Commencement 2020

Commencement Speaker

Check back in January 2020 for more information on this year’s Commencement Speaker.

Information for Graduates

An “intent to graduate” form must be submitted to the Registrar’s Office in order to receive information about commencement, and to be eligible for tickets.

Tickets for Commencement

Qualified Seniors may order up to four commencement tickets by logging in to the student portal Commencement site and following the ticket link after April 1.  Log in using your Mikenet account login and password.  It is recommended that tickets be printed by Friday, May 10 and can be emailed to family and guests. If four tickets are not needed, you may request the number you need and donate the remaining tickets back into the ticket pool, which will provide opportunities for students to try to obtain additional tickets on a first-come, first-served basis. Once you have declined tickets you will not be able to change that decision.

Tickets should be printed.  Bar code scanners do not always work on cell phones and a valid ticket is required for entry.

Selling tickets is STRICTLY PROHIBITED.  Students who do this will not be allowed to participate in the commencement ceremony and their tickets will be invalidated.  All students should be aware that if they purchase a ticket in this manner, it may not be valid for entry.

For those without tickets or who would prefer a less crowded atmosphere, Live broadcasts can be seen on closed-circuit large screens in  McCarthy Arts Center (no tickets required, air conditioned).  In addition to this option, the ceremony can be viewed at smcvt.edu (college website).  To connect to the live stream off campus use the link, http://live.vpt.org/smc/.

Senior Salute Day

Pick up Caps and Gowns and Announcements

Thursday, April 25 – Alliot Student Center Lobby

• Seniors can start picking up their caps, gowns, tassels, and pack of 10 announcements at the Senior Salute Day in the Alliot Student Center Lobby. There is no cost to the Seniors.
• Gold Honors tassels for students receiving Latin honors (summa cum laude, magna cum laude & cum laude) will be available for pickup.
• Seniors can purchase a class ring at jostens.com or balfour.com, and a Jostens Class Ring representative will be here at the Senior Salute Day event.
• Senior Week tickets and info will be available
• Light refreshments will be available

After this date, cap and gown, honors tassels, and announcements can be picked up at the Campus Store.

Saturday, May 11, 2019

Rehearsal – 3:00 p.m.

Rehearsal is crucial to the success of Sunday’s Commencement Exercises! Saturday practice for graduates will be held at 3:00 p.m. and you will assemble in the Green Mountain Dining room in Alliot. Cap and gown not required.

Baccalaureate Mass- 4:00 p.m.

Graduates and their families are invited to attend the Baccalaureate Mass on Saturday, May 18th, at 4 p.m. in the Chapel.  Graduates do not march in procession for the Mass and no academic robes are worn for the occasion. Please plan to sit with your families and friends for this important part of the Commencement activities.

Sunday, May 12, 2019

Commencement morning

Graduates must be at the Alliot Student Center no later than 9:15 a.m. to robe and form the academic procession. Seniors will be placed alphabetically by the Student Life Staff. Masters Candidates will be placed by degree by the Graduate Registrar.

The procession steps off from Alliot at 9:50 a.m.

Upon arrival in Ross Sports Center, follow directions to your seat, and remain standing for the National Anthem and Invocation.

Graduate will rise by rows when going up to receive diploma.  Receive diploma from president and then shake her hand.  After official conferral of degree, switch tassel from right to left.

At the end of the ceremony, follow directions to join behind the marshal, dais group, and faculty in recessional.  Recessional will continue to the reception area on the lawn in front of the Library if the weather is conducive to an outside reception.

Moving Out of Residence Halls

In order to help our Residence Hall and Physical Plant staff prepare for summer occupancy, all rooms should be cleared of student belongings by 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 12.
Room & house keys should be returned to the Student Life Office located on the first floor of Alliot.

Mail keys should be returned to the mailroom.

Information for Family, Friends and Guests

Commencement Hotline

Starting Thursday, May 9, through the morning of Commencement, the College will offer a Commencement Hotline (phone and e-mail) that will be accessible from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. to help with whatever questions or information graduating students and their parents may have. Please read our FAQ section before calling the hotline.
Hotline questions can be emailed to commencement@smcvt.edu or you can call 802.654.2216.

Tickets for Commencement

When ticket information is available, students will be notified on the Saint Michael’s College Portal. Qualified Seniors may order their commencement tickets by logging in to the student portal Commencement site and following the ticket link after April 1. Students can choose to email tickets to their guests. Tickets should be printed.  Bar code scanners do not always work on cell phones and a valid ticket is required for entry.

Additional Tickets

Due to fire regulations we must adhere to the legal capacity of the Sports Center.  However, each year there are usually a few additional tickets available after all students have obtained their initial allotment.  If this occurs, an announcement will be sent to students and tickets will be made available on a first-come, first-served basis, one per student.  Please do not call to ask for additional tickets.

