May 2012 Graduation
RACC's 2012 Commencement Ceremony will be held on Friday, May 18 at the Sovereign Center in downtown Reading. Please check this page frequently for important updates and announcements relating to graduation.
Graduation Application Process
This year, RACC is introducing a new online application for May 2012 graduates.
The deadline for applying for May 2012 graduation and be guaranteed to have their name in the program was Monday, April 2. If you have questions, contact Benjamin Rosenberger or Holly Kline by email or call 610-372-4721 ext. 5110 or 5466, respectively.
You will be able to apply for Summer graduation Monday, May 21. If you currently applied for May 2012 and are approved by the Dean to complete summer courses, you do not need to apply.
Commencement Ceremony
Commencement will be held on Friday, May 18, 2012 at The Sovereign Center, located at 700 Penn St., Reading, PA. The ceremony will begin at 2 p.m. Graduates must arrive no later than 1 p.m. Please enter the side entrance of the gates area of the Sovereign Center. Follow directions to rooms numbered 31 and 32.
Important Notes for Ceremony:
- The commencement ceremony will be broadcast live on the college website at www.racc.edu. Please note: In case of technical difficulties the broadcast will run “on demand” a few days later.
- Guests will be allowed to enter The Sovereign Center beginning at 1 p.m.
- The Sovereign Center does not allow any types of balloons to be brought in for the ceremony.
- Commencement is a special event; you should dress appropriately for the occasion. (jeans, shorts, sneakers are not considered appropriate attire).
Tickets
Tickets are NOT necessary for the graduation ceremony at The Sovereign Center for you or your guests. The doors will open to the public beginning at 1 p.m. You are welcome to invite as many guests as you like.
Caps and Gowns
The deadline for ordering cap/gowns through www.herffjones.com/college/racc closed on Mar. 25. If you forgot to order prior to this date, please note that there will be additional gowns available for pick up at the RACC bookstore in the Student Union Building during the Graduation Fair. Many sizes will be available therefore you do not need to contact the bookstore prior to the Graduation Fair. The website remains open for the ordering of announcements and other items. Please access www.herffjones.com/college/racc.
Please pick up your cap and gown at the Graduation Fair (see below) to be held on May 7-8 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the Student Bookstore in the Student Union Building. If you find it impossible to pick up your cap and gown at the Graduation Fair you may also pick up after the fair in The Student Bookstore at the following times:
Monday thru Thursday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Gratitude Stole
New this year to RACC’s Commencement are Stoles of Gratitude. The Student Government Association has purchased one for each graduate and they will be distributed with your cap and gown. In addition to making the graduation attire more attractive, these stoles may be used as gifts of gratitude for someone who has made a difference in your time at RACC and helped you achieve graduation. You may write a personal note on it with a permanent marker and AFTER the ceremony, present it to the person you choose. Or you may keep it for yourself as a graduation memento. Please remember to wear it for the graduation ceremony, and do not give it away until after the ceremony. Additional stoles may be purchased through the Bookstore for $16.45.
Graduation Fair
The Graduation Fair will be held on May 7-8 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Student Bookstore in the Student Union Building. This is the time you can pick up your cap and gown and gratitude stole. Honor cords will also be distributed at this time. A vendor will be there to sell a variety of graduation items, including frames and other items.
If you would like photos in your cap and gown, a photographer will be available during the Graduation Fair in the Berks/Schuylkill Rooms of Berks Hall on the following days and times:
• Monday, May 7 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Tuesday, May 8 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Honor Cords
Honor cords will be issued to all students who meet the following criteria as of the end of Fall Semester:
- Cum Laude 3.50-3.74 cumulative grade point average
- Magna Cum Laude 3.75-3.94 cumulative grade point average
- Summa Cum Laude 3.95-4.00 cumulative grade point average
These cords will be distributed at the Graduation Fair on May 7-8 during cap and gown pick-up (10 a.m.-6 p.m.) in the Student Union Lobby, or see Judy Rubright in Berks Hall 217 between 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Monday thru Friday after the Graduation Fair.
Photos/DVD
If you are interested in ordering graduation photos or a DVD of commencement, please print the order form below, complete the required information and make payment by the deadline of May 4 at the Cashier’s Office in Berks Hall 107. Checks are payable to Reading Area Community College. No orders will be accepted past the deadline.
Photos will be taken at the Graduation Fair on May 7-8 in the lobby of the Student Union Building. Please note that cap and gown photos will be taken at the graduation fair during the following times only: Monday, May 7 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Tuesday, May 8 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Caps and gowns will be provided for photos but please come appropriately groomed for your photos. Photos will be mailed to the address provided on the order form approximately 4–5 weeks after commencement. DVDs will be mailed along with diplomas approximately six weeks after commencement.
