News & Information

Additional Info
Caps & Gowns
Commencement Ceremony Etiquette
Commencement Date
Commencement Participation Policy
Commencement Symbolism
Cox Videotaping
Diplomas
Disability Assistance
Dual Degrees
Graduation Awards
Graduation Photographs
Guest Information
Honors
Name in the Commencement Program
Refreshments
Rehearsal
Tickets

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Commencement Date

Commencement exercises will be held Friday, May 18, 2007, at the Flanagan Campus in Lincoln. Graduates should report on campus no later than 3:30 p.m. The line of march will begin at 4:30 p.m., and the ceremony will start at 5:00 p.m.

Rehearsal

Rehearsal day will be held Thursday, May 17, 2007, at the Flanagan Campus in Lincoln. Graduates should report on campus no later than 3:30 p.m. The line of march will begin at 4:30 p.m., and the event will start at 5:00 p.m.

You should plan to attend rehearsal on Thursday. Report to your assigned robing room. You will receive additional graduation information in the mail about a week before commencement. Rehearsal will conclude about 6:00 p.m. Refreshments will be available immediately following.

Caps and gowns are not worn at rehearsal.

Caps & Gowns

Keepsake gowns are made of pressed acetate and need not be returned. They are a permanent keepsake memento of your CCRI commencement. Extra souvenir tassels will be available for purchase at the bookstores at the time you pick up your cap and gown for $5.00 each.

Cap tassels are worn on the right side until degree is received.

Knight, Newport and Providence Campus students may pick up their caps and gowns at their respective bookstores May 7 – 11 and May 14 – 16. After May 16, all caps and gowns will go to the Flanagan Bookstore.

Flanagan Campus students may pick up their caps and gowns at the Flanagan Bookstore May 7 – 11 and May 14 – 18. Bookstores open at 8:15 a.m.

Caps and gowns may be picked up in the evening at all locations on May 14 and 15 until 7:30 p.m. and May 16 until 7:00 p.m.

As of May 17, all caps and gowns will be available only at the Flanagan Bookstore from 8:15 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Please bring a student I.D. or a comparable I.D. with you when picking up caps and gowns at the bookstores.

If you plan to pick up your cap and gown before rehearsal, please be at the campus by 3:00 p.m. to allow yourself time to go to the bookstore located on the second floor.

If you need additional information on caps and gowns, please call the KNIGHT Bookstore at 825-2134, the FLANAGAN Bookstore at 333-7011, the Newport County Campus Bookstore at 851-1610, or the LISTON Bookstore at 455-6101.

Please remember that all outstanding debts to CCRI must be paid in full before picking up your cap and gown. [view your account balance in Pipeline]

Diplomas

Additional diploma covers, diplomas, and honor certificates will be distributed at the conclusion of the ceremony. Diplomas and honor certificates will be mailed to graduates not attending the ceremony. All summer graduates will be mailed diplomas and honor certificates approximately eight weeks after grades have been posted at the end of August.

Disability Assistance

A sign language interpreter will be present. Please call 825-2179 to arrange seating for guests needing this service. Wheelchair seating is also available. Commencement staff and security personnel will assist with seating.

Graduates needing special accommodations for rehearsal or commencement should identify themselves prior to rehearsal day by calling the Associate Vice President of Student Services Office at 825-2179.

Graduation Photographs

For your convenience, we have made arrangements with Chappell Studio for a professional photographer to record the moment you are awarded your diploma. You will receive a passport-sized full-color proof in the mail approximately one week after the ceremony. There is no obligation to purchase this photo; however, you will have the option of ordering enlargement packages at reasonable prices.  Chappell Studio guarantees complete satisfaction or you will receive a full refund. Personal picture taking should be done prior to or after the ceremony. Family members are encouraged to remain in their seats and enjoy the ceremony.

Guest Information

Please inform your guests that the field house doors will open at 3:30 p.m. Although the commencement ceremony begins at 5:00 p.m., it is necessary to have guests seated in the field house by 4:30 p.m. to see the graduation line of march enter the field house gymnasium. Prime seating is available to those guests who plan their arrival accordingly.

The commencement ceremony will conclude about 7:30 p.m.

Dual Degrees

If you are receiving a dual degree, you will walk across the stage once; however, both degree accomplishments will be announced when the dean reads your name. Your name will appear in the commencement program under each degree/certificate awarded.

Honors

Beginning the week of May 14, honor cords and honor certificates will be awarded to students attaining highest honors (3.75 - 4.00), high honors (3.50 - 3.74), and honors (3.25 - 3.49). Honors are based on cumulative grade point average (GPA).

Cords may be picked up in the Office of Student Services. Hours for pickup are from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. On May 14, evening hours are 5 – 7 p.m. in the Flanagan Bookstore. On May 17, evening hours are until 6:30 p.m. in the cafeteria in Lincoln.

Honor cords must be picked up prior to commencement day. They will not be handed out the day of commencement.

