Commencement: Virtual Rehearsal

Virtual Rehearsal

Commencement 2012 Virtual Rehearsal

This page features all the information you need to participate in commencement. The information is also available in a printable format for review.

Before Commencement

Confirm which ceremony you are eligible to walk in at commencement.ucr.edu
Send out graduation announcements. Keep in mind that seating is limited.
Purchase your cap and gown at Grad Fair, May 8–10, 2012 or at the UCR Campus Store after May 11.
Ph.D.s — confirm your Research Advisor’s attendance.

Commencement Program Book

One commencement book is printed for all of the ceremonies, and includes the names of all candidates for graduation.
Each graduate who attends Commencement will receive a complimentary copy of the program book.
Additional program books may be purchased for $5.00 each.

Graduate Arrival Time and Location

Graduates, you should arrive at the Student Services Building one hour and fifteen minutes prior to the start of your ceremony to check-in and receive your name card. Following check-in, you will proceed to HUB 302 for line-up.

Name Cards

At check-in you will receive a pre-printed name card. This is the card that your name will be read from, so be sure to keep it with you.
If you wish to provide a phonetic spelling, and have not already done so, you may write that in.
Check your post-graduation address to make sure it is correct, and edit it if needed.

Graduating with Honors

Bachelor’s degree candidates who are graduating with honors will have the honors pre-printed on your name card.

Tassels

Ph.D., Master’s Degree, and Teaching Credential candidates:
Please wear your tassel on the left.

Bachelor’s Degree Candidates:
Please wear your tassel on the right.

Hoods

Ph.D. & MFA Candidates:
You will be hooded on the commencement platform by your research advisor, so bring your hood to the ceremony but do not put it on. During the procession and the ceremony, you will carry your hood over your arm.

Master’s Degree Candidates (except MFA candidates):
Please wear your hood to the ceremony.

Line-up

All graduates should be checked in and ready for line-up in HUB 302 no later than 30 minutes prior to your ceremony start time.
Review the information on the front of your name card. Read the instructions on the back of your name card, use the restroom and get a drink.
Assemble in the section assigned to your major.

Line-up Timeline

30 minutes prior to the ceremony start time:
Verbal instructions will be given by the line-up coordinator

20 minutes prior to the ceremony start time:
You will be placed into procession lines by degree and major.

15 minutes prior to your ceremony start time:
The first procession line will leave HUB 302 for the Pierce Lawn

Line-up Order

10 minutes prior to the ceremony start time, you will process to the Commencement area in order:

Ph.D. recipients will be lined up and in the order in which they will be hooded. Your number will be indicated on your name card. It is important that you remain in order, since the hooding faculty members will be lined up in the same order.
M.F.A. recipients will also be lined up in the order in which they will be hooded.
M.A., M.S., M.B.A., and M.Ed. degree recipients will be grouped and lined up by major.
Bachelor’s degree recipients will be grouped and lined up by major.
Teaching Credential candidates will be grouped and lined up by credential subject.

The Order of the Procession

University of California Flag
Grand Marshal
Student Marshals
Doctoral Degree Candidates
Master’s Degree Candidates
Bachelor’s Degree Candidates
Teaching Credential Candidates
California Flag
UCR Pipe Band
The Faculty Marshal
The Faculty of the University
United States Flag
The Official Party

What to do during the Procession

Remember the procession is like a parade, and you are in it, so carry yourself with dignity and don’t lag behind. Walk with your head up and smile, smile, smile – you will be in a lot of photographs! Please don’t interrupt the procession by stopping to talk or take photos when you should be marching in. Staff will assist you into the appropriate seating row.

Graduate Seating

Seating is by degree and major.
A complimentary bottle of water will be underneath your seat.
For your safety and the safety of others, the aisles must be kept clear, and please don’t stand on the chairs.

Safety and Courtesy

Please:

Do remain seated during the ceremony except when instructed to stand so that you do not obstruct the view of those seated behind you
Do not stand in the aisles or on your chair at any time
Do use your cell phone before and after the ceremony
Do not talk on your cell phone during the ceremony – it is disrespectful to the speakers, and distracting and annoying to those seated around you who are trying to listen to the speakers
Do shout and cheer as your friends’ names are announced
Do not use air horns or other noisemakers at commencement - each graduate only gets a brief moment on stage and we want to be sure that everyone’s name can be heard clearly
Do come to commencement ready to celebrate and have a great time
Do not come to your ceremony intoxicated or under the influence - alcohol and drugs are strictly prohibited on campus

The Program

The National Anthem
Introductions
University Address
Faculty Recognition
Salute to New Alumni
Student Commencement Address
Keynote Address
Conferral of Degrees
Individual Name Reading
Tassel-turning
The Alma Mater

The National Anthem

Graduates should stand during the National Anthem.
Men should remove their caps.

