Winter

Commencement

Slippery Rock UniversityDecember 17, 2011

11 a.m. Morrow Field House

IMPORTANT COMMENCEMENT INFORMATION

MEMORANDUM

TO: Students intending to participate in Commencement Dec. 17, 2011

FROM: ____________________________________ William F. Williams Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT: Important commencement information

Enclosed is a list of activities, which surround the December 2011 commencement ceremonies. Please make special note of the procedures and the general information contained in this brochure. By working together to ensure that all the details are complete, we can make graduation day a memorable one for you and your family.

Congratulations on your accomplishments at Slippery Rock University. I look forward to greeting you as a new graduateDec. 17, 2011.

Commencement Office201 Old MainSlippery Rock, PA 16057-1326Phone: 724.738.2091Fax: 724.738.4761

A member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education rock solid educationwww.sru.edu• •

• •

REHEARSALRehearsal is in Morrow Field House at 1:30 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 16, 2011.

ALL graduating students MUST attend.

All graduates must obtain Graduation Authorization Cards at rehearsal.

COMMENCEMENT DAY CHECK-IN

Commencement will be in Morrow Field House at 11 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 17, 2011. You must arrive by 10 a.m. and report to the designated check-in area with your Graduation Authorization Card. THIS IS REQUIRED OF ALL GRADUATES!

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION RECEPTION FOR GRADUATING SENIORS AND FAMILIES

Begin your graduation day at The Rock with a visit to the Russell Wright Alumni House and Conference Center at an 8 - 11 a.m. reception, sponsored by the SRU Alumni Association. See your new home on campus and meet members of the alumni association who look forward to welcoming you to the ranks of the “Slippery Rock University alumni.” Tour the facility, meet fellow alumni and enjoy refreshments.

On graduation day, summa cum laude medallion recipients and all graduates will have a group photograph taken at 9 a.m. at the Russell Wright Alumni House and Conference Center. Please wear your caps, gowns and medallions to the reception.

POST-COMMENCMENT RECEPTION

Immediately following commencement, you, your family and friends are invited to attend a reception in the Grass-Tex area at Morrow Field House. Refreshments will be served.

MILITARY COMMISSIONING

The commissioning ceremony for Army ROTC will take place 90 minutes following commencement in the Lowry Center. Commissionees will be in dress blue uniform for this ceremony and commencement. A reception will follow the ceremony. Family members and friends are invited to attend the ceremony.

PROCEDURES

A. Application for graduationIn order to graduate in December, you must have an Application for Graduation and Diploma on file and complete all coursework by the end of the semester, Dec. 20, 2011. Failure to complete all work (i.e. incomplete and/or “X” grades, etc.) will result in changing your graduation date to the end of the semester in which the coursework and/or application is completed. Graduate and undergraduate students must reapply for graduation. Students who have not applied for graduation must process an application immediately. Applications are available in 107 Old Main.

The University cannot guarantee your name will be included in the December commencement program if your application was submitted after Oct. 1, 2011. The Honors designations of cum laude (3.50 QPA), magna cum laude (3.60 QPA) and summa cum laude (3.80 QPA) will not be permanently placed on a student’s transcript until his/her final semester grades are received and a new, final cumulative QPA is computed. To receive honors, a minimum of 60 credits must be completed at Slippery Rock University (excluding credit by exam).

Because grades from a student’s final term of enrollment are not officially posted and recomputed until after graduation, QPA’s used for determining the above-named honors at graduation (cords and medallion) will be made at the end of the semester preceding the student’s last semester of enrollment.

B. Conferral of degreesAll graduating students will receive a diploma cover on stage, since semester grades are not due until after commencement. Degree requirements must be completed in December. All financial obligations to the University must be paid in order to receive your diploma, which will be mailed in January.

Undergraduate degree candidatesDegrees will be conferred en masse by college. Following the conferral of degrees, each graduate’s name will be read as they walk across the stage to be congratulated and photographed with President Robert Smith.

Master’s degree candidatesMaster’s degree candidates will wear their hoods. Each graduate’s name will be read as they walk across the stage to be congratulated and photographed with President Smith.

