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Commencement for the Graduate Program in Public Health
Application For Diploma and Commencement Registration FormThe first step in preparing for graduation involves filing an Application for Diploma and Commencement Registration Form. This year, to make it more convenient for you, this is an on-line process. We will send information to you by email in early January 2009 about logging on to complete the Application. So please make sure you regularly check your Downstate email account. The information that you will be providing is used to order your diploma and to collect information regarding your participation in Commencement Exercises. DiplomaThe diploma is ordered with your legal name. You may elect to use your middle name or initial on the Application without submitting official documentation. If you anticipate formally changing your name before completing the requirements for the G.P.P.H. degree, and you wish your new name to be reflected on your diploma, you must present official documentation (e.g., marriage certificate, naturalization papers, etc.) to the Office of the Registrar by January 30, 2009 . If your name becomes official after the January 30th deadline, you will be required to submit official documentation of the name change prior to receiving your diploma. Any questions regarding this procedure should be directed to the Office of the Registrar. Please note: Diplomas are ordered in your official name at the time of graduation. Diplomas will not be ordered with a name that changes officially AFTER the graduation date. Participation in Commencement ExercisesComplete the section marked Attendance at Commencement on the Application for Diploma and Commencement Registration Form. The Application must be submitted by January 30th whether or not you plan to attend, though we hope you will attend. The graduation fee for all graduating students is $40. Students pay this fee to the Bursar’s Office at their final registration or after clearance from your department. Please note: Students may march in one Commencement Exercises. Those students who will complete degree requirements in August 2008, December 2008, and May 2009 are eligible to attend the May 2009 Commencement Exercises. If you are not planning on graduating during these times, please notify your program and the Office of the Registrar immediately. Graduation RequirementsTo be considered for graduation, you must achieve the following:
Student AccountsAll graduating students must satisfy all financial obligations owed to SUNY Downstate. Library FinesUnpaid fines will result in a borrower's being blocked from checking out further materials and may cause a delay in graduation. Overdue fines may be paid by cash or check at the Bursar's Office. Any student who has not met all financial and administrative obligations to the institution will not receive his or her diploma until cleared by the appropriate office. Student Loan Exit InterviewsOffice of Financial AidThe following information applies to students who have taken a Stafford Loan during their attendance at Downstate. Prior to graduation, you must complete the Stafford Loan Exit Interview. If you have had a Perkins Loan, you must complete an exit interview for that loan in the Bursar's Office, or according to instructions you will receive from the Office of Financial Aid. You must be aware of the total dollar amount of Stafford Loan you have accumulated before you begin the Stafford Exit Interview. You may obtain this information in a number of ways:
Once you know your current “Outstanding Principal Balance” in the Stafford Programs (total Subsidized and Unsubsidized amounts) you can complete the on-line exit interview. The website address for the Exit Interview is: www.mappingyourfuture.org When you go to the website, click on the link titled “Student Loan Counseling Interview.” Be sure you do the STAFFORD EXIT interview. Follow the directions carefully, read the text provided and answer questions regarding the text. Provide all the demographic and contact information requested. The Financial Aid Office at Downstate, your lender, and your guarantor will all automatically be notified when you have successfully completed the Exit Interview. No further paperwork is required. However, if you have further questions, please make an appointment to talk to someone in the Financial Aid Office. The exit interview must be completed before you will be able to pick up your cap and gown prior to graduation. Bursar's OfficeAll students who have borrowed through campus-based loan programs (Perkins) are required to go through the exit interview process prior to graduation. The Bursar's Office handles the exit interview process for all campus-based loans. This can be done either through the mail or on an individual basis depending on your preference and the loans that are involved. If you have not heard from the Bursar's Office by the end of March, or you will not be on campus during the spring semester, call (718) 270-1078 to arrange for an appointment. Commencement ExercisesTuesday, May 26, 2009 Tickets are required for guests only The Master of Public Health program along with the College of Medicine and the School