GSAS Commencement 2008

Regalia

The 2008 deadlines for ordering regalia from the Harvard Coop are April 16 (for Master's degrees) and May 2 (for PhD degrees). Complete information about renting and purchasing regalia is available on the Coop Website at http://harvard.bkstore.com. The telephone number for ordering regalia is 617-499-2070; the fax number is 617-499-2016; and the e-mail address is This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

International Students

International students who have family members experiencing difficulty obtaining visas to attend Commencement should contact the GSAS Administrative Dean's Office (617-495-1814, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ) to obtain a letter of invitation for these family members.

Schedule of Events

Following is a schedule for Commencement Week events. Please note: Times on Thursday, Commencement Day, are approximate as some events overlap.

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

4-6 p.m. Masters' Reception for degree candidates and their guests in the Main Dining Room, Dudley House, Harvard Yard

Thursday, June 5, 2008 – Commencement Day

6:45 a.m. Harvard Yard gates open for all guests.

7:00 a.m. GSAS Breakfast with the Deans, Gropius Lawns, 35 Oxford St., for all degree candidates and their guests

7:45 a.m. GSAS procession, from the Gropius Lawns to Sever Quadrangle

8:05 a.m. Degree candidates line up at Sever Quadrangle.

8:50 a.m. Academic procession begins.

9:45 a.m. Morning Exercises begin in Tercentenary Theatre. The deans of each School introduce their graduates as a group. President Faust then confers degrees on each School’s students as a group. Seating for guests is extremely limited and cannot be guaranteed. Guests should arrive as early as possible. (Yard gates open at 6:45 a.m.)

11:30 a.m. GSAS Diploma Awarding Ceremony for PhD degree recipients begins in Sanders
Theatre immediately following the Morning Exercises. Additional seating is available in Science Center Lecture Halls A, B, and D.

11:30 a.m. Champagne reception begins on the Gropius Lawns, 35 Oxford St., and continues until approximately 3 p.m. for all degree recipients and their guests.

12:00 p.m. Buffet luncheon begins on the Gropius Lawns, 35 Oxford St., and continues until approximately 3 p.m. for all degree recipients and their guests.

12:45 p.m. GSAS Diploma Awarding Ceremony for terminal masters degree recipients in Science Center Lecture Hall C

1:30 p.m. Alumni procession begins.

2:15 p.m. Afternoon Exercises begin in Tercentenary Theatre. President Drew Faust will give her address, followed by an address from 2008 Commencement speaker, author J.K. Rowling. This event is generally less crowded than the Morning Exercises. All degree candidates and their guests are encouraged to attend.

Security

Heightened security measures will be in effect for Commencement Day. All degree recipients attending Commencement must display their Harvard identification cards to be granted admission to Harvard Yard.

GSAS will distribute Commencement lanyards (a cord with a pouch on it to be worn around the neck) to degree recipients when they pick up their Commencement tickets. Keeping your ID card in your lanyard will expedite access to Harvard Yard. Degree recipients who are unable to pick up lanyards before Commencement Day may pick them up at the Breakfast with the Deans event that morning (see above). Please be sure to bring your ID card with you on Commencement morning.

There might be additional security at the entrance gates for Commencement guests, and guests may be required to pass through metal detectors; delays can be expected. The gates to Harvard Yard will open to guests at 6:45 a.m.

Ticket Information

Degree candidates and recipients must complete and return the Commencement Ticket Request forms (found in your Commencement packet) no later than May 7, 2008. Seating is very limited, and while GSAS strives to accommodate all requests, they will be entered in the order in which they are received.

Packets containing the Ticket Request form and other Commencement materials will be mailed in late March 2008. E-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 617-495-5591 with questions.

Ticket Pick-Up Information – Commencement 2008

Degree candidates and recipients must show their Harvard ID when picking up tickets at the following times and locations:

Monday, June 2, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Holyoke Center Information Center on the Arcade Level, 1350 Massachusetts Ave.

Tuesday, June 3, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Holyoke Center Information Center on the Arcade Level, 1350 Massachusetts Ave.

Wednesday, June 4, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Holyoke Center Information Center on the Arcade Level, 1350 Massachusetts Ave.

Thursday, June 5, 7 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., GSAS Information Tent, Maxwell Dworkin, 33 Oxford St.

Tickets cannot be mailed.