C. Academic regalia (caps and gowns)Traditional academic regalia is required for all graduates. Please use good judgment with your attire. Regalia will be available for fitting, purchase and pickup at the SGA Bookstore from Nov. 1, 2011 until commencement day. The SGA Bookstore also sells invitations and commencement memorabilia.

Latin Honors for undergraduate studentsHonor Cord Colors

Summa Cum Laude (with highest honor – 3.800-4.000)*University Medallion on Green Ribbon

Magna Cum Laude (with high honor – 3.600-3.799)White

Cum Laude (with honor – 3.500-3.599)Green

*Provided by the SRU Alumni Association

Phi Kappa Phi medallions and approved SRU honors program cords may be worn at commencement.

No other cords or stoles are permitted.Latin honors are awarded only to undergraduates.

Graduating seniors with cum laude or magna cum laude honors should pick up their honor cords at the SGA Bookstore beginning Nov. 1, 2011. Medallions for summa cum laude graduates are available at the Russell Wright Alumni House and Conference Center beginning Nov. 1, 2011.

D. PhotographsA professional photographer will capture you as you walk across the stage when your degree is acknowledged before the audience. The enclosed letter details this offer. A professional video of the ceremonies may be ordered via www.matthewhovisphotography.com.Please note that families and friends are prohibited in the stage area or aisles before and during the ceremony.

After the ceremony, when the platform guests, faculty and graduates have left Morrow Field House, guests are welcome to use the stage to take photographs of their graduates.

E. PublicityThe University Public Relations Office will provide a list of all graduates to appropriate in-state newspapers in early February.

Graduates with interesting feature stories – fourth or fifth generation SRU graduates, senior citizen graduates, unusually young graduate, etc. – are asked to call 724.738.2199 prior to commencement to discuss special publicity ideas.

F. Alumni OfficeYou will receive a zipper pull when you receive your graduation authorization card at rehearsal Dec. 16. The zipper pull should be attached to the zipper of the gown and worn during commencement exercises. The zipper pull is the official seal of the Slippery Rock University Alumni Association. The seal of the association depicts a view of Old Main, the oldest building on campus, surrounded by the name “Slippery Rock University Alumni Association.” The color of the seal is always green and white, representing the official colors of Slippery Rock University.

GENERAL INFORMATION

A. Inclement weatherIn the event of a snow or ice storm causing cancellation of commencement, graduates will be notified via e2 campus alerts. All regional news media will be asked to broadcast the cancellation notice. Information also will be posted on the SRU homepage: www.sru.edu and the campus news line 724.738.2998.

B. Last-minute updatesFor any last-minute updates check the SRU homepage: www.sru.edu, or call the SRU News and Information Line 724.738.2998.

C. TicketsAll guests, including young children, are required to have a ticket for admission to the commencement ceremony. Each graduate may receive up to four tickets for the ceremony. Tickets will be available for pick-up at the SGA Bookstore Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2011. Graduates wishing to request extra tickets may complete the Extra Ticket Request Form found on the commencement Web page. There is no guarantee that extra tickets will be available. Morrow Field House will open at 9 a.m. Guest seating in the field house is on a first-come, first-served basis.

NOTE: An overflow area to view the ceremony is available in the Russell Wright Alumni House and Conference Center. No tickets are needed for the overflow area.

D. Transportation/Parking/ShuttleUniversity Police will direct you to the nearest available parking areas. Shuttle bus transportation will be provided from the parking areas to the field house drop-off point both before and after the ceremony.

E. Special needs seating and parkingA limited number of seats are available for guests with special needs. Guests requiring special seating should check in with a student ambassador located at the lower-level entrance of Morrow Field House. Those persons will be issued a Special Seating Pass (subject to availability) allowing them and one guest access to the special seating area.

An interpreter for hearing-impaired persons will be provided.

Commencement inquiries should be directed to:Slippery Rock UniversityCommencement Office

201 Old MainSlippery Rock, PA 16057

724.738.2091E-mail: lisa.gray@sru.edu

Visit the commencement website: www.SRU.edu

LODGING:

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Mention you are visiting Slippery Rock University and you may receive a discount on the cost of your stay.

