	Download printable versions of the commencement booklet & order form, here!

COMMENCEMENT CHECKLIST

On March 6th:

Get a jumpstart

(Optional) Attend Graduation Fair from 4-5 p.m., March 6, in the Alumni Center, second floor, Roy and Lillie Cullen Building. Ticket requests and cap & gown orders can be turned in at this time.
(Optional) Order the Official Alumni Ring of Southwestern. Visit with the ring representative March 6 at the Graduation Fair in the Alumni Center, second floor, Roy and Lillie Cullen Building.

Before March 14th: Square away the details

Commencement tickets will only be issued upon clearance from the Business Office and the Registrar's Office.

Pay outstanding fees and fines (parking, library, etc.) in the Business Office.
Complete all paperwork for the Registrar's Office.

Before March 14th:

Appease your family--order your tickets early.

Complete the ORDER FORM--maximum of 8 tickets per graduate--before March 14 for guaranteed seating in the Corbin J. Robertson Center. Complete the form and return it in the envelope you received with your commencement mailing via campus mail or deliver it to Room 33 of the Roy H. and Lillie Cullen Building.

And while you're at it, make sure Grandma doesn't have to crash on your couch.

Make hotel reservations for out-of-town guests as soon as possible. A list of accommodations can be found below. For questions, contact the Alumni and Parent Relations Office at 512-863-1410.
Feed your guests. Pre-purchase lunch tickets. Complete the ORDER FORM and return it with the envelope you received with your commencement mailing or hand deliver it to Room 33 of the Roy H. and Lillie Cullen Building.
Dress for the occasion. Order your cap, gown and hood before March 14. See the "Regalia" section below for instructions. Questions can be directed to the University Events Office, Room 33 of the Cullen Building or at 512-863-1483.

Make sure your friends can find you after graduation.

Notify the Alumni and Parent Relations Office of any change of address. E-mail alumni@southwestern.edu or go here.
Establish a Southwestern Alumni e-mail forwarding account. For more information visit The Association of Southwestern University Alumni Web site: www.sugrads.org and click on Alumni Benefits.

Get the word out.

(Optional) Order Commencement announcements from the SU Bookstore at 512-863-1344 or Josten's at www.shop.jostens.com. See the "Announcements, Photography, Rings" section below.

Make it official.

(Optional) Order SU Diploma Frame from the SU Bookstore at 512-863-1344.
(Optional) Order photographs and a videotape of the ceremony. Videotaping details and information on photography will be mailed to your permanent address before Commencement. See the "Announcements, Photography, Rings" section below for further instructions.

Attendance and Tickets

Attendance

Attendance is required for graduation. If you are unable to attend, you are required to contact Dr. James Hunt, provost and dean of the faculty, in writing or by e-mailing huntj@southwestern.edu to request exemption.

Tickets

Each graduate is entitled to receive a maximum of 8 tickets to the Commencement Ceremony. The tickets provide guaranteed seating in the Corbin J. Robertson Center. Reserve your tickets before March 14, 2008, by completing the enclosed order form and returning it in the envelope provided or by delivering it to Room 33 of the Roy H. and Lillie Cullen Building. Tickets will be mailed by April 14, 2008, to the address you provide on the ticket reservation form. If desired, you may request additional tickets on the ticket reservation form, and your name will be placed on a waiting list for possible unclaimed tickets. Note: If you do not receive your tickets, please contact the Business Office and/or the Registrar's Office to see if you have outstanding fees, fines or incomplete paperwork. Commencement tickets will be issued upon clearance from both the Business Office and the Registrar's Office.

Special Needs

If you and/or a family member have special needs during Commencement, we are happy to assist you. Please contact the University Events Office at 512-863-1483. We must know four weeks in advance (Friday, April 11) in order to accommodate your special needs.

Simulcast

Due to limited seating in the Robertson Center, there will be on-campus live simulcast of Commencement Convocation available to all guests, including current Southwestern students, who do not have tickets. Guests will be able to view the simulcast in Room 105 of the F.W. Olin Building and join you at the reception following Commencement.

