Commencement Information
Durham Technical Community College Commencement Ceremony
Friday, May 16, 2008, 3:00 p.m.
Cameron Indoor Stadium, Duke University West Campus

Commencement Map and Directions

Schedule and Checklist of Graduation Activities
Congratulations! Please mark your calendars with this important information regarding graduation:

	Step One: Purchase your graduation outfit. Tuesday, April 1 and Wednesday, April 2 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Caps, gowns, announcements, and class rings are available for sale on these dates. Students should start at the Cashier’s Window, 2nd floor of the Wynn Student Services Center, to pay the appropriate fees, then proceed with a receipt to room 1309 in the Wynn Center (Counseling and Student Development Office) to fill out a short graduation questionnaire, be fitted for a cap and gown, get directions to Cameron Indoor Stadium, and get announcements. IMPORTANT: All students should pick up a cap and gown on these dates in order to participate in the Commencement Ceremony. If you do not purchase your cap and gown on this date, it will be very difficult for the college to ensure that you have the appropriate size gown. In addition, it is very important that you let us know that you plan to participate so that we will reserve a place for you in the line-up of graduates and student seating.
	Step Two: Attend the required rehearsal. Commencement Rehearsal, Friday, May 16, 9:00 a.m., Cameron Indoor Stadium Clear your calendar of all other obligations for May 16 so that you’ll be able to attend rehearsal and feel prepared for the commencement ceremony. The rehearsal will only last one hour, so you will be free between approximately 10:30 a.m. and 2:15 p.m. IMPORTANT: All students who wish to participate in the Commencement Ceremony must be present at the graduation rehearsal. The rehearsal is the only opportunity that students have to learn about the protocol for the afternoon commencement. Graduation rehearsal will be at Cameron Indoor Stadium on Duke’s West Campus. Information concerning directions and parking for the day will be available at the time you purchase your cap and gown. Plan to arrive early. The Stadium is located at a distance from the parking area, so allow plenty of time to get to rehearsal promptly.
	Step Three: Line up by 2:30 to participate. Friday, May 16, 2:30 p.m., Cameron Indoor Stadium By 2:30 p.m. you must in the line up for the commencement ceremony according to programs and degrees. You must be in line at this time or you may not be able to walk across the stage to receive your degree, diploma or certificate. The Commencement Ceremony begins promptly at 3:00 p.m.

Other Important Information

Graduation Application Deadline:
The Graduation Application Deadline is April 15, 2008.  All students should have applied for graduation and received a letter that details the remaining requirements (if any) for degree, certificate, or diploma completion.  If your letter indicated that you had issues that are unresolved, these should be discussed and cleared with the Student Records Office (Wynn Center, room 1202) as soon as possible so that all issues are resolved by April 15.

Late Graduation Participants:
Deadline for Late Participants: May 7, 2007

Students may have situations that require them to be cleared for graduation after the normal deadlines.  If you did not purchase your graduation outfit on April 1 or 2, you must visit the Counseling and Student Development Office, room 1309 of the Wynn Center (919-686-3652), to make late arrangements as soon as possible.  We will do everything possible to include you in the ceremony.  The absolute deadline for being added to the list is May 7. 

Award Covers:
If you have already received your degree, diploma, or certificate and wish to participate in the commencement ceremony, bring your award cover with you when you come to pick up your cap and gown (details above). The college will give you another cover (without additional cost) at commencement.

Guest Admission for Commencement:
We are pleased to announce to graduating students that there will be no limitations placed on the number of invited guests. Students may invite all those who wish to attend the commencement ceremony. However, if you have guests that require special seating accommodations, please read carefully the section below.

Seating and Other Disability Accommodations:
Since the majority of the seating for commencement involves stadium seating, it is very important that students contact the college in advance to ensure appropriate seating arrangements, especially for guests who cannot use stairs. Graduating students or guests with disabilities requesting accommodations during the ceremony (e.g. alternate seating arrangements, interpreters for persons with hearing impairments, etc.) should contact the Disability Services Coordinator in the Counseling and Student Development department at 686-3741 prior to May 9 to make these arrangements. We may not be able to properly accommodate requests received after this date.

Honors Recognition:
Students graduating with high cumulative grade point averages in program courses will be recognized as honor students. Honors are calculated according to the cumulative GPA of the student's courses in the program of study, not by the total cumulative GPA of all classes taken at Durham Tech. There are two potential ways that an honor student is recognized at commencement. First, in the commencement bulletin, all students who graduate with a program GPA of 3.25 or higher are indicated on the graduation program with an asterisk indicating that they are honor graduates. Second, all those students who have a program GPA of 3.75 or higher receive honor cords indicating high honors, which should be worn over the gown during the commencement ceremony.

Graduation Outfit Requirements:
The colors of the caps and gowns are green and gold in keeping with the school colors for Durham Technical Community College.  To participate in the ceremony, graduating students must wear a commencement cap and gown.  Students should not use borrowed or previous year's caps or gowns due to mismatched colors or types of gowns.  Previous year’s caps and gowns may not match the current selection.  If you have a question about this issue, please contact the Counseling Office at (919) 686-3652 for more information.

Cultural or Religious Accommodations:
Students with questions or requests involving the commencement ceremony that are related to religious or cultural concerns should make these requests known by May 9, so that the college may have adequate time to respond appropriately to your request.  For more information, please call 686-3652.

Financial Hardship:
This is an important day.  Durham Tech wants every student who would like to participate to take part in the ceremony.  If you would like to participate, but cannot afford the graduation outfit fee, please contact a counselor in the Counseling and Student Development Office at 686-3652 to discuss your request.