Commencement 2008

Save the Date

Washington State University Vancouver will honor the class of 2008 at the annual commencement ceremony, scheduled for:

  • Saturday, May 10, 2008, 1:00pm
    at The Amphitheater at Clark County in Vancouver.

Grades & Degrees

  • Spring 2008 grades are available to students on myWSU and posted to transcripts on Thursday, May 8, 2008. May 2008 degrees post to transcripts by June 7, 2008.

Faculty

Please refer to this page for information about commencement for faculty.

Graduation

Commencement Evaluation

Please take a minute to jot down a few evaluative comments about this year's Commencement ceremony.

Commencement Evaluation form

Commencement Events

Rehearsal - Friday, May 9 at the Amphitheater at Clark County

  • Report to the Amphitheater by 2:15pm
  • Rehearsal begins promptly at 3:00pm

Commencement - Saturday, May 10 at the Amphitheater at Clark County

Directions

The Amphitheater is located next to the Clark County Fairgrounds off I-5 at the NE 179th St. exit.

No pets allowed. Only service animals are permitted within the amphitheater.

Information for Commencement Participants

In mid February, WSU Vancouver students who are eligible to participate in the commencement exercises were sent a letter with pertinent information. If you did not receive this mailing, but feel that you should have, please contact the WSU Vancouver Registrar's Office at 360-546-9565, 360-546-9553, or email .

Please make sure your mailing address is correct. You can update your contact information at any time through myWSU. Simply click on the "myProfile" link on the left side navigation panel and then refer to the "Address & E-mail" box.

Information on renting commencement Regalia (Cap & Gown) and/or purchasing announcements and other memorabilia.

Please check back periodically for updates.

RSVP

If you have not done so, please RSVP as soon as possible. This information is critical for planning the ceremony.

RSVP only if you meet the following eligibility criteria: Completed degree requirements in December of 2007 or have submitted an application to graduate in May or July of 2008. For more specific information, check out The Steps to Graduation.

WSU Vancouver Commencement Information

Eligibility Top

Students who completed degree requirements in December 2007, or have submitted an application to graduate in May or July 2008, are eligible to participate in the commencement ceremony.

IMPORTANT: Participation in the commencement ceremony is not a guarantee or an indication of degree completion. To officially graduate from WSU, students must satisfy all university, college, and departmental requirements for the specific degree.

Commencement Regalia (Cap & Gown) & related items Top

Commencement Regalia (Cap and Gown) can be obtained through the Bookie. Regalia for students will be available for rental starting on March 10th.

You can purchase commencement announcements and other WSU graduation items such as class rings by visiting the Jostens website. If you would prefer to purchase these items in person, Jostens will be at the Bookie taking orders on March 19th and 20th from 11am to 4pm.

To return regalia: For your convenience, there will be a collection site at the Clark County Amphitheater for you to turn in your regalia (gowns, hoods, and stoles) after the ceremony. Regalia must be returned to The Bookie before 5:00 pm on Friday, May 16. Contact the Bookie with questions at 360-573-0447.

Parking Top

Rehearsal

  • Friday, May 9. Plan to arrive at the Amphitheater and park by 2:15 pm. Rehearsal begins promptly at 3:00pm.

Commencement

  • Saturday, May 10. Plan to arrive at the Amphitheater by noon. Ceremony begins promptly at 1:00pm.

Parking is free for rehearsal and commencement. More parking details, including maps, will be available on this web site in April.

Information on ADA parking will be available soon. Please check back.

Rehearsal Top

  • Friday, May 9 at the Amphitheater at Clark County.

We encourage participants to attend the rehearsal if at all possible. Please arrive by 2:15 pm and allow plenty of time to walk to the amphitheater from the parking lot.

Rehearsal begins promptly at 3:00pm.

If you are unable to attend the rehearsal, please come early on Commencement Day to pick up your name card.

The Ceremony Top

Commencement participants should plan to arrive by noon. Please allow plenty of time to walk to the lineup area from the parking lot!

The ceremony begins promptly at 1:00pm and is approximately 90 to 120 minutes long.

NO TICKETS are required for commencement hence there is no limit to the number of guests students may invite.

Hearing Impaired Accommodations Top

Accommodations are available for deaf or hearing impaired guests. Please contact Jessica Nelson at 360-546-9567 or by April 11 for assistance.

ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) Accommodations Top

Limited special accommodations for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) persons as well as other mobility-impaired persons will be available at commencement.

