Kent Ceremony Participation Information

KENT COMMENCEMENT - Sunday, June 9, 2019

Pierce County, Des Moines, and Lynnwood Campuses
625 West James St. Kent, WA 98032

Kent Commencement Schedule

Name Cards: Name cards will be picked up at check-in on Commencement day. You must bring your name card with you to the staging location and carry it into the ceremony. Name cards are only created for graduates who have registered to participate in commencement, so make sure that you have done so prior to May 15th.

Arrival: Graduates should arrive in cap and gown at the ShoWare Center no later than 12:00 p.m. Students should enter through the fenced north receiving area from the outside of the facility.

Line Up/Staging: Staging occurs once you enter the receiving area hallway. When you arrive, you will be arranged in rows for the processional into the arena. CWU staff will be at the staging location to help assemble the rows. Remember to bring your cap, gown, and tassel.

Undergraduate processional lines will begin in the hallway of the receiving area on the north side of ShoWare. Look for CWU staff with signs designating the line-up area.

Masters degree candidates should enter through the receiving area of ShoWare, then proceed to room 165. You will be directed to line-up in two lines to prepare for the processional into the arena. Look for CWU staff with signs designating the location. Staff will assist you with lineup order and hoods.

Student marshalls will lead the processional and recessional, as well as assist with the ceremony. They will be in silver caps and gowns and will aid you during the entire commencement experience.

Commencement Etiquette: Commencement is a time for your family and friends to recognize your hard work and accomplishments. We ask that students behave accordingly and provide a good example of what it means to be a CWU Wildcat.

In years past, CWU staff have had to confiscate a few “foreign beverages,” balloons, and other paraphernalia. This can interrupt the ceremony and take away from the celebration, so please save your personal celebration until after commencement. Your family will be so proud of you and your accomplishments! ENJOY THE MOMENT AND THE EXPERIENCE!!! This is your day. Be Proud!

Students with Children: We enjoy having family and friends at the Commencement ceremonies, but children are not allowed to sit with the graduates during the ceremony.

Attire: All Undergraduates must wear a new traditional CWU crimson cap and gown. Due to the possibility of Ellensburg winds, we recommend the use of bobby-pins to secure your cap. Graduates without proper attire will not be allowed to participate in the ceremony. We recommend that you dress comfortably and wear flat shoes. You will be walking on the field and heels are likely to sink into the grass. Staff members will be available if you need assistance, however, there are no indoor dressing facilities available. If rain is in the forecast, you may want to consider wearing older clothing under your gown, as water may cause your gown to bleed. Remember that you will be sitting outside, possibly under a hot sun, a light rain, or a strong wind. Please dress accordingly.

Tassels: The tassel is worn over the right eye throughout the ceremony. Tassels will be moved from right to left when the ASCWU President indicates confirmation of degrees. You will receive your tassel with your cap and gown.

Honors Tassels are given to students who qualify for honors based on the GPA of all credits earned at CWU, as well as all transfer credits accepted by CWU. This calculation is based on Winter 2019 grades. Master’s and post-baccalaureate students are not eligible for honors. Summer 2018, Fall 2018, Winter 2019, and Spring 2019 undergraduate candidates who are graduating with academic honors may pick up an honors tassel from Registrar Services (or a university center office) with photo ID after May 2nd. Honors tassels will not be available at Commencement.

PROCESSIONAL

Ten minutes prior to the start of the ceremony, the processional lines will begin moving toward the arena. The order of the processional will be:

• Faculty Marshal (with the University Mace)
• Faculty in two lines
• Masters candidates in two lines
• President and Dean’s Scholars in two lines
• Undergraduates in two lines
• The Presidential Platform Party

During the processional, please remember:

• It is important that you stay in your line.
• The Student Marshalls may pause and hold your line at different locations for spacing and timing with other lines.
• Do not move into the seats until you are directed to by the Student Marshalls.
• Chair rows will be filled from front to back. Continue to the furthest open chair without leaving any empty.
• A bottle of water will be provided beneath your chair.

CEREMONY

Commencement programs will be available during line-up in the ShoWare Recieving Area, should you wish to carry a copy with you up to the stadium. The complete commencement program will also be available electronically prior to the ceremony.

RECESSIONAL

Remain seated until directed to rise by the Student Marshal. All groups will exit down the center aisle.

The order of the recessional is:

1. The Faculty Marshal (with the University Mace)
2. The Presidential Platform Party
3. The Faculty (faculty will form a congratulatory line for all graduate to walk through as they exit)
4. Masters Candidates -The Student Marshal will signal the first row of Master’s, followed by the second row. All graduates will exit down the center aisle.
5. Undergraduates - The Student Marshal will direct the undergraduates to rise and exitthrough the center aisle. They will start from the last row. The undergraduates will leave in pairs, one from the right and one from the left.

You will follow the Student Marshal out of the arena, through the main entrance of ShoWare. Please keep your lines moving until the recessional ends and all students are out of the arena. Please direct your family to meet you in any of the three halls in the concession area or outside of ShoWare Center.