This memorandum is the official notification of activities sponsored in connection with Miles College’s 98th Commencement Exercise, which will be held on Saturday, May 10, 2008 at 4:00 p.m. at the Boutwell (City) Auditorium. All candidates who have been cleared for graduation are required to participate in the commencement exercise.

Your class/graduation dues of $210.00 are due by April 2, 2008. Please pay this amount to the Business Office, where a special account has been established for the senior class. Students who have not paid by the deadline will not participate in the senior activities. Dues must be paid on time because plans must be finalized with those who provide services. Please do not try to be included in activities if you have not paid on time as requested. Dues will pay for the following:

• miniature degree
• senior activities (banquet, breakfast, stage picture, etc.)
• senior tee shirts (if dues allow)

You must immediately submit to the Placement Center the following

• two (2) letters of recommendation
• one (1) resume

You must schedule an exit interview with your division chair to report:

• your career plan/position (graduate school, employer, etc.)
• your permanent address

Founders’ Day will be March 14th. All candidates for graduation are required to attend.

Ladies are required to wear black dresses/suits (shoulders must be covered, no strapless tops), black hosiery, and black shoes (pump or sling, closed toe, no sandals). Men are required to wear black or navy blue suits, white shirts, black string or regular ties, and black shoes.

NOTE: Ladies and Gentlemen -- earrings, sunglasses, Bluetooth, and purses are not permitted.

Graduation is a “high,” revered academic ceremony. Your poised and timely presence at this ceremony is URGED, and we respectfully ask that you and your families not detract from the dignity of the ceremony with loud shouts that disallow recognition of all students whose names should be heard. Permission to receive the degree in absentia must be cleared by April 9, 2008 through special permission of the Academic Dean.

Measurements for graduation attire are made in the Mail Room located in Brown Hall and should be completed by March 31, 2008. Caps and gowns should be ready for distribution beginning May 1, 2008.

Again, please understand that graduation is a high, traditional ceremony that requires special, traditional dress. Miles College graduates are expected to follow this tradition. Therefore, ladies are required to wear white dresses, flesh-tone hosiery, and black shoes (pump or sling, closed toe, peep toe, no sandals). Men are required to wear black suits, white shirts, black string or regular ties, black socks, and black shoes. This attire is for all occasions on which cap and gown are worn.

Candidates will also wear their kente stole, to be picked up at an announced location and time.

NOTE: Ladies and Gentlemen--earrings, sunglasses, and purses are not permitted.

The tassel is to be worn on the right side of the cap until the degree has been conferred. Upon receiving the degree, the tassel is then shifted to the left side of the cap.

It is crucial that all candidates report on time for the ceremony. The procession will move promptly at the scheduled time, so please anticipate emergencies and leave home at least thirty (30) minutes earlier than you consider necessary. Graduating seniors must report as follows:

Graduation
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Albert B. BoutwellMunicipal Auditorium
1930 8th Avenue North
Birmingham, Alabama
Report at 2:00 p.m. for group pictures, etc.
Procession moves at 4:00 p.m.

Two (2) rehearsals will be held. The first is set for Thursday, May 1, 2008 at 4:00 p.m.; we will assemble in Brown Auditorium on campus. The final rehearsal will be held on Saturday, May 10, 2008 at 9:00 a.m. at the Albert B. Boutwell Auditorium. No food, drinks, gum, cell phones, pagers, or cameras will be permitted. Please do not bring children, family members or friends to rehearsals. These rehearsals are closed. Only the graduating class and Miles College administration are permitted to attend.

Attention: Because the final graduation rehearsal may run long, you may want to come to rehearsal prepared to stay for the formal graduation activity, in case there is not enough time for you to go home and return at 2:00 p.m. for photographs.

Candidates will be assigned permanent places in the graduation procession at the May 10, 2008 rehearsal. Specific instructions for the procession will be given at rehearsals.

During the graduation ceremony, all candidates will remain standing until the chief marshals have indicated places for all platform guests and the appropriate chord is sounded by the organ. During the service, men will remove their caps at the time that the college president removes his cap.

Following Dr. French’s charge to the graduating class, he will recognize the Academic Dean, who will present the candidates for the BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE first, asking them to stand for the conferring of degrees. After the president utters the final words (“with all the rights and privileges thereto appertaining”), the candidates will immediately grasp the tassel of the caps and transfer them to the left side of their caps. The candidates for the BACHELOR OF SCIENCE DEGREE will then be presented and follow the same procedure.

The degree cover will be issued to candidates as they walk across the platform according to the seating arrangement. The degree will be issued once the cap and gown and senior checklist are returned.

All caps and gowns are to be returned immediately following graduation in the Albert B. Boutwell Auditorium. (The exact site will be announced.)