College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Education Commencement Information
When and Where
Commencement will take place on Saturday, May 18, 2013 at 3 pm in the O’Keefe Sports Center, 225 Canal Street, Salem. For directions, visit salemstate.edu/maps.
Who Can Participate?
Students who have completed all degree requirements during the summer 2012, fall 2012 and those completing their requirements by May 2013 will be eligible to participate in commencement. In addition, students who will complete their requirements during the summer 2013 term may participate if they meet specific guidelines. For complete information, visit salemstate.edu/registrar and click on "Graduation Information."
Ticket Information
Each graduating student will receive up to four general admission tickets to his/her assigned ceremony. A photo ID is required to pick up tickets. Students who are not able to pick up their tickets may send a proxy in their place. The proxy must bring the graduating student’s ID and a note authorizing the proxy to pick up tickets on the student’s behalf.
Please note tickets are non-replaceable if lost or stolen. Tickets may not be copied, duplicated or altered in any manner. In addition, the sale of commencement tickets is prohibited.
Day Division Seniors: Tickets will be available beginning Tuesday, April 9 through Wednesday, April 10 at Salem State’s Grad Finale (click for details).
Beginning April 11 through April 26 tickets can be picked up in the Ellison Campus Center, room 218, between 9 am and 4 pm, excluding weekends and holidays.
Continuing Education Seniors: Tickets will be available beginning Tuesday, April 9 through Wednesday, April 10 at Salem State’s Grad Finale (click for details).
Beginning April 11 through April 26, tickets will be available at the registrar’s office. Ticket pickup hours will be during normal business hours, Monday – Thursday from 8:30 am until 5:30 pm, Fridays 9:30 am until 5 pm.
Additional Tickets
Due to the number of graduating students and with construction occurring at the O’Keefe Sports Center, extra tickets will not be available.
Satellite Viewing
On commencement day, a non-ticketed satellite viewing location will be available in Veterans Hall, Ellison Campus Center, North Campus. The ceremony will also be available via webcast.
Event Admission Policy
All family members and guests must have a valid bar-coded ticket to be admitted to the O’Keefe Sports Center, including children and guests with disability seating requests. There will be no exceptions. The arena will open at 2 pm.
Any guest who arrives once the ceremony is in progress will have restricted seating options and may be directed to the upper level of the arena.
NOTE: To exit the arena, all guests must ask for a hand stamp. Guests must show the hand stamp as well as their ticket stub for reentry. NO EXCEPTIONS WILL BE MADE.Caps and Gowns
Caps and gowns will be available for purchase at the Grad Finale on April 9 and 10, 2013. Beginning April 11, caps and gowns will be available for purchase at the bookstore. Package pricing is $36 for an undergraduate unit (cap, gown and tassel). Please email salem@bkstr.com for additional information.
Graduates or Guests with Disabilities
Individuals needing special accommodations should contact disability services at 978.542.6217 (TTY: 978.542.7146) (video phone: 866.881.7097) or stop by Meier Hall, room 102, no later than Monday, May 6, 2013.
Parking/Shuttles
Degree candidate and guest parking will be available in lots “B” and “C” at North Campus, South Campus, Central Campus, and the O’Keefe Sports Center. Shuttle service will be available to provide transportation to the O’Keefe Sports Center from all parking locations. Shuttle busses will run continuously from the Peabody Hall Lot and Central Campus to the O'Keefe Sports Center and will run intermittently from South Campus to the O'Keefe Sports Center.
Assembly of Candidates
Candidates should arrive at the O’Keefe Sports Center promptly at 1:30 pm. Late arrivals may not be admitted to commencement activities. If candidates need to leave the arena after checking in, they must show the index card (see below for more card information) and a hand stamp for reentry. Check-in will take place at the bottom of the outside ramp of the O’Keefe Sports Center. Commencement staff will assist the candidates with lining up in the Twohig Gymnasium and will guide them to the seating area on the rink floor.
There is no secure storage for personal belongings at the O’Keefe Sports Center, so please plan accordingly.
Important
At check-in candidates will receive a colored 3 x 5” index card with a number. Keep this card with you at all times. The card will be presented on stage just prior to the announcement of your degree. It is also important that once candidates are placed in order in the gym by commencement staff, the candidates remain in that position. Because degrees are arranged in the order of the student lines, and each graduating student will receive an actual diploma, failure to maintain the correct place in line or to present the card on stage will result in the candidate not receiving his or her own diploma.
Decorum
We ask for your cooperation before, during and after the ceremony in helping us to present a program to your family and friends of which we can all be proud. Please remain in your seats until all graduates have received their diplomas and the ceremony is concluded.
Honors Designation
Honors cords will be distributed to seniors graduating with a cumulative grade point average of 3.300 or higher as of the end of the fall 2012 semester and who will have earned at least 60 credits in residence at Salem State University by the end of the spring 2013 term. For a complete description of the honors categories, please visit our academic catalog at catalog.salemstate.edu and review the academic policies section of the catalog.
Photography
A commercial photographer with a special high speed camera will take a picture of each student at the moment their degree is presented. A few weeks prior to commencement, degree candidates will receive detailed information in the mail from the photographer. For more information, contact Essex Photographers at 978.388.9832.
No private photographers will be allowed on the floor or near the stage.
Tobacco
Please be aware that since September 2011, Salem State University is a tobacco free campus.
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Important commencement news!
Please note that the School of Education commencement ceremony will take place on Saturday, May 18, 2013 at 3 pm.