December 2007 Commencement

The University of Tampa will hold its one hundred-second Commencement on Saturday, Dec. 15, 2007 at the Martinez Sports Center.


Commencement Ceremony | Back to top.

All candidates for a December 2007 degree are encouraged to attend Commencement. Commencement will be held according to the above schedule in the Martinez Sports Center. Graduates in caps and gowns should arrive at 9:15 a.m. in order to finalize arrangements and form a procession.

Graduates should bring their name cards which they should have received by mail during exam week from the Registrar’s Office. The cards will be used to ensure that names are correctly read aloud at Commencement. Name cards, if forgotten, may be picked up at a table in the Martinez Center beginning at 8:30 a.m.

Graduates should remain standing during the processional and the singing of the National Anthem. Men should remove their caps during the Anthem and replace them afterward. Women leave their caps in place throughout the ceremony. Graduates should be seated as a group when the Anthem is completed.

Candidates will rise one row at a time and be “presented” with their respective degrees. The assistant marshals will direct the movement to the platform. Bachelor’s degree candidates wear their tassels over their right temples. Master's candidates wear their tassels over their left temples. When the candidates advance toward the stage, they should present their name cards to the announcer just as they reach the head of the stairs. The announcer will read their names. Then each graduate should come across the platform and receive his or her diploma cover from the president of the University, Dr. Ronald Vaughn.

Graduates should rise when the Alma Mater is played. While women leave their caps in place, men remove theirs for the Alma Mater and await the signal from the assistant marshals for their row to join the recessional. Platform occupants withdraw first; then, the faculty members. Finally, the graduates exit, beginning with the front rows, and following the sequence front to back.

Frequently Asked Questions | Back to top.

1. How do graduates get their caps and gowns?
2. What do master's candidates do with the hoods that are included with their caps and gowns?
3. Where can announcements be purchased?
4. What should graduates wear?
5. How do students qualify for academic honors?
6. Where and when do graduates receive honor cords and medals?
7. When do graduates receive their diplomas?
8. Are tickets required for Commencement?
9. May a student speak at Commencement?
10. Will there be a rehearsal?
11. Will there be special arrangements for graduates with disabilities?
12. Will there be a reception for graduates?
13. May we take photographs at Commencement?
14. How can graduates sit with their graduating friends during the ceremony?
15. Are alcoholic beverages and noisemakers allowed at Commencement?
16. How many students will be graduating?
17. What time will the ceremony end?
18. Where do I meet my guests after the ceremony?
19. May we shop at the University Bookstore on Commencement day?
20. Whom should we call if we have further questions?

How do graduates get their caps and gowns? | Back to Questions.
Students should order their academic regalia by visiting the University Bookstore or online at www.herffjones.com/college/graduation. Information about ordering procedures will be sent directly to student mailboxes from the University Bookstore. All orders must be placed Oct. 26, 2007.

Students should present their UT ID cards when picking up their academic regalia. Also, they should check immediately to make sure they receive a cap, gown and tassel in their packet. Students residing off campus should contact the University Bookstore at (813) 253-6230, bksutampa@bncollege.com, or (813) 253-6294 (FAX).

What do master's candidates do with the hoods that are included with their caps and gowns? | Back to Questions.
Graduate non-business candidates carry their hoods over their left arm. Two faculty members will assist in placing the hoods over the Commencement gowns prior to the graduates’ ascending the stairs.

Graduate business students will attend a separate hooding ceremony on Friday, Dec. 14, 2007, in Fletcher Lounge in Plant Hall. The hooding ceremony is a celebratory event during which representatives from the College of Business place a hood over the Commencement gown of each graduate, signifying his or her successful completion of the graduate program. The ceremony begins at 7 p.m., and students should arrive no later than 6:30 p.m.

Where can announcements be purchased? | Back to Questions.
Personalized announcements suitable for mailing to relatives and friends may be ordered at the University Bookstore or online at www.herffjones.com/college/graduation. All orders must be placed by Oct. 17, 2007.

What should graduates wear? | Back to Questions.
Men are asked to wear dark trousers, dark shoes, and neckties. Women are asked to wear dark skirts, dresses or dress slacks, and dark shoes with low heels for safety reasons. Men are not required to wear suit coats under their robes.

How do students qualify for academic honors? | Back to Questions.
The names of students receiving bachelor’s degrees who are candidates to receive academic honors are announced at Commencement if they have completed their requirements by that day and if, at the conclusion of the prior semester, they have achieved minimum GPAs as described below. Upon completion, the honors are inscribed on their diplomas and transcripts. Graduation honors, however, are not awarded to those receiving second bachelor’s degrees. Transfer students must have earned at least 31 hours at The University of Tampa in order to qualify for academic honors.

The three levels of Latin honors are:

• Cum Laude for those with grade point averages of at least 3.5 earned on all work attempted at the University, and grade point averages of at least 3.5 when combined with all previously attempted college work.
• Magna Cum Laude for those with grade point averages of at least 3.75 earned on all work attempted at the University, and grade point averages of at least 3.75 when combined with all previously attempted college work.
• Summa Cum Laude for those with grade point averages of 4.0 earned on all work attempted at the University, and grade point averages of 4.0 when combined with all previously attempted college work.

