Commencement Information

Getting Started

UNIVERSITY DEADLINE: You must apply to graduate in AXESS or file a walk-through form with the Student Services Center by April 12, 2009. If you miss the deadline, you will need to contact the Registrar’s Office/Student Services Center and the Psychology Department Student Services Office (sso@psych.stanford.edu) in the Student Services Office in Psychology.  

In order to participate and attend the Psychology Department ceremony, you will need to fill out and turn in the Psychology Commencement Form. You will indicate on this form how many people will be attending the ceremony with you and whether or not they’ll need special arrangements (i.e. disability needs, special seating, etc.). The department cannot accommodate any more than 4 guests per person. Please plan accordingly. This form is due to the Student Services Office by May 8, 2009. Late forms cannot be accepted.

** Please click here for the Psychology Commencement Form.** 

Please visit http://commencement.stanford.edu for information and deadlines regarding the main ceremony. You must order your cap and gown by Friday, May 1, 2009 – at the latest. You may order these online via the Bookstore at: www.stanfordbookstore.com.  

The Psychology Department Ceremony and Reception

The Psychology Department ceremony will be at 1:00 PM on Sunday, June 14, 2009, following the main ceremony. The ceremony will be about one and a half hours long. Our ceremony location is the Ford Center Plaza (by the Ford Center). For a map to the location, go here: http://campus-map.stanford.edu/index.cfm?ID=08-250 (use the zoom in and zoom out features). 

Please be at the site by 12:15 pm in order to check in and to pick up your line-up card. The check in desk will be located in front of the Arrillaga Center for Sports and Recreation (facing Ford Center Plaza). 

A reception (with some light refreshments) will be served indoors in the Arrillaga Center for Sports and Recreation from 12:00-1:00PM.  Since only light refreshments and beverages will be served, we strongly encourage you to eat lunch beforehand or after the department ceremony. Please limit your number of guests to four.  All graduates and their guests are welcome, along with Psychology Department faculty and staff.  Most of the ceremony seating will be in the shade. Disability seating/special accommodations are available. Please indicate on the Psychology Commencement Form whether or not you will need special accommodations for yourself and/or your guests. This form is due to the Student Services Office by May 8th. 

The Psychology ceremony faculty speaker this year is: Dr. Ewart Thomas

Graduate and undergraduate speakers: TBD 

Line Up Instructions 

The Student Services Team will be with you at every step of the way. If you have any questions, feel free to pull one of them aside. So you get an idea of how the line up will go, we’ve outlined the process below.  When you sign in at the “check-in desk” we will give you an index cards with your name and a number on them. Please be at the site by 12:15 pm in order to pick up your line-up card. The line-up number will put you in alphabetic order by degree. When students are called to line up (at 12:45 PM), please line up according to the number on your card inside the Ford Center. Faculty will be first in line, followed by the student speakers, followed by the Ph.D. students, followed by undergraduates and co-terminal students in alphabetical order.  

Faculty will lead the procession of students up through the audience. Faculty and student speakers will continue on up to seating on the stage. Students will sit down in the designated area (the first three rows of the audience) in their line-up order. Seats will be saved for the student speakers. When the student speakers are through, they will return to their (saved) seats among their classmates. After speeches, in preparation for diploma distribution, the Student Services team will request that individual seated rows of students stand up and file to the right side of the tent.  

If you are a Ph.D. student: When you hear your name, you will proceed onto the stage on the right side with your hood in your left hand. Give your hood to your faculty advisor (who will be standing on stage) and turn so your back is facing your advisor. S/he will place the hood on you and give you your diploma. Shake hands with your faculty advisor, pause for a picture from the professional photographer, then leave the stage down the stairs on the left and return to your seat. 

If you are a BA, BS, or MA student: When you hear your name, you will proceed onto the stage on the right side. A faculty member will give you your diploma. Shake hands with the faculty member, pause for a picture from the professional photographer, then leave the stage down the stairs on the left and return to your seat. 

At the end of the ceremony, the Chair of the Psychology Department will announce your graduation year. At this point you may toss your caps in the air and cheer. Please be mindful that there are other ceremonies taking place in the area as you exit. Also please pick up your belongings and/or trash.  

Diplomas

If you have conferred your degree, you will receive your actual diploma. Please check to make sure that this diploma is yours before leaving the commencement site. If you have not conferred your degree, a note inside the diploma will direct you on what your next step should be. If you received the wrong diploma, please contact one of the Student Services people immediately following the ceremony.  

Weather

The average temperatures for Palo Alto in June are between 55 (low) and 79 (high) degrees. Commencement Day is traditionally warm, dry, and sunny. Because the main ceremony and the Psychology ceremony will be held outside, please dress accordingly. Shaded seating will be available for the Psychology ceremony and the reception will be indoors. Additionally, the Psychology ceremony will be on grass, so plan to wear appropriate footwear.  In case of rain: The decision to use the rain plan will be made several days before the Baccalaureate celebration and the Commencement ceremony. Signs will be posted confirming rain plan information. Announcements will be made on radio stations, including Stanford’s KZSU 90.1 FM and the Stanford telephone exchange will be informed. Information and updates can also be obtained from Stanford Events at:  650-723-2551. More information can be found here: http://commencement.stanford.edu/faqs/#17 

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