RCNJ Commencement Guide

RAMAPO COLLEGE OF NEW JERSEY

Guide to Commencement 2011 Friday, May 13, 2011 10 a.m.

Band Shell lawn

O F

N E W

J E R S E Y

To the Graduating Class of 2011 andYour Families: I offer my wholehearted congratulations to each of you on your upcoming graduation. It is truly remarkable to reflect on the historic moments we have shared both locally on our own campus and nationally. During your years at Ramapo, you have witnessed the accreditation of the Anisfield School of Business by the American Association of Collegiate Schools of Business, the openings of the Sharp Sustainability Education Center and the Salameno Spiritual Center, and the announcement of a complete renovation to G-Wing accompanied by a 25,000 square foot expansion to house the new Adler Center for Nursing Excellence.

While the national higher education landscape may change and the campus grounds will continue to evolve, the value of a Ramapo liberal arts education will persist and grow.

Even as economic uncertainties endure, your ability to think analytically and critically, to speak concisely and cogently, and to write effectively, will remain essential skills in the ever-changing twenty-first century.

I thank each of you for your contributions to both the curricular and the extracurricular life of Ramapo.Those contributions have invigorated Ramapo’s campus and continue to strengthen our reputation. I trust that your accomplishments from this point on will foster the legacy of excellence established over the past four decades by your fellow alumni. It will be my pleasure to congratulate each of you personally this May. Sincerely,

Dr. Peter P. Mercer President

ABOUT COMMENCEMENT Ramapo College’s Commencement ceremony will be held on Friday, May 13 at 10:00 a.m. outdoors on the Band Shell lawn – rain or shine. We welcome you and your guests and hope you will use this guide to help plan for your day.

We anticipate approximately 10,000 guests to be in attendance so please plan accordingly.

Graduates must arrive by 8:30 a.m. for robing. Graduates will be seated under a tent on the Band Shell lawn. Guests will be seated in adjacent uncovered sections and all guests must be seated by 9:30 a.m.; the processional will begin at 9:45 a.m. Guests still en route will not be permitted to enter the lawn area until the processional has ended.

The ceremony will last approximately three hours. Graduates and guests are asked to remain in their seats until the academic recessional concludes. Students will recess in order of the processional route, beginning with the first row.

Therefore, we suggest that any post-event reservations be made for no earlier than 2 p.m.

Please visit www.ramapo.edu/commencement for last-minute instructions.

As you approach the College on Friday, May 13, 2011, please tune to,WRPR 90.3 FM, the Ramapo College Radio Station, for pertinent information related to Commencement. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

For weather conditions at Ramapo, you may call the following college numbers beginning at 7:15 a.m. on Friday, May 13 for a recorded response: 201.236.2902 or 201.684.7500.

Please show respect for everyone who has come to share in the experience by refraining from activities or behaviors that compromise this special event or prevent others from hearing and/or viewing the ceremony. Smoking, consumption of alcohol, and use of cellular phones are prohibited. Graduates and guests who engage in such inappropriate or disruptive behavior will be removed from the event. For safety reasons and out of respect for other students and families, we request that you remain in your seats, and not block the aisles, until the conclusion of the graduate recessional.

Immediately following the ceremony, graduates and guests are invited to the President’s Reception in the Grove for light refreshments. The school flag will designate each school’s area. This is a great opportunity to visit with faculty and friends, take pictures, and pick up your yearbook.

ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS The receipt of this information guide, tickets, robe, etc. or participation in the Commencement ceremony does not guarantee graduation. Graduation depends solely on the satisfactory completion of all College academic requirements.

Diplomas and Transcripts Diplomas are available for pick-up from the Office of the Registrar (D-224) Monday – Friday 8:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. during weekdays.

January Conferrals: Diplomas will be available for pick-up beginning March 22 and will be mailed beginning April 19. The official degree conferral date is January 30, 2011.

May Conferrals: Diplomas will be available for pick-up beginning August 23 and will be mailed beginning September 20. The official degree conferral date is June 20, 2011.

August Conferrals: Diplomas will be available for pick-up beginning October 18 and will be mailed beginning November 8. The official degree conferral date is August 30, 2011.

To request an official transcript, the student must complete an Official Transcript Request Form available at http://ww2.ramapo.edu/admissions/registrar/forms.aspx#1.

Usually, official transcripts are mailed to another institution, place of employment or certifying board. There is no charge for official or unofficial transcripts. You may print and complete the Official Transcript Request Form (link above) and mail or fax it to the Registrar’s Office at 201.684.7956. Note: If you do not have an “R” number, please use your Social Security Number.

CEREMONY SEATING AND TICKETS All guests should be seated by 9:30 a.m.

There are two seating options for the Commencement ceremony: Lawn Seating (no tickets required) and Bradley Center seating for simulcast viewing (tickets required).

Lawn Seating: Tickets are not necessary for the outdoor ceremony.

Seating on the lawn is available on a first-come, first-serve basis and there is no limit to the number of guests a graduate can invite for lawn viewing.

Lawn seating is utilized rain or shine. In cases of inclement weather, guests must supply their own rainwear, umbrellas, and appropriate footwear. Please note that no one will be permitted beyond the guest seating area for video and/or picture taking. In order to comply with fire codes, the lawn area is designated as nonsmoking for the duration of Commencement day.

Bradley CenterViewing: Tickets are required for Bradley Center viewing and each graduate is issued TWO tickets. Regardless of weather, limited seating will be available inside the Bradley Center for simulcast viewing.

The Bradley Center will open for seating at 8:30 a.m.

Tickets are distributed to graduates at the Graduation Fair and will be available for pick-up at Roadrunner Central beginning Friday, April 15, through Friday, May 2, 2011.

GRADUATE AND FAMILY PARKING All graduates are entitled to TWO parking passes. Graduates may obtain parking passes at the Graduation Fair on April 14 or at Roadrunner Central from April 15 to May 2.

One pass must be used by the graduate for his/her vehicle.The other pass may be used by the graduate’s guests for display on their vehicle. Vehicles without a parking pass will not be permitted on campus.

Additional parking is available across Route 202 next to the athletic fields, at Continental Soldiers Park, and at Immaculate Conception Church. Mahwah Police and Ramapo Public Safety Officers will be stationed at all entrances and parking locations to direct traffic and instruct visitors.

INFORMATION FOR GUESTSWITH SPECIAL NEEDS Parking Please note that the distance between parking lots and the ceremony location can be long and strenuous for elderly or mobility-impaired guests. Please review the information below and make the necessary arrangements to ensure a safe and memorable Commencement day.

Ramapo does not provide a shuttle service from parking lots to the Band Shell Lawn nor are we able to accommodate passenger drop offs. Therefore, it is important that the individual be able to walk this distance. If needed, we recommend that guests supply their own wheelchair or scooter.

Parking passes are required for special needs parking in the Mackin and Bischoff Lots. To obtain a pass, please send a written request to the Office of Student Health Services (see address below) no later than April 30, 2011. Those with State designated handicapped license plates must send a copy of their Disabled Person ID. All other guests should provide a detailed request for parking with an explanation of need. Passes are limited and will be issued on a case-by-case basis.

Debra Lukacsko Associate Director, Student Health Services Ramapo College of New Jersey 505 RamapoValley Road, Mahwah, NJ 07430 dlukacsk@ramapo.edu 201.684.7536 CAMPUS STORE COMMENCEMENT SERVICES AND QUESTIONS: Graduation Regalia Graduation regalia will be available for purchase and pick up at the Campus Bookstore beginning on Monday, April 11, 2011 through Friday morning, May 13, 2011. Regalia will also be available at the Graduation Fair on Thursday, April 14, 2011.

Regalia Pricing (includes cap,gown, tassel and hood): Undergraduate ..................................................$60.00 Graduate..........................................................$67.00

Graduation Announcements: The Campus Store offers personalized and generic graduation announcements.

Announcement packages can be ordered at the Campus Store or online at www.balfour.com Diploma frames, class rings and gifts: The Campus Store offers a variety of commencement-related products with samples on display. Diploma frames and gifts may also be ordered at www.ramapo.bkstr.com. Rings may be ordered at www.balfour.com or by calling 1-877-BALFOUR Bookstore Hours: Monday – Thursday .........................9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Friday..........................................9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Saturday .....................................10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Sunday.............................................................Closed For additional questions please contact Teresa King, 201.684.7800 tking@ramapo.edu

ROBING AND LINE UP INFORMATION Robing Robing begins at 8:30 a.m. Students must arrive on time to their assigned location with their academic regalia (locations will be posted on the Commencement website and on posters throughout campus). Students should bring bobby pins for the cap and a safety pin for the hood. Marshals will be on hand to provide instructions, distribute reader cards (used for announcing names on stage), and to assist with line up for the processional. Handbags/valuables should be left with guests as robing rooms will be unattended once the processional begins.

In the case of inclement weather, graduates are permitted to bring umbrellas for the processional.

Line Up Line up begins promptly at 9:30 a.m. After robing, graduates will form a single line behind their school signs for the processional.

