2013 Commencement Ceremony

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Location:  The Blue Cross Arena at the Rochester War Memorial 
1 War Memorial Square and Exchange Streets

Parking: Civic Center Parking Garage – Exchange Boulevard, South Avenue Parking Garage

Gifts for Graduates: An MCC Bookstore concession area will be available with gifts and roses for sale at the Broad Street entrance -  2nd level.

Seating: Tickets are not required. Guests will be seated on a first come, first-served basis. Only candidates are allowed in the Candidate Seating Areas on the floor of the Arena.

Assembly: Candidates will enter the Arena at Exchange Street or 1  War Memorial Square (formerly Broad Street entrance) - both entrances are handicapped accessible - and should report to the bottom level of the Arena by 9 a.m. with  cap and gown. You will  pick up your name card at the designated registration tables. Marshals will direct you to  your proper place in the processional lines.

Do not bring valuables with you to be left in the marshaling area. Do not bring alcoholic beverages or balloons.

Special Needs: Family members with disabilities should follow the  direction signs to the upper level handicapped seating areas. Candidates with physical disabilities should take  the elevator to the bottom level of the Arena.  Should your  disability be such that you are unable to proceed up the  ramp from the lower level, please contact the Student  Services Office at 292-2122 for further instructions.

Should you, or a member of your family, be deaf or hard of hearing and need interpreting services, you are also asked to contact the Student Services Office at the above telephone number to discuss arrangements. Individual  candidate's names will not be interpreted if prior notice has not been given.  Please contact the Student Services office if additional information is needed on special needs.

*The college will be closed on May 27^th in observance of Memorial Day.
**There is no charge for a cap and gown. There are no pre-orders; all sizes will be available at time of pickup. Caps and gowns are yours to keep.

PLEASE NOTE; ON THE DAY OF COMMENCEMENT, JUNE 1^st , CAPS & GOWNS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE BLUE CROSS ARENA BEFORE THE START OF THE CEREMONY. STUDENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO PICK THEM UP FROM THE BOOKSTORE EARLY FOR BEST FIT.

Ceremony: The program will begin at 10 a.m.and conclude at approximately 12:30 p.m.

Tickets are not required.  (Graduation announcements will be available for purchase at the MCC Bookstores.) Guests attending will be seated on a first-come, first-served basis. At the conclusion of the ceremony, all graduates and faculty will participate in the recessional back to the marshaling area.

The ceremony is expected to last between 2 - 2 1/2 hours.  Consider that this length of time may be difficult on older adults and young children. Out of respect for fellow classmates and consideration for their families, candidates are expected to remain until the conclusion of  the ceremony.

We regret that children and other family members may not cross the stage with candidates.  At the conclusion of  the ceremony, all graduates and faculty will participate in the recessional back to the marshalling area.

Photographs: Special areas for photography have been arranged in  seating areas on either side of the stage.  Look for signs to direct you.  Family members are asked to move in and out of these areas quickly and in an orderly fashion in order to accommodate others.

A professional photographer will be taking pictures on stage and will contact you individually at a later date for purchase arrangements.

Diplomas: Congratulatory scrolls will be presented at the ceremony.  Diplomas are mailed.

Honor Cords: An honor cord in recognition of "DISTINCTION" is given at the ceremony to graduates from July 2012 -March 2013 who have graduated "WITH DISTINCTION", candidates for May 2013 who entered the spring semester with a cumulative GPA of 3.449 or higher; and candidates for summer 2013 (attending early) with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher. The actual GPA required for certification "WITH DISTINCTION" is 3.5 or higher.

PHI THETA KAPPA: Members of Phi Theta Kappa who wish to wear honors regalia must make their purchase in advance through Phi Theta Kappa.  It will not be available to do so the day of Commencement.