It should end before 12:30PM. Following the ceremony there will be a reception on the lawns outside the Forest Meadows Amphitheater. Punch and similar beverages and cookies/scones/similar will be served. Because the ceremony usually lasts about two hours, it is difficult for some people, especially those with medical issues, to sit in the sun and heat for that long. Be kind to your guests and inform them of the length of the program. During the 2006 graduation ceremony four persons passed out and required medical attention

Must you attend every Graduation Activity?

No. Attendance is not required at any event. You choose the events you wish to attend.

What is the Graduation Fee?

The graduation fee, which has not changed in ten years, is seventy-five dollars ($75). The charge for Commencement will appear on your student account statement later this semester or early in the spring term. ALL BALANCES MUST BE PAID NO LATER THAN MAY 9, 2008 or you will not be allowed to participate in Commencement. There also is a fifty dollar ($50) late fee charged to students who apply for graduation after the November 2007 deadline.

Reserve Hotel Accommodations Now

There are many events in the area occurring on Commencement weekend, so book rooms for your guests now. No, it is not too early to do so. Family and friends will not be happy (and that’s an understatement) if they cannot sleep in the area the night before your graduation. Several local hotels in the past have given discounts to guests of graduating Dominican students on Commencement weekend. Be sure to ask about a discount when you book a room. Hotels that offer discounts may include the Acqua Hotel in Mill Valley and Four Points by Sheraton in Terra Linda. But ask any hotel you call if they will give a discount to families of Dominican graduates. 

Where/When do I Purchase my Gown, Hood, and Mortarboard?

The Bookstore will sell academic regalia. The gown, hood, and mortarboard will be available for purchase beginning on March 1 at the Commencement Fair. They will be available for purchase in the Bookstore beginning Monday, March 3. The cost for regalia is expected to be close to sixty dollars.

What is a Hood?

A hood is the garment that goes over your shoulders. It is black and has a colorful trim. The color of the trim signifies the degree (not necessarily the major) you are receiving. The colorful hood originated in twelfth century Europe. At that time a hood and cape were the daily dress for students, most of whom were preparing to be clergy. As colleges and universities added programs of study, each degree was designated by a distinct color. That tradition continues.

You wil be Hooded during the Commencement Ceremony

During the Commencement ceremony, just before you receive your diploma cover from the President of Dominican University, you will be hooded by the Provost or Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs. You will be carrying your hood when you walk forward when your name is called. You will hand the hood to either of those people and he/she will place it over your head. Some of you may have to remove your mortarboard to be hooded. The hood is the garment with the colorful trim described in the preceding paragraph.

What time must I be Present for Commecement?

Be no later than 9:15am. Pick up a card with your name on it at one of three tables near Angelico Hall and then line up in front of, along the side of, or across the street from Angelico Hall. Students will line up according to the SCHOOL in which they are enrolled. There are three schools: Arts and Sciences, Business and Leadership, and Education. Students do not have to march in alphabetical order, but they do have to march with students in their school. The procession to Forest Meadows will start around 9:30am. You will hand the card you receive to the dean of your school who will read your name at Commencement. If you have a name that you suspect the dean may have trouble pronouncing, please speak during the previous week to the dean and tell him/her how to pronounce it. Please print it phonetically on the card before you hand the card to the dean.

Where should we mail your Diploma?

At Commencement students will receive a diploma cover. The actual diploma will be mailed by late September. Make sure that the Office of the Registrar has the correct address to where you want your diploma mailed.

Is there a rehearsal for Commencement?

Yes. It’s at 8:30am on Thursday, May 15. Pick up a card from your school’s table, located outside Angelico Hall. The Alumni Relations Office will provide pastries and beverages on that morning before you start to process. (Please remember to thank the staff from that office.)

Commencement Mass

The Commencement Mass will be held on Friday, May 16, at 3:00PM in St. Raphael’s Church in downtown San Rafael. Details about time and location will be available online at the Dominican webpage. All families and friends, Catholic and non-Catholic, graduate and undergraduate students, are invited to and encouraged to attend the Mass.

Commencement Video

Students will be able to purchase a video of the entire Commencement program. Information will be sent to each student’s email account.

Will Parking be Difficult on Commencement Day?

YES. Available spaces will fill up early. Parking on the central core of campus around the classroom buildings will be restricted to trustees and honored guests. Plan on carpooling. DO NOT PARK on Palm or Olive Avenues. Cars parked there will be towed. Please tell your guests not to park there. The towing cost and the cost to recover your vehicle is, at the time of this letter, $320. The limited handicapped spaces at Conlan Recreation Center will be reserved for cars with special blue handicapped placards. Please walk from the Conlan Center lot to the Amphitheater to determine if your guests will be able to navigate that distance. You may find it necessary to rent a wheelchair.

Medicial Emergencies

At Commencement 2006 there were four medical emergencies. The nurse practitioner from the Campus Health Center or paramedics responded to each of them. We will have the paramedics and the Director of the Health Center available again this year. Guests who lack the stamina to sit through a graduation program that might last for two hours should be advised to consider their health status before committing to attend graduation.

Ordering Graduation Announcements

Herff-Jones, the company that sells graduation announcements, class rings, and graduation memorabilia, will have a representative at the Commencement Fair on Saturday, March 1. That company will correspond directly with all students about ordering graduation announcements. Dominican has nothing to do with announcements and does not provide announcements. Before mid-March that company will mail an order form for announcements to you. You decide if you want to order announcements through Herff-Jones, or if you want to print your own, or if you want to use the services of a commercial printer.

Senior Recognitions

I am sending an email to you about senior recognitions at Commencement. In essence, you will have the opportunity to nominate yourself or someone to be Senior Speaker at the graduation ceremony. Other special recognitions include the Outstanding Student Award and the Veritas Cup Award, which goes to someone who has been a friend to the class. Information about those recognitions is being sent in a separate email.

Career Services Events

The Office of Career Services and Internships will offer two events of interest to graduating seniors. Contact the Office of Career Services about these events:

• Winning Strategies for Launching Your Career is offered on Friday, February 22, 9:30AM-2:45PM in the Creekside Room. Lunch is included. Contact Career Services for information about this event.
• Is Graduate School for You? will be held on Tuesday, March 4, 5:00-6:30PM, in the Creekside Room.

Honors Recognition Program on April 25

Students who will graduate with the academic distinctions cum laude, magna cum laude, and summa cum laude will be awarded medals. Medals will be distributed at the Honors recognition program on Friday, April 25 and will be available at the Registrar’s Office after that date. Medals are usually worn with the academic regalia at Commencement.

I know someone who is Graduating but did not receive this letter

Tell that person to contact the Registrar’s Office and to ask for Simona. That office provides all other offices on campus with information about who is graduating. If someone did not receive this letter it may be because that person did not apply last October for graduation, or they may have had an address change without notifying Dominican about that. 

That’s the information you need to know right now about Commencement. Remember to check your Dominican email account for future updates and other information.

Sincerely,

John Kennedy
Vice President for Student Life