Associate Degree Nursing Photos
A group photo of the Associate Degree nursing graduates will be taken at 9:30 a.m. in the quad area outside of Berks Hall immediately preceding the Health Professions Reception. The alternate location in the case of inclement weather will be the Berks Hall cafeteria. Please print the order form off the website, complete the required information and make payment by the deadline of May 11 at the Cashier’s Office in Berks Hall 107. Checks are payable to Reading Area Community College. No orders will be accepted past the deadline. Group photos will be mailed to the address on the order form approximately 4–5 weeks after commencement.
Transportation and Parking
Students
Because of limited parking, we are asking all graduates to park on the RACC Campus and use the shuttle service provided by the college. The first shuttle for students will leave the front entrance of Berks Hall at 12:15 p.m. Students are expected to be at The Sovereign Center by 1 p.m. There also will be shuttle service back to campus beginning at 3:30 p.m. with the last one departing at 4:45 p.m.
If you prefer to park on campus and walk to The Sovereign Center please make sure you allow enough time to arrive no later than 1 p.m.
The shuttle service is for students and staff only!
Guests
There will be parking available in the following lots for your guests:
Double Tree Convention Center Parking Garage: (located directly across from the Sovereign Center - $2.00 per car)
Additional parking is available in other lots at the regular rate of $2.00 for the first hour and $1.00 thereafter in the following lots:
- 4th and Cherry Street Garage
- South Penn Garage (located behind The Sovereign Center)
- Barta Park and Transit
Please do not use Penn Court, Reed and Court or Poplar and Walnut garages. Free parking will be available on the RACC campus in the Front and Washington garage for your guests who prefer to walk a few short blocks to The Sovereign Center.
Reception
The Student Government Association will be hosting a reception with light refreshments for graduates and guests to honor the class of 2012 immediately following the ceremony.
Special Arrangements & Spanish-Language Interpretation
If you need accommodations due to a disability, notify Kim Rivera in Berks Hall 127 or email her at krivera@racc.edu. Interpreters for any hearing impaired individual(s) will be present during the graduation ceremony.
If someone in your family needs Spanish interpretation at the Commencement ceremony, you must reserve a headset by contacting Kim Rivera at 610-607-6244 or krivera@racc.edu. You must provide the following: your FULL name, a phone number and the number of headsets you need. The deadline to reserve is Friday, May 4. If there are no reservations, Spanish interpretation will not be available.
Phi Theta Kappa Members
Please contact Dr. Donna Singleton at extension 5096 or Yocum 110 if you wish to purchase the gold stole and tassel for the graduation ceremony!
Honors Program Students
Students who complete 15 honors credits with an overall GPA of 3.25 or higher in all honors courses may apply for an Honors Certificate and Honors Diploma. Please go to the Honors Program website for an application form. If you have any questions please contact Dr. Donna Singleton at dsingleton@racc.edu.
Diploma
Since Commencement occurs immediately following the end of the semester, the College is unable to issue your diploma until final grades have been submitted and your transcript evaluated and certified by the Registrar. Your diploma will be sent first class by US mail. The diploma will include an honor seal determined at the end of the semester in which you completed your final requirements. If you are in Phi Theta Kappa, that seal will also appear on your diploma. In addition to your diploma, a complimentary copy of your transcript will be mailed to you for review.
If you did not attend the ceremony and asked to be excused, you will also receive a red diploma case and any cords that you earned; determined at the end of the semester in which you completed your final requirements.
Balance on Account – All debts to the College must be paid before diplomas will be released. Call the Cashier’s office at 610-607-6235 to resolve any outstanding balances.
Moving - In the event you will be leaving the area following graduation, please email Holly Kline at HKline@racc.edu. Include your ID number, the address to which you wish your diploma mailed, and a contact phone number.
Evaluating the large number of students for graduation may take several weeks after you complete your last class/requirement for the degree. If you do not receive your diploma by Aug. 1, email Holly Kline immediately at HKline@racc.edu. Please include your name and ID number.
Transcript Request
If you need to send your transcript to another college or employer, stop into the Student Records Office (Berks Hall 107) any time from now up until graduation and complete the transcript request form. There will be a fee of $3, and please make sure to check the box that says, Hold Transcript for Degree Earned. Learn more about transcript requests here.
Need to Be Excused?
If you find it impossible to attend commencement you must be excused in writing by emailing krivera@racc.edu.
Questions
If you have any questions or concerns about any of the above information please contact Judy Rubright, Berks Hall 217 at 610-372-4721, ext. 5062 or jrubright@racc.edu.