Only a student indicated as a summer 2006, December 2006, or May 2007 graduate is eligible for graduation honors. A potential summer graduate may pick up his/her honor cord in the Office of the Associate Vice President of Student Services at the Warwick campus after grades have been received in the Enrollment Services Office. Potential summer graduates are not eligible for honors designation in the commencement program.

Cox Videotaping

Cox Communications will air CCRI's graduation ceremony with a delayed broadcast to be aired on Tuesday, May 29, from 6 - 8:00 p.m. and on Thursday, May 31, from 7 - 9:00 p.m. on Channel 15. This is a wonderful opportunity for those guests who are unable to attend the commencement ceremony.

Additional Info

For information on commencement, call the Office of the Associate Vice President for Student Services at 825-2179.

Tickets

Four (4) commencement announcements are available to graduating students. They may be obtained at the bookstore when picking up caps and gowns. Announcements are required for admission to enter the field house. An announcement is required of all guests unless a child is an infant. Persons who do not have an announcement may be allowed admittance after 5:15 p.m. based on seat availability. Guests will be allowed to keep announcements as keepsakes.

Commencement Ceremony Etiquette

To show respect for and to honor all our graduates, we ask that our guests remain in their seats throughout the entire ceremony, which is expected to conclude at approximately 7:30 p.m. Administration and graduates will exit first. Guests will follow after the recessional ends.

Guests will not be allowed on the gymnasium floor during graduation. Security guards will be stationed at each bleacher aisle and next to the stage. They will ask guests to remain seated. Guests may take photographs from their seats; they will not be allowed in the stage area. A professional photographer will be on stage to take photographs of every graduate receiving his/her diploma.

Graduation Awards

Academic achievement is recognized at graduation in the following manner:

Honors:

Designated students have achieved at least a 3.25 grade point average.

High Honors:

Designated students have achieved at least a 3.50 grade point average.

Highest Honors:

Designated students have achieved at least a 3.75 grade point average.

Kappa Beta Delta:

Kappa Beta Delta is an international honor society for Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs accredited business programs. The purposes of this Society are to encourage and recognize scholarship and accomplishment among students of business, management, and administration pursuing associate degrees, and to encourage and promote personal and professional improvement and a life distinguished by honorable service to humankind. To be considered for invitation, candidates must have completed 15 semester hours of credit with a minimum of six credit hours completed in business courses. The academic ranking of those considered must place them in the upper 20 percent of their class, with a minimum grade point average of 3.00

Phi Theta Kappa:

Phi Theta Kappa is a national honor society for community and junior colleges throughout the United States. Its intent is to recognize the most outstanding students at two-year institutions. In order to be initiated into Phi Theta Kappa at the Community College of Rhode Island, a student must have applied for membership, achieved a 3.75 grade point average or above, and be of good character.

Psi Beta:

Psi Beta is the national honor society in psychology for students at community and junior colleges. The requirements for admission include a 3.00 cumulative average, two courses in psychology (including general psychology) with a "B" or better and participation in volunteer community service or other psychology related activities.

Honors Program:

Honors Program graduates must maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.25 and complete at least four honors projects to earn this special recognition.

Commencement Symbolism

Much of the symbolism found in academic ceremonies dates back to the Paris and Bologna universities of the twelfth century, which were modeled on medieval craft guilds. Symbolism carried down through the intervening centuries continues to reflect the status and function of positions in academia and administration.

Parking

Graduates attending commencement will enter the Flanagan Campus at 1762 Old Louisquisset Pike, Lincoln. Upon entering the rotary, you will take your first right to the north side parking lots. Please be assured that after the ceremony, these lots will empty at least as quickly as the south lots, which are the ones located closer to the field house. An officer will be at the rotary for your assistance. [see satellite map][see driving directions]

Two marked CCRI Police vehicles will be available to transport those students unable to walk the distance to the building for robing/line up or guests needing assistance to the field house. The lot directly in front of the field house is reserved for handicapped parking only. You must have and display a state-issued certificate to park in this area.

Guests arriving for the graduation will proceed into the rotary and take the second right and follow it in the direction of the field house. South side lots designated closest to the field house will be filled first in order of arrival. Only VIP guests will park in the Administration Lot (second right off rotary and then 1st right). An officer will be located at the entrance for those persons designated by the commencement committee for this parking privilege.

There are no special parking privileges granted on this day other than as issued by the State of Rhode Island or the College Police Department.

Name in the Commencement Program

Commencement program reflects names of all graduates as reported on May 14, 2007, 5:00 p.m.

Commencement Participation Policy

All students who need no more than 6 credit hours to complete their degree requirements may participate in the May commencement ceremony. Summer applicants who have 6 or fewer credit hours to complete and who wish to attend the preceding May ceremony must apply and indicate their preference to "walk through" in the appropriate section on their graduation application.

Refreshments

Soda and water can be purchased in the foyer of the field house before and during the ceremony. Light refreshments will be available in the cafeteria immediately following commencement.

This page developed and maintained by Community College of Rhode Island. Send comments and suggestions to the CCRI .  ©2007, Community College of Rhode Island.

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This page last modified on: May 21, 2007