Commencement Guide

Commencement Weekend 2018

Friday, May 18 and Saturday, May 19, 2018

Commencement Preparation

Application for Graduation
All candidates must have completed an Application for Graduation via Self-Service by October 2, 2017. If you have not done so, please do so immediately. The information provided will be used to order your diploma and for the Commencement program.

Eligibility for Participation in Commencement
In order to participate in Commencement, students must:

  • Complete an Application for Graduation via Self-Service
  • Submit a complete degree audit signed by your Academic Advisor to the Curry Center for Student Services in Founders Hall 223
  • Be no more than three credits short of all graduation requirements
  • Have a plan approved by the Department Chair and Dean of the Undergraduate College to register for the required course within the next academic year, summer 2018 through spring 2019
  • Agree to pay the College in full for the credits needed before walking at Commencement
  • Satisfy all financial obligations to the College
  • Complete federal loan exit interviews
  • Complete Career Survey

Federal Loan Exit Interviews
Graduates with Federal Direct Loans must complete an exit interview online or in person in the Curry Center for Student Services, Founders Hall 223 by Friday, April 27, 2018. You will need your social security number, FAFSA PIN, and the contact information for three references to complete the exit interview, which takes about 10 minutes. The link for completing the exit interview online is www.nslds.ed.gov.

Should you complete your exit interview online please save a copy for your records and email a copy to financialaid@mountsaintvincent.edu to assist in timely processing. Graduates with Federal Perkins Loans must come to the Curry Center for Student Services to complete their Federal Perkins loan exit interview prior to Friday, April 27, 2018. The Office of Financial Aid will be available at the Graduation Fair and at Cap and Gown Pickup to assist graduates in completing the exit interview.

Financial Obligations
Graduates must satisfy all outstanding financial obligations to the College by Friday, April 27, 2018. Payments submitted after this date must be in cash, cashier’s check, or money order to the Office of Student Accounts located in the Curry Center for Student Services in Founders Hall 223. In accordance with College policy, diplomas and transcripts will not be released until the outstanding balance is paid in full.

Career Survey
This survey must be completed for graduates to pick up their caps and gowns. The Career Survey provides the College with information on your plans after graduation.

Cap and Gown (Regalia) Ordering and Pick Up
Caps, gowns, and hoods are provided by the College for all graduates, at no cost to the student. Students can order their caps, gowns, and hoods beginning Thursday, March 1, 2018 through Friday, March 30, 2018 by visiting www.herffjones.com/college/graduation.

Caps, gowns, and hoods can also be ordered at the Graduation Fair on Thursday, March 1, 2018 (see Graduation Fair below). Students ordering after March 30, 2018 may be subject to a late fee charge. All questions regarding regalia orders should be directed to the Office of the Dean of Students.

Caps and gowns will be available for pick-up in Smith Hall, Tuesday, May 1, 2018, 3-7 p.m. and Wednesday, May 2, 2018, 12-4 p.m.

Graduation Fair
A Graduation Fair will be held on Thursday, March 1, 2018, 2-7 p.m. in the Blue Room, on the second floor of Founders Hall. At the Fair, students can order their caps and gowns and purchase graduation-related items, such as rings and diploma frames.

Diploma Distribution
Graduates will receive their diplomas immediately following the ceremony in Smith Hall. Students who have not met their academic requirements, satisfied all financial obligations including tuition, fees and fines, completed their federal loan exit interviews, and the Career Survey will not receive their diplomas at this time. Following Commencement, diplomas can be picked up in the Registrar’s Office upon completion of all outstanding matters.

Rehearsal
Undergraduate College graduates (all students earning bachelor’s degrees) are required to attend a mandatory rehearsal on Friday, May 18, 2018 at 11:30 a.m. in Hayes Auditorium, Grace Center. The rehearsal is expected to last approximately one hour. Master’s and accelerated nursing graduates do not attend the rehearsal.

Announcements
Personalized Commencement announcements will be available for purchase online at www.herffjones.com/college/graduation on or around Thursday, March 1, 2018.

Senior Convocation and Baccalaureate Mass

Undergraduate College Only
All Undergraduate College graduates and their guests are invited to attend the Senior Convocation and Baccalaureate Mass on Friday, May 18, 2018 at 5:00 p.m. in Hayes Auditorium, Grace Center. This ceremony recognizes the achievements of our Undergraduate College graduates and celebrates their hooding as college graduates. Graduates are expected to wear their caps and gowns to the ceremony. The ceremony will last approximately 1.5 hours. Tickets are not necessary.

Reception with Light Refreshments
All are invited to Grace Plaza, immediately following the Senior Convocation and Baccalaureate Mass. Light refreshments will be served.

Master’s and Accelerated Nursing Hooding Ceremony
The master’s and accelerated nursing hooding ceremony will take place Saturday, May 19, 2018 at 9:00 a.m. in Smith Hall. This ceremony is for master’s and accelerated nursing students only.

