Ceremony Logistics for Students

Processional

The processional will enter the auditorium beginning with graduating students, led by the Marshals and then the faculty and platform party.  

Marshals will lead the two lines to the appropriate entrances.  Graduates will be seated in the first twelve rows of the auditorium.  The key people are those who begin or end a row. The seating plan is designed to ensure you are seated in proper alphabetic order for the conferring of degrees. It is extremely IMPORTANT every seat be filled unless the seat has a "reserved" sign. DO NOT LEAVE ANY SEATS EMPTY UNLESS THEY ARE RESERVED. Staff will assist you in getting to the right place in line prior to the processional.

PLEASE REMAIN STANDING until all members of the Platform Party are in place and the Grand Marshal signals for all to be seated.

Conferring of Degrees FOR ALL STUDENTS

When proceeding to the stage to be hooded and receive your diploma, stay in the line-up order, as you will be called up on stage in that order.

When the first name is called, the entire first row ONLY (Row 1) will rise, turn to face right, and move in single file towards the stairs on the right side of the stage.  The first candidate will proceed onto the stage.  Please wait until your name is called and then proceed onto the stage. Marshals will be there to assist you.

As soon as the name of the next to last person in the first row is called, the entire second row (Row 2) will rise, turn to face right, and move in single file towards the stairs on the right side of the stage.  Wait until your name is called and then proceed onto the stage.  Repeat for each successive row.  

Combined Degree Recipients- Special Instructions

MD/MPH degree students If you are receiving two degrees during the ceremony you will be seated in your MPH seat (first rows) initially. Once the conferring of the degrees begins please stand up and form a line on the right side of the audience (Marshals will guide you). Once you leave the stage, go to your assigned MD seat (2nd spot) and then wait to be called up to receive your second degree (MD). We ask the students in the rows with the assigned seats to please be courteous and allow those students to exit and enter their rows smoothly.

MD/PhD degree students You will be initially seated in your MD seat, once you receive your MD Degree you will return to your PhD seat (2nd spot) and then wait to be called up to receive your second degree.  

Once you are on STAGE

As your name is called, proceed across the stage as follows:
1. Walk to the assistant hooder who will take your hood – MAKE SURE YOUR HOOD IS NOT BUTTONED IN THE BACK BEFORE YOU WALK ON STAGE!

2. Turn towards the audience and remain there until the hooding is completed (see special hooding instructions).

3. After the hooding, proceed to the diploma table to receive your diploma and congratulations from Dean Charney. Turn towards the audience when you receive your diploma (this is a key photo opportunity – smile!) A professional photographer will take your picture, which you can purchase at a later date).

4. After receiving your diploma, proceed across the stage and exit by the stairs to the left side.

5. Return to your original seat (or 2nd seat in the MD/MPH cases) and be seated.

Special Note: Your hands must be free to shake hands and accept the diploma from Dean Charney. A Marshall will be at the foot of the stairs to assist you.

Recessional

After the Benediction, please remain standing in place.  THE PLATFORM PARTY WILL LEAVE FIRST followed by the Faculty and then the graduates. The first row of graduates will recess first. You will march towards the back of the ballroom in two lines.

Line leaders; please remember which direction you should be going during all the different stages of the ceremony.  All line leaders will be identified at the ceremony.

Staff will be there to assist by putting you in the right direction!