COMMENCEMENT GUIDEfor graduates and guests

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2018

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CONTENTS

Important Dates

Preparing for Commencement

Eligibility to ParticipateGraduation FairCaps and GownsCommencement TicketsStudent SpeakersGraduation AnnouncementsCareer ServicesGraduation CensusLegacy Alumni Network

Fall Commencement

Toast to GraduatesCommencement CeremonySchool and College Receptions

Things to Know

Commencement DayPhotographyVideoAccommodations for Persons with DisabilitiesGetting to AUParking

Campus Map

For More Information

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IMPORTANT

IMPORTANT

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March Students finishing in fall 2018 may submit graduation applications on Eagle Services

September 26 Career Center Job and Internship Fair

October 15 Deadline to submit doctoral regalia orders to Registrar’s Office

Mid-October Eligible students may submit cap and gown orders via myAU.american.edu

October 31 Deadline to submit graduation application on Eagle Services

Graduation Fair (noon–6 p.m.; Mary Graydon Center, rooms 2–4)

November 12 Deadline to submit cap and gown orders

December 14–15 Regalia, tickets, and parking passes distributed in Bridge Cafe

December 16

10 a.m. Fall commencement

4 p.m. Rental regalia due to Bridge Cafe

IMPORTANT DATES

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Eligibility to ParticipateStudents who received degrees in August and eligible December degree candidates are invited to participate in the 2018 fall commencement on December 16. The graduation application for students completing their degree requirements in December (available on Eagle Services) is due by October 31. Late applications may result in omission of the student’s name from the commencement program and other printed materials and will delay rental of commencement regalia.

The graduation application triggers a review of the student’s records by the academic advisor to determine whether degree requirements can be completed at the end of the specified term. All qualified students are eligible to participate in commencement. Students who will not have completed degree requirements must reapply for graduation and participate in a later commencement.

The university strictly enforces the policy for participation in commencement. Students are responsible for maintaining an appropriate course load and completing degree requirements in time to be eligible for their targeted graduation.

A degree is awarded only after a student has satisfied all degree requirements; the degree is subject to final certification by the university registrar. Diplomas are mailed 8 to 10 weeks after commencement.

Graduation FairAU’s Campus Store will host the Graduation Fair on Wednesday, October 31 (noon–6 p.m.; Mary Graydon Center, rooms 2–4). Get information about commencement, speak with a Herff Jones representative about announcements and class rings, and have measurements taken for regalia.

PREPARING FOR COMMENCEMENT

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Caps and Gowns● Students participating in commencement wear academic regalia

in AU’s distinctive red, white, and blue colors.● Each student rents a cap and gown (and hood, if receiving a graduate

degree) appropriate for their degree. Rental of regalia serves as registration for commencement. Students must complete a rental form, available in mid-October at myAU.american.edu.

● Regalia must be rented no later than Monday, November 12; exact fit cannot be guaranteed for late orders.

● Caps and gowns will be distributed in the Bridge Cafe on Friday, December 14 (9 a.m.–6 p.m.) and Saturday, December 15 (10 a.m.–4 p.m.).

● All regalia must be returned to the Bridge Cafe by 4 p.m. on Sunday, December 16.

● Doctoral students may purchase, rather than rent, regalia. Orders are due Monday, October 15. For information, contact the Registrar’s Office (degree clearance team) at record services@american.edu or call 202-885-2252.

Commencement TicketsSeating in Bender Arena is limited; tickets are required for admittance to the fall commencement ceremony on Sunday, December 16. An allotment of five tickets will be distributed to students who have rented regalia and registered to participate in the ceremony (participating graduates do not need a ticket). Students must pick up tickets in person; a photo ID is required. Lost tickets will not be replaced; tickets may not be sold or purchased.

Children under age 3 and who sit on an adult’s lap do not require tickets; any child who occupies a seat must have a ticket.

Tickets will be distributed in the Bridge Cafe on Friday, December 14 (9 a.m.–6 p.m.) and Saturday, December 15 (10 a.m.–4 p.m.).

Guests who do not have tickets can view the ceremony remotely in the Kogod Building (rooms 118, 233, and 234). It will also be live-streamed at american.edu/commencement.

For information about commencement parking passes, see page 8.

Student SpeakersAU will select one undergraduate and one graduate student to speak at fall commencement. Candidates must be eligible for their degree in August or December 2018. They should have strong academic records, have contributed to the university community, and be articulate communicators. If interested, contact Andrew Toczydlowski at andrew@american.edu. Application deadline is Monday, October 15.

Graduation AnnouncementsStudents can order personalized announcements beginning in late October at herffjones.com/graduation.

Career ServicesThe AU Career Center, Kogod Office of Career Engagement, and SIS Office of Career Development offer support for students preparing to graduate. Students can meet with career advisors regarding job search strategies, graduate school applications, or merit-based scholarships; connect with employers and alumni at recruiting and networking events; and browse job opportunities on our recruiting platform, Handshake. Alumni enjoy the privilege of lifelong access to AU’s career services.

Graduation CensusThe Graduation Census asks students about their experiences at AU and their plans for after graduation. Results provide a basis for improving support and services to students and alumni. For more information, visit american.edu/weknowsuccess.

Please complete the census when you order your cap and gown. Students not participating in commencement will receive an email about the survey in early December.

