Ceremony Information

Commencement Ceremony Information

Date: Sunday, May 18, 2008
Time: 10:00 AM (The ceremony usually lasts one and one-half to two hours.)
Place: PNC Bank Arts Center - Holmdel , New Jersey (Exit 116 on the Garden State Parkway )

Arrival Time for Graduates

Doors will be open at 9:00 AM to graduates and their guests. Graduates must report for robing and formation of the line of march by 9:15 AM .

Candidates Eligible to Attend

Students who graduated in December 2007 or expect to graduate in May or August 2008 are welcome to participate in the ceremony.

Academic Attire - Caps, Gowns, and Hoods

Academic attire consisting of a cap, gown, and hood will be distributed at the Graduation Salute to all graduates eligible to attend the Commencement ceremony. Only those graduates wearing proper academic attire will be allowed to participate in the ceremony. You must attend the Graduation Salute at your campus to obtain Commencement items. These items will be distributed at the Jersey City Campus Graduation Salute on April 22 and 23, and at the Englewood Cliffs Campus Graduation Salute on April 30.

Tickets and Invitations

Graduates are allotted 10 guest tickets each, and will also receive a NAME CARD when they pick up their caps, gowns, and hoods at the Graduation Salute. This card ensures that your name will be read from the stage during the ceremony. BE SURE TO BRING YOUR NAME CARD WITH YOU. THIS IS ALSO YOUR ENTRANCE TICKET.

Graduates will also receive 10 invitations each for personal use in inviting some of their guests, or to keep as souvenirs. These invitations are not tickets of admission.

If you are unable to pick up your academic attire and tickets on any of the scheduled dates, we ask that you have a family member or a friend pick them up for you. The person whom you will send must present your SPC I.D. card and a letter of authorization signed by you.

Award Winners

If you are an award winner whose award will be presented at the Commencement ceremony, you will be notified by the Registrar’s office. These award winners are to proceed to the front of the Order of March; a Marshal will be there to assist you.

Conferral of Degrees

Prior to the conferral of degrees by the President, each graduate will proceed to the stage and will have his/her name read aloud by an academic dean or faculty member. The President will personally congratulate you. You will be lined up according to your school and degree, but the line will NOT be in alphabetical order.

Civility, Courtesy, Dignity, Honor, and Respect

The Commencement ceremony is expected to be conducted in a respectful and dignified manner. All those who participate in and attend the Commencement ceremony are expected to conduct themselves in the most positive manner. Commencement is for the entire College community, which includes the graduates, their families and friends; honored guests; faculty, administration, and staff; and alumni.

As a Catholic, Jesuit institution, Saint Peter's College articulates its mission and philosophy in many ways, including the description of its College Community Standards. These standards are found in the Student Handbook, The NET. The following is extracted from the section entitled, The Student-College Contract: Principles of Student Conduct:

“Working together as a community, students, faculty, and staff help foster a campus atmosphere that furthers the mission of the College. Students are expected to enhance the College Community Standards. This expectation calls for behavior that demonstrates the five principles of student conduct: respect for oneself, respect for others, respect for property, respect for authority, and honesty.”

In the spirit of respect, as well as civility, courtesy, dignity, and honor, the following expectations apply to all participants and guests:

• Respect the dignity of the ceremony - It is the most important event of the College’s academic year.
• Honor your fellow graduates - Do not leave until the ceremony is over. The graduates called to the stage at the end of the Presentation of Graduates deserve the SAME courtesy and respect as those called at the beginning. The official Conferral of Degrees by the President cannot take place unless ALL graduates are present in their seats.
• Show your courtesy by giving your undivided attention to the speakers - The people speaking at the podium during the ceremony should not be upstaged or drowned out by members of the audience.
• Allow the graduates to access the stage without impeding their mobility - Do not disrespect the College marshals and security personnel by forcing your way by them.