Accommodations

We suspect that most of you have already booked accommodations for Saturday night.  However, please remember also to make local restaurant reservations ahead of time for Saturday and/or Sunday.  Be sure to visit www.smcvt.edu/hotels for information on hotels offering discounts for Saint Michael’s visitors.  For more information visit the Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce Web site at www.vermont.org or call 802.863.3489, toll free 877.686.5253.

Parking

Public Safety will be directing parking on the day of Commencement.  You may drop passengers off at the door to the Ross Sports Center and then park your vehicle.  Handicapped parking is available for vehicles displaying disability registration plates or removable windshield placards.  Please follow the directions of the public safety officers.

Seating: Ticketed

When ticket information is available, students will be notified on the Saint Michael’s College Portal. Tickets are required to attend the Commencement ceremony in the Ross Sports Center.
Ticket holders should plan to be seated by 9:30 AM.  Please note that tickets are required for children. Tickets are not required for the Baccalaureate Mass. Tickets should be printed.  Bar code scanners do not always work on cell phones and a valid ticket is required for entry.

Seating: Special Needs

Our Public Safety and Special Events staff are pleased to direct our guests with special needs to a designated section of the Ross Sports Center. Reservations are not needed. We ask that you plan for one additional family member to sit in that section as well.  The staff will assist you by moving chairs, if necessary.  Please plan to arrive early. Doors open at 8:30 a.m.

Seating: Non-Ticketed

For those without tickets or who would prefer a less crowded atmosphere, Live broadcasts can be seen on closed-circuit large screens in  McCarthy Arts Center (no tickets required, air conditioned).  In addition to this option, the ceremony can be viewed at smcvt.edu (college website).  To connect to the live stream off campus use the link, http://live.vpt.org/smc/.

Reception

Immediately following Commencement, the Commencement Reception will be held on the lawn in front of the Library. Light refreshments will be served.  In case of rain, the reception will be held in the Tarrant Recreation Center.

Items for Purchase

DVD of the graduation ceremony can be ordered through the Campus Store at this link. During Commencement Weekend, the Campus Store will be open on Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. and on Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Personalized announcements/invitations (separate from the pack of 10 announcements each Senior receives) –  orders can be placed online at balfour.com along with other Commencement items

Flower arrangements will be available for purchase in the Ross Sports Center on Commencement Day. You can pre-order flowers prior to the ceremony here.

Class Ring – Contact jostens.com or balfour.com, and a Jostens Class Ring representative will be here at the Senior Salute Day event (date to be determined).

Senior photos are available online after the ceremony. www.GradImages.com 

Registrar's Information

Degree Requirements

To earn the Degree of Bachelor of Arts or the Degree of Bachelor of Science a student must:

• Complete a minimum of 128 credits, with a minimum of 32 different courses.
• Complete the degree requirements of one of the established majors.
• Complete the Liberal Studies curriculum requirements (LSC).
• Achieve a minimum cumulative quality point average of 2.0 and a minimum of a 2.0 average in courses taken in the major.
• Complete a minimum of 24 of the last 32 credits at Saint Michael’s.
• Transfer students must earn a minimum of 64 credits at Saint Michael’s.
• Apply for graduation by filling out an “Intent to Graduate” form at the beginning of the academic year in which the degree is expected.

It is the responsibility of the student to enroll in the appropriate courses in order to meet degree requirements.

Academic Evaluation

Senior Academic Evaluations organize student coursework according to the requirements of a student’s major(s), the Liberal Studies Curriculum requirements of the college, and any student minors. Seniors are mailed a copy of their Academic Evaluation at the beginning of the fall semester and, in anticipation of graduation, in mid-January.  Additionally, students may access their Academic Evaluations at any time using Knight Vision.  Students may also receive a copy of their Academic Evaluation from the Registrar’s Office at any time during regular business hours (Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM).

As the Academic Evaluation details student progress towards the completion of graduation requirements, it is very important that students take the time to review their Academic Evaluations as soon as they receive them.  Any discrepancies on Academic Evaluations should be reported immediately to the Registrar’s Office.

In the Spring semester (the semester immediately prior to graduation), students who plan to graduate should have all P’s (Pending) and C’s (Completed) on their evaluations.  Students not planning to graduate in May will find I’s (Incomplete) and N’s (Not started) in addition to P’s and C’s on their evaluations. Students who have difficulty reading their evaluations should feel free to stop by the Registrar’s Office or contact their advisor for help.

Commencement Definitions

Graduating Students

Students who have completed all major, liberal studies, GPA and credit hour requirements by the end of the spring 2019 semester earn their degree on the day of graduation and attend Commencement with their classmates.

Processing Students

Students who are within two courses/8 credits of meeting the graduation requirements by the end of the spring 2019 semester and wish to participate in Commencement. Processing students walk with their class, cross the stage and shake the President’s hand, and receive a blank diploma.  An asterisk (*) denotes Processing Students in the Commencement Program. Students wishing to Process at Commencement must submit a plan to the Registrar’s Office describing how they will complete all outstanding degree requirements by August of 2019.  This plan for completion must be submitted by March 1, 2019.

