Undergraduate Students
Contact Info | Senior Recognitions | FAQs
Schedule of Events
| March 21st & 23rd |
Purchase Academic and Order Announcement Regalia | The Bookstore will sell academic regalia (gown, hood, and mortarboard – see descriptions under Frequently Asked Questions). The regalia package will be available for purchase in the Bookstore, Thursday, March 21, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and on Saturday, March 23, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Beginning Monday, March 25, academic regalia may be purchased during the bookstore’s regular hours. The University does not maintain any gowns or hoods for students to borrow for use at Commencement. |
| Announcements |
Herff-Jones will correspond directly with all students about ordering graduation announcements. Dominican does not provide announcements. Before mid-March Herff-Jones will mail an order form for announcements to you. Students decide if you they want to order announcements through Herff-Jones, or through another provider. Students will be able to order/purchase announcements at the Bookstore on Thursday, March 21st (10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.) and Saturday, March 23rd (10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.). To obtain more information about ordering rings and announcements please visit: herffjones.com/college/dominican |
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| Thursday, May 16th 8:00–10:00 a.m. | Undergraduate Rehearsal |
Pick up a card from your school’s table, located outside Angelico Hall. The Alumni Relations Office will provide pastries and beverages at 8:00 a.m. outside Angelico Hall.
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| 5:00–6:30 p.m. | President's Reception |
Graduates and Undergraduates are invited to celebrate the upcoming commencement ceremony with President Marcy. Student awards will be presented at this event. This event will be held at the home of President Marcy. |
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Friday, May 17th 3:00 p.m. |
Mass | The annual Baccalaureate Mass will be held at St. Raphael's Church, 5th & A St., in downtown San Rafael. This service is open to all students of any faith, and is a prayerful celebration of the accomplishments of our graduating seniors. |
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Saturday, May 18th 8:00–8:45 a.m. |
Commencement Day |
Arrive Angelico Hall for Processional. Come fully dressed in academic regalia (gown, hood, and mortarboard) and pick up a card with your name on it at one of four tables, organized by school. Line according to the school in which you are enrolled. There are four schools: The School of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, The School of Business and Leadership, the School of Education and Counseling Psychology, and the School of Health and Natural Sciences. Students do not have to march in alphabetical order, but they do have to march in their school. The procession to Forest Meadows will start at 9:15 a.m. |
| 10:00 a.m. | Commencement Ceremonies |
The program of events will be on your seat. When your school is called to receive your diploma, you will hand your card to the Provost, who will read your name at Commencement. If your name may be difficult to pronounce, please be sure it is written phonetically on your card. The ceremony should last about 2 – 2 1/2 hours. |
| Reception |
A reception of summer drinks and cookies will follow immediately after the ceremony. Enjoy this time to say farewell to friends, faculty and the staff. |
Contact Information
For academic regalia, graduation announcements and memorabilia, please contact the Book Store at 415.485.3213.
For an application to graduate, graduate readiness notification (audit status), collect special honors medallions and department honors cords and diploma be mailing information, please contact the Registrar's Office at 415.458.3750 or registrar@dominican.edu.
For Senior Speaker or Outstanding Student Award information, please contact Student Life at 415.485.3282.
Senior Recognitions
There are a number of traditional senior recognitions that are made during the Commencement ceremony.
Senior Speaker
You may nominate yourself or ONE other to be the student speaker at Commencement. All nominees for senior speaker are invited to prepare a five minute speech which will be delivered to the committee to choose the speaker. The committee is made up of faculty, staff, administrators, and students. All nominees will make their presentation on one afternoon in April. The person who delivers the senior speech must be articulate, engaging, and reflective. The senior speaker is someone who represents the class to all of the guests attending Commencement. Please direct your nominations by Friday, March 29, 2013 to John Kennedy, Vice President for Student Life, at john.kennedy@dominican.edu. You will be sent a confirmation email. Only graduating seniors may nominate a student to be the senior speaker.
The Veritas Cup
This special award goes to a graduating senior who has been a friend of the class or someone who has been especially supportive of the Class of 2013 in a general way. Frequently, the person nominated has worked hard for the class, has been inspirational, or has been a community leader. Seniors should submit nominations for the award (one nomination per senior) to John Kennedy by Friday, April 26, 2013, john.kennedy@dominican.edu. Graduating seniors will vote via a zoomerang survey for the nominee of their choice after the list of nominees is announced in late April. The award will be made at President's Reception on May 16.
The Outstanding Student Award
Each year at Commencement a graduating senior receives the Outstanding Student Award. Graduating seniors and faculty may nominate a graduating senior for this award. Faculty should not be asked to nominate a student. Nominations must include the reasons why you believe your one nominee deserves the award. Letters that do not include detailed reasons will not be forwarded to the selection committee.
Students must receive at least two nominations to be considered for the award. One of those letters must be from a faculty member. Again, students should not ask a faculty member to nominate a particular student. Faculty do an excellent job of coming up with their own nominations.
To be eligible for the Outstanding Student Award, the graduating senior must have applied for graduation and be eligible to participate in the May 2013 ceremony, have a minimum grade point average of 3.4 at the end of fall term, 2012, and be likely to complete all degree requirements on time. The Registrar’s Office must confirm that a student is likely to graduate. An email listing all of the eligible students will be sent to graduating students and will be posted on the bulletin board across from Guzman 100. If you believe that your name should be on that list and isn’t, you should contact the Registrar’s Office in Bertrand Hall.
