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Dear NJMS 2011 Graduation Candidate:
Congratulations on your upcoming graduation! Enclosed please find important information pertaining to Convocation and Commencement. Please take time to read the information carefully. I encourage you to share this information with your guests.
Best wishes as you conclude your final semester at NJMS.
Julie E. Ferguson
Assistant Dean for Student Affairs/Director, Office of the Registrar
New Jersey Medical School Convocation
Event Details
Convocation Date / Monday, May 23, 2011Time / The ceremony begins promptly at 10:00 a.m. Students must arrive by 8:30 a.m. in order to line-up for the procession (a light continental breakfast will be served). The ceremony will end at approximately 12:00 p.m.
Location / New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), Prudential Hall.
Parking / Parking will be available in Military Park Garage, opposite the main entrance, and at other nearby facilities. Each student will receive one parking voucher, which entitles the user to free parking. The voucher is accepted at Military Park Garage or other nearby facilities. You are strongly encouraged to carpool. A shuttle bus will also be available from the Medical Science Building.
Invitations / Each student will receive ten (10) invitations, which will be included in the graduation package in April.
Tickets / Each candidate will receive twelve tickets. Four tickets will be on the orchestra level; these tickets are stamped “Received – May 23, 2011 - Student Affairs” on the back. Eight tickets will be general seating in the other tiers. The tickets will be included in the graduation package in April. If you do not need to use all of your tickets, PLEASE return extras to the Registrar’s Office by April 22, 2011. We will hold a lottery to distribute extra tickets to the class.
Requesting Extra Tickets / Please make a formal request for extra tickets by either filling out a “Request for Convocation Tickets” form available in the Registrar’s Office, or by emailing Heidi - with your request. You must specify orchestra, general seating, or no preference, and number of tickets.
**Per fire code, all guests will require a ticket, including infants and small children.**
Guest Seating and General Information / Seating is available according to ticket designation. Guests must arrive together to be seated together. Guests will not be permitted to reserve seats.
The rotunda and the lobby open at 9:00 a.m. Guests should expect to be seated between 9:15 a.m. and 9:45 a.m.
Each guest will receive a ceremony program as he/she arrives.
Special Needs / Guests who are physically handicapped or elderly will be seated in dedicated areas, based upon his/her ticket designation. Please complete a Special Needs Services Request Form, available on our website, and return to the Registrar’s Office no later than April 30, 2011. A maximum of one guest may accompany a guest with special needs.
Other Information
Academic Attire / Academic attire has already been ordered for you. Attire will be available for pickup in MSB B-619, times and dates as follows:5/17 – 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
5/18 – 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
5/19 – 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
If you do not plan to be here during that week, you can authorize one of your classmates to pick up your attire by providing him/her with a signed letter.
Please note: Please be sure to complete the AAMC graduation questionnaire and clear any holds on your record.
You are asked to retain the attire for Commencement.
Hotel Information / I / If you are interested in receiving information on hotels in the area of NJPAC, please see Heidi in the Registrar’s Office.
Attendance / All graduates are expected to attend Convocation. If you will be unable to attend the ceremony, you must write a letter to Dr. Hill, Associate Dean for Student Affairs, detailing why you find it necessary to miss the event. All requests of this nature must be submitted to Dr. Hill by April 22, 2011.
Ceremony
/ Please report to NJPAC no later than 9:00 a.m. You must bring your cap, gown and hood. There is no place to leave extra articles of clothing or valuables; please leave any personal belongings with your guests prior to the ceremony!!The staff of the Registrar’s Office will assemble your class for the procession.
Alcoholic beverages are forbidden.
Diploma / You will receive your Alumni Certificate at Convocation.
You will receive your official diploma at Commencement.
University Commencement
Event Details
Commencement Date / Wednesday, May 25, 2011Time / The ceremony begins promptly at 10:00 a.m.
Students must arrive by 9:00 a.m. in order to participate.
The ceremony will end at approximately 1:00 p.m.
All schools of the University participate in Commencement.
