Instructions for Candidates Participating in Commencement
June 13, 2008

This website contains useful information if you are participating in the Commencement exercises on June 13.

Please note that you must notify the Registrar’s Office that you are participating (e-mail ghb@caltech.edu or phone 626-395-6355) no later than 4:00 p.m., Wednesday, June 11. If we don’t hear from you, you will be dropped from the marching list.

Dress

Candidates for the B.S., M.S., Engineer’s, and Ph.D. degrees may rent their caps and gowns at the Caltech Bookstore starting Tuesday, May 5, through Thursday, June 12, at 6 p.m. Last-minute cap and gown rentals are available the morning of June 13 from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. at tables set up in front of the Bookstore in the Winnett Patio. (Note: In case of rain, late pick-ups will be done inside the Bookstore where further instructions will also be provided.) You can return your cap and gown rental to these same tables in Winnett Patio, anytime from the end of the ceremony until 6 p.m. on June 13.

Academic garb looks best when worn over dark shoes and dark lower garments. The collar of a white shirt or blouse nicely complements the academic robe. Tassels are worn on the left at all times.

Processional

The staff of the Public Events office will coordinate the assembling of the academic procession. Candidates will form in a line at each of these three locations:
• B.S. degrees: along the covered walk south of Parsons-Gates
• M.S. and Engineer’s degrees: along the covered walk at the south end of the bridge across the Millikan Library reflecting pool
• Ph.D. degrees: along the covered walk north of East Bridge, behind the M.S. and Engineer’s candidates

The Public Events staff will direct candidates in forming the proper order in line. Detailed instructions on your participation in the ceremony will be distributed in the formation area. It is very important that each candidate for a degree reach his/her specified formation site, in cap and gown, no later than 9:15 a.m. on June 13. The Commencement exercises will begin promptly at 10:00 a.m. and latecomers cannot be included in the line of march.

The marching order will be

(a) Candidates for the B.S. degree,
(b) Candidates for the M.S. degree,
(c) Candidates for the Engineer’s degree
(d) Candidates for the Ph.D. degree
(e) Faculty, and
(f) Trustees and Speakers.

Candidates for degrees will follow the marshal of their respective group to their seats on the Beckman Mall. Candidates are to remain standing until Mr. Kent Kresa, Chairman of the Board of Trustees asks the audience to be seated at the beginning of the ceremony.

End of Ceremony

Graduates should remain standing after the Alma Mater and during the Recessional march of the Faculty, Trustees, and Speakers—until the Recessional music stops. There is no formal Recessional for graduates.

Photographs

Video and audio tape recordings of the entire Commencement Ceremony will be available, along with still photographs of graduates. In order to streamline the photograph-ordering process, graduates are asked to voluntarily provide their name and mailing address to Chappell Studios on a card that will be supplied in the formation area. Doing this will decrease substantially the time between the ceremony and when you receive your proof. Please note that if you do not wish to do this, you will still receive your proof—just not as quickly.

Refreshments

Complimentary coffee, punch, and donuts will be provided for all candidates in the marshaling area. In addition, complimentary coffee and punch will be available to parents and other guests of the candidates beginning at 8:30 a.m. in Beckman Mall.

Questions?

If you have any questions about your part in the 2008 Commencement exercises, please don’t hesitate to call Denise Nelson Nash, the Assistant Vice President for Public Events, at campus extension 4638.