The Speeches

The commencement addresses are a long-standing tradition at UC Riverside.
Please be quiet and respectful toward those who are speaking from the platform. Keep your cell phone turned off.

The Conferral of Degrees

Graduates will be asked to rise
The dean will present the graduates to the chancellor
The chancellor will confer the degrees
Graduates will sit back down until their row is dismissed to the stage for the individual name reading.

Dismissal to the Platform

Graduates will be dismissed by degree and major, row by row, to the platform for the individual name reading.
Don’t forget to bring your name card with you.

Ph.D. Hooding

After the Doctoral degrees are conferred, the Ph.D. graduates will be dismissed to the platform. You will queue up in order on the left side of the stage.
Present your card to the name reader and proceed to the mark on the ramp. When your name is announced, you will proceed onto the stage.
Shake hands with the graduate dean, then the college dean.
Then proceed to the center of the stage to meet your advisor. Hand your hood to your advisor and then turn around so that your back is to your advisor and you are facing the name readers.
Your advisor will place your Ph.D. hood over your head. (You may wish to remove your mortarboard to make this easier.) Your photograph will be taken as you are being hooded.
After you have been hooded, shake hands with your advisor and proceed down the center ramp to shake hands with the chancellor and have another photograph taken.
Return to your seat.

MFA Hooding

After the Master’s degrees are conferred, the Master’s graduates will be dismissed to the platform. MFA graduates will queue up first, in order, on the left side of the stage.
Present your card to the name reader. When your name is announced, you will proceed onto the stage.
Shake hands with the graduate dean, then the college dean.
Then proceed to the center of the stage to meet your advisor. Hand your hood to your advisor and then turn around so that your back is to your advisor and you are facing the name readers.
Your advisor will place your Master’s hood over your head. (You may wish to remove your mortarboard to make this easier.) Your photograph will be taken as you are being hooded.
After you have been hooded, shake hands with your advisor and proceed down the center ramp to shake hands with the chancellor and have another photograph taken.
Return to your seat.

Master’s, Bachelor’s & Teacher Credential Name Reading

You will be dismissed row by row to the platform.
As you queue up off stage, your first commencement photo will be taken.
When you reach the lower podiums you will present your name card to one of the Name Readers. Ascend the platform via the ramp when Name Reader reads your name.
As you cross the stage, yourcean will present you with a certificate of participation and shake hands with you.
Then you will proceed to the center of the stage to greet the chancellor and have your second photograph taken.
After shaking hands and taking your photo with the chancellor, descend from the platform via the center ramp. Your third commencement photo will be taken at the bottom of the center ramp.
Please return to your seat.

The Tassel-turning

After all of the graduates have been recognized, the tassel turner will lead the bachelor’s degree candidates in moving their tassels from the right to left to symbolize the realization of their bachelor’s degrees.
Mortarboards should not be thrown, as they have rigid corners and could cause injury.

The Alma Mater

UCR’s Alma Mater is “Hail, Fair UCR.” This hymn was composed by UCR faculty members, Dr. Byron Adams, professor of music and the late Dr. Robert Wild, professor of physics.

Hail Fair UCR

“UCR Fair Alma Mater, Jewel of Old UC
Fiat Lux a shining vision, Light to set minds free

Seeking ever Yielding never, old Scots near and far
Waft our love back to the Highlands, Hail Fair UCR

Orange trees blooming in the Highlands, Boyd tower chimes ring clear
Standing tall twixt mount and desert, Scots all hold her dear

Seeking ever Yielding never, old Scots near and far
Waft our love back to the Highlands, Hail Fair UCR”

The Recession

Please remain seated as the official party and faculty recess.
Graduates will be recessed to the HUB lawn area on the west side of the bell tower. Please make arrangements prior to your ceremony to meet your family and guests somewhere so that you can find each other easily.

Photographs

Proofs of the photographs taken at commencement by GradImages will be sent to your post-graduation address one week after the ceremonies. Proofs are also available online.
There is no obligation to purchase commencement photographs.

Diplomas

Graduates, you will be notified by the Registrar’s Office when your diploma is available for pickup; typically four months following your graduation date. For further information, please visit the Registrar’s Office website.

University of California, Riverside

Commencement