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Ceremony Instructions for
Advanced Degree Candidates

Instructions for the Baccalaureate and Commencement ceremonies are included below.

In order to participate in the Commencement ceremony, students must file an application to graduate by April 12 with the University Registrar. Eligible co-terms may also apply to process by completing an application to "walkthrough." Please visit the Diploma Reminders page for details.

If you plan to process, you must be attired in a cap, gown, and hood. The Stanford Bookstore will offer rental gowns and hoods (caps will be purchased by the graduates) and other Commencement items, which students or families can order online. Beginning February 9, you may place your orders online. For more information, please visit the Caps & Gowns page.

Baccalaureate Ceremony
June 13, 2009
Memorial Church

The Baccalaureate celebration on Saturday morning is a multi-faith ceremony – a time of thanksgiving and reflection for graduates, their families, and friends. The celebration begins at 9:30 a.m.

All Candidates report to Memorial Church by 8:45 a.m. in cap and gown.

• The Chief Baccalaureate Marshal will meet you inside Memorial Church to provide general information and explain procedures for the procession and seating in the Main Quadrangle.

• When it is time for the procession to line up, the marshals will come to the front of the church and lead the candidates. The chief marshal will lead the procession.

• Please follow the marshals' instructions and remain in your assigned column. You will be seated in the Main Quadrangle with the people in front and back of you in line, NOT those beside you.

• Marshals will guide you to your seat. Upon reaching your row, please move in quickly to prevent the backing up of the column.

• Remain standing until the platform party has reached the stage. After everyone has been seated on the stage, you may be seated.

• The Baccalaureate celebration will last approximately one hour. Immediately following the benediction, there will be a recession of the platform party.

Commencement Ceremony
June 14, 2009
Stanford Stadium

All Candidates report to Masters Grove by 8:45 a.m. in cap and gown.

• At Masters Grove the school flags and signs will be posted to indicate the beginning of each school column.

• The flag bearer and marshals from each school will lead their respective schools.

  The lineup will be as follows:

  (Stadium side) Right

  (Churchill Mall) Left

  Column 1
  Engineering

  Column 2
  Education
  Engineering

  Column 3
  Law
  Humanities & Sciences

  Column 4
  Medicine
  Earth Sciences
  Business

• Please put on your cap, gown and hood before starting to march. The ceremony will begin at 9:30 a.m.

• When it is time to start the procession, the Chief Advanced Degree Marshal will give the signal to depart and will lead the columns out of Masters Grove and into the Stadium.

• Bottled water and Commencement programs will be available as you enter Gate 1.

• Please follow the marshals’ instructions and remain in your assigned
  column. All columns will begin to march onto the field at the signal of the Stanford Events staff person and will proceed to the advanced-degree seating areas. A Stanford Events staff person will assist you with seating.

• You will be seated on the field with the people in front and back of you in line, NOT those beside you, so if you wish to sit next to a particular graduate, please plan accordingly.

• Provost Etchemendy will recognize candidates who have completed the
  requirements for advanced degrees.

• The dean of your school will ask you to stand and will present you for your official degree conferral.

• President Hennessy will then confer your degree, after which you will be asked to take your seat.

• No diplomas are awarded at this ceremony.

• Following the Benediction, please stand for the faculty recession.

• After the recession, report to the location of your school’s Individual Diploma Award ceremony, as indicated on the last page of the Commencement program.

Weekend Ceremonies General Information

Personal Items: There is no place to leave valuables such as coats, sweaters, purses, or cameras during the Commencement weekend ceremonies. If you bring these items, please plan to carry them with you.

Smoking: No smoking is allowed during the processions or in the seating areas during Commencement weekend ceremonies.

Alcoholic Beverages: No alcohol is allowed before, during, or after the ceremony processions,
or in the seating or surrounding areas during the ceremonies. Violation of this rule may result in ejection from the ceremonies.

Pets: No pets are allowed in the ceremony locations except for service animals working with persons
who have disabilities.

Golf Carts: No golf carts will be allowed in the Stadium. If you have mobility concerns, please make arrangements to be driven down to the Stadium field by a member of the Diversity & Access Office who will be stationed at the Gate 1 of the Stadium.

Disability Information: Please visit the Disability Information section of this website or contact the Diversity & Access Office directly at (650) 725-0326 or disability.access@stanford.edu. For additional information regarding campus accessibility or services for those with mobility concerns, please visit http://www.stanford.edu/dept/diversityaccess/access.html