A Graduate's Guide to Commencement at Grinnell College

Important Information for Graduates

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/offices/confops/commencement

 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 March 25 is best.  Order announcements by calling 800-433-0296, or order online at http://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

How to Get a Cap and Gown

Purchasing: The Grinnell College Bookstore will sell cap and gown sets in a variety of sizes based on height.  The price is $30 to purchase a set.  Caps and tassels can be purchased separately as well.  No preorders are necessary.  They will be available beginning May 6, 2013 until the day of commencement   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

Borrowing: Caps and gowns are also available through the Grinnell Textbook Lending Library (GTLL).  GTLL collects gently used gowns after Commencement for future graduates to use at no cost.  Information on how to borrow a gown is e-mailed to graduates a week before commencement.  There is a limited supply of gowns, so the earlier in the week they are picked up, the better the chances of getting the right size.  Several mortarboards are also available, but students will need to purchase tassels from the bookstore.  If you have questions please contact [textbooks]. 

What to do with Gowns after Commencement

Students who do not wish to keep their caps and gowns have two sustainable options.

The Grinnell College Bookstore is now participating in a gown recycling program. Purchased gowns are made of a recyclable material. All gowns returned to bookstore drop-off points will be sent in for recycling. 

Students may also donate gently used caps and gowns to the Grinnell Textbook Lending Library (GTLL) by taking them to the computer area across from The Spencer Grill in the Joe Rosenfield Center after commencement.

Gowns borrowed from the GTLL should be returned to the donation area near The Spencer Grill immediately following commencement.

Rehearsal and Line-Up

Watch your e-mail and campus mail for important Commencement announcements.  Rehearsal is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday, May 18; all graduating seniors are required to attend. 

Commencement Reservations

Seniors can enter necessary Commencement information electronically. The senior reservation form can be found at: www.grinnell.edu/car/confops/commencement/srreservation, enter your name, Commencement Picnic reservation, and any special needs requests by      May 1.  Important information regarding Commencement will be forwarded to seniors via e-mail. 

Tickets

No tickets are required for either the indoor or the outdoor ceremony this year. We will try to have Commencement outside at all costs even in case of light rain. (Bring rain gear.)  Arriving early for indoor Commencement, held in the field house of the Bear Recreation and Athletic Center, is advised. It is not necessary to arrive early for outdoor 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 information 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. For those who endorse the pledge, a green ribbon my be obtained from the Office of Conference Operations and Events the week prior to Commencement.  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 attend Commencement, please contact the Office of the Registrar with contact and mailing information. 

Campus Phone Numbers

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 digital 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 requested 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 information 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 after Commencement and provide an address where we can mail the diploma and cover when requirements are completed and we have finalized your transcript.

Residence Life

End-of-Year Checklist for Graduation Seniors:  Check out of College-owned housing by noon on Tuesday, following Commencement.  Sign up with your RLC to check out of your room.  Students who do not check out with their RLC forfeit their opportunity to appeal any damage/excessive cleaning charges.  Return your room key to your RLC or the Security Office.  Your key must be labeled with your name and housing assignment.  Claim all belongings from your residence hall trunk room by the date indicated on closing flyers posted in your residence hall/house.  Be sure all College-owned furniture is present and set up in your room.  Do not leave items in the hallways or common areas.  Take your bicycle with you when you leave. 

To provide a more sustainable move-out, please:  Donate and recycle when possible.  Check residence hall bulletin boards for more details.  Sweep your floor and remove all garbage from your room.  Do NOT sweep debris into or leave trash bags in the hallway.  Take all garbage to a residence hall dumpster (outside).  Donate textbooks and graduation caps and gowns to the Grinnell Textbook Lending Library located in Read Pit.  Take all belongings with you when you leave.

The Office of Development and Alumni Relations

 The Office of Development and Alumni Relations offers 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 alumni online community, which will allows Grinnellians to connect with each other and stay in touch with Grinnell.  On the Loggia, you can network with classmates or Grinnellians through directories and discussion boards.  You can read about and register for regional events, class and affinity Reunions, and most importantly, you can update your contact information and submit news about milestones- family, education, and career- so as to stay connected with the Grinnell community after you leave campus.  Grinnell activities, from happy hours to professional networking events are organized in over 30 cities across the country and we'd love to make sure you know how to connect with Grinnell wherever you land next year.   

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 participation, 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 dollar to dollar match for every senior who make a gift to Grinnell. 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. Senior Challenge gifts acknowledge the generosity of preceding classes and the responsibility each member of the class of 2012 has to future classes.