Commencement Schedule of Events
Wednesday, May 14
4:30 - 6 p.m. (prior to Senior Ball) – President's Reception for the Class of 2008, President's House
Friday, May 16
4 p.m. – Baccalaureate Service, Glavin Family Chapel
Saturday, May 17
7:00 a.m. –Legacy Breakfast, Babson Executive Conference Center,
(invitation only)
8:30 a.m. – Senior class photo, Staake Gymnasium
8:45 a.m. – Bachelor's degree candidates assemble, Webster Center
9:40 a.m. – Undergraduate academic procession begins
10 a.m. – Bachelor of Science Commencement exercises, Upper Athletic Fields
Following the ceremony a light reception for bachelor's degree graduates and guests will take place in Staake Gymnasium, lower level of the Webster Center
Bachelor's Degree Ceremony
Babson's 89th undergraduate Commencement will be held on
Saturday, May 17, 2008, at 10 a.m. The academic procession for Commencement will leave from the Webster Center and begin promptly at 9:40 a.m. The exercises will be held on the Upper Athletic Fields and will last approximately two hours. More than 3,000 guests will attend this event. Family and guests with tickets, attending the undergraduate ceremony, should be seated by 9:30 a.m. IMPORTANT: Ticket holders must be at the tent by 9:50 a.m. to be guaranteed a seat under the tent. Guests also may view the exercises via live broadcast in Sorenson Theater if they choose to be inside.
New this year, for family and friends who cannot attend, the ceremony can be viewed online. Please visit the Commencement Web site hompage for more information.
Organizing a procession of more than 450 degree recipients takes at least one hour. Therefore, we ask that all degree candidates be in the assembly area on the track inside the Webster Center by 8:45 a.m., where refreshments will be available. The class photo will be taken in the Staake Gymnasium at 8:30 a.m., just prior to assembling for the procession.
Please be aware that the Commencement of the F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business at Babson College also will be held on May 17. This ceremony begins at 2:30 p.m. in the Commencement tent on the Upper Athletic Fields.
Tickets
Tickets are required for ALL guests to gain entry to the tent. For Commencement 2008 each degree candidate will be given eight tickets for guest seating under the tent. Tickets are to be picked up by prospective graduates Monday through Friday, May 5–May 16, in Alumni Hall, from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. In addition, tickets will be available at Senior Week Registration, on Monday, May 12. Candidates are welcome to bring as many guests as they wish to view the exercises from outside the tent or inside Sorenson Theater via live broadcast. There is ample room and we have found that many people enjoy the freedom these options allow.
Announcements
Personalized announcements can be purchased online by our vendor, Balfour, at www.balfour.com/college/gradannouncements.aspx or by calling 1-877-225-3687. When purchasing, be sure you order announcements for the appropriate ceremony (undergraduate vs. graduate). Please allow three weeks for delivery. Please note: Announcements are not considered tickets and will not gain you access under the tent.
Commencement Clearance Process (CCP)
and Academic Regalia
In order to participate in Commencement, all degree candidates must log into the Babson Portal where there will be a designated portlet for the Commencement Clearance Process. Here, candidates will view and complete the requirements necessary to pick up their cap and gown and participate in the ceremony. Requirements include fulfilling financial obligations, surveys, laptop return, etc. This site will be made available to degree candidates approximately two weeks before commencement.
Caps, gowns and tassels are furnished by the College at no charge to graduates and may be kept as souvenirs of this memorable occasion. Regalia will be available at the bookstore the week of May 12, Monday through Thursday, from 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and on Friday, May 16, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Remember: Candidates cannot pick up their regalia until all requirements have been fulfilled through the Commencement Clearance Process.
Academic Procession
The academic procession will form on the track inside the Webster Center beginning at 8:45 a.m. It will proceed in two files to the tent via the walkway beside the turf field. The order of the procession is as follows: chief marshal, members of governance, faculty and staff, valedictorian, academic honors program graduates, graduating seniors and the platform party. The formal ceremony begins when all members of the platform party have reached the stage.
Commencement Honors/Academic Honors Program
The undergraduate academic honors printed in the Commencement program are based on averages at the end of the student's last semester. Summa cum laude is signified by a gold tassel; magna cum laude is signified by a white tassel; and cum laude is signified by a red tassel. The cumulative grade point average is calculated upon completion of all degree requirements.
-Cum laude - 3.30 to 3.49 cumulative grade point average
-Magna cum laude - 3.50 to 3.74 cumulative grade point average
-Summa cum laude - 3.75 to 4.0 cumulative grade point average
The Valedictorian honor is awarded to the student with the highest academic rank in the Class of 2008, which includes September/December 2007 graduates. This person has the honor of leading the graduates in the academic procession and is the first to receive a diploma. The Valedictorian wears a gold cord.
The Academic Honors Program offers academically accomplished students enhanced curricular and co-curricular opportunities. The centerpiece of the program is the Honors Project. For two semesters, students work closely with a faculty advisor to engage in independent research in an area of their own choosing. The resulting Project is an original scholarly or artistic contribution to the student's field of inquiry. Students who fulfill all of the requirements of the Honors Program receive a degree with honors, which constitutes the highest academic distinction awarded by the College to graduating seniors.
Weather Information
Commencement will be held under the tent, rain or shine, in order to accommodate a larger audience. Since New England weather can vary in May, we ask our guests to dress appropriately for the conditions. Candidates and guests must provide their own umbrellas and raincoats. Participants and guests should come prepared if inclement weather is expected on Commencement day.
IMPORTANT: In the event of extremely severe weather, the tent walls may be put in place, prohibiting good visibility from outside the tent. Again, each candidate will be given eight tickets for guest seating under the tent.
PLEASE NOTE: Regardless of weather conditions, Babson will provide a live broadcast of the ceremony in Sorenson Theater for guest viewing. In addition, the ceremony can be viewed online. Please visit the homepage for more information.
In the event of an extreme weather emergency please refer to the homepage for updates or the Babson College Information Line, 781-239-INFO (4636) for detailed information.
Important Phone Numbers
Please call the Office of Special Events at 781-239-5265 if you have any questions regarding the Commencement ceremony. Below are some important numbers to keep handy.
-Academic status (Registrar)
781-239-4327
-Accessibility Accommodations – visual, hearing, or orthopedic/mobility-related impairment
781-239-5252
-Alumni Office
781-239-4562
-Babson Executive Conference Center
781-239-4000 or www.babsonecc.com
-Balfour (announcements)
1-877-225-3687 or www.balfour.com/college/gradannouncements.aspx
-Bookstore
781-239-4375 or http://babson.bkstore.com
-Campus Information
781-239-4636
-Caps and Gowns (bookstore)
781-239-4375
-Center for Career Development (Undergraduate)
781-239-4215
-Chappell Graduation Images (photographer)
1-800-424-3686 or www.chappell.com
-Collegiate Video
802-365-4414 or www.collegiatevideo.com
-Main campus number
781-235-1200
-Office of Academic Services
781-239-4075
-Office of Campus Life
781-239-4438
-Panfoto (class photo)
781-788-9595 or www.panfoto.com
-Public Safety
781-239-5555
-Reynolds Campus Center Information Booth
781-239-5000
-Senior Week Activities
781-239-6500
-Student Financial Services
781-239-4219
-Weather Information (campus information)
781-239-4636
You may also download the complete
2008 Undergraduate Commencement Booklet
