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Commencement Schedule

Choose one of the following sections:

• Graduate Level Commencement
• Baccalaureate Ceremony
• Undergraduate Level Commencement

Graduate Student Commencement

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• Date: Saturday, May 12, 2012
• Time: 9:30 a.m.
• Location: Naismith Green on the Springfield College Campus
• Student assembly for Commencement begins at 8 a.m. in Judd Gymnasia Union West.
• Entrance tickets are not required for family and friends.
• Length of ceremony: 1.5 hours, beginning promptly at 9:30 a.m.

All graduating students must arrive at Judd Gymnasia Union West between 8 and 8:30 a.m. Graduates are required to be in attendance at the pre-ceremony line-up activities no later than 8:30 a.m. to ensure the marching and seating order. Candidates are advised not to bring valuables into the assembly room.

Hazardous Weather/Indoor Site Plan

Springfield College has every hope and expectation that the 126th Graduate Level Commencement Exercises will be conducted outdoors. However, we will move the exercises inside to Blake Arena in the P.E. Complex if hazardous weather threatens (thunder, lightning, etc.). The date and time will remain the same, and graduating students should meet in Dana Gym in the P.E. Complex for the pre-ceremony line-up activities. Entrance tickets are not required for family and friends.

If the skies are grey in the early morning, guests should come prepared. Rain hats and raincoats are advised. Umbrellas are not recommended, since they are disruptive to those seated around you. In the event of rain, graduating students will be given a rain poncho during the pre-ceremony line-up activities.

The College information phone line will be programmed to provide information on the location of the Graduate Ceremony. You may call 413-748-5999 anytime after 6:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 12, for updates.  Information will also be available at www.springfieldcollege.edu/commencement.

Accessibility for Students

Graduating students attending the ceremony who will require special accommodations or special arrangements should identify needed services on the graduation application form. Once the form has been received, the Office of the Registrar will contact you to discuss the necessary arrangements.

Accessibility for Family & Friends

There will be seating available for families and friends of graduates who have a disability or need special seating due to medical reasons. Seating will be available for each guest with special needs along with a seat for one additional person to accompany him/her. Please follow the signs for handicap drop-off area (between Alumni Hall and Marsh Memorial). Officers from the Department of Public Safety and Springfield College staff members will be on duty to assist guests. An interpreter for those who are hearing-impaired will be part of the commencement ceremony. Please call the Office of Academic Affairs at 413-748-3197 if you need additional information.

Dining Services:

Dunkin Donuts in the Richard B. Flynn Campus Union Food Court will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Baccalaureate

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• Date: Saturday, May 12, 2012
• Time: 1:30 p.m.
• Location: Naismith Green on the Springfield College Campus
• Student assembly for Baccalaureate begins at 1:15 p.m. in Judd Gymnasia Union West.
• Baccalaureate Reception will follow.
• Entrance tickets are not required for family and friends.
• Length of Baccalaureate: Approximately 1 hour.

Baccalaureate is a student-led ceremony designed to celebrate the spirit, mind, and body. It is a moving ceremony that includes music, readings, and reflections by members of the campus community. All graduates and their families are encouraged to attend this very memorable part of the Commencement weekend activities. Please note that the cap and gown is the expected regalia for this event.

Following the Baccalaureate program, there will be a reception for all graduates and their families on the Naismith Green.

Hazardous Weather/Indoor Site Plan

If hazardous weather necessitates a change in venue, the Baccalaureate program will be held in Blake Arena of the P.E. Complex and students should line up in Dana Gym. The reception scheduled for Naismith Green will be held in Cheney Hall.

Dining Services

Dunkin Donuts in the Richard B. Flynn Campus Union Food Court will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Undergraduate Student Commencement

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• Date: Sunday, May 13, 2012
• Time: 9:30 a.m.
• Location: MassMutual Center 1277 Main Street, Springfield, Mass.
• Student assembly begins at 8 a.m. in the Exhibition Hall at the MassMutual Center.
• Students enter through the convention center main entrance at the corner of Main Street and Falcons Way.
• Entrance tickets are not required for family and friends.
• Length of ceremony: Approximately 2.5 hours beginning promptly at 9:30 a.m.

In order to participate, all graduating students must arrive at the Exhibition Hall at the MassMutual Center between 8 and 8:30 a.m. Graduates are required to be in attendance at the pre-ceremony line-up activities no later than 8:30 a.m. in order to ensure the marching and seating order. Candidates are advised not to bring valuables into the assembly room. Guests will be admitted only through the box office/arena entrance on Falcons Way between Main Street and Dwight Street.

Accessibility for Students

Graduating students attending the ceremony who will require special accommodations or special arrangements should identify needed services on the graduation application form. Once the form has been received, the Office of the Registrar will contact you to discuss the necessary arrangements.

Accessibility for Family and Friends

The MassMutual Center has accessible seating. Seating will be available for guests with special needs along with a seat for one additional person to accompany him/her. Staff from Springfield College and the MassMutual Center will be available to assist those individuals who require accessible seating. An interpreter for those who are hearing-impaired will be part of the Commencement Ceremony.

The MassMutual Center has a parking garage located directly across from the building with handicap parking on all levels. The MassMutual Center also offers drop-off and pick-up areas for guests along Falcons Way.

Please Note:

Guests are advised not to purchase balloons prior to the ceremony as the MassMutual Center does not allow balloons in the arena.

Honor Cords:

Undergraduate degree candidates who have completed all graduation requirements by the end of the spring term and who qualify to graduate with honors will be given their honor cords when they check in for assembly before the Commencement Ceremony. Undergraduate students whose final cumulative grade point average (GPA) is 3.5 or above and who have completed at least forty-five graded semester hours (exclusive of pass/fail grades) at Springfield College are awarded their degrees with honor according to the following criteria:


Summa Cum Laude:
3.900-4.000
Magna Cum Laude:
3.700-3.899
Cum Laude:
3.500-3.699


The student’s qualifying GPA shall be determined at the close of the spring semester for the May Commencement Ceremony. Academic honors will be noted on diplomas and transcripts.

Please Note: Guests are advised not to purchase balloons prior to the ceremony as the MassMutual Center does not allow balloons in the arena.

Graduate Student Commencement

Saturday, May 12, 2012
Time: 9:30 a.m.
Location: Naismith Green on the Springfield College Campus
More info.

Baccalaureate Ceremony

Date: Saturday, May 12, 2012
Time: 1:30 p.m.
Location: Naismith Green on the Springfield College Campus
More info.

Undergraduate Student Commencement

Date: Sunday, May 13, 2012
Time: 9:30 a.m.
Location: MassMutual Center in downtown Springfield
1277 Main Street, Springfield, Mass.
More info.