Congratulations Graduate!

Commencement begins at 10 a.m., Saturday, May 17, 2008, at the Patriot Center, which opens for guests at 9 a.m.

Assembly and Procession

9:00 a.m. - Please arrive PROMPTLY at 9:00 a.m. for lineup on the JOHNSON CENTER NORTH PLAZA (by the George Mason statue). Faculty marshals will assist you throughout the assembly.

Families may obtain programs inside the Patriot Center. Please leave your purses and valuables with family or friends, as there is no secure area for these items. All College of Humanities and Social Sciences and College of Science Undergraduates will be on the North side of the floor seating in the Patriot Center Auditorium. All other graduates will be seated on the South side.

9:40 a.m. - The academic procession moves from the Johnson Center North Plaza to the Patriot Center under the direction of the faculty marshals. Your double line joins the double line of another college. You march four abreast into the Patriot Center. (You enter the lower level; there are steps to navigate on the walk from the North Plaza. It is assumed that any graduate who uses a wheelchair or needs special assistance has indicated this to Events Management. If you have not indicated this or you find at the last minute you must use a wheelchair or crutches, please contact the Office of Events Management. Those individuals with special needs may, if preferable, report directly to the loading dock door on the lower level of the east side of the Patriot Center.)

RAIN CONTINGENCY: In case of rain on Commencement morning, there will be no procession for bachelors and masters candidates from the North Plaza. Instead, you should enter the Patriot Center via the loading dock door on the lower level of the East side. You will be seated by college and by major on the floor. Look for signs indicating your college and major.

Faculty marshals will be there to assist you. You may call (703) 993-1000 if you are unsure about the line-up location because of weather conditions.

Reminder: Beverages alcoholic or nonalcoholic and smoking are not permitted in either the academic procession or the Patriot Center. Graduates violating this policy will not be permitted to participate in the Commencement exercises.

Commencement 2008 Information Details

May 17, 2008, at 10 a.m., Patriot Center

Remember -- You must first apply to graduate! You will find more information about applying for graduation at the GMU Registrar's web site. Office of the Registrar, Graduation Section, N. Chesapeake Module, Call 993-2431

Copy of Commencement Information Brochure

What's the difference between Commencement and Convocation ceremonies?

Commencement - Saturday, May 17, 10 a.m., Patriot Center

  • Degrees are officially conferred by the University President
  • Entire university community is invited.
  • Official university guest speaker delivers Commencement address.
  • Selected student speaker representing the class of 2008 delivers address.
  • Event is televised
  • Tickets are required for guests. Each graduate may obtain four guest tickets.
  • Ph.D. graduates are individually recognized and photographed on stage receiving their degrees. All graduates are acknowledged, and degrees are conferred by deans/directors and university president.
  • Caps and gowns are worn.

Convocation Ceremonies -- See Schedule
Celebration of graduation sponsored by individual schools:

  • Individual school/college/institute graduates only
  • All guests are welcome; tickets are not required
  • All graduates are individually recognized and photographed on stage receiving their degrees.
  • Each school/college/institute selects speakers.
  • Caps and gowns are worn.

Graduates are encouraged to attend both the university-wide Commencement ceremony, and their specific convocation ceremony.

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Ticket Information for Commencement Ceremony, Saturday, May 17, 10 a.m.

Because more than 6,000 students will graduate this year, seating at Commencement is limited, and guest tickets are required. All graduates except doctoral candidates will be permitted a maximum of four (4) guest tickets. Graduating students do not need a ticket. All tickets are free and are general admission. Handicapped and special-assistance seating is available at the door. Guests requiring special assistance may be seated with one other guest in their party in easy-access sections of the Patriot Center.

Tickets and detailed instructions may be picked up at the March Commencement Fair or the Patriot Center box office with a Mason ID or valid driver's license as follows:

Monday, April 14 through Tuesday, May 13 Monday-Thursday 10 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

FINAL DAY TO PICKUP TICKETS:
Wednesday MAY 14, 10 A.M. - 5:30 P.M.

Doctoral students will receive information concerning tickets by mail not later than May 5, 2008.

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Additional Tickets

Neither Events Management nor the Office of the Registrar has additional tickets. Additional tickets will be available only if students turn in unneeded tickets. Unneeded tickets may be turned in at the Patriot Center box office at any time during box office hours listed previously.

Tickets that are turned in or not picked up will be redistributed as follows:

Patriot Center, South Entrance, Will Call Window, First come, first served Wednesday, May 14, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. With George Mason ID

And again, if tickets are still available on Saturday, May 17, 9 a.m. until ceremony. No ID required.

Tickets that are not picked up by 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 14, 2008, will be distributed to other graduates starting on rehearsal evening, Wednesday, May 14th.

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Caps and Gowns

Commencement at Mason is a traditional ceremony where caps and gowns are worn by graduates and faculty. Master's candidates must also wear a master's hood. Please state your field of study when purchasing your hood as different colors denote different fields of study (for example, economics, copper; sciences, golden yellow; arts and humanities, white). Bachelor's and master's candidates may purchase caps and gowns at the University Bookstore.

Doctoral candidates and faculty should order regalia through the University Bookstore as soon as possible to avoid late delivery fees. Contact number is 993-2666.

School of Law graduates should order caps, gowns, tassels, and announcements through the Student Bar Association. Commencement announcements may also be ordered at the Commencement Fair on March 4, 5, and 6 at Johnson Center, Dewberry Hall. Announcements are not invitations to the Commencement ceremony.

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Photo Opportunities

A photographer will be on hand for cap and gown photos prior to Commencement rehearsal, May 14, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Patriot Center and before the Commencement ceremony, May 17, from 8 to 9 a.m. on the North Plaza. Photographers will be present at all convocation events to photograph the ceremonies.

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Guest Parking

All campus parking lots are available for guest parking. Handicapped and special assistance parking is available in Lot A, adjacent to the Patriot Center's South Entrance. DO NOT park at University Mall; cars parked at the shopping center may be towed.

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Diploma Information

Your diploma will be mailed to you as soon as completion of all degree requirements is confirmed.

Additional Tickets?

Want Additional Tickets? (All tickets are free) Returned tickets are redistributed, while they last, at the Patriot Center, South Entrance Will Call Window:

May 14: Wednesday (rehearsal evening), 6:30-7:30 p.m. Two tickets per participating graduate, with university ID or driver's license.

May 17: (Commencement morning), 9-10 a.m. Two per person, no ID required.

Want A Video Copy of Commencement 2008?

You can't see everything there is to see at Commencement, but GMU-TV can. Order your video copy of Commencement 2008.

Order your copy by mail through our web site: www.gmutv.gmu.edu/Commencement/index.asp

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Commencement Hotline at 993-GRAD

Call 993-GRAD after February 28, 2007, for information on Commencement arrangements. If your questions are not answered by the hotline, you may call the following offices:

  • School of Law, (703) 993-8043
  • GMU Bookstore, (703) 993-2666: Caps and Gowns, Announcements
  • Office of the Registrar, (703) 993-2431: Change of Address and Degree Application Status, Master's and Doctoral
  • Events Management, (703) 993-8844: Ceremonies and Guest Arrangements

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Hotel Accommodations for Out-of-town Guests

Although there are many hotels in the area, the following are located close to the university and regularly serve its guests. You may also search The Fairfax County Hotel Directory or the Northern Virginia Worldwide Website for more listings.

Courtyard by Marriott Fair Oaks
11220 Lee Jackson Highway
Fairfax, VA 22030
(703) 273-6161

Crowne Plaza Washington National Airport
1480 Crystal Drive
Arlington, VA 22202
(703) 416-1600

Holiday Inn National Airport
2650 Jefferson Davis Highway
Arlington, VA 22202
(703) 684-7200

Marriott Fairview Park
3111 Fairview Park Drive
Falls Church, VA 22042
(703) 849-9400

Comfort Inn
11180 Main Street
Fairfax, VA 22030
(703) 591-5900

Holiday Inn Fairfax City
3535 Chain Bridge Road
Fairfax, VA 22030
(703) 591-5500

Hyatt Fair Lakes
12777 Fair Lakes Circle
Fairfax, VA 22033 (703) 818-1234
(800) 233-1234

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