Master's candidates with overall GPAs of 4.0 in graduate-level coursework will be recognized at graduation with “highest honors.” Students who graduate with overall GPAs of 3.9 through 3.99 will be recognized as graduating with “honors.” Students with GPAs of 3.8 through 3.89 will be honored with certificates of academic excellence from their respective departments.

Where and when do graduates receive honor cords and medals? | Back to Questions.
University honor cords (for the cum laude awards) will be given out at the Registrar’s Office table in the Martinez Center Lobby on Commencement day. Master’s candidates will receive honor cords for “highest honors” and for “honors.” Department honor awards are given out by the respective departments. Please bring your name card with you to verify your UT honors. Only those students whose honor status is recorded on their name card will be given an honor cord.

When do graduates receive their diplomas? | Back to Questions.
At the Commencement ceremony, each graduate receives a diploma cover from President Vaughn. The diploma is mailed to the student’s permanent home address once all degree requirements have been met, and all financial obligations to UT have been satisfied. Students should keep their diploma covers and place their diplomas in them when they arrive. Most diplomas are mailed by the Registrar’s Office by mid January to the graduate's permanent home address that is on record with the Registrar's Office. To change their permanent address, students must contact the Registrar's Office.

Are tickets required for Commencement? | Back to Questions.
Tickets are not required for the Commencement ceremony. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Due to space limitations, graduates are requested not to bring more than eight guests.

May a student speak at Commencement? | Back to Questions.
Students are chosen to speak at Commencement. Students interested in speaking should contact the Office of the Dean of Students at (813) 253-6204 for more information. Applications are available from the Dean of Students Office, Plant Hall, Rm. 124. To be considered, applications must be received by 4 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 26.

Will there be a rehearsal? | Back to Questions.
No graduation rehearsal will be held; however, there will be a meeting for graduates on Thursday, Dec. 13, at 3:30 p.m. in Fletcher Lounge of Plant Hall. Bob Ruday, dean of students, will explain what will take place at the Commencement ceremony so that students will be fully prepared. It is important that students attend this meeting. Notes from the meeting are on this Web site.

Will there be special arrangements for graduates with disabilities? | Back to Questions.
Graduating seniors with physical disabilities should contact the Office of the Dean of Students at deanstudents@ut.edu or (813) 253-6204 as soon as possible.

Will there be a reception for graduates?
A Senior Reception to honor the Class of 2007 and their families will be held on Friday, Dec. 14, from 5-7 p.m., on the ninth floor of the Vaughn Center. Light refreshments will be served. Dress is casual. For further information, contact the Office of Development and University Relations at (813) 253-6220 or parent@ut.edu.

May we take photographs at Commencement? | Back to Questions.
The University has arranged for Bob Knight Photo to photograph each graduate receiving his or her degree. Each graduate will receive a proof of the photograph some time after Commencement and may purchase additional photographs. For more information, contact Bob Knight Photo at (800) 261-2576 or custserv@bobknightphoto.com.

During the ceremony, only official University and media photographers will be allowed access to the stage and graduates’ seating area for taking photographs. Please do not enter the floor or stage area to take personal pictures. Following the ceremony, families are welcome to use the stage and surrounding area as a backdrop for photos.

How can graduates sit with their graduating friends during the ceremony? | Back to Questions.
Graduates usually can sit with their graduating friends by getting in front or back of the same line with them when they assemble for the processional to Commencement seating.

Are alcoholic beverages and noisemakers allowed at Commencement? | Back to Questions.
Alcoholic beverages and noisemakers are not allowed at the Commencement ceremony and will be confiscated by the marshals.

How many students will be graduating? | Back to Questions.
Approximately 300 students are expected to participate.

What time will the ceremony end? | Back to Questions.
The entire Commencement ceremony usually takes less than 2 hours, depending upon the number of graduates who participate and the length of the speeches.

Where do I meet my guests after the ceremony? | Back to Questions.
Please arrange a place to meet prior to the start of the procession.

May we shop at the University Bookstore on Commencement day? | Back to Questions.
For the convenience of our graduates and their families, the Campus Store will be open on Saturday, Dec. 15, from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. The Campus Store also is open on Friday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. The Campus Store features UT apparel and many items suitable for Commencement gift-giving.

Whom should we call if we have further questions? | Back to Questions.
If you need additional information, please e-mail us at deanstudents@ut.edu or call the Dean of Students Office at (813) 253-6204. We will be pleased to answer questions and provide assistance whenever possible. We look forward to seeing and applauding our graduates at Commencement.

Hotel Arrangements | Back to top.

The host hotel is the Westin Harbour Island. Please call (813) 229-5000 by Nov. 16, 2007. Please identify yourself as part of The University of Tampa Commencement. Reservation requests received after the cut-off date will be based on availability at the hotel's prevailing rates. For more information, visit the Westin's Web site. Please make reservations as soon as possible.

Information for Guests with Disabilities | Back to top.

There will be special seating for those in wheelchairs. There is a limit of one person who will be able to sit with each person in a wheelchair. The first row of each bleacher section will be reserved for those who cannot climb stairs and one other person.

Please contact a Diplomat at the entrance to the seating area at the Bob Martinez Sports Center for assistance.