What Seniors Need to Know
in the Weeks Before Commencement

Graduation Eligibility

A student's year of graduation is established by the Registrar's Office. To be eligible to participate in the May 2007 Commencement ceremony, students must have fulfilled all requirements by the time of the ceremony or be scheduled to do so by September 2007. Students scheduled for February 2008 graduation who wish to attend the May 2007 ceremony must file a "Petition to Participate in an Earlier Commencement" form, available as of May 2 at the Registrar's Office, 207 Whitmore.

Commonwealth College Honors Graduation Eligibility

Commonwealth College seniors are urged to meet with a Commonwealth College adviser well before Commencement to confirm that they are fulfilling all requirements for graduating with honors. At the Commonwealth College Honors Convocation on Saturday, May 26 (9:00–10:30 at the Mullins Center), the Dean will present each graduating Commonwealth College senior with a gold cord. This cord is worn at the Commencement Ceremony (12:30 p.m. at the Stadium). Shuttle buses will transport graduates and guests between locations.

Commencement Program Listings

Because of publication deadlines, the names of students added to the graduation list after April 25 and the names of those who petition to participate in an earlier commencement will not appear in the Commencement program.

Students who have a full-privacy request on file but wish to have their names printed in the Commencement program must so notify the Dean of Students Office no later than the close of business on April 12. Those who fail to do so will not be listed.

Caps and Gowns

Caps, gowns, and tassels (all paid for by the student's Senior Fee) and an accompanying packet of four commencement announcements may be picked up at the Textbook Annex, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m., May 7–25. Students are strongly advised to pick them up as soon as possible. A student ID card is required to confirm eligibility. (On Commencement Day, caps and gowns may be obtained after 10:30 a.m. at the graduate assembly area in Yellow Lot 11, north of the stadium.)

Senior Pictures

The deadline for senior phtoos has passed. Because there will be no yearbook this year, the pictures will not be published, but portraits can be purchased from the photography company, Davor. For more information, go to photo session or call 1-800-724-1916.

Questions? contact Phee Paradise via email or by phone at 413-545-1280.

Mementos

See Keepsakes for information on Personalized Graduation Announcements, Yearbooks, Class Rings, and Commencement Videos.

Hometown Press Releases

Each summer the News Office sends press releases about in-state graduates to daily and weekly hometown newspapers in Massachusetts. Due to the large number of graduates involved, names are usually published in lists. Out-of-state graduates wishing to have press releases sent to their hometown newspapers must complete a form available from the News Office, 413-545-0444.

The Senior Campaign

The Senior Campaign is a University of Massachusetts Amherst tradition that dates back to 1917 and is the first chance for you, as a member of the Class of 2007 and a graduating senior, to show your appreciation for UMass Amherst while beginning your tradition of philanthropy.

UMass Amherst Alumni Association Senior Open House

The UMass Amherst Alumni Association congratulates the members of the Class of 2007 on their impending graduation! Make sure you explore all that the Alumni Association offers you, as you begin the next phase of your life.

Graduating seniors are invited to stop into Memorial Hall during the Senior Open House, May 7-10, for a free graduation gift (personalized networking cards), a chance to win $1,000, and snacks and beverages. The Alumni Association staff will provide information on programs and services for new graduates including the online Alumni Association directory, Alumni Career Services, regional Alumni Clubs and the benefits of being an Alumni Association Member.

The UMass Amherst Alumni Association serves and supports UMass Amherst alumni and strengthens the lifelong bonds between the university and its graduates. UMassAlumni.com keeps alumni throughout the world connected with one another and provides updated news, information, upcoming events, reunions, programs and volunteer opportunities. When you join the Alumni Association, you receive advanced search capabilities to network with alumni by industry, region or degree. Using the advanced search features of the online Alumni Directory, members can search for friends and network with other alumni in a wide range of occupations and industries. As a graduate, you can update your own profile so others can contact you through this terrific networking tool.

Through more than 30 regional Alumni Clubs that coordinate local social, educational, cultural and athletic programs, alumni can gather to renew friendships and build new relationships with other alums. Alumni are also encouraged to return to campus and join other members and celebrate at events on campus for Homecoming and athletic pre-game receptions.

Alumni Career Services provides an interactive forum for alumni in the development and management of their lifelong career education process through online resources, publications and targeted alumni programs and workshops held for those at all levels of career experience, held in a range of locations.

A first-year membership to the Alumni Association—a $40 value—is available to members of the Class of 2007 for only $20. New graduates are urged to take part in all that the UMass Amherst Alumni Association has to offer: advanced online search capabilities in the Alumni Directory, exclusive members-only discounts and privileges, and access to valuable programs and services which more than pay for the cost of membership many times over.

Get on the fast track: Join the Alumni Association now! Visit UMassAlumni.com or call 800-456-UMAS for more information.

Questions about Commencement? Contact us

This page is maintained by University Advancement Communications.

© 2007 University of Massachusetts Amherst • Amherst, MA 01003