50646lt 2009 Winter Commencement Letter.p65

							                     WINTER 2009 COMMENCEMENT
                                    December 18, 2009
                         2:00 p.m. at the Alex Nemzek Fieldhouse

                 *** COMMENCEMENT CEREMONIES FOR FALL 2009 GRADUATES ***

The commencement ceremony will take place on Friday, December 18 at 2:00 p.m. in the Alex Nemzek Fieldhouse.
Lineup and announcements will begin at 1:00 p.m. in Nemzek 113.

The color of your participation card will determine in which college you will be lining up.

There will be open admission for guests of all graduates; however, we ask that graduates try to limit guests to six in
number.


• PARTICIPATION IN COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES
  Students must return the enclosed card to the Records Office by Friday, December 4, if you plan on attending commencement.

• COMMENCEMENT PROCESSIONAL
  Graduates should arrive promptly at 1:00 p.m. for the ceremony. Announcements and lineup instructions will be given at this time.

• RECEPTION
  There will be a reception for graduates, faculty, parents, guests and ushers at Nemzek Hall immediately following the recessional.

• FACULTY INVITATION
  Graduation is a celebration of your success. Please use the enclosed invitation to invite your advisor or another faculty member to your
  ceremony. Once you complete the invitation, drop it in campus mail.

• CAPS, GOWNS AND TASSELS
  Graduates with a Bachelor’s degree may purchase your items at the Bookstore or online at the Bookstore’s website: bookstore.mnstate.edu.
  Graduates receiving their Master’s degree should check with the Bookstore about proper academic garb. Those graduates or faculty who
  wish to purchase their Master’s or Doctor’s caps, gowns, or hoods should contact Sue Carlson in the Bookstore at (218) 477-4053 as soon
  as possible. Master’s candidates must notify the Graduate Studies Office of their intent to participate in ceremonies, and if they intend to
  participate, they must bring their hoods to Karla Wenger in the Graduate Studies Office, Owens 215, no later than 48 hours before
  Commencement.

• PURCHASE PRICES FOR KEEPEVER ACADEMIC CAPS AND GOWNS
  Bachelor’s - Cap, gown and tassel $24.99;
  Master’s - Cap, gown and tassel $28.99; Master’s - Hood, $31.00; contact the Bookstore A.S.A.P.
  Doctor’s - Cap, gown, tassel and hood prices vary. Available by special order—contact the Bookstore A.S.A.P.

  Graduates not on campus and unable to secure their academic garb at the designated times should make arrangements with another person
  to obtain them. Graduates may also email (bookstore@mnstate.edu) or call Sue Carlson (218-477-4053) or Sarah Brandner (218-477-5913)
  at the MSUM Bookstore, sending their height and head size. They will hold a cap and gown in your name until noon on December 17.




    Minnesota State University Moorhead is an equal opportunity educator & employer and is a member of the Minnesota State Colleges & Universities System.
                          This information will be made available in alternate format, such as Braille, large print or audio cassette tape,
                       upon request by contacting Disability Services at 218.477.2131 (voice) or 1.800.627.3529 (MRS/TTY). 11-09/360/PRI
• GRADUATION ANNOUNCEMENTS
  They are available in the MSUM Bookstore. Because of limited stock, these should be ordered early. All items may be ordered at the
  Bookstore’s website: bookstore.mnstate.edu.

• DIPLOMA COVERS
  Covers are presented at Commencement. Diplomas themselves are mailed to students approximately two months after the end of the term
  during which they complete their coursework. Students graduating in absentia may pick up diploma covers at the Records Office, Owens
  Hall, Room 104. Diplomas are mailed to your permanent address as listed on file in the Records Office; therefore, graduates should
  be sure that address is correct.

• PHOTOGRAPHS
  A professional photographer will be present at the Commencement exercises to provide photographic coverage of graduates as they
  receive their diplomas from President Szymanski. Proofs, which will remain the property of the graduate, will be mailed to each student’s
  permanent address within 5 to 7 days following the ceremony. You will be able to order online at www.gradimages.com or call
  1-800-424-3686.

• WEBCAST OF THE COMMENCEMENT PROGRAM
  Watch and listen to Commencement on the Internet. KMSC Radio is providing two different ways for you to tune in to graduation. All you
  need is a player for your computer. Check out http://www.mnstate.edu/dragonradio/ for more information.

• FINANCIAL AID EXIT LOAN COUNSELING
  Perkins Loan recipients must complete an exit interview on line at http://www.ecsi.net <http://www.ecsi.net/>. If you have not received
  information from ECSI about your Perkins Loan, please call them at 1-888-549-3274. You may also call MnSCU in St. Paul at
  1-651-917-4700. Exit Loan Counseling is recommended prior to graduation for students who have Federal Stafford, Direct or Minnesota
  SELF loans. This is usually completed early in the term of graduation. You may do this on the web at: http://www.dl.ed.gov. The FAFSA
  PIN number is required for on-line counseling. Exit Loan Counseling information, including MSUM borrowing history, is mailed to
  graduating students. Exit Counseling sessions are offered in early December. For a Schedule, please contact the Office of Scholarship
  and Financial Aid (218) 477-2251 in Owens Hall, Room 107.

• GRADUATE FOLLOW-UP STUDY
  Within one year of graduation, President Szymanski will send a letter asking you to share information regarding your current employment
  status or pursuit of continuing study or graduate school. The University is expected to achieve a response rate of 85% of its graduates.
  Your cooperation is very important and confidentiality will be maintained. If you find it more convenient, respond on-line, at
  www.mnstate.edu/career. Select the red Graduate Follow-up Survey button at the center of the page and it will take you to a secure site.

• APPLICATION FOR GRADUATION
  Please direct questions about your status to Shawn Soderberg, Assistant Registrar, Owens Hall 104, or call (218) 477-2566. Graduate
  students should direct questions to the Graduate Studies Office, Owens 215, or call 218-477-2134.

• INFORMATION
  For more information about the Commencement ceremony, you may log on to http://www.mnstate.edu/records/graduation/
  Winter_Ceremony_Q_A_Dec_2009.pdf.

• LOCATION AND PARKING
  The Alex Nemzek Fieldhouse is located at: 1711 Sixth Ave South, Moorhead, MN 56563. 17th Street will be closed in front of the
  Fieldhouse. Parking will be open in all university lots on the day of commencement. Persons with physical limitations may be dropped off
  at the west side of the Fieldhouse. Security personnel will assist at entrances to 17th Street at 6th Avenue and 9th Avenue South. Vehicles
  with handicapped hangers or plates may be parked in designated spaces in N lot, west of Nemzek Fieldhouse. Lots will not be ticketed the
  day of the ceremony. Street parking will be available as posted.

• SPECIAL ASSISTANCE
  Questions or requests regarding special seating or assistance may be directed to Gwen Johanson, Commencement Coordinator, at
  Room 208 Owens Hall, or by calling (218) 477-2074.




          Records Office • Owens Hall 104 • 218.477.2565