Lunch

A buffet luncheon will be served in the J.E. and L.E. Mabee Commons of the Red & Charline McCombs Campus Center from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at a cost of $8.50 for adults and $4.25 for children 4-10 years of age. You may purchase lunch tickets for family and guests in advance by completing the ORDER FORM. Tickets purchased the day of Commencement increase to $9 for adults and $5 for children 4-10 years of age. Students on a Southwestern University Meal Plan do NOT need to purchase tickets for the meal.

Regalia

Robe Rental

All graduates must wear the rental regalia (cap, gown and hood) to participate in Commencement Convocation. NO SUBSTITUTIONS ARE ACCEPTABLE. Please complete the ORDER FORM and return it before March 14. [Note: Measuring tape enclosed ONLY in the Student Commencement Packet.] Rental cost is $37 and must be paid before March 14. No tax is added. Cash, checks, money orders, and credit cards (Mastercard and Visa) are accepted. Checks should be made payable to Southwestern University. Return the order form in the enclosed envelope or hand deliver it to Room 33 of the Roy H. and Lillie Cullen Building. If you have any questions or need help with measurements, call the University Events Office at 512-863-1483.

Robe & Hood Distribution

Academic regalia distribution will take place in the lounge of the Corbin J. Robertson Center on Saturday, May 10, 2008, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Your robe and hood must be returned to the lounge of the Corbin J. Robertson Center no later than 5 p.m. on Commencement day. The cap and tassel are yours to keep. Failure to return robe and hood will result in a charge of $154.

Announcements, Photography, Rings (optional)

Commencement Announcements and SU Diploma Frames

Printed announcements may be purchased from the SU Bookstore at 512-863-1344 or Josten's at www.shop.jostens.com. The SU Bookstore also will have SU diploma frames available for purchase.

Photography

A professional photographer will capture you receiving your diploma. Approximately two weeks following the ceremony, you will receive a small color proof and will be given the opportunity to order photos. We will provide the photographer with your permanent home address unless otherwise notified. Although the photographer works independently of the University, we welcome your evaluation of the service and quality of the work. Following Southwestern University tradition, members of the Class of 2008 will gather for a group photo immediately following the ceremony. A large panoramic photo and small panoramic photo package will be available for $30 at the time the photo is taken. Payment may be made by cash or check. (Checks should be made payable to Goldbeck Company.) The photograph will be mailed to your permanent address within 10 days.

Video

Arrangements have been made to videotape the ceremony. Information about ordering the video will be mailed to your permanent address.

Official Alumni Ring of Southwestern University

You may order the Official Alumni Ring by contacting Balfour (www.balfour.com or 866-225-3687) or contacting the Alumni and Parent Relations Office (www.sugrads.org or 512-863-1410 or 800-960-6363).

Accommodations

These hotels and motels represent a wide variety of quality and prices. This listing is provided as a service and does not constitute an endorsement. Approximate distance from Georgetown: Round Rock (10.1 miles), North Austin (19.3 miles), Salado (23.6 miles). For questions about any local accommodation, contact the Alumni and Parent Relations Office at 512-863-1410 or 800-960-6363.

JUMP TO

Order Form (.doc)
Checklist
Attendance and Tickets
Regalia
Announcements, Photography, Rings
Accommodations

COMMENCEMENT SCHEDULE

Friday, May 9, 2008

Reception Honoring Graduates and their Families
Red & Charline McCombs Campus Center
5:30-6:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 10, 2008

Graduate Robe Distribution
Robertson Center Lounge, Corbin J. Robertson Center
10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Commencement Worship Service
Lois Perkins Chapel
10:30-11:30 a.m.

Lunch
Mabee Commons, Red & Charline McCombs Campus Center
11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Robing for Graduates
Walzel Courts, Corbin J. Robertson Center
1-1:45 p.m.

Commencement Convocation
Robertson Court, Corbin J. Robertson Center
2-4 p.m.

Class of 2008 Group Photo
John N. Score Quadrangle
4-4:10 p.m.

Reception Honoring Class of 2008 Graduates
Red & Charline McCombs Campus Center
4:10-5 p.m.

Robe Return
Corbin J. Robertson Center Lounge
4:10-5 p.m.

Southwestern Events Office

1001 East University

Georgetown, Tex. 78626-6100
800-960-6363

events@southwestern.edu