18th Annual Commencement Ceremony:
Eligibility and Registration

Who is eligible to participate?

Bachelor's candidates
Undergraduate students who earned a degree in Summer 2007, Autumn 2007 or Winter 2008, or have applied to graduate with a departmental adviser for Spring 2008 or Summer 2008 are eligible.

Once the application for graduation has been completed and received by the Registrar’s Office (253-692-4400), the student will then be eligible to complete the Commencement Registration/Order Form. In order to access the online Commencement registration, Spring graduation applications must be completed by April 11. Summer 2008 applicants are encouraged to apply by the April 11 as well, depending on departmental procedures.

Master’s candidates
Graduate students who earned their degrees in Summer 2007, Autumn 2007 or Winter 2008, or candidates who have applied to graduate in Spring 2008 or Summer 2008 are eligible to participate. Graduate students should check with their department advisers on graduation application procedures.

Registering for Commencement

All students wishing to participate in the 18th Annual Commencement Ceremony must complete the Commencement Registration Form. This online registration will be available May 5 – 25, 2008.

To access the 2008 Commencement Registration form, you will need your:

• Student number
• First name
• Last name
• Date of birth or last 4 digits of your Social Security Number

When you register, you will be able to:

• Indicate your attendance at Commencement
• Purchase your cap and gown (see academic apparel)
• Purchase baccalaureate or faculty honor cords (eligible students only)
• Purchase extra apparel or tassels
• Purchase Stoles of Gratitude (a gift item; this is not part of the academic apparel)
• Purchase a UW Alumni Association membership
• Make a donation to the Senior Gift for the Class of 2008

If you have any questions regarding registration, please contact Steve Smith at 253-692-4404.

Listing your name in the program

The Commencement program lists the names of graduates from Autumn 2007 through Summer 2008. Note: Spring 2008 and Summer 2008 candidates must have either their Application to Graduate (undergraduate) or Master's Degree Request (graduate) submitted and received by the appropriate office by April 18, 2008 in order to have their names listed.

Degree Candidates Entrance and Line Up

All degree candidates participating in the ceremony are required to complete the registration/order form (between May 5 – May 25) to reserve their place in the ceremony.

On the day of Commencement, candidates arrive to the Tacoma Dome at 9 a.m., entering through the lower "A" doors. Bachelor's degree candidates should arrive dressed in their academic apparel. Master’s degree candidates should arrive dressed in their academic apparel, except for their hood, which they will carry over their right arm during the processional.

Candidates proceed directly to the check-in tables, where they will receive their name cards. Candidates hold onto this card and present it to the faculty reader, as they walk up on stage. Candidates can notate the phonetic spelling of their name on the card, to assist the faculty reader in the correct pronunciation of their name. The name card also contains specific directions for the processional and crossing of the stage.

After checking in and receiving their name cards, candidates are directed to the assembly area for their academic program. Candidates will line up in alphabetical order, with assistance from Commencement staff. Candidates are requested to follow all instructions given by the Commencement staff.

Please leave purses, umbrellas, coats and other valuables with family or friends; personal items cannot be left in the staging area.

Diplomas

Diplomas are mailed by the Office of the Registrar to the address selected by the student on MyUW. This will occur approximately three to four months after the date of graduation.

Graduates do not receive their diploma during the ceremony. If proof of graduation is needed before you receive your diploma, this information can be accessed online through UW Degree Validation.

University of Washington Tacoma
1900 Commerce Street - Tacoma, WA 98402-3100
(253) 692-4400 - FAX (253) 692-4413

Last update: 5/9/08 bca