[MUSIC PLAYING]
SHAYNA KESSEL: Hi.
I'm Shayna Kessel, Associate Dean of Master's Education.
This video is designed to help graduating Master's students
prepare for commencement.
We'll be reviewing what to wear, important instructions,
and how to receive your diploma at the Master's ceremony.
You will receive your actual diploma here
at Meehan Auditorium at the Graduate School Master's
commencement ceremony.
You will experience the magnificent university
procession and be surrounded by fellow graduates, family,
and friends.
Please make sure your family and friends come to Meehan
Auditorium for your ceremony.
Parking is available on nearby streets
and at Hope High School.
So what's involved in commencement weekend?
All graduate students are required
to check in on Friday or Saturday
between 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM at the graduate school in Horace
Mann at 47 George Street.
Pick up your name card, which includes your degree
and phonetic pronunciation.
And get any last-minute questions
answered on topics including how to wear regalia,
where to show up on Sunday, how to sign up for a free photo,
or to confirm your name pronunciation.
On Friday night, you are invited to attend the Graduate Student
Council's celebration toast with President Paxson and Dean
Campbell, followed by the campus dance on the Main Green.
On Saturday, hear the Horace Mann medallist,
who is a Brown Graduate School alum, speak at a morning forum.
Or choose from a variety of other forums
to attend throughout the day.
On Saturday afternoon, join us at Pembroke Green
on the Pembroke campus near Alumni Hall for a reception
from 4:00 to 5:30 PM.
Enjoy light snacks and drinks with graduate
school deans and staff and alumni
to celebrate your accomplishments.
Bring your families, register to win prizes, and enjoy time
with fellow students before you go your separate ways.
On Sunday, commencement begins with everyone lining up
for the great university procession.
Only eligible graduate students who
participate in the procession will
receive their actual diploma at the graduate school Master's
ceremony.
Please arrive at 9:00 AM on Simmons Quad.
Master's students must have their name card
and an ID with them in order for their name
to be read at the ceremony.
Look for the graduate school degree signs.
Graduate school staff and volunteers
who will be wearing red polos can help direct you and answer
questions.
Once underway, the procession pathway
will take you to the main green through the Van Wickle gates,
across campus, up Thayer street, and up to Meehan Auditorium.
Doctoral students will process to a different location.
Your friends and family can watch
the procession via simulcast before the ceremony begins.
We will show the activity at the Van Wickle gates
on video screens.
The Master's ceremony will begin as soon
as the procession arrives and graduates are seated.
The ceremony includes an invocation, student speaker,
awards presentation, the conferring of degrees,
and a benediction.
Master's students will receive their diplomas
after crossing the stage.
They will be presented in this order: Master of Arts,
Master of Arts in Teaching, Master of Fine Arts,
Master of Public Affairs, Master of Public Health,
Master of Science, Master of Science
in Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship, Executive
MBA, and Executive Master.
Here's how the ceremony works.
When it is time to hand out diplomas,
you will be called up to the stage by degree.
Please note, no backpacks or packages
will be allowed on stage.
Staff will signal when it is time for a section of people
to come toward the stage.
You will approach in single file at the stairs
on the left side of the stage.
Then go to the corporation member
who is seated at the center of the stage.
With your right hand, shake the fellow's hand
and take the diploma case with your left hand.
Smile.
The ceremony is being live streamed around the world.
After you receive your diploma case,
keep walking across the stage.
And staff will direct you to an area behind the stage
to have your photo taken and to pick up your diploma.
You must have valid ID with you in order to get your diploma.
Afterward, please follow staff directions back to your seat.
Out of respect for fellow graduates,
students with diplomas stay for the entire ceremony.
At the end of the ceremony, please
stay in place at your seat while the stage party exits.
A staff member will signal that you may exit.
All students may then proceed to the university ceremony, which
starts around 1:15 PM on the main green.
There are reserved seats for graduate students
in section five.
Family members for all degrees should fill in
around the edges.
The president presides at this one-hour ceremony.
Honorary degrees are awarded.
A doctoral degree recipient and a Master's degree recipient
accept symbolic degrees on behalf
of the graduate students.
Departments host graduation ceremonies
that begin at 2:30 PM.
And many involve graduate students.
Ask your program administrator whether you should attend.
A list of locations is provided on the commencement website.
Let's talk about regalia.
This traditional attire is required at commencement.
Master's students will wear the hood
during the procession and the ceremony.
The hood should be worn draped around your neck,
with the largest portion hanging down your back.
The velvet border should show on the outside.
On the lower back, the velvet should fold under
to allow the Brown University colors to show.
To keep your hood from being too tight around your neck,
there is a cord on the front to help secure it
to a shirt button or to pin to a blouse or dress.
The tassel on your cap goes on the left.
You should only wear the regalia appropriate to the degree you
are receiving at commencement, even if you already
have another advanced degree.
Tradition is an important part of commencement.
So please don't decorate your regalia.
Balloons, tape, or other embellishments are discouraged.
You may pick up your regalia after May 16
if it was ordered by April 15.
It must be returned to the bookstore by Monday, May 27.
Finally, some tips for the day.
Make sure you eat a good breakfast in the morning
before you arrive, as it will be a long day.
Bring your own reusable water bottle.
There will be water stations around campus.
Don't forget your ID and name card.
And plan to wear comfortable shoes.
Thanks for taking time to learn more about commencement day.
Congratulations.
I hope it's a great day for you.