Graduating Class Info.
Graduating Class Meetings
Advisors to the graduating class schedule monthly meetings to distribute information and answer questions regarding graduation requirements, planned graduation activities, and the ordering of academic regalia (caps and gowns) and graduation announcements. The final meeting will be held 3:00 p.m., Monday, May 7, and will include a rehearsal to prepare all graduates for the Service of Consecration. Graduating students are strongly encouraged to attend all meetings. For more information, contact the graduating class advisor, Ms. Davita Bonner at 481-2143.
The Service of Consecration for Graduates is a sacred worship experience of consecration. It is a time when we ask God to anoint and bless our graduates. Bethune-Cookman University is a church-affiliated institution and was founded by Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune on her principles of faith in God. All graduates (master's and bachelor degrees) should assemble in the lobby of the Bethune Performing Arts Center at 5:00 pm in caps and gowns. Graduates are reminded of the dress code: Ladies - black or dark dresses, and black dress shoes; Men-white shirt, black or dark blue tie, black or dark pants, and black dress shoes. The graduates will march into the auditorium at the direction of the University Marshal. Faculty members must wear academic regalia and should be seated in the designated area by 6:30 p.m. The University does not permit decorations to be worn on the academic regalia.
Graduates are requested to inform guests attending the service that they should be seated 15 minutes before the event begins. Guests should not leave the auditorium until the entire ceremony is over. Leaving causes disruption and noise which disturbs others. The doors will be closed if we reach seating capacity in the auditorium. At the end of the Service of Consecration, the platform guests, faculty, and graduates will march to the statue of our founder, Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, for a Candlelight Wreath Laying Ceremony. In the event of rain, the wreath laying ceremony will be held inside the Bethune Performing Arts Center.
Commencement is a formal ceremony to celebrate the graduates' commissioning into a new mission (undertaking) of life. Only those students who have completed ALL requirements (including clearing financial obligations) for graduation at Bethune-Cookman University may participate. Bethune-Cookman University seeks to develop graduates who are honorable, democratic citizens capable of making worthwhile contributions to society. The University expects its graduates to uphold the highest moral and ethical standards set forth by our founder Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune by practicing self-discipline throughout the graduation activities. Graduating students are still accountable for their behavior. Academic convocations are solemn and sacred affairs; therefore, all attendees should remain until the ceremonies are over. The attire that is worn and the behavior of participants must lend dignity to these occasions. Graduating students are required to wear appropriate regalia to participate in both ceremonies (Excerpt from the Ceremony Etiquette for Academic Convocations, 9/2007)
Admission Tickets Required for Commencement Ceremony
On March 7, 2011, the Daytona Beach Ocean Center informed Bethune-Cookman University that the Center's "Fire Safety Policy requires that the facility not exceed the maximum occupancy within any part of the building. Moving forward all graduations that may potentially fill the Ocean Center to capacity will be required to use/distribute numerical tickets not to exceed 6,500. Each guest that enters the Ocean Center must have a ticket for a seat. The cause for this change is to ensure the safety and security of the event guests, graduates and employees” (Daytona Beach Ocean Center, 3/7/11).
Bethune-Cookman University will make every effort to accommodate our graduates and attendees for this memorable celebration! Each graduate will receive a maximum of 10 complimentary tickets for guests.
Commencement Day Instructions Parking
Parking will be available in the Ocean Walk garage located north of the Ocean Center and the Ocean Center's west parking lot. Additional parking will be located south of the Ocean Center adjacent to Peabody Auditorium. There will be a fee for parking.
Admission for parents, family, friends, and the general Public
Tickets will be required for admission to the Spring 2012 Commencement Ceremony. The doors will open to the public at 8:00 a.m. Parents, family, friends, and the general public will enter the Ocean Center through the West Concourse north and south doors. Graduates should inform guests attending the Commencement Convocation that they should be seated 15 minutes before the event begins. Guests should not leave the arena until the entire ceremony is over. Leaving causes disruption and noise which disturbs others.
Reserved Seating/Special Guests
Tickets will be required for admission to the Spring 2012 Commencement Ceremony. Reserved seating for special guests of the president and trustees will be located on the south side of the arena floor. Special guests should enter the Ocean Center through the West Concourse main entrance, which will open to the public at 8:00 a.m. Special guests should identify themselves to ushers who will assist them with seating.
Handicapped and special needs access
Tickets will be required for admission to the Spring 2012 Commencement Ceremony. Seating for handicapped and special needs will be located on the north side of the arena floor and on the second floor. Handicapped and special needs persons will enter through the West Concourse main entrance. One person will be admitted with the handicapped or special needs person. An elevator to the second floor is located on the ground level. Disabled persons are permitted to have one person join them and sit in the wheelchair area. Seating is limited.
Photographs and Videotaping
Only authorized photographers are permitted on the arena floor to take pictures. Audience members will not be permitted near the graduate-seating or platform areas at any time. For videotapes (DVDs and VHS) of the ceremony, please contact the Mass Communications Department at 386/481-2706.
Food/Drinks
No outside food or drinks will be allowed inside the Ocean Center.
Emergency Personnel
Emergency Medical Services personnel will be present throughout the ceremony. Please contact a Bethune-Cookman University usher, an Ocean Center usher, or a Bethune-Cookman University security officer for assistance.
CELL PHONES
All cell phones and electronic noise-producing devices must be turned off during the ceremony. Use of cell phones may interfere with the sound during the ceremony.
Public Restrooms
Restrooms are available on both levels of the Ocean Center. Please ask an usher for assistance, if necessary.
Printed Programs
Commencement programs will be available at the entrance to the Ocean Center for guests and in the seating areas reserved for graduating students, faculty, and platform guests.
Recessional
At the end of the program, the president will lead the recessional followed by the platform guests. The faculty, then the graduates will follow, front rows leading, and exit through the Conference Center to the east side (Atlantic Avenue) of the Ocean Center.
Family and friends will be able to greet the graduates on the east side of the Ocean Center (near Atlantic Avenue).
Office of the Registrar 1/2/2012
