Graduate Commencement Guide 2012
Event Information
The university will hold a Commencement solely for graduate and doctoral degree students at 7 p.m. on Friday, May 11, 2012, in the Feldman Arena, O'Neill Convocation Center, Westside campus, 43 Lake Ave. Extension, Danbury.
In addition to the conferring of graduate degrees and diplomas, the event will include a hooding ceremony at which each Master’s Degree candidate will be invested with the hood of his or her major.
Who is eligible to participate in the 2012 Graduate Commencement?
- Students who completed their degree or diploma requirements at the end of the 2011 Fall Semester.
- Students who will complete their degree requirements in May 2012 and August 2012.
The ceremony
You will be assigned to a designated place in the Commencement procession and assigned to a seating section in the arena. This is necessary to recognize you formally as you come onto the stage to be introduced and invested with the hood denoting your Master’s or Doctoral Degree.
There will be plenty of seating in the Feldman Arena. No tickets or other method of reserving seats will be issued.
Access Ability Needs
Any student or a member of the student’s family that requires special accommodations for the May Commencement ceremony must contact the Office of University Events (203) 837-8800 no later than Friday, April 27th.
Accommodations
Arrangements have been made with the following hotels for May 11 & 12 for guests attending WCSU's 2012 Commencement festivities. To make your reservation, call the hotel of your choice directly. Book your reservation early to ensure room availability. When booking your reservation, make sure to ask for the WestConn rate. We looking forward to seeing you on campus this May.
Best Western Danbury/Bethel
11 Stony Hill Road
Bethel, CT 06801
(800) 780-7234
www.bestwesterndanbury.com
$84/night
Located off Exit 8 of I-84.
Includes complimentary Deluxe Continental Breakfast and free passes to the 10,000 sq ft Sportsplex Gym next door.
Danbury Maron Hotel & Suites
42 Lake Avenue Ext.
Danbury, CT 06811
203-791-2200
www.maronhotel.com
$89/night (standard room) $109/night (suite)
Located off Exit 4 of I-84.
Features Connecticut Limousine drop off and pick up. Shuttle to WCSU Westside campus available.
Includes complimentary continental breakfast.
Ethan Allen Hotel
21 Lake Avenue Ext.
Danbury, CT 06811
203-744-1776
800-742-1776
www.ethanallenhotel.com
$109/night
Located off Exit 4 of I-84 near the Westside Campus.
Features full service restaurant, fitness center and is close to the Danbury Fair Mall.
Danbury Holiday Inn
80 Newtown Road
Danbury, CT 06810
203-792-4000
www.danbury-hi.com
$79/night; $149/two-night stay
Located off Exit 8 of I-84.
Kids stay and eat Free.
Residence Inn (Marriott)
22 Segar Street
Danbury, CT 06810
203-797-1256
www.marriott.com/dxrri
$119/night
Located off Exit 4 of I-84, near the Westside Campus.
Includes complimentary full hot breakfast.
Features high speed internet (wired and wireless); indoor pool, spa and fitness center; and is within waking distance of Danbury Fair Mall.
Reception
A reception will be held in the Feldman Arena after the ceremony for graduates and their guests.
Ordering your academic regalia
All participants in the academic procession are required to wear academic regalia. Graduates may pick up their academic regalia in the Alumni Office, Old Main 302, Midtown campus, Monday through Wednesday, May 7-9, 2012: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, May 10, 2012: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m..
You may order your academic regalia on one of our forms available here and return it to the Alumni Office by 5 p.m., Friday, April 5, 2012, to avoid a $20 late fee. For Ed.D. regalia, contact Helen Bechard at (203) 837-8800 or bechardh@wcsu.edu.
If you are unable to pick up your regalia, please ask a friend or family member to do it for you. Due to space limitations, regalia will not be available on the day of Commencement.
Directions to the Campus
Click here to view directions to our campus
Driving directions following the ceremony
Cars leaving the campus after the ceremony will be directed West along Mill Plain Road. Interestate-84 can be accessed both eastbound and westbound at Exit 2, about three miles from campus.
University Fees
All fees (cashier, library, parking, etc.) must be paid prior to Commencement or your diploma will be withheld.
Graduate Portraits
Photographers from GradTrak Graduation Images will be on stage to photograph graduates. Proofs will be mailed to you after the ceremony. You are under no obligation to purchase. Visit www.gradimages.com or call (800) 424-3686 for information.
Video
The university will stream the Commencement ceremonies on the WCSU Web site at no charge, starting the week after the ceremonies.
Flowers
Flowers will be available for purchase at the field.
Invitations and Announcements
The WCSU Bookstore works with Balfour to provide WestConn invitations and related materials. Go to http://www.balfour.com for more information.
Campus Bookstore
The campus Bookstore will operate a sale area near the Commencement site
Diplomas
Diplomas will be mailed from the Registrar’s office approximately eight weeks after your graduation date.
WCSU Official Diploma Frames
Graduation from college is a huge accomplishment. What better way to display this great achievement than in an official
WCSU diploma frame. For years to come, your diploma will remain safe and look impressive.
You can find WestConn's Diploma Frame Gift Guide online at www.wcsu.edu/alumni (click on Alumni Marketplace). As you will see, there are several diploma frame styles to choose from depending on your taste. We also offer several desk accessories that feature an attractive and rich-looking two-toned engraved medallion with WestConn's seal. Some of the pieces can even be personalized with your name.
You can order your diploma frame and desk accessories online at the Web site above or by phone with a credit card at (203) 837-8298. You can also download an order form at the Web site above and mail it in along with your payment to the WCSU Alumni Office, 181 White St., Danbury, CT 06810. If you would like us to send you a brochure, please call us at the number above.
Engraved Brick
Leave your mark at WestConn by engraving your name and a special message on a 4 x 8 brick located in the Alumni &
Friends Circle. The Alumni & Friends Circle, located in between Old Main and Fairfield Hall, houses an ensemble of inscribed
bricks, trees, benches and light posts donated by alumni and friends of the university. Several brick paths now lead into the
circle making it highly visible to students, faculty, staff, alumni and visitors. For more information on our Alumni & Friends
Circle or to download an order form, visit www.wcsu.edu/alumni (click on Alumni & Friends Circle) or call the Office of Alumni
Relations at (203) 837-8298.
Short-term Medical Insurance
After graduation, many students lose their health insurance coverage under their parents' plans, making them vulnerable to
high healthcare costs. GradMed provides protection from the major expenses associated with an accident or unexpected
illness, providing coverage while job searching or waiting for new employee benefits to begin. An ideal product for new
graduates, with GradMed you can choose a coverage period and deductible that meets your needs. Coverage can begin as
early as the day after receipt of your application. For more information, visit www.wcsu.edu/alumni (click on Grad Med).