AU Alumni AssociationThe AU Alumni Association offers volunteer, networking, and mentoring opportunities, plus a suite of exclusive benefits, to more than 128,000 alumni worldwide. For information, visit american.edu/alumni.

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Sunday, December 16Commencement Ceremony10 a.m., Bender ArenaAmerican University’s 136th commencement ceremony will feature the commencement address, remarks by President Sylvia Burwell, and conferral of undergraduate and graduate degrees by AU’s main campus schools.

School and College Receptions Immediately following the ceremony, each school and college will host a reception for graduates and guests in the following locations:

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

Katzen Arts Center

KOGOD SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

Kogod School of Business Building

SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATION

McKinley Building

SCHOOL OF EDUCATION

TBD

SCHOOL OF INTERNATIONAL SERVICE

School of International Service Building

SCHOOL OF PROFESSIONAL AND EXTENDED STUDIES

TBD

SCHOOL OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Kerwin Hall

FALL COMMENCEMENT

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Commencement Day● Doors to Bender Arena will open for guests approximately

45 minutes prior to the ceremony.● Students should arrive at Bender Arena 45 minutes before

start of the ceremony.● There is no rehearsal for commencement; students will

receive line-up instructions via email in early December and during cap and distribution in the Bridge Cafe on December 14 and 15.

● Participants must wear the proper AU academic regalia (see Caps and Gowns).

● For family and friends unable to attend, the ceremony will be streamed live at american.edu/commencement.

● The student processional will begin approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony; entry to the arena will not be permitted during the processional.

● Large bags (e.g., backpacks, briefcases, duffel bags) will not be permitted inside Bender Arena. For security purposes, do not leave bags unattended.

● University photographers and videographers will document the ceremony for possible use on the AU website and in the press, AU marketing materials, and other university publications.

● The ceremony will run approximately two and a half hours.● The university requests that guests refrain from using any type

of noisemakers during the ceremony.● Students should determine in advance where to meet guests

after the ceremony.● Alcoholic beverages are not permitted at the commencement

ceremony; this policy is strictly enforced.● American University is committed to the promotion of a

healthy and safe learning, living, and working environment. We are proud to be a tobacco- and smoke-free campus.

THINGS TO KNOW

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PhotographyA commercial photographer from GradImages will photograph each student approaching the stage and shaking hands with President Sylvia Burwell. Following commencement, GradImages will send proofs and ordering information to students.

Photographs taken by university photographers will appear on the commencement website several weeks after the ceremony. Please note that parents and guests are not permitted on or near the stage to take photographs during the ceremony.

VideoIf you miss commencement on December 16, you can view the archived video online at american.edu/commencement. A link will be available on the website after the ceremony.

Accommodations for Persons with DisabilitiesThe commencement ceremony is fully accessible to guests with disabilities. Guests with valid state-issued handicapped permits or plates will be permitted to park in the Sports Center garage, adjacent to Bender Arena (see campus map). Parking spaces are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis; plan to arrive at least 45 minutes prior to the ceremony to secure a spot.

Guests with disabilities may be dropped off at the accessible entrance on the south side of Bender Arena, across from the Asbury building, for ground-level access to the commencement venue. Accessible seating is not reserved; it is recommended that you arrive early.

Sign language interpreters and closed captioning will be provided. For more information, contact the Academic Support and Access Center at 202-885-3360 or asac@american.edu.

Getting to AUParking on campus will be limited on commencement day. We strongly encourage our guests to use public transportation, if possible. (Take the Red Line to Tenleytown-AU Metro station.)

The university will provide complimentary shuttle service to and from the Metro station. Shuttle buses will run every 10 minutes from Nebraska Avenue and south-side shuttle stops (see campus map); afternoon service to and from the north-side shuttle stop will be suspended and the tunnel closed to vehicular traffic on Sunday, December 16.

Taxi and ride-share pick-up and drop-off is located between the McKinley Building and Letts Hall.

Parking Regular AU parking permits are not valid on commencement day. Each graduate will be issued one complimentary commencement parking pass during cap and gown distribution in the Bridge Cafe on December 14 and 15; the pass is valid 8:30 a.m.–2 p.m. in the Katzen or SIS garages.

Parking for university events is prohibited on neighborhood streets in accordance with Washington, DC, regulations and AU’s Good Neighbor Policy.

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CAMPUS MAP

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AU shuttle stop for Tenleytown Metro (Red Line)

Kogod shuttle stop closed

Accessible drop-off

Route to accessible parking and entrance

Visitor parking with commencement pass (Katzen Arts Center and SIS garages)

Parking for faculty, staff, and individuals with disability plate or placard (Sports Center garage)

Taxi and ride-sharing service stop

Bender Arena tunnel; closed to traffic

Closed for construction

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FOR MORE INFORMATION

Academic Support and Access Center 202-885-3360

Alumni Relations 202-885-5900

AU Central 202-885-2200

Campus Store 202-885-6322

Career Center 202-885-1804

College of Arts and Sciences 202-885-2439

Kogod School of Business 202-885-1982

Parking and Traffic 202-885-3111

School of Communication 202-885-3976

School of Education 202-885-3966

School of International Service 202-885-1600

School of Professional and Extended Studies

202-895-4942

School of Public Affairs 202-885-6200

Special Events 202-885-2430

For updates, please visit american.edu/commencement.

For information regarding the accreditation and state licensing of American University, please visit american.edu/academics. UP19-137

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