Parking: Parking is free for this event. Vehicles equipped with state-approved disability placards will be directed to the ADA parking lot. Reserved parking for mobility-impaired individuals not holding ADA placards will be provided in parking lot "C." Shuttle carts will be provided between parking lot "C" and the ADA entrance to the amphitheater. More detailed information on ADA parking will be available in February.

Seating: ADA approved seating areas, including wheelchair accessibility, are provided by the Clark County Amphitheater. Disabled seating is limited. Amphitheater and WSU staff respectfully request disabled seating be used for a disabled individual and ONE attendant so that space remains available for all persons in need. Limited use of courtesy wheelchairs and attendants will be provided near the ADA entrance.

It is strongly recommended that family members attending commencement make ADA arrangements in the form of wheelchair rental or transportation accommodations for mobility impaired guests prior to the commencement ceremony.

Strollers: State of Washington fire code regulations prohibit strollers in the seating areas or aisle ways of the amphitheater. Strollers may be placed near the grass on the upper mezzanine level.

Questions should be directed to the WSU Vancouver Public Safety Office at 360-546-9001.

Photos Top

Please take your family photos before or after the ceremony as there will be no access to the stage for pictures. If your guests want to take photos during the ceremony, they must do so from their seats. No camera tripods are allowed in the amphitheater.

Washington State fire code expressly prohibits blocking the aisles during all parts of the ceremony including the processional and recessional.

A professional photographer will take pictures of each student; one on stage as you receive your diploma cover from the Chancellor, and a more formal portrait pose as you exit the stage.

More details (PDF)

Student Receptions Top

  • Friday, May 9 at 4:30pm on the WSU Vancouver campus. Parking is free on campus for the receptions!

Note: Human Development reception will be held on Thursday, May 1 at 4pm in the Library, room 201. More information (PDF).

After the commencement rehearsal at the Clark County Amphitheater, join your fellow graduates, faculty and staff on the WSU Vancouver campus for receptions hosted by the various colleges. These receptions are sponsored by the Associated Students of WSU Vancouver (ASWSUV) and supported in part by your student fees.

All graduates are invited to the Firstenburg Student Commons for dessert and a gift hosted by ASWSUV before, during, or after your department party.

Also in the Firstenburg Student Commons, visit the Alumni table for free gifts, goodies, and giveaways. Plus, you will be able to sign up and get more information about the new Grad Alumni Association Membership. A sample membership package that will be sent to new members will also be displayed.

Honors Top

Undergraduate academic honors for the ceremony will be awarded based on a student's grade point average through Fall semester, 2007. Questions regarding honors should be directed to the WSU Vancouver Registrar's Office at 360-546-9565 or

Undergraduate academic honors (Summa Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, Cum Laude, Chancellor's Honors) for the commencement program and ceremony only are based on your WSU grade point average and WSU credits earned through Fall Semester, 2007.

Final honors status (information printed on your diploma and official transcript) will be determined using all WSU graded credits and grade points through your last term as an undergraduate, degree-seeking student.

NOTE TO STUDENTS: Outstanding incomplete grades from previous semesters should be resolved as soon as possible to ensure an accurate GPA for honors determination.

Undergraduate students in the Class of 2008 who have demonstrated exceptional academic performance will be graduated as members of one of the following categories:

Summa Cum Laude
Candidates for baccalaureate degrees who have completed at least 30 hours of graded work at Washington State University with a cumulative grade point average of 3.90 or better by the end of Fall Semester 2007 (gold honor cords).

Magna Cum Laude
Candidates for baccalaureate degrees who have completed at least 30 hours of graded work at Washington State University with a cumulative grade point average between 3.70 and 3.89 by the end of Fall Semester 2007 (silver honor cords).

Cum Laude
Candidates for baccalaureate degrees who have completed at least 30 hours of graded work at Washington State University with a cumulative grade point average between 3.50 and 3.69 by the end of Fall Semester 2007 (bronze honor cords).

Chancellor's Honor List
Candidates for baccalaureate degrees who have completed between 20 and 29 hours of graded work at Washington State University with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.50 by the end of Fall Semester 2007 (crimson honor cords).

Undergraduate degree candidates who are eligible for honors status as outlined above will be able to pick up an honor cord at the rehearsal on Friday, May 9.

Honor cords are provided by the Associated Students of Washington State University Vancouver (ASWSUV).