Calendar of Events
Friday, May 21
11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Lunch Dining for students and families. Cost is $8.50 (children under 12, $5). Marketplace, Joe Rosenfield Center 5 - 7 p.m. Dinner Dining for students and families. Cost is $10 (children under 12, $5) Marketplace, Joe Rosenfield Center 10 p.m. - 1 a.m. Senior Party Open to all current students after 11 p.m. Students only. Harris Center
Saturday, May 22
11-11:45 a.m. Rehearsal for Commencement Required for all seniors. Darby Gym 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Lunch Dining for students and families. Cost is $8.50 (children under 12 $5). Marketplace, Joe Rosenfield Center 2:30 - 3:30 p.m. Phi Beta Kappa Initiation By invitation, for initiates and their families only. Herrick Chapel 3:30 - 5 p.m. President's Social President Russell K. Osgood welcomes all seniors and their families to a social gathering at his home. Seniors will receive a printed invitation in early May. President's Residence, 1600 Park Street 5 - 6 p.m. Dinner Dining for students and families. Cost is $10 (children under 2, $5). Marketplace, Joe Rosenfield Center 7 p.m. Commencement Vocal Concert Featuring the Grinnell singers and student a capella ensembles. Herrick Chapel 9 p.m. Senior Showcase A talent show in which seniors perform for classmates and guests. Families are invited for approximately two hours of great entertainment. Harris Center Concert Hall
Sunday, May 23
9 a.m. - 11 a.m. Baccalaureate Includes short addresses by seniors, faculty and the president. Honorary class members are announced. Herrick Chapel (overflow seating on Herrick lawn) 10:30 a.m. - noon Brunch Dining for students and families. Cost is $8.50 (children under 12, $5). Marketplace, Joe Rosenfield Center 12:15 - 2 p.m. Honor G Awards This athletic award and honor ceremony is held for senior varsity letterwinners and their families. Reception to follow in the Harris Center Concert Hall. Harris Center Cinema 2 p.m. Posse Ceremony A celebration of achievement with Posse students and their families. Room 101, Joe Rosenfield Center Reception following in the Spencer Grill 4:15 p.m. Voluntary Service Send-off Celebrate students doing full-time service work after graduation. Students and families are invited to attend. Room 101, Joe Rosenfield Center 5 p.m. Senior Honors Concert Senior vocal and instrumental musicians perform for families and guests. Sebring-Lewis Hall, Bucksbaum Center for the Arts 5:30 p.m. Intercurtural/International Student Dinner Dinner in the Marketplace Pavilion/Patio for intercultural/international students and their families. Pavilion and Patio, Joe Rosenfield Center 6-6:30 p.m. Dinner Dining for students and families. Cost is $10 (children under 12, $5) Marketplace, Joe Rosenfield Center 8 p.m. Commencement Concert Performance by the Grinnell Symphonic Band. Roberts Theatre, Bucksbaum Center for the Arts 9:15 p.m. Observatory Open House Informal tours with Professor of Physics Robert Cadmus. Guests welcome. Grant O. Gale Observatory
Monday, May 24
9:30 a.m. Carillon Concert College Organist. Central Campus 10 a.m. Exercises of Commencement Central Campus (Darby Gymnasium if inclement weather - tickets required) Immediately Following Commencement Commencement Picnic Complimentary picnic for seniors, family members, guests, faculty, and staff. Central Campus Lawn (PEC if inclement weather)
Important Information for Graduates
Important Dates to Remember:
How to Order Announcements
Announcements can be ordered at any time. If you want family and friends to be informed in plenty of time to attend Commencement, placing your order by April 1 is best. Order announcements by calling 800-433-0296, or order online at www.cbgrad.com. Please allow a minimum of three weeks for your order to be processed and delivered to you. CB Announcements is the official announcement company endorsed by the Grinnell College Bookstore. Your announcements will be embossed with the official seal of Grinnell College.
Caps and Gowns
The Grinnell College Bookstore will sell cap and gown sets in a variety of sizes based on height, available beginning May 3, 2010. Pre-orders are not necessary. The price is $25. Pick these up early; popular sizes may not be available closer to Commencement day.
Grinnell does not require students to buy caps and gowns from the bookstore, though it is recommended. Grinnell follows the standards accepted by the American Council on Education, available at www.acenet.edu.
Gown Recycling Program
Caps and gowns are also available through the Grinnell Textbook Lending Library (GTTL). GTTL collects gently used gowns after Commencement for future graduates to use at no cost. An e-mail will be forwarded to graduates a week before Commencement with details on borrowing a "recycled" gown, which will include times and dates the library is open. Borrowed gowns as well as new donations should be returned immediately after Commencement at a location to be announced. Contact [textbooks] with any questions.
