General Information

The Ceremony will begin promptly at 9:30 am on Saturday, May 19, 2012 and is likely to last approximately one hour and thirty minutes. Graduates should plan to arrive no later than 8:45 am. A few things to keep in mind:

• All guests must present a ticket at the door. Invitations are NOT tickets.

• All students who want to walk across the stage must wear a cap and gown. Your cap and gown can be retrieved from the Suffolk Bookstore.

• Use of cell phones is strictly prohibited during the Ceremony.

• Interpreting for deaf and hearing impaired graduates and guests will be provided at the Ceremony.

• Guests will be allowed to enter the hall approximately one hour before the start of the Ceremony. Once inside the hall, all guests must be seated and remain seated throughout the Ceremony.

• The Westin Copley Place Hotel is handicapped accessible.

• All aisles MUST be kept clear of traffic and guests will be restricted from approaching the stage. No seats will be reserved. 

Student Registration

Graduates should plan to arrive no later than 8:45am to the Essex Ballroom Foyer on the 3rd floor of the Westin Copley Place Hotel for student registration. In the Student Registration Areas, you will be given an index card with your name printed on the card. PLEASE KEEP THIS CARD! As you enter the stage, you will hand the name card to the card reader who will announce your name. Do not make any changes or additions to this card. This card is numbered to ensure all students line-up in the alphabetical order within their degree group.

Student Line-up

Once you have picked up your name cards, proceed into the Student Line-up and Robing Area.

Students will line up behind the signage indicating your degree group. For dual degree students, if you have not done so, please contact Mary DesBois at medesbois@suffolk.edu immediately and let her know which of the two degrees you would prefer.

It is important to stay in your line. Staff members will need to do line counts. You MUST be robed and in line by 8:45 am. Keep noise at a minimum in the line-up and robing area so staff members can facilitate last minute instructions.

Left Row
Global MBA
MBA
Executive MBA

Right Row
GDPA 
MHA 
MSA
MST
MSF
MSFSB
MPA

About your cap and gown:

• Do NOT wear your master’s hood, drape your master’s hood over your left arm.
• Tassels go on the left and once degrees are conferred switch it to the right.
• Place your name card in your right hand.

Staff members will direct you upstairs to the America Ballroom and into the Ceremony area.

Do not leave your personal belongings in this room. We are not responsible for items left in the Line-up and Robing Area. Personal belongings can be left with family or in the coat check room.

Processional 

Students will enter the auditorium led by a Student Marshal in two rows in the order indicated above. Go slowly, keep in line and follow the directions of the Ushers. File into the seats reserved for Graduates under the direction of the Ushers. All students will remain standing until the Commencement Ceremony is called to order.

Announcing Degrees

When your degree is announced, STAND UP TOGETHER as a degree group to be recognized and then be seated. After all the degrees have been announced, you will be called to the stage to receive your master’s hood and diploma.

Receiving Hood & Diploma

When your degree is announced, stand up as a group. REMOVE YOUR CAP, drape your master’s hood over your left shoulder and place your name card in your right hand. You will then march up to the left front stairs under the direction of an usher. Proceed one row at a time and keep continuous flow to the foot of the stage.

When it is your turn, hand your name card to the card reader. Be sure that the student in front of you has adequate time to ascend onto the stage. Your hood will be placed upon your shoulders by the Associate Deans. After you have been hooded, a diploma will be handed to you by Dean O’Neill. Accept the diploma with your left hand and use your right hand to shake Dean O’Neill’s hand.

As you exit the stage, you will be congratulated by the Director of your respective program. Once you have been congratulated, walk across the stage and down the second set of front stairs. Return to your seat and be seated. Caps can be worn after you have been hooded.

During the Ceremony you will receive a blank diploma to facilitate an orderly process. Official Diplomas will be given out during the reception. Students who do not pick up their diploma at Commencement or attend Commencement Exercises will receive their diplomas in the mail.

Recessional

At the conclusion of the Commencement Ceremony, the Faculty Marshals will come forward and raise the baton as a signal to students to rise as a body. The graduates will follow the Sawyer Business School faculty in the recessional. Go slowly and keep in line.

Photographer

We have arranged for Commencement Photos, Inc. to take pictures of each graduate when they receive their diploma on stage. Proofs and information on ordering will be mailed to each graduate. You can contact Commencement Photos at (978) 851-5924 or visit their website at www.commencementphotos.com

The front of the stage is reserved for Commencement Photos. Guests MUST be seated during the Commencement Ceremony and will NOT be allowed to enter the stage or student seating area to take pictures. Security personnel will strictly enforce this restriction. Families and friends will have plenty of time to take pictures and congratulate the graduate during the reception.

Reception

Immediately after the Commencement Ceremony, there will be a reception for students and their families in the Essex Ballroom on the 3rd floor. Light refreshments will be served. Please be sure to join us for this chance to mingle with other graduates, their families, faculty, and staff.