Engineering commencement—December 2009

Friday, December 18, 2009
Commencement
3:00 p.m. at Hofheinz Pavilion (Building 531)

IMPORTANT: All graduation candidates report to Yeoman Field House in the Athletics/Alumni Center (Building 573/574) promptly at 2:00 p.m.

As a graduation candidate, you must report to Yeoman Field House in the Athletics/Alumni Center (Building 573/574), dressed in your cap and gown, by 2:00 p.m. in order to assemble into your degree group, have your photograph taken if desired, and to receive final instructions. Undergraduate photo will be taken at 2:30 p.m. and graduate photo immediately thereafter.

The procession will begin promptly at 3:00 p.m. Note: If you are late to commencement, there is no guarantee that you will walk across the stage.

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
If you plan to participate in the Engineering Commencement, reservations are required.  Graduation reservation forms will be emailed to your UH email account the week of Monday, October 19, 2009.  You must reply to the reservation form: “Yes” if attending or “No” if not attending the graduation ceremony.  Send your reply to Shirley Mate by Wednesday, November 4, 2009.

GRADUATE STUDENTS
If you plan to participate in the Engineering Commencement, reservations are required.  Graduation reservation forms will be emailed to your UH email account the week of Monday, October 19, 2009.  You must reply to the reservation form: “Yes” if attending or “No” if not attending the graduation ceremony.  Send your reply to Jane Geanangel by Wednesday, November 4, 2009.

The Defense Form that is sent with the Reservation Form must be signed by your Advisor and returned to Jane Geanangel in Room E421-D3 by December 1, 2009, if you want to participate in December commencement.  Graduation candidates must successfully defend the thesis/dissertation and submit it for review to Dr. Khator in Room E421-D3 by December 4, 2009.  After being approved by Dr. Khator, your thesis or dissertation must be submitted for binding to Jane Geanangel by December 18, 2009.

PRIVACY
Students who have requested that their files be privacy protected will NOT have their names included in the printed commencement program unless the Cullen College of Engineering Dean's Office receives a signed release form. The Release form deadline is due on November 4.

CAPS & GOWNS
All graduates participating in the Commencement ceremony are required to wear academic regalia. Graduation regalia may be ordered at the UH Bookstore Graduation Fair or directly from Herff-Jones online at www.herff-jones.com/college/graduation.

The Fall ’09 Grad Fair is set for September 29 – October 2, 2009 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the UH Bookstore in the UC.

Online pre-order deadline is October 19, 2009.  Ph.D. students must pre-order either online or in the bookstore by November 30, 2009.  Orders placed after this date will be subject to additional fees.

Distribution for all caps and gowns will be November 30, 2009.

FOR QUESTIONS REGARDING REGALIA PURCHASE OR RENTAL, CALL THE UH BOOKSTORE AT (713) 748-0923.

INVITATIONS
Students may order personalized announcements from Herff Jones at the UH Bookstore Graduation Fair (Sept. 29-Oct. 2, 9am-4pm), or directly from Herff Jones at 281-379-3825 or www.herff-jones.com/college/graduation.

HONOR CORDS
Undergraduate students graduating with honors may purchase honor cords at the UH Bookstore. Undergraduate students who complete their degree requirements will graduate with academic honors if they achieve the following grade point averages, earned in the last 66 hours completed at the University of Houston:

3.25-3.49 cum laude
3.5-3.74 magna cum laude
3.75-4.0 summa cum laude

GUESTS
The Hofheinz Pavilion doors will be open to your guests at 2:00 p.m. There is no limit to the number of guests you may bring to the ceremony. Assigned seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.

TICKETS - TBA

SPECIAL NEEDS
Students must notify the Center for Students with DisABILITIES (CSD) for any additional services or requests needed at least 2 WEEKS prior to their scheduled commencement ceremony.  Please contact Shannon Richardson, Interpreting/Captioning Coordinator at (713) 743-5400 or slrichardson2@uh.edu for any additional assistance and/or specific questions you may have.

PARKING
Parking will be available to graduates and their guests. To ease time delays, students are strongly urged to arrive early so that you are able to report on time before the ceremony. It is strongly suggested that your guests park in lots 15D or 16B, which is closest to Hofheinz Pavilion. You are strongly advised to arrive well before the ceremony begins to obtain a parking spot.

SECURITY
Security precautions may be in effect. Please continue to refer to our website for the most current information.

COMMENCEMENT PROGRAM
Unless privacy protected, all student names will be included in the Commencement Program regardless of participation. Every effort is made to include the names of all official graduates in the printed Commencement Program. We also will include any honors earned by the student. However, please be aware that the program is not an official document with regard to eligibility for graduation or any honors conferred. Inclusion of a name in the program is not a guarantee of graduation or honors.

PHOTOGRAPHY
There will be a professional photographer on stage during the ceremony who will take photos of each graduate. You will receive proofs at the mailing address on your walk card. You will then be able to order photos directly through the commercial firm. The website link for the professional photographer: www.flashphotography.com. Please ask your family and guests to take their photographs from their seats or before/after the ceremony. The Fire Marshall asks that we keep the aisles of the Hofheinz Pavilion clear at all times.

DIPLOMA
Diplomas will be mailed out 6-8 weeks after graduation. If you do not receive your diploma, call the Graduation Office at (713) 743-1010.

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS
If you have any questions regarding the ceremony, please contact staff in the Dean's Office, Room E421-D3, at 713-743-4200.