Guide to
Undergraduate Commencement Activities
June 12-13, 2008

Commencement activities offer parents and friends an opportunity to celebrate with their favorite undergraduate. We hope you will participate in these enjoyable pre-graduation events. Parents and students will be sent information packets and reservation cards in late April.

Schedule of Events

Thursday, June 12

Reception for International Graduates
10:00-11:30 a.m.
Center for Student Services, 2nd floor
No Charge, but reservations required
Hosted by
The Office of International Student Programs

Refreshments served. Because of space limitations, this reception is open only to international graduates and their guests.

Cap & Gown Portraits
10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Marshaling area by Millikan Pond
Two professional photographers from Chappell Studios will be available to shoot cap and gown portraits (informal photos). Individual and/or group shots will be offered.

Campus Tours
Self-guided campus tours are available from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Office of Public Relations, 315 South Hill Avenue.

Reception at the President’s Garden
4:00-6:00 p.m.
415 South Hill Avenue
Honoring graduates of the Class of 2008 and their families
Reservations requested
Hosted by President Jean-Lou Chameau and Dr. Carol Carmichael and the Caltech Alumni Association

Senior Graduation Banquet
6:00 p.m.
The Athenaeum
Reservations required
The graduating seniors will host a banquet for their families and friends immediately following the reception in the President's Garden. There is no charge for the graduating senior, if the reservation is made by May 23. If you are bringing children under 2 years old, or require a vegetarian meal, please make a note on the response card.

The deadline for reservations and payment is May 23. If your plans change at the last minute, and you find you must cancel all or part of your reservation, please notify the Commencement Coordinators on or before May 23. We will be able to refund cancellations made prior to May 23; unfortunately, however, we will not be able to refund cancellations occurring after May 23.

Seating at the banquet will be assigned by the senior class co-presidents. The response card has a space where you may indicate the names of those individuals or families with whom you wish to sit. (We assume you will be sitting with your graduating senior!) You will receive your table number at the reception before dinner, or at dinner. Early reservations are important, since that will permit us to honor your seating requests.

Student Concert
8:30 p.m.
Ramo Auditorium
Caltech Chamber Singers and various student performers
No reservations required

Friday, June 13

Photograph of BS candidates of 2008
8:45 a.m.
Parsons-Gates
A group photograph of all students receiving their BS degree in 2008 will be taken at the steps of Parsons-Gates. Please show up promptly at 8:45 in your cap and gown if you wish to be included in this photo.

Commencement Exercises
10:00 a.m.
Beckman Mall
Speaker:  Robert Krulwich, award-winning science, technology, and economics journalist, NPR's Science Desk correspondent, and co-host of "Radio Lab."
Parking is available in lots and structures throughout campus.

Please note that the site of these exercises is in the direct sun and the weather is usually hot. You may want to bring a hat or wear sunscreen. In the unlikely event of a major rainstorm, the event will be moved inside.

Commencement Luncheon
12:30-2:00 p.m.
The Athenaeum
Following the ceremony, the Athenaeum will serve a luncheon for graduates and their families and friends from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m.

Reservations and payment must be received by May 23. Again, if your plans change, you must notify the Commencement Coordinators on or before May 23. We cannot refund your money after May 23.