Rehearsal and Line-Up
Watch your e-mail and campus mail for important Commencement announcements. Rehearsal is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday, May 22; all graduating seniors are required to attend.
Commencement Reservations
Seniors can enter necessary Commencement information electronically. On the senior reservation form found at www.grinnell.edu/car/confops/commencement/srreservation, enter your name, Commencement Picnic reservation, and any special need requests by May 10. Important information regarding Commencement will be forwarded to seniors via e-mail.
Tickets
Remeber - we will try to have Commencement outside at all costs (even in case of light rain - bring rain gear); no tickets are needed for an outdoor ceremony. If intolerable weather forces us inside, each senior will receive four guest tickets for indoor Commencement (seniors do not need tickets). We strictly enforce the limit of four tickets per graduate due to limited seating in Darby Gym (our indoor location) and the need to adhere to safety regulations for indoor assemblies. We provide live, closed-circuit viewing in the Harris Center Cinema for those without tickets. Arriving early for indoor Commencement is advised, but is not necessary for outdoor Commencement. Seniors pick up their tickets at the Rosenfield Center, Room 206, with their senior packets. Packets are distributed the week before Commencement.
Pictures
Jolesch Photography will photograph each graduate as he/she approaches the stage and receives a diploma. Proofs will be sent via e-mail or to the home address of the student, when available, after graduation. Options, including specific packages and pricing, will be available in that mailing.
Green Ribbon
As college seniors across the nation gear up to search for jobs, many look for companies or organizations that do not pollute streams, rivers, or the air; practice discriminatory or unfair business; or create an unfriendly work atmosphere. These students conscientiously go the extra mile in their job searches because they support a nationwide effort based at Manchester College, the Graduation Pledge Alliance. More informaiton is available at www.graduationpledge.org.
The voluntary pledge states: "I pledge to explore and take into account the social and environmental consequences of any job I consider or any organization for which I work." Students determine for themselves what they define to be socially and environmentally responsible.
A green ribbon will be included in your Senior Packets for those who endorse the pledge. Wearing the ribbon makes a public statement of your intent to consider the well-being of the world as you consider job possibilities and after you are on the job.
Phi Beta Kappa
In the spring semester, Grinnell College's Phi Beta Kappa chapter, Beta of Iowa, selects high achieving third-year and senior students from among the candidates for election. The chapter initiates the consideration of third-year and seniors for membership without action by the students. Students are notified by the chapter if they are to be offered membership in Phi Beta Kappa.
Loan Exit Interviews
Students with a Federal Perkins Loan must complete an exit interview online. An e-mail will be sent from the Office of the Cashier and University Accounting Services (UAS) explaining the procedure. If you fail to complete the interview, you will not have valuable information regarding how to handle these loans after leaving Grinnell College. You will not be eligible to receive transcripts if the exit interview is not completed.
Students with a Grinnell College Loan must attend an exit interview with the bursar in the Office of the Cashier. You will receive an e-mail from the cashier's office with available appointments. You will be required to complete an exit interview questionnaire and receive repayment instructions.
Students with a Federal Stafford Loan must receive exit counseling either in person or online. The Office of Student Financial Aid will send information to borrowers in April. The packet will include a summary of indebtedness, group session times, and instructions on completing the requirement online.
If You Cannot Attend Commencement
If you are unable to atend Commencement, please contact the Office of the Registrar with contact and mailing information.
Campus Phone Numbers
Bookstore...............................................269-3424 Campus Switchboard..............................269-4000 Career Development..............................269-4940 College and Alumni Relations.....................269-1846 Conference Operations and Events...........269-3235 Financial Aid.........................................269-3250 Information Technologies........................269-4901 Mail Services........................................269-3421 Registrar.............................................269-3450 Security..............................................269-4600 Student Affairs.....................................269-3700
Announcements
IT
Network Account Information Graduating seniors and ninth semester students will receive a six-month extension of their current directory account. See www.grinnell.edu/its/policy/gradsenior for complete information about account extensions for graduating and ninth semester students.
You can modify passwords or check account status at www.passwordreset.grinnell.edu. Make sure you can access the server prior to leaving campus.
All borrowed network hubs and equipment signed out from the AV Center must be returned. Your account will be charged for replacement costs if not returned, which could put a hold on your records.
If you would like copies of academic digiatal works, theatre performances, or music recitals (providing that you or the department recorded the event), please bring the original media and one DVD-R to the AV Center for a copy. The original media will be held by the department or may already be at the AV Center. This must be requrested at least two weeks before the end of the semester due to the high volume of requests. Check your Senior Packet and e-mail for more important IT informaiton and announcements.