of Graduate Studies will honor the Class of 2009 at its Commencement Exercises. The ceremony includes the academic procession, greetings from the President, a speaker from the Class of 2009, the Commencement speaker and the College of Medicine, School of Graduate Studies and Master of Public Health program graduation. Each graduating student walks across the stage and is recognized by name. Academic attire is required. Invitations & TicketsAll participating students will receive 7 tickets for general admission into Carnegie Hall. Requests for additional tickets must be submitted on your commencement registration form and will be accommodated based on availability. All tickets and invitations must be picked up in person from your program and will be available beginning in early April. Academic AttireGraduation candidates who wish to participate in Commencement are required to wear academic attire and to march with members of the faculty, trustees and honored guests in the academic procession. Academic Attire will be distributed in the lobby of 811 New York Avenue on Monday, May 18th from 11:30 am until 2:30 pm. In order to pick up your attire you must bring your student I.D. card, fill out information for the professional photographer; and empty your campus mailbox and hand in your mailbox key (if you were assigned one). Lost keys require you to go to the Bursar's office and pay a $20 replacement fee. What to Expect on Commencement DayAll graduates must report with their academic attire no later than 2:30 p.m. to the 161 West 56th Street (stage) entrance. You will not be returning to your robing area. Do not carry personal belongings with you. Promptly at 2:45 p.m. the staff will begin to line you up for the processional. Because of the starting time of the Commencement Ceremony, you are strongly encouraged to travel to Carnegie Hall by public transportation. You may take the Q,N,R or W trains to 57th Street, or any train that goes to Columbus Circle (59th Street and 8th Avenue, the 1,2,A,B,C or D trains) and walk to 56th Street. GuestsAll guests will enter through the front entrance on 57th Street and 7th Avenue. They will not be permitted to enter through the stage entrance with you. Guests will not be permitted to enter the Hall before 3:00 p.m., so keep that in mind if you want them to hold any personal belongings. Once the faculty and student procession begins, guests who are not already in the Hall will not be permitted to enter the Hall until the graduates and the faculty are seated. Since all seating is general admission, seats will be taken on a first come, first served basis. As the Hall fills up, areas will be closed off and guests arriving will be directed to seating that is available. Please plan accordingly. To maintain the dignity of the ceremony, the guests will be asked by the ushers to keep the aisles clear. Awarding of DegreesDuring the ceremony, each candidate will have his/her name read aloud, walk across the stage, and shake hands with the President and Program Director. Graduates will not be permitted to bring or carry children with them on stage. Photography InformationIt is recognized that many of the guests wish to have photographs showing their student during the time that they are on stage receiving their diplomas. We have contracted a professional photographer to be on stage to photograph each candidate as s/he shakes hands with the President. Should you wish to purchase the photo, fill out the photography card, which you will receive when you pick up your academic attire. Because your guests may wish to take their own photographs as well, the following accommodations have been made. We ask that only one guest or member of your family leave their seat to take the picture. We also ask that your guest remains seated until you have approached the stage stairs. At this time, your guest should proceed to the rear of the Hall, turn left and walk down the extreme right aisle (now facing the stage) near the wall. Guests not seated on the Parquet level will not be permitted to take pictures from the Parquet level. A "Downstate staff usher" will meet your guest and ask them to provide the name of the graduate whom they wish to photograph. Since the graduates are announced in alphabetical order, your guest will be allowed to enter one of the first few rows and take a seat close to the stage. After they have taken your picture, they will be asked to return to their seat. From their seats, guests will be permitted to use hand-held, self-contained home video equipment using only the existing lighting in the hall. Please share this information with your guests! Staying ConnectedAny student who currently has health insurance through the SUNY Downstate School plan, and will not have other coverage through your employment on August 1, 2009, is eligible to purchase continuing coverage from the broker who handles our insurance. You only have 30 days from the end of coverage (July 31, 2009) to complete your enrollment. Please contact: Ms. Stephanie Samuels School Email AccountGraduating students School email account will remain active for a period of six (6) months following your graduation date. Questions
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