Robing Students

Students who do not meet the criteria for Graduating or Processing as listed above yet feel an affiliation with the graduating class may be eligible to Robe.  Such students walk into the ceremony with their class and walk out with their class when the ceremony concludes. Robing students do not walk across the stage and are not listed in the Commencement Program.  Students who desire to Robe with their class must meet with Dawn Ellinwood, Vice President of Student Affairs by May 1, 2020.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I receive tickets for the Commencement ceremony?

Eligible students may order their tickets through the SMC portal after April 1. Tickets can be emailed to family members. Four tickets are available to each student. Tickets should be printed.  Bar code scanners do not always work on cell phones and a valid ticket is required for entry.

Are extra tickets available?

No. Due to fire regulations we must adhere to the legal capacity of the Sports Center.  However, each year there are usually a few additional tickets available after all students have obtained their initial allotment.  If this occurs, an announcement will be sent to students and tickets will be made available on a first-come, first-served basis, one per student.  Please do not call to ask for additional tickets.

Where can I see the ceremony without a ticket?

For those without tickets or who would prefer a less crowded atmosphere, Live broadcasts can be seen on closed-circuit large screens in  McCarthy Arts Center (no tickets required, air conditioned).  In addition to this option, the ceremony can be viewed at smcvt.edu (college website).  To connect to the live stream off campus use the link, http://live.vpt.org/smc/.

I have a question not answered here. Where can I get help?

Contact the Commencement Hotline by emailing Commencement@smcvt.edu or call 802-654-2216. On Sunday morning the Commencement Helpdesk is located in the Tarrant lobby beginning at 8:30 a.m.

What is Baccalaureate Mass?

Baccalaureate Mass is a Roman Catholic Mass in the Chapel of Saint Michael the Archangel the day before the Commencement ceremony. We welcome all Seniors and their families to celebrate our Roman Catholic liturgy with us as a time to pray together as a community. Graduates do not need to wear robes and are welcome to sit wherever they would like in the Chapel with their family and friends. More information on the details of worship in the Mass can be found at http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/the-mass/index.cfm.

Are personalized announcements available?

Personalized announcements/invitations (separate from the pack of 10 announcements each Senior receives) can be ordered online at balfour.com along with other Commencement items.

What time should I arrive for the Commencement ceremony?

Doors open at 8:30 a.m.  Guests are asked to be in their seats by 9:30 a.m.

Is there reserved seating?

The ceremony is general admission. Sections are reserved for graduates, faculty, dignitaries and the media, in addition to a section for guests with mobility or other accessibility issues.

How do I make arrangements for accessible seating?

Our Public Safety and Special Events staff are pleased to direct our guests with special needs to a designated section. We ask that you plan for one additional family member to sit in that section as well.  The staff will assist you by moving chairs, if necessary.  Please plan to arrive early. Doors open at 8:30 a.m. There will be ASL interpreters at the ceremony.

Where should guests park?

Please follow the directions of our public safety officers.  You may drop off your passengers at the main entrance to the Ross Sports Center, then go park your vehicle.

Where will handicapped parking be located?

Handicapped parking is available for vehicles displaying disability registration plates or removable windshield placards.  Please follow the directions of the public safety officers.

How long does the ceremony last?

For planning purposes the graduation ceremony lasts approximately 2-2 ½ hours.

Will pictures and DVD’s be available?

If you wish to purchase the 2019 Commencement DVD, you can order it through the Campus Store.
Our Commencement photographer is Grad Images. Pictures of students receiving their diplomas from President Sterritt will be available on their website at www.gradimages.com.  You will be receiving a mailing with more information and offers.

Contact Information

Commencement Hotline:

802-654-2216
Commencement@smcvt.edu

Academic Affairs:

Denise Brault
802.654.2216
dbrault@smcvt.edu

Alumni & Parent Relations:

Allison Gardner
802.654.2953
agardner@smcvt.edu

Campus Store:

Steve McMahon
802.654.2517
Smcmahon2@smcvt.edu

Master’s Degrees:

Sarah Hodgson
802.654.2867
shodgson@smcvt.edu

Registrar:

Marnie Owen
802.654.2571

Public Safety:

Stacy Bessette
802.654.2374
Sbesette3@smcvt.edu

Special Events:

John Hill
802.654.2615

Student Activities:

Kerri Leach
802.654.2568
kleach@smcvt.edu

Residence Life:

Lou Dimasi
802.543.2566
ldimasi@smcvt.edu

Information for Faculty

Regalia may be ordered at the Campus Store. The Campus Store can be reached at (802-654-2517).

On the day of Commencement (Sunday, May 12, 2020):

Faculty robe in Cheray 101 at 9:15 a.m.
Procession begins at 9:50 a.m.
Faculty/Staff will be lined up by the Faculty Marshal.

Order of Procession:

• Saint Andrew’s Pipe Band of Vermont
• Grand Marshal
• Seniors
• Masters Candidates
• Faculty Marshal
• Faculty/Staff
• Honored Guests Marshal
• Trustees/Honored Guests/President’s Cabinet
• Dais Party
• VPAA
• President