Processional The processional begins promptly at 9:45 a.m. College marshals will lead the processional.The processional will proceed through the Arch, past the faculty and administration, then down Mansion Road to Cherry Lane. Graduates will cross Magnolia Road to the field and proceed to seats as indicated by the marshals. No vehicular or foot traffic will be permitted in the processional areas/walkways once the processional has begun.

GUEST SERVICES Rest Rooms There are no rest room facilities on the lawn.There are several rests rooms within walking distance.The closest facilities are in the Bradley Center.There are additional facilities in the Anisfield School of Business and the E- and G-wings of the Academic Building. Rest room directional signs will be posted.

On-Campus Dining Athletics will operate a concession station throughout the day. One station will be near the entrance to the Band Shell Lawn. Hot and cold beverages, bagels, and donuts will be on sale in the Bradley Center Spectator Lobby. Proceeds will be used to further Ramapo College athletic programming. Also, the Atrium in the Student Center will be open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Information Booths Ramapo’s Admissions personnel will staff three information booths located throughout campus to assist guests and provide maps and help direct foot traffic.

These booths are also great locations to reunite with family and friends after the ceremony.

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION SERVICES Photography Photographers from GradImages will photograph all graduates receiving their diplomas. They will send information directly to graduates about the purchase of photos. To pre-register the student’s permanent email address and receive a

$5.00 coupon towards a purchase of $25.00, please visit www.gradimages.com and click on Pre-Event Registration. Please direct all photography questions to GradImages at www.gradimages.com or call 800.424.3686.

Students will receive a free passport-sized digital proof of the photo on an order card within five to seven days following the ceremony. If you have further questions, please contact GradImages directly or our Alumni Office at 201.684.7115.

Commencement DVD A DVD of the ceremony will also be available for purchase.Visit www.ramapo.edu/commencement for ordering instructions.

MAKE IT A DAY TO REMEMBER Class of 2011 Senior Legacy Fund Drive The Senior Legacy Fund Drive is a Ramapo tradition that unites the graduating class in raising funds to support the most needed priorities of our college (financial assistance to students, faculty fellowships, special projects, and studentfaculty research). Make your special moment at Ramapo even more meaningful with your $20.11 contribution and receive a listing in the Commencement Program and a Class of 2011 T-shirt with a list of the graduates on the back. Shirts will be available for pick up May 9 to 11 in the Birch Mansion.

For a donation of $45, you receive a listing in the Commencement Program, one T-shirt and you can pose for a family photograph before Celebration at Sunset.

Our photographer will capture a photo that commemorates your college experience and will then email you the digital image.

For a donation of $60, you receive a listing in the Commencement Program, one T-shirt and a Senior Legacy Society Diploma Frame.

For a donation of $75, you receive it all: listing in the Commencement Program, T-shirt, family photo & diploma frame. Donations must be made by April 14 to be listed in the Commencement Program. Please call 201.684.7141 for more information.

Celebration at Sunset: Class of 2011 The Alumni Association cordially invites you and your family to celebrate Ramapo’s newest “alumni” on May 12 at 5:30 p.m. in the Bill Bradley Sports and Recreation Center. A short program with a champagne toast precedes an elegant dinner co-sponsored by Student Development, followed by an evening of live music and dancing.To RSVP or for more information, contact Purvi Parekh, Assistant Director of Alumni Relations at 201.684.7115 or email purvi@ramapo.edu. (See enclosed card.)

Gifts for Grads The Ramapo College Foundation is offering affordable Ramapo College of NJ Diploma Frames. These custom designed frames will be priced at $50. A portion of the proceeds will go to the 2011 Senior Legacy Fund Drive. Please look for this offer at the Graduation Fair on April 14 or contact Joyce Schader in the Annual Giving Office at 201.684.7141 or jschader@ramapo.edu.

Commencement Day Sales The Senior Legacy Fund Drive and the Ramapo College Foundation offer attractive gifts that families may purchase outside of the Bradley Center to celebrate and honor their special graduates. Bouquets, Mylar balloons and special edition Ramapo College chocolates will also be available for purchase. The proceeds from these sales are donated to the 2011 Senior Legacy Fund Drive.

Commencement Flowers may be pre-ordered online at www.ramapo.edu/commencement.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Visit www.ramapo.edu/commencement or email commencement@ramapo.edu or contact the Office of the President at 201.684.7659.

OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT 505 Ramapo Valley Road Mahwah, NJ 07430 www.ramapo.edu

Class of 2011 Senior Survey will be available in April. (check Commencement website) Follow us on:

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