Westside Commencement
SUNDAY, JUNE 8, 2008
Benaroya Hall in the S. Mark Taper Foundation Auditorium - 6:30 p.m.

Westside Commencement is open to graduates from the Westside CWU Campus locations including; CWU-Des Moines, CWU-Lynnwood, and CWU-Pierce County. Westside Commencement is a ticketed event; each student will receive approximately 5-6 tickets for family and friends to attend the event, depending on how many students participate at the Westside commencement ceremony. Tickets will be distributed in May.

Grad Finale

The Grad Finale is an important event that no graduate should miss. Its main purpose is to provide one setting for graduating students to get their cap and gown and take care of all their graduation needs. There will be representatives from the following university departments: Alumni, Career Services, Financial Aid, and officials in charge of the graduation ceremonies. In addition we will have representatives from Jostens providing class rings and graduation announcements, Elite Frames with high quality, affordable diploma frames to showcase one’s treasured diploma with the pride and distinction it deserves, and for the first time, Classic Photography, who will take graduate portraits right at the Grad Finale event. There is no need to make an appointment for a sitting. Classic Photography will have cap, gown and tassel for you to wear at the portrait sitting done right there at the Grad Finale.

When you buy one of our diploma packages, shown in the brochure enclosed with this letter, you will receive your cap, gown and tassel free. This applies to both undergraduate and graduate degree packages. You may order these items in advance of the Grad Finale and request “pickup” at any of the three sites the Grad Finale is held at. This is done online at the store web site: www.cwu.edu/~store. You may also have them shipped to you if you are not able to attend the Grad Finale. Ordering will be available starting March 17th from the store web site.

The times and dates for this event are:

Arrival

Graduates should arrive at Benaroya Hall in the S. Mark Taper Foundation Auditorium no later than 5:45 P.M. You may robe in the Recital Hall, located on the Second Floor. Please use the Benaroya Parking Garage. You should check your personal belongings at the coat check on the first floor. Get the directions to Benaroya Hall (Word doc).

Name Card

A name card with your first and last name will be mailed to you in May. You will present this card to a dean who will announce your name when you march across the stage. Please remember to bring your name card to commencement! If you happen to forget it ask a staff member for a card upon your arrival.

Tickets

Westside Commencement is a ticketed event; each student will receive approximately 5-6 tickets for family and friends to attend the event, depending on how many students participate at the Westside commencement ceremony. Tickets will be sent to you in the May Commencement Information Packet. Occasionally we do have extra tickets available for the event. You will need to contact your University Center Administration Office to get on a waiting list for tickets. Extra tickets, if available, will be distributed in groups of 2 tickets per student. Students who are graduating will not need a ticket for themselves.

Line-Up

Graduates should begin assembling lines (A - Leftside and B - Right side) as designated on the back of their name cards by 6:00 P.M. in the Benaroya Recital Hall. Silver Cortege and staff will assist you with the lineup. There will be two lines, with Faculty as the first group followed by masters' candidates. Next will be those graduating seniors who have been notified that they are Dean's or President's Scholars but did not attend the Honors Convocation in Ellensburg on the previous Friday. The graduating seniors will enter last. It is not necessary to line up alphabetically, but it is necessary to line up in your assigned line or else the lines will become uneven. Please follow the direction of the staff and silver cortege.

Students with Disabilities or who have Families with Disabilities

There is limited wheel chair seating, so it is imperative that you notify your University Center Administration Office, if you or your family member need special accommodations. We will have an ASL interpreter that will be on stage right. So, members that need an interpreter should request to be seated on the left side of the auditorium. You should still notify your center office to ensure there is reserved seating for the hearing impaired.

Cap and Gown and Tassel

All students must be properly attired for commencement. Students who are not in the correct gown will not be allowed to participate. Gowns for undergraduates are CRIMSON. The tassel is worn over the right eye throughout the exercise. Tassels will be moved over the left eye when Dr. McIntyre indicates confirmation of degree.

Honor Tassels

Summer 2007, Fall 2007, Winter 2008, and Spring 2008 candidates who are graduating with academic honors may pick up an honors tassel from their University Center Administration office during finals week. Please bring identification with you. Summer 2008 commencement participants do not qualify for 2007-08 honors. Combined CWU GPA and transfer GPA is used to compute honors.

Photographer

Individual graduation photos will be taken at commencement by a photographer. You will receive proofs and information directly from the photographer within a short period after commencement. Please do not contact the Registrar Services. You may contact Image Studios at (800) 505-5594 for further information.

**Notify your center in advance if you or a family member requires disability access or seating.