Graduation Instructions for Students

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Date & Time of Commencement Ceremony

• Thursday, May 26, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. on the College Mall.
• Graduates must arrive at OCC by 5:00 p.m. to prepare for the procession.
• Graduates will assemble in the Gymnasium of the HPEC Building.
• Late graduates will not be permitted to enter the procession.
• There is no rehearsal; please make arrangements to arrive on time so you will know what to do for the ceremony.
  

Inclement Weather Provision

• If severe weather conditions are expected, the Commencement ceremony will be moved to the Poland Springs Arena on Old Freehold Road in Toms River.
• If the ceremony will be moved because of inclement weather it will be announced by noon on May 26.
• Check the college home page at www.ocean.edu or call the main phone number at 732-255-0400 for a recorded message.

Guests

• Invitations are not required for admission to the ceremony.
• There is no limit on the number of guests.
• Guests must arrive by 6:00 p.m.
• Guests are not permitted to save seats.

Graduation Fee

• If you paid the graduation fee an invitation was mailed to your home.
• If you elected to participate in the Commencement Ceremony, an additional purchase of a cap and gown from the College Bookstore was required.
• You should already have ordered a 2011 cap and gown at the College Bookstore which constitutes your registration to participate in the 2011 Commencement Ceremony.
• If you have not ordered a cap and gown at the Bookstore, it is assumed you have elected not to participate in the Commencement Ceremony.
• Please note: If you do not complete the requirements for your degree by the end of the Summer Sessions, you must reapply for Graduation 2012 and repay the graduation fee.

Cap & Gown Distribution

• Pick up your cap, gown, hood, and green tassel at the College Bookstore beginning May 17th.
  Please present paid receipt at pickup.
• Questions concerning Caps and Gowns should be directed to the Bookstore at 732-255-0333.

Honors, Cum Laude, NJ Stars, & Phi Theta Kappa

• Students in the Honors Program are eligible for Green/Gold tassels.
• Students with a final grade point average of 3.5 or greater are eligible for Gold tassels.
• Phi Theta Kappa students may purchase a PTK stole.
• Students graduating from the NJ Stars program are eligible to receive a pin recognizing their efforts.
• Note: Due to the dependence on final grades, these special tassels and pins will not be available when students pick up caps and gowns. Honors, PTK, and NJ Stars students should stop in the Bookstore on May 25 or 26 to pick up their tassel, stole and/or pin for use at the ceremony.
• Note: Phi Theta Kappa members who have not already done so must immediately inform the PTK Administrator at 732-255-0400 ext. 2185 of plans to graduate. Failure to do so will result in your being omitted from the Bookstore list for the stole and your status will not be noted in the Commencement program.

Diploma Distribution – Actual diplomas will not be available at the ceremony. Diplomas can be picked up at the Registration and Records Office:

• FALL 2010 completion graduates – Diplomas are already available
• SPRING 2011 completion graduates – Diplomas will be available beginning June 1, 2011
• SUMMER 2011 completion graduates – Diplomas will be available beginning Sept. 2, 2011.
  IDENTIFICATION IS REQUIRED TO PICK UP A DIPLOMA.

Handicapped Access

• Parking Lot 3 is designated for handicapped parking on a first-come, first-served basis. State issued handicapped parking pass required.
• Graduates requesting special accommodations, should contact the Office of Student Life at 732-255-0400 ext. 2139, at least three days prior to the ceremony so that accommodations can be arranged.

Graduate Photos

• Island Photography will take pictures of graduates as they receive congratulations.
• Island Photography will mail proofs to your home, but you are under no obligation to purchase.
  Student addresses will only be used for mailing proofs and enlargements.
• Island Photography will not sell the graduation list for any other purpose.
• Family and friends may still take their own pictures at the ceremony.
• DVDs of the 2011 Commencement will be available for purchase from the bookstore 3-4 weeks after the actual event (application forms will be available online at bookstore.ocean.edu).

If there are any questions regarding these instructions, please call the Registration and Records Office at 732.255.0304 or Student Life at 732.255.0348.