Location / Izod Center/Meadowlands
50 State Route 120, East Rutherford, NJ
http://www.izodcenter.com/
Parking / The Izod Center has parking facilities for at least 4,000 cars. There is no charge for parking.
Announcements / Each graduate will receive ten (10) announcements, which will be included in the graduation packet in April.
Tickets / Tickets are not required. You may invite as many guests as you choose.
Guest Seating and General Information / There are over 20,000 seats at the Izod Center. Inform your guests that seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. The doors will open at 9:00 a.m. Each guest will receive a ceremony program as they arrive.
Special Needs / Special arrangements will be made at the Izod Center for any of your guests who are physically handicapped or elderly. Please complete a Special Needs Services Request Form, available on our website, and return to the address listed on the form no later than April 30, 2011. A maximum of one guest may accompany a guest with special needs.
Academic Attire / Academic attire is ordered for you according to the information you supplied on your Application for Degree form. Attire will be distributed shortly before Convocation (location and dates are listed in the Convocation section).
If you have defective attire (a missing tassel, a broken zipper, etc.), you may request a replacement item at the "Student Academic Attire" area at the Izod Center on Commencement Day.
All the academic attire, including the cap, gown and hood must be returned immediately at the designated drop-off area after the completion of the ceremony; you may keep only the tassel. An area will be set up at the Izod Center for this purpose. Any attire that is not returned will result in an encumbrance on your transcript and/or diploma until the attire is returned.
Attendance / All graduates are expected to attend Commencement. If you will be unable to attend the ceremony, you must write a letter to Dr. Hill, Associate Dean for Student Affairs, detailing why you find it necessary to miss the event. All requests of this nature must be submitted to Dr. Hill by April 22, 2011.
Ceremony / Please report to the Izod Center no later than 9:00 a.m. You must bring your attire. There is no place to leave extra articles of clothing or valuables; please arrange to leave any personal belongings with your guests prior to the ceremony. Proceed to the NJMS section of student seating in the arena.
The staff of the Registrar’s Office will seat your class for the ceremony. The platform party procession will start promptly at 10:00 a.m. with the Marshal carrying the University's Mace. A color guard will march down the center aisle before the audience is asked to stand for the National Anthem.
After a minimal number of speeches, you will be asked to come forward. Proceed to the stage and walk to center stage as your name is read. Your diploma cover will be handed to you by Dr. Owen.
After the ceremony, please remain in your seat until the platform party has left the stage. You must remain in your seat for the entire ceremony.
Immediately following the processional, please proceed to the lower lobby to return your attire and receive your actual diploma.
Diplomas / You must hand in your student ID in order to receive your diploma. You will receive a diploma on graduation day only if you have fulfilled all of your academic and financial obligations. If you have any Incomplete or Failing grades, you will be allowed to attend Commencement. You will, however, only receive an empty diploma cover.
Please note that your diploma is irreplaceable! Please ensure its care against loss or damage. The manufacturer suggests you preserve your diploma framed behind glass with narrow wooden molding. Lamination is not recommended.
Hotel Information The following is a list of hotels near the Izod Center. They are all approximately 5 - 20 minutes away from the arena and Newark International Airport. Please confirm rates and reservations with the hotel.
Ramada Newark International Airport
160 Frontage Road
Newark, NJ 07114
(973) 589-1000 Hotel
(800) 448-2296 Reservations
Rate: $74.00 - $100.00
Crowne Plaza Meadowlands Hotel
2 Harmon Plaza
Secaucus, NJ 07094
(201) 348-6900 Hotel
(877) 348-2424 Reservations
Rate: $150.00 - $230.00
Courtyard Marriott Newark Liberty International Airport
600 Route 1 and 9
Newark, NJ 07114
(973) 643-8500 Hotel
(866) 539-0366 Reservations
Rate: $109.00 - $179.00
Renaissance Meadowlands Hotel
801 Rutherford Avenue
Rutherford, NJ 07070
(201) 231-3100 Hotel
(888) 236-2427 Reservations
Rate: $219.00 – $259.00