Information for Graduates

• Please continue to revisit this page for latest updates.
  
  
• Visit the Information for Families & Guests page for further helpful info.
  
  
• Don’t forget to check out the Commencement Prep Day page to make sure you have everything you need for the big day!
   
• PLEASE NOTE:  The G8 Summit will be held at Camp David near Thurmont, MD on May 18-19. Thurmont is located approximately 20 miles south of Gettysburg.  When making your Commencement Weekend plans, please allow extra travel time to accommodate for possible delays at airports, along Route 15 and on other area roadways due to increased security and traffic.

Academic Regalia

Caps and Gowns
Since Baccalaureate and Commencement events are formal, academic attire is required. Students are responsible for ordering and purchasing regalia though the College Bookstore.  Your regalia package will include a black gown, cap & tassel as well as an academic hood with the appropriate degree colors.  In addition, you will also receive a Stole of Gratitude (see details below).

Online regalia pre-ordering is now closed.

If you missed the deadline: 
Online pre-ordering closed after March 23.  You can still arrange for regalia at Commencement Prep Day (April 27). $65.00 will be due and sizes cannot be guaranteed.  Please contact the Bookstore directly for details.

If you pre-ordered regalia:
You will obtain it in person in the CUB Ballroom on Commencement Prep Day, April 27, 2012. 

If you will not be available on April 27, please contact the College Bookstore to make alternative arrangements.

Gowns should be pressed before being worn at any occasion. Please wear the cap properly with the tassel on the right side until the degree has been conferred.  An academic hood will come with your regalia and should be worn properly – Please refer to the instruction sheet which comes with the hood. 

Stoles of Gratitude
The Stole of Gratitude is in part a gift from the Gettysburg College Alumni Association and the Class. Graduates will wear the stoles throughout the Commencement Exercises as a symbol of their appreciation for all of the individuals whose support was instrumental in bringing them to this day. At the reception following Commencement, graduates may present the stole to someone to demonstrate their gratitude for that individual's role in their success.

Honor Cords
After Senior Week, please check your campus mail box if you think you have earned an honor cord (summa, magna or cum laude).  Letters will be in campus boxes on the Friday before Commencement, and honor cords will be distributed on Commencement morning in Bream Gym during line-up.  If you are off campus and no longer have a campus box, please just check in Bream Gym on Sunday and you will find out there. If your academic department gives departmental honor cords, they will be distributed at the Departmental Receptions on Saturday afternoon or as directed by each academic department administrator.

Ceremony Policies

All ceremonies will start promptly. Please be at the appointed place in good time. If for any reason the planned procedure is interrupted, look to the president, college marshal, the dean or the student marshals for direction.

Ceremony Courtesy
With courtesy and respect to all graduates and families, please refrain from disrupting the weekend’s formal ceremonies with the use of noisemakers (such as air horns, cowbells and bullhorns), shouting or chanting, and high-volume mobile phone ringtones and conversations.

Dress
Since Baccalaureate and Commencement events are formal, academic attire is required.  Military and casual attire are not appropriate dress for Baccalaureate or Commencement.  Sensible shoes are recommended as high heels may sink into the grass during outdoor events.   

Smoking and Alcohol
Smoking is not permitted once you have entered the academic procession. Please remember that no alcohol is allowed at the graduation site.

Ceremony Instructions

Baccalaureate
Instructions are located here.

Commencement
You will receive more detailed instructions for Commencement during the line-up in Bream Gym:

• Please arrive at Bream Gym NO LATER than 9:45 a.m. on Commencement morning (Sunday, May 20, 2012) in your regalia (cap, gown & stole).   Check in at the registration tables at the entrance to pick up your name pronunciation card (and honor cord if applicable).  Please go immediately to your seat after check-in. You will be given instructions on how everything works when you arrive.
• No food or drinks will be permitted in Bream Gym.
• Please plan to use the restrooms before entering Bream Gym.  Once you are inside, you must remain inside.
• Remember to take ALL belongings with you when you leave Bream Gym in the Commencement procession.
• More information is located here.

Weather
Commencement takes place at the Beachem Portico, North side of Pennsylvania Hall rain or shine.

• Sometimes it rains on Commencement and we need to be prepared.  This means providing ponchos for graduates and faculty, and advising guests to be prepared with umbrellas, rain gear and warm clothing.  If it is raining, Commencement will continue outdoors as planned.  It is possible that Commencement might be delayed due to dangerous weather.  If so, this notification will appear on the College’s website.  Dangerous weather is defined as lightning and strong winds.  Rain alone does not constitute dangerous weather, only inconvenient weather.  Should the weather turn dangerous once the ceremony has begun, an emergency weather plan will be put into place.  All degrees will be conferred, and graduates will receive instructions regarding diploma pick up.  Ushers wearing orange ribbons will be on duty to answer questions.
• Please see the Commencement homepage for weather-related site change information for other events (Baccalaureate line-up, Departmental Receptions, etc.)
• See the Commencement Tips page for tips on how to be prepared for any weather.
• Click here for the local weather forecast.

Campus Services - Commencement Weekend

Student Accounts
Commencement weekend hours: Saturday, May 19, 2012 from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
The Student Accounts Office would like to congratulate the senior class and their parents on their pending graduation. We would also like to remind you to check to be sure that all financial obligations to the College have been satisfied no later than May 17, 2012. Please feel free to contact the office at 717-337-6220 or via email at studentaccounts@gettysburg.edu.

Residence Life
Senior week housing will end on Sunday, May 20, 2012 at 10:00 p.m. 
Seniors may request an extension to remain in housing until Monday, May 21 at 10:00 a.m. All seniors will receive a Senior Week housing letter which includes departure information for them to sign and return to the Office of Resident Life by noon, Friday, April 27 (Commencement Prep Day). All seniors with an approved extension must completely vacate their rooms by 10:00 a.m. Monday.

Diploma Information and Grades
The Registrar's Office will be open for one hour following the Commencement ceremonies for those who wish to order transcripts or who have questions about their diplomas or academic records.

Flower Gazebo
Flowers will be available for purchase on Sunday, May 20 from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. in the campus gazebo, adjacent to the Commencement site.  Please note that pre-orders are not available. 

Transportation
Reservations for transportation to campus from local airports & train stations must be made and paid for by May 11, 2012.  Click here for more information or call 717-337-6923.

Children's Book Cart
To help entertain young children during Commencement morning, a cart of children’s books will be available in the Musselman Library for families to read.

College Bookstore Commencement Hours
Saturday, May 19: 9am - 4pm
Sunday, May 20: 9am - 4pm
Monday, May 21: 8am - 4pm  

Bullet Hole Commencement Hours
Friday, May 18: 8am – 2pm
Saturday, May 19: 11am – 6pm
Sunday, May 20: 9am – 4pm

Commons Café Commencement Hours
Friday, May 18:  8am – 3:30pm
Saturday, May 19:  10am – 2:30pm
Sunday, May 20: 9am – 2:30pm

Commencement Morning Refreshments
Sunday, May 20 from 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
In addition to offerings available at the Bullet Hole and Commons Café in the College Union Building, a selection of coffee and breakfast items will be available for purchase outside Plank Gym.
Available subject to weather. In the event of rain, please visit the College Union Building.