In addition to the GPA requirement, a nominee must excel in three areas: leadership, service, and creativity. As a leader, the student must be someone who has improved campus/community life through the motivation of and inspiration of others. The selection committee will be interested in hearing how the nominee thinks of himself or herself as a leader. The Outstanding Student must be known for service. Has this student helped to promote campus morale? The student selected will probably be “generous of self” as evidenced, perhaps, in outreach or volunteer activities. How has this student served others? The outstanding student also must be someone who is creative, as evidenced in the expression of ideas in activities such as drama, music, art, writing, or in the response to the demands and issues of daily life in a “creative” manner.
Remember to list the reasons why the person you are nominating deserves the award. Nominations for each award should be emailed separately.
Please submit your nominations to John Kennedy, john.kennedy@dominican.edu by Friday, March 29, 2013.
Honor Medallions
Students graduating cum laude, magna cum laude, or summa cum laude may pick up their honors medallions on the day of the Honors Ceremony. Information about that special event is coming soon. After that time, medallions may be picked up in the Registrar’s Office during regular business hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does commencement take place?
Is handicapped parking available?
How long does the commencement ceremony last?
Do my guests need tickets for commencement?
When should I reserve hotel rooms?
How do I order graduation announcements?
What if a guest needs a signer?
Do I have to attend graduation?
When will I receive my official diploma?
Where does commencement take place?
This year, for the first time, Commencement will be held inside a tent which will be set up on a field near the Conlan Recreation Center. We will process to this tent from the main part of campus for the Commencement ceremony.The event will not be held in the amphitheater this year. The reception will be held outside the tent after the ceremony. Remind your guests to wear comfortable shoes, sunscreen, hats, and water.
Encourage your guests to carpool. Parking in the area will be very difficult on the morning of Commencement. Tell your guests that they will have their cars towed if they park on Palm Avenue or Olive Avenue. The fine for being towed from campus is $380. Guests may park Parking on Acacia Avenue and on the campus core will be restricted to trustees and honorary guests, including the speaker invited by the President. Students graduating should park their cars near the Library, Edgehill Village, the lot in front of Pennafort Residence Hall, and the lot behind Fanjeaux Residence Hall.
Is handicapped parking available?
There are few handicapped spaces available, and the cars parking in them must display the blue placard for handicapped parking. The San Rafael Police Department will strictly enforce parking regulations, including the monitoring of handicapped parking spaces. If you have a guest who is handicapped, it might be best to have someone drop that guest off near Conlan Recreation Center. Also, if the person has trouble walking, considere a wheelchair for this occasion. Some special seating for handicapped persons on a first come basis will be available.
How long does the commencement ceremony last?
The commencement ceremony begins at 10AM and should end between noon and 12:30 p.m.
Do my guests need tickets for commencement?
For the first time in over 30 years, the answer to that question is “No.” Rain or shine, the event will be held under the tent. However, do please limit the number of guests you invite.
A regalia 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 who were preparing to be clergy. As colleges and universities added programs of study, each degree was designated by a distinct color. That tradition continues.
| Color of Hoods | |
|---|---|
|
School of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Exceptions: Fine Arts (including Dance) |
White trim on the hood Brown trim on the hood |
|
School of Health and Natural Sciences Nursing Science, Occupational Therapy |
Apricot trim on the hood Gold trim on the hood |
| School of Business and Leadership |
Drab trim on the hood |
|
School of Education and Counseling Psychology Education degrees |
Light blue trim on the hood |
When should I reserve hotel rooms?
Please book rooms at local hotels immediately. There is another major event taking place in the area the same day as Commencement. Mention that your guests are coming to the Dominican graduation as the hotel may extend a discount.
Paramedics and staff from the University Health Center will be available on the morning of Commencement. They will be stationed at the tent where the ceremony will take place. Guests who lack the stamina to sit through a 2 - 2 1/2 hour ceremony in the heat should be advised to consider their health status before attending the graduation ceremony.
How do I order graduation announcements?
Herff-Jones, the company that sells graduation announcements, class rings, and graduation memorabilia, will correspond directly with all students about ordering graduation announcements. Dominican does not provide a free announcement. During March, that company will mail announcement order forms to students. Students decide if they want to order announcements through Herff-Jones, or print announcements personally or use a commercial printer. For more information about Herff-Jones, visit: herffjones.com/colleges/dominican. (this site will be up and running by early March). You may also order announcements directly from the Herff-Jones representative in the Dominican Book Store on March 21 and 23.
What if a guest needs a signer?
Because of high demand around graduation time, the agency that sends signers to us has requested we ask if a signer will be needed. Please contact John Kennedy john.kennedy@dominican.edu by April 26 if a signer is needed.
Do I have to attend graduation?
There is no requirement to attend the Commencement ceremony. Of course, we would like you there but there is no mandate to participate in the ceremony if you choose not to do so.
When will I receive my official diploma?
Official diplomas 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.
Additional information will be sent to your Dominican email account. Please check there and online regularly.