6 Microtel Inns & Suites

Exit 113/I-79 West past Prime Outlets Grove City (10 minutes from SRU) 724.748.9920 or 800.337.0044

7 Super 8 MotelExit 113/I-79 West past Prime Outlets Grove City (10 minutes from SRU) 724.748.3000 or 800.800.8000

8 Applebutter Inn Bed & BreakfastRoute 173 Slippery Rock (5 minutes from SRU) 724.794.1844 or 888.275.3466

Fairfield Inn and Suites by Marriott 200 Fairfield Lane Butler, PA 16001 (20 minutes from SRU) 724.283.0009

1 Fairfield Inn and Suites by Marriott1000 University Parkway Slippery Rock, PA 16057 Opening Sept. 2011 724.406.0535

2 Comfort InnExit 113/I-79 Across from Prime Outlets Grove City (10 minutes from SRU) 724.748.1005 or 800.4CHOICES

3 Best WesternExit 113/I-79 Across from Prime Outlets Grove City (10 minutes from SRU) 724.748.5836 or 877.574.2464

4 Hampton InnExit 113/I-79 West past Prime Outlets Grove City (10 minutes from SRU) 724.748.5744 or 800.345.8082

5 Holiday Inn ExpressExit 113/I-79 West past Prime Outlets Grove City (10 minutes from SRU) 724.748.5514 or 800.345.8082

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Respect for Individuals in the CommunitySlippery Rock University provides an environment that respects, encourages and promotes the talents and contributions of all. Slippery Rock University values a community with a shared sense of purpose, where people demonstrate mutual respect and appreciation. Slippery Rock University values diversity that honors and includes all persons regardless of age, creed, disability, ethnic heritage, gender, gender identity, race, religion, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status in academic and extracurricular endeavor, in the working environment and in the daily life of the University community.

www.SRU.eduA member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education

#5194 10-2011

From the Pittsburgh areaTake I-79 North to Exit 105 (Slippery Rock Exit). At the exit, turn left onto Route 108 East (4 miles). Once in the village of Slip-pery Rock, turn right onto Route 173 South and at the University turn left onto Kiester Road. Left at main entrance (at light).

From Points NorthTake I-79 South to Exit 113 (Grove City Exit). At the exit, turn left onto Route 208 East (Leesburg-Grove City Road), and turn right onto 258 South (Mercer Butler Pike), (7 miles). Go through the village of Slippery Rock and then turn left onto Kiester Road. Left at main entrance (at light).

From Ohio and Points WestTake I-80 East into Pennsylvania. Take Exit 19A (I-79 South). Take Exit 113 (Grove City). Route 208 East (Leesburg-Grove City Road), and turn right onto 258 South (Mercer Butler Pike), (7 miles). Go through the village of Slippery Rock and then turn left onto Kiester Road. Left at main entrance (at light).

From Points East (I-80)Take I-80 West to Exit 29 (Barkeyville Exit). At the exit, turn left onto Route 8 South (8 miles). Turn right onto Route 108 West (2 miles). Once in the village of Slip-pery Rock, turn left onto Route 173 South. At the University turn left onto Kiester Road. Left at main entrance (at light).

From Points East (PA Turnpike)Take the Turnpike West to Exit 28 (Cranberry Township). Upon exiting the turnpike, follow Route 19 North towards Zelienople. Stay right on Route 19 and look for signs directing you to I-79 North to Erie. From I-79 North (35 miles), take Exit 105 (Slippery Rock Exit). At the exit, turn left onto Route 108 East (4 miles). Once in the village of Slippery Rock, turn right onto Route 173 South and at the University turn left onto Kiester Road. Left at main entrance (at light).

From the Butler areaTake Route 8 North to Route 173 North (Old Stone House located at the intersec-tion of Routes 8 and 173). Veer left onto Route 173 North . Follow Route 173 (3 miles) passing much of the Slippery Rock campus, and turn right onto Kiester Road at the light, Left at main entrance at light.

DIRECTIONS TO CAMPUS: