May 2013 Graduation
Commencement Ceremony
When: Friday, May 17, 2013
Where: The Sovereign Center – 700 Penn St., Reading, PA
Time: 2 p.m. (GRADUATES MUST ARRIVE NO LATER THAN 1 p.m. Please follow instructions upon your arrival. There will be ambassadors available to direct you to rooms numbered 31 and 32.)
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 type of balloons to be brought in for the ceremony.
- Commencement is a special event; you should dress appropriately for the occasion. (Jeans, shorts and sneakers are not considered appropriate attire.)
Application Process
All students should apply for graduation online through WebAdvisor. Go to Academic Planning, then Application for Graduation. Please note there is a $60 non-refundable fee for graduation.
Apply for May: If you apply between Jan. 1 to the first Monday in April you are guaranteed to have your name in the program. If you apply between the first Tuesday in April to the actual date of graduation, you are not guaranteed to have your name in the program. However, you may still walk in the ceremony and your name will be called on stage.
Apply for August: June 1 to date of graduation. If you applied for May graduation and are approved by the Dean to complete summer courses, you do not need to apply.
Apply for December: September 1 to date of graduation.
If you have questions, contact Benjamin Rosenberger or Holly Kline by email or call 610-372-4721 ext. 5110 or 5466, respectively.
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.
December graduates: 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. December graduates (other than LPN), who would like to attend the ceremony in May, should email Holly Kline with “Attend May Ceremony” in the subject line. See Deadline to Apply for May.
May and August graduates: If you did not attend the May ceremony, you will also receive a red diploma case.
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 Feb. 15 (December graduates), Aug. 1 (May graduates) or Sept. 30 (August graduates), email Holly Kline immediately at HKline@racc.edu. Please include your name and ID number.
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
- Caps and Gowns must be ordered on the following website: www.herffjones.com/college/racc. This site will open for ordering beginning on Feb. 15 and will close at 11:59 p.m. on Mar. 25.
- Please pick up your cap and gown at the Graduation Fair (see below) to be held on May 6-7 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the Student Bookstore in Berks Hall.
- If you are unable 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-Thursday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Fridays: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Gratitude Stole
The Student Government Association has purchased a Gratitude Stole 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 Sharpie and AFTER the ceremony, present it to the person you choose. Or you may keep it 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
- When: May 6 and May 7 (10 a.m. - 6 p.m.)
- Where: Student Bookstore in Berks Hall
- What:
Cap/Gown and Gratitude Stole Pick up
A vendor will be there to sell variety of graduation items (optional announcements, frames, etc.)
Honor Cord Distribution
Honor Cords
Honor cords will be issued to all students who meet the following criteria as of the end of Fall Semester/December 2012:
- Cum Laude
- Magna Cum Laude
- Summa Cum Laude
- 3.50-3.74 cumulative grade point average
- 3.75-3.94 cumulative grade point average
- 3.95-4.00 cumulative grade point average
Photos/DVD
DVDs: If interested in purchasing a DVD recording of the commencement ceremony, please print and complete this order form. Turn in the complete form and make payment at the Cashier's Office in B107. Checks are payable to Reading Area Community College. Your DVD will be mailed with your diploma.
Photos: If you are interested in a formal sitting in your graduation attire please contact Purdon Photography, 610-777-3742 to schedule an appointment. Special package prices will be available to RACC graduates.
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 per car)
Additional parking is available in other lots at the regular rate of $2 for the first hour and $1.50 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 the 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
A reception with light refreshments will be held for graduates and their guests to honor the class of 2013 immediately following the ceremony.
Special Arrangements & Spanish-Language Interpretation
If you need accommodations due to a disability, notify Judy Rubright in Berks Hall 127 or email her at jrubright@racc.edu.
Interpreters for any hearing impaired individual(s) will be present during the graduation ceremony.
ATTENTION Phi Theta Kappa Members!
Please contact Dr. Donna Singleton at extension 5096 or in Yocum 110 if you wish to purchase the gold stole and tassel for the graduation ceremony!
ATTENTION 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 refer to this application form. If you have any questions please contact Dr. Donna Singleton at dsingleton@racc.edu.
Non-Attendance Procedures
If you are not able to attend commencement, please request to be excused from the ceremony by emailing Judy Rubright.
Questions
If you have any questions or concerns about the May graduation ceremony, please contact Judy Rubright, Berks Hall 127, 610-372-4721, ext. 5062 or at jrubright@racc.edu.
