Rensselaer Distance Learning - Commencement 2008

Rensselaer's 202nd Commencement will be held Saturday, May 17, 2008 at 9:30 AM at the Harkness Field (http://www.rpi.edu/dept/aux_serv/fieldhouse/), next to the Houston Field House. Guest seating begins at 7:30; tickets are required. Graduate lineup starts at 8:00 AM behind the Houston Field House, on Georgian Terrace.

Each student is allotted seven color-coded tickets. In case of severe weather, three of the coded tickets will admit guests into the Houston Field House for the ceremony. Additional guests will be able to view the ceremony from various video sites on campus.

Visit the official Rensselaer Commencement Ceremony web site (http://www.rpi.edu/academics/commencement/ceremony.html) for additional information.

Rensselaer offers a number of services for guests with special requirements. Please make your request by April 18. (http://www.rpi.edu/academics/commencement/guest_reqs.htm)

As part of the campus celebration, there will be a campus picnic (http://www.rpi.edu/academics/commencement/picnic.html) hosted by President Shirley Ann Jackson after the Commencement ceremony. The picnic will be on the '86 Field and the Hassan Quadrangle. Tickets for the picnic, which are free of charge, will be distributed with the Commencement tickets that will be sent by the Outreach Programs Office. Ticket information will be sent with the EWP Reception invitation.

August and December 2007 graduates, as well as May 2008 graduates who have completed all course work are invited to participate in Rensselaer's 202nd Commencement ceremony. Please read about Rensselaer's Participation Policy (http://www.rpi.edu/academics/commencement/policy.html) for participating in the ceremony.

Academic Regalia (http://www.rpi.edu/academics/commencement/regalia.html) is required for participating graduates; please order from February 21 to April 15 through the Rensselaer Bookstore (http://www.rpi.edu/academics/commencement/bookstore.html) (printed announcements and diploma frames are also available from the bookstore).

For information on ordering Rensselaer Diploma Frames, Rensselaer personalized Graduation Announcements, Cap and Gowns or Class Rings, please go to the Rensselaer Union Bookstore (http://www.bookstore.rpi.edu/). If you have questions about Commencement merchandise, please contact the Bookstore at (518) 276-6552.

A photograph of each graduate will be taken at the time of diploma presentation and upon exiting the stage at Commencement Exercises. A video of the ceremony will also be available. Please see Photography and Video (http://www.rpi.edu/academics/commencement/photo_video.html) on the main Rensselaer Commencement web site (http://www.rpi.edu/academics/commencement/index.html) for more information.

For information on lodging, please see the list of hotels on the main Rensselaer Commencement web site (http://www.rpi.edu/academics/commencement/travel.html). Please remember to make your reservations early since local hotels may become full early.