Commencement Day

The College of Mount Saint Vincent’s 106th Commencement will be held outdoors, rain or shine, on Saturday, May 19, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. on the campus’s River Lawn. Tickets are not necessary.

The ceremony is expected to last approximately 1.5 hours. Guests may want to bring umbrellas, appropriate rain gear, and a covering for their chairs if it rains.

Undergraduate College graduates will assemble for the procession in Hayes Auditorium, Grace Center at 9:00 a.m.

Master’s and accelerated nursing candidates will assemble for their Hooding Ceremony and procession in Smith Hall at 9:00 a.m.

A continental breakfast will be served at each location for students.

The procession is scheduled to begin promptly at 10:00 a.m. The Commencement Ceremony is scheduled to begin promptly at 10:30 a.m.

General Parking
Guests are encouraged to arrive early to better ensure a parking space. Each graduate will be given two parking permits. Graduates will pick up their parking permits when they pick up their caps and gowns.

Vehicular access to the campus will become increasingly difficult as the parking lots fill. All guest cars must have parking permits to park on campus on Commencement Day. Multiple entries are possible by shuttle from off-campus locations.

A shuttle service will be available to transport guests between campus parking areas and the River Lawn before and after the Commencement ceremony. Graduates with current campus parking permits will be able to park on campus on Commencement Day.

General Seating
Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Saving seats will not be allowed. There will be sufficient seating to meet average needs under the tent. There will be areas for standing or lawn chairs outside the tent. Tickets are not necessary for the ceremony. Families and guests are encouraged to arrive early. Commencement seating and access to the tent will begin at 8:30 a.m.

Accessibility Services
Requests for accessible seating, handicapped parking permits and sign language interpretation requests can be made to the Office of the Dean of Students no later than Friday, April 27, 2018.

There will be a designated seating section to accommodate disabled guests. Special requests are limited to one parking permit and five seats tickets per graduate will be issued. As guests enter the campus, they should be prepared to show their parking permit to the security guard, who will direct them to the appropriate handicapped parking area. Marked handicapped parking spaces are reserved for vehicles with handicapped license plates, handicapped parking placards issued by a municipality, and special parking permits issued by the College.

Alcohol Policy
Alcohol is not permitted before or during the Commencement exercises and will be confiscated if brought to the ceremony. Please advise all guests of this policy.

The No-Book Store
The No-Book Store will be open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Commencement Day. The store offers a variety of CMSV spirit wear, cards, gifts, and snacks. The store also will be selling flowers and teddy bears at the rear of the Commencement tent.

Photographs
The College discourages guests from circulating under the tent during the ceremony to take pictures. We provide opportunities to order professional photos of the ceremony. Island Photography will photograph each student as he or she receives the diploma and right after he or she leaves the stage. To receive a direct link to the photos and to register to receive photos online visit www.islandphoto.com. You may register several email addresses to allow your friends and family to receive a direct link to your Commencement photos. Images will be posted within 72 hours of the Commencement ceremony. For further information contact Island Photography at their address above or at (800) 869-0908.

Senior/Graduation Portraits
Thornton Studios is taking appointments for senior/graduation portraits. Photos are typically taken at the Grotto next to the campus entrance. Graduates will be able to schedule a time by visiting www.thorntonstudio.com. Specific information on how to schedule portraits online will be sent to graduates directly.

Area Accommodations

For guests who need overnight accommodations, below is a list of hotels within 20 – 30 minutes from the College.

Hampton Inn 555 Tuckahoe Road,
Yonkers, NY		 (914) 963-3200
Hampton Inn and Suites 160 Corporate Drive South,
Yonkers, NY		 (914) 377-1144
Hyatt Place New York/Yonkers 7000 Hall Walk,
Yonkers, NY		 (914) 377-1400
Ramada Inn 125 Tuckahoe Rd.,
Yonkers, NY		 (914) 476-3800
Residence Inn by Marriott 7 Executive Blvd.,
Yonkers, NY		 (914) 476-4600
Royal Regency Hotel 165 Tuckahoe Rd.,
Yonkers, NY		 (914) 476-6200
Courtyard by Marriott 475 White Plains Rd.,
Tarrytown, NY		 (914) 631-1122

Important Phone Numbers

Office of the Registrar (718) 405-3771
Office of Student Accounts/Bursar (718) 405-3298
Office of Financial Aid (718) 405-3289
Office of the Dean of the Undergraduate College (718) 405-3259
Office of the Dean of the School of Professional
and Graduate Studies		 (718) 405-3322
Office of the Dean of Students (718) 405-3253

Helpful Tips

  • Before you graduate, your tassel should be worn on the right; after you graduate, move it to the left.
  • The weather can be unpredictable, so remember both your umbrella and your sun block.
  • Leave ample time for parking.
  • Remember, the grass can be wet even if it isn’t raining, so consider your footwear carefully.
  • All graduates and guests must turn off their cell phones–please be considerate of others.
  • The Commencement ceremony will last approximately 1.5 hours–out of respect for your fellow graduates, please remain seated throughout the entire ceremony.