Northern Arizona University

Doctoral Candidates

To All Candidates for Advanced Degrees:

Please read carefully!

1. All candidates completing degree requirements at the close of the summer and fall 2009 semesters are invited to participate in the Fall Commencement exercises on Friday, December 11, 2009, at the J. Lawrence Walkup Skydome. Graduation papers must be turned into the department by 9/11/09 for your name to appear in the program. The Commencement Program will include the names of candidates earning degrees for the summer and fall 2009 semesters. Doctoral candidates may participate in commencement only if they have passed their dissertation defense. Doctoral candidates will be mailed a participation form to inform us if they do plan to attend and to send in the name of the mentor that will hood them. Attendance at commencement is not mandatory for any candidate; however, we encourage your attendance. Diplomas will not be available at commencement but will be mailed later to all those who qualify.
2. Guest attendance and seating at main commencement are unrestricted. No tickets are required. Children are to be seated in the audience and not among the candidates.
3. If you or any of your guests are an individual with a disability and will require reasonable accommodation to participate in commencement, please contact Betty Zanot at (928)523-3312 or email Betty.Zanot@nau.edu. Requests for accommodation should preferably be made within one week of commencement to allow time to arrange the accommodation.
4. Doctoral candidates are hooded as part of the ceremony so the Graduate Office needs to know if you are planning to participate. Please contact Lucinda Topham at (928)523-9636 or email Lucinda.Topham@nau.edu. The Graduate Office will invite your dissertation advisor or other faculty mentor to assist in hooding you. Please let the Graduate Office know the name of your dissertation advisor or faculty mentor and they will arrange to have that person assist in hooding you. Special instructions regarding the ceremony will be sent to each candidate once attendance is confirmed.
5. All candidates for graduate degrees will assemble in the stands of the
   J. Lawrence Walkup Skydome at 9:00 am and 2:00 pm (see Fall 2009 Schedule) so that the procession can be organized and ready to march promptly at 10:00 am and 3:00 pm. Doctoral candidates and their mentors are the first group in the processional so it is very important that you are on time. You must check in with Graduate Office personnel and pick up a name card. You will carry your hood over your left arm. The candidates will march in single file behind the faculty. A marshal will lead the line. Only graduating students and faculty in cap and gown will be permitted in the assembly.
6. Candidates for doctoral degrees will wear a cap, gown and carry their hood in the procession. Caps, gowns and hoods are available at the bookstore. Announcements and other graduation items are also available at the bookstore. You should contact the NAU Bookstore for details on your cap, gown and hood (928-523-4041 or 1-800-426-7674) or you can order all items on-line at www.bookstore.nau.edu.
7. After you have reached your seat in the Skydome floor seating area, remain standing until the university administrators, Deans, and commencement guests are in place on the platform. If you leave your seat during the ceremony, upon your return you will be asked to remain at the floor entrance until the next break in the proceedings, at which time you will be allowed to return to your seat.
8. A recessional for the platform party and faculty will be conducted at the close of the ceremony.
9. Following commencement we will have designated areas outside of the Skydome for families to meet their graduate. Signs will be posted. There is no access to the Skydome floor following the ceremonies.

Fall 2009

*Students, please arrive to the Skydome 1 hour early (9 a.m. or 2 p.m.) and find where you are to be seated and complete your name reader card.

• Multicultural Student Center

  Commencement Speakers