Registrar
Final Transcripts The registrar will not be able to finalize (the degree, major, and honors) transcripts for graduating seniors until the end of June. If you request transcripts in June, please tell us to hold the request until the degree has been noted on the transcripts; transcripts sent in early June will not show your final degree.
Students who have not completed their graduation requirements will receive diploma covers but no diploma at Commencement. Return the cover to us afer Commencement and provide an address where we can mail the diploma and cover when requirements are completed and we have finalized your transcript.
Student Affairs
End-of-Year Checklist for Graduation Seniors • Graduating seniors must leave College-owned housing by noon Tuesday after Commencement. • Claim your belongings from the residence hall trunkrooms by the date established and posted by the residence life coordinator. • Sign up with your RLC to check out of your room. Students who do not check out with an RLC forfeit their right to appeal fines/charges. • Inventoried College-owned student room furniture must be present, orderly, assembled, and set up in your room. • Please do not leave items in the hallways. • Take your bicycle when you leave campus. • Check residence hall bulletin boards for (rented) loft and refrigerator return information. • Return your room key to your RLC or the security office. Your key must be labeled with your name and housing/room information.
To provide a more sustainable move-out, please:
• Donate and recycle when possible. Check residence hall bulletin boards for more details. • Take garbage to a residence hall dumpster (outside). Please do not sweep dirt or trash from rooms into the hallways. • Please take all your belongings with you when you leave campus. • Donate textbooks and graduation caps and gowns to the Grinnell Textbook Lending Library located in Read Pit
Alumni Council and the Office of College and Alumni Relations
The Grinnell College Alumni Council and the Office of College and Alumni Relations offer a number of tools to graduates. Networking and connecting with other alumni is one of the best ways to achieve postgraduate goals.
The Loggia (http://loggia.grinnell.edu) is the new alumni online community, which will allow Grinnellians to connect with each other and stay in touch with Grinnell. On the Loggia, Grinnellians can network with classmates or Grinnellians through directories and discussion boards. They can read about and register for regional events. They can update their contact information and submit news about milestones - family, education, and career.
Instruction on how to join The Loggia will be included in your Senior Packets.
Senior Challenge
Stephen K. Kent ′67 Memorial Senior Challenge Steve Kent ′67, a member of the Alumni Council and a class fund director, started the Senior Challenge in 1988 to introduce seniors to Grinnell's tradition of generous alumni giving. He initiated the challenge by giving an additional $5 to the annual fund (now the Pioneer Fund) for every graduating senior who participated in the 1988 Senior Challenge. He also gave an additional $500 to the annual fund because the class of 1988, with 54 percent particiation, had surpassed Kent's class in participation. The Senior Challenge was renamed the Stephen K. Kent ′67 Memorial Senior Challenge after Kent's death in 1989.
Currently, the Alumni Association Council offers a match of $5 for every donation if participation exceeds 50 percent and $10 if particiaption exceeds 70 percent. In addition, if participation exceeds 70 percent, the council provides a gift of $750 in honor of the senior class. If participation exceeds 90 percent, the council raises the capstone to $1,500. The record for Senior Challenge participation is 87 percent, set in 1996.
The Senior Challenge initiates a long-term commitment to Grinnell. The challenge allows students to honor their four-year journey, to express the joy and pride they feel toward Grinnell in a tangible way, and begin to build mature philanthropic relationships that will last throughout our lives. Outstanding programs and academics ensure excellent students continue to come to study at Grinnell. Alumni, parents, and friends provide resources ensuring Grinnell excellence is a reality.
Since 2006, the 50th Reunion class has sponsored the Senior Opportunity Scholarship, an annually funded scholarship that honors selected graduating seniors by buying down their student loans. Gifts for this scholarship come exclusively from the 50th Reunion class. Since 2006, 50th Reunion classes have also participated in the Medallion Ceremony during New Student Orientation, in the Brass Ring Ceremony during Commencement rehearsal, in Commencement with a representative as honorary marshal, and have invited legacy classmates to their reunion activities. Senior Challenge gifts acknowledge the generosity of preceding classes and the responsibility each member of the class of 2010 has to future classes.
Commencement Information
Any questions or concerns regarding Commencement activities should be directed to: Office of Conference Operations and Events Grinnell College Grinnell, IA 50112-1690 (641) 269-3235 fax (641) 269-4650
e-mail commencement@grinnell.edu website www.grinnell.edu/car/confops/commencement
