Destination Graduation

Congratulations! There are just a few more steps and you are done with your degree and officially graduated. Make sure you check out the Graduation Checklist to the right to be sure you have done everything that is needed. You can either stop by our office in 100 Payson Smith, to pick up the forms at right or print them off yourself...whichever works best for you!
What? Commencement!
When? Saturday, May 10, 2008 @ 9:00 a.m.
Where? Cumberland County Civic Center, 10 Civic Square, Portland, Maine. No tickets are required and ample open seating is available (we recommend that guests arrive early for the best choice of seats).
What time? The ceremony begins at 9:00 a.m. and concludes by 12:00 noon. Graduates must be at the Civic Center by 8:00 a.m. Free coffee and Danish will be available for graduates and guests from 7:30-8:30 a.m.
Caps and Gowns This is a solemn occasion. Caps and gowns must be worn by all degree candidates attending the ceremony. Caps and gowns will be available to be picked up at the Bookstore on each campus beginning April 30 thru May 9th. PLEASE NOTE: The Lewiston-Auburn Bookstore will stock regalia for LAC majors only. Non-LAC majors who wish to pick up their caps and gowns in Lewiston must contact Pauline Pierre at 753-6552 before May 2nd. If you are unable to pick up your regalia before commencement, the Bookstore will be at the Civic Center to distribute caps and gowns on that day.
Parking is available at the nearby Spring St. Parking Garage and other lots in the area. Carpooling is encouraged as nearby lots will fill up quickly. This year guests may park in the USM parking garage for FREE on Saturday for commencement. There will be a shuttle that runs continuously from 7-8:30am to the Civic Center. The shuttle will also run after the ceremony to return you to the garage. The parking garage next door to the Civic Center on Spring Street will also be available, using the ever-popular "event parking" system to charge.
Free child care is available to members of the graduating class at USM's fully licensed child care facility on the Portland Campus. To use this service, call Heather Monroe at 780-4125 by May 7, 2008. You are urged to call soon, as space is limited.
Please Note: Graduation is NOT automatic. You must file an application with the Registrar by March 21, 2008. DO THIS EARLY! See the Graduation Checklist for details.
Ordering Announcements: Order your graduation announcements to share with friends and family. You will receive your school's custom announcement while supplies last. If school's custom announcement is not available, a generic announcement substitution will be made.
Diploma Frame: Our 23K "Signature" Diploma Frame features a 23K school seal medallion, embossed black museum mat and Signature cherry frame with a black bead accent. Give the symbol of your hard work and efforts a place of honor within this frame or choose one of our other quality diploma frames.
Graduation Survey: If you are a graduating senior and have applied for graduation, we want to know about your USM experience. Please complete the graduating senior survey by going to the following link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=5YPwboFdVBw27fZR9Thwdw_3d_3d This survey will only take about 10 minutes and provides us with valuable information. Contact Helen Gorgas Goulding at gorgas@usm.maine.edu if you have any questions. Thanks!
	COMMENCEMENT QUESTIONS
A number of people have stopped by the office to ask about Commencement. Here are some of the most commonly asked questions and their answers: *I sent in my application for graduation. Am I all set to graduate?* If you want to check to be sure there is nothing else you need to do to graduate, contact either Meredith Adams at 207-780-5101, meredith@usm.maine.edu or Corinne Aucoin at 207-780-5232, corinne@usm.maine.edu in the Registrar's office. *Commencement is over, but I haven't received my diploma.* If you have finished all your required classes, you should check to be sure that you don't have an outstanding balance on your University account. Unpaid tickets, library fines, etc. can hold up your diploma. Call the Business Office at 207-780-5200. If you are taking a summer session class to complete your requirements, diplomas & transcripts will be available approximately 4 weeks after grades are posted. They can contact either Meredith Adams at 207-780-5101, meredith@usm.maine.edu or Corinne Aucoin at 207-780-5232, corinne@usm.maine.edu if you have any questions. *Are there any limits on the number of people I can invite to Commencement and where do I get the tickets?* Commencement is held at the Cumberland County Civic Center which holds over 6000 people. For that reason, there are no limits to the number of people you can invite and no tickets are distributed. A word to the wise however: Tell your family and friends to arrive early for the best seating. The ceremony starts at 9:00 and many people arrive with their graduating student (you have to be there at 8:00). *Any other questions,* please email Mary Ann Benson at MBenson@usm.maine.edu or call her at 780-4220.

GRADUATION & BEYOND