During Commencement
What happens if there is bad weather?
Monitor the forecast and be prepared - with umbrellas, ponchos, sunscreen or whatever weather protection may be necessary.
A current weather forecast is available from the National Weather Service by calling 707-443-7062 or visiting its web site at http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/eka/.
The average mid-May temperatures for Eureka over the past 30 years are a high of 58 and a low of 48. Rain is rare then; the average is less than one-twentieth of an inch for graduation day. Over the past 20 years or so, representing more than 60 ceremonies, rain has only dampened one.
(This arrangement - rain or shine, it's outdoors - is a departure from backup-site plans in place in recent years. It has been adopted because moving to any available indoor venue would mean limiting the number of guests present to an average of two or fewer per graduate. For some ceremonies, that would mean excluding about two-thirds of the guests from attending. It also allows those staging Commencement to focus more fully on the main event.)
Where do graduates go first?
Candidates for bachelor's and master's degrees assemble in the Student Rec Center in their caps and gowns 30 minutes before their ceremony. Once there, they will arrange themselves by major (areas will be denoted by signs arranged alphabetically). Graduation candidates should be sure to bring the Reader Card with them, filled out with their name, phonetic spelling of their name (for ease of pronunciation) and permanent address. This card will be used by the faculty name reader as each graduate approaches the stage; and it will be used by the photographers to identify and contact graduates more effectively.
How does the processional happen?
As the time nears for the processional to begin, faculty and staff members at the Rec Center will call for graduation candidates to line up in single file with others in their major. The order is not prescribed alphabetically, by height or any other parameter; however, candidates will ultimately be seated on the field in the order they line up.
When cued, a college representative will alert the procession to begin. Though candidates in each individual major will line up single file, the procession out to the field will consist of two lines side by side, as the lineups of majors from various departments are doubled up. For example, the queue of candidates in English may be marching along side the queue from the Department of Geography.
Collectively, the master's-degree candidates will follow the bachelor's-degree candidates in the procession.
Led by the mace bearer and faculty marshals, the procession descends the ramp outside the Student Rec Center, and then moves north along the Redwood Bowl track to the seating area. (Graduate Candidates in wheelchairs may join the procession at the bottom of the ramp.)
Thanks to faculty marshals, who will provide ample guidance, candidates are spared the necessity of a rehearsal.
What happens during the ceremony?
Commencement is a formal, degree-conferring ceremony; thus, graduation candidates should refrain from the use of cell phones, noisemakers, beach balls and other distractions that could detract from the experience for others.
The program includes remarks by the dean of the college, university president, and other dignitaries. There may be some special presentations or other short speeches. President Rollin C. Richmond will confer degrees on candidates and make note of special honors.
How does it end?
Following the president's congratulatory statements, the mace bearer will lead a recessional from Redwood Bowl, followed by the president's platform party, the faculty and then the graduates. This will conclude the formal ceremony. Receptions are often held by various departments.
What's the music?
The music is performed by the HSU Commencement Brass Choir, under the direction of Professor Gilbert Cline.
The processional will sound familiar. It is Elgar's "Pomp and Circumstance. Dependant upon the ceremony attended, the recessional will be "Light & Truth" or "Triumphal March from Aida."
Do candidates receive their diplomas at Commencement?
No. Grades and graduation requirements are verified during the summer and your diploma is mailed in September. However, graduates receive a diploma cover during the ceremony.
Diplomas are printed and sent out to graduated students approximately three to four months after the end of the term they graduated.
Photography during the ceremony.
Guests are welcome to take Commencement photographs from their seats, but should not stand in the aisles nor block the view of other guests. Only official photographers will be permitted in the platform area. After the ceremony is completed, there will be ample opportunity to seek a wide variety of backgrounds for pictures on the campus.
Three different pictures of each graduate will be taken by a commercial photographer from Chappell Graduation Images — an individual portrait in front of the HSU seal; a photo with their diploma cover; and a photo shaking hands with President Rollin C. Richmond. The proofs of these pictures will be sent to the graduate. There is no obligation to order these pictures.
Will the names of candidates not attending Commencement appear in the program?
Yes. The program includes the names of all candidates who received a degree from Humboldt State at the end of summer '08, fall '08, as well as those who expect to be awarded a degree at the end of the spring '09 semester or coming summer '09 or fall '09 semesters. Under the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, Humboldt State is required to inform you that the Commencement program - which will contain your name, major and potential honors (if any) - will be issued at the Commencement as a public document. If for any reason you do not wish your name to be included in the Humboldt State University Commencement program, notice must be made to the Office of the Registrar by letter postmarked no later than March 11, 2009
