The 118th Commencement at Mills College will be held on Saturday, May 13, 2006. With this ceremony the College publicly recognizes the achievements of its students and confers upon them the rights, privileges and responsibilities of a Mills degree. The dignity and customs of this historic ceremony are rooted in medieval times, when colleges and universities developed methods and standards for marking progress in knowledge and professionalism.

In keeping with this tradition, the Mills Commencement ceremony will begin on Toyon Meadow promptly at 9:45 a.m. and end about 12:00 p.m.,  with an academic procession of Mills graduating students, alumnae/i, faculty, trustees, College officers, and honored guests. The program will include remarks by President Janet L. Holmgren, the commencement address, given this year by honored speaker United States Senator Barbara Boxer, other speeches, the conferring of degrees, and the awarding of honorary degrees.

The traditional Commencement reception for graduating students, alumnae/i, faculty, and guests, held on the Art Museum Meadow, will follow the Commencement ceremony.

Each year, the Commencement organizing committee, acting in an advisory capacity to the President, plans this academic ceremony to maintain the traditions of the College and ensure that everything will run smoothly at this most important event of the College year.

The purpose of this "How to Commence" document is to guide you through the necessary steps needed to be taken, in order to be prepared for the great day. Please read through this document carefully and make sure that you have fulfilled all requirements so you can obtain your diploma and, if desired, participate in the Commencement ceremony. This document is updated with information and dates throughout spring semester, so please check back frequently for the most up-to-date information.

NOTE: If you have comments or questions, address them to Linda Northcott unless this document directs you to someone else.

Linda Northcott, Mills College Events & Master Calendar Office, Sage Hall 135, 5000 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland CA 94613, (510) 430-3230, lln@mills.edu

Participation

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Every student who plans to graduate, or receive a credential or certificate, in January or May 2006 is encouraged to participate in the Commencement ceremonies.

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Degree candidates (January '06 and May '06) who have successfully completed all requirements can pick up their diplomas from the diploma table in front of Warren Olney Hall, just after the Commencement ceremony. Please refer to the section on “Conferral of the Degree.”

If you are unable to attend Commencement, your diploma and Degree-Day program will be mailed to your permanent home address. Please contact the M Center if you wish to make arrangements to have your diploma mailed to a different address.

NOTE: If you wish to have your diploma mailed to you, it is critical that you make sure that the M Center has your correct permanent home address. Diplomas mailed but not received will have to be reordered with the $100 replacement cost charged to the student.

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To graduate, all academic requirements must be fulfilled. Regular consultation between you and your advisor is strongly advised to prevent any last minute problems.

If all requirements are fulfilled at the end of the Fall 2005 semester, your degree will be “posted” no later than February 15, 2006 with the graduation date of January 2, 2006. If all requirements are fulfilled at the end of the Spring 2006 semester, your degree will be “posted” no later than July 15, 2006 with the graduation date of May 13, 2006.

Undergraduate students who will have at least 32 credits completed and no more than two credits outside their major remaining to complete and who are planning to take these courses “In Absentia” must petition the Academic Standing Committee for “In Absentia” status as early as possible during their final semester at Mills. Students who are approved for “In Absentia” status for either Spring 2006 or Fall 2006 may participate in the Commencement Ceremony in the spring. However, the actual graduation date for the student will depend on when the remaining courses are completed. Students have two years within which to complete their remaining requirements and must notify the M Center when and where theyintend to complete them.

Undergraduate students who have no more than 2 credits to complete after Spring 2006, and plan to complete the courses at Mills, may request to participate in the Commencement ceremony by emailing records@mills.edu.

Students who are cross-registered during the Spring 2006 semester will not have their degree conferred nor be able to pick up their diplomas at the ceremony. Once the cross-registration transcripts are received and reviewed, the degree will be conferred and the diploma mailed to the student’s permanent address. Students may not enroll elsewhere except through the cross-registration program during their final sememster.

Graduate students who have completed all required formal coursework but have not yet completed the thesis are eligible to participate in the Commencement Ceremony with the permission of the faculty advisor and the Director of Graduate Studies. If approved, the student must notify the Assistant Registrar of his or her intention to participate, providing documentation that the participation is approved.

Transfer credit deadline: Transcripts for any transfer credit that needs to be applied to your degree must be received by the M Center no later than the end of the semester after you completed the course. If you have transfer credit from last semester that has not been reported or evaluated since your admission to Mills, official transcripts must be received at the M Center by Friday, December 9, 2005 for January 2006 graduates and Friday, February 24, 2006 for May 2006 graduates. Due to the time required to process transcripts, this deadline will be strictly enforced. If you are cross-registered during your final semester, this deadline does not apply, but your degree will not be posted until the final transcript for the course is received and reviewed. While cross-registration in your final semester is permitted, concurrent enrollment is not.

Deadline for removing “incomplete” grades: You must submit all work to instructors for removal of “incomplete” or “in progress” grades by the date agreed upon by you and your instructor, or the last day of instruction, 
whichever is earlier. This date is Monday, December 5, 2005, for students graduating in January 2006, and Wednesday, May 3, for students graduating in May 2006. Due to the time required to update incompletes and in progress grades, this deadline is strictly enforced. You cannot graduate if “incomplete” or “in progress” grades appear on your Mills transcript, even if the courses are not required for your degree.

Students receiving incompletes in the last semester: It is possible to request up to two incompletes in your final semester of attendance and still participate in Commencement.

Your degree will not be “posted” nor your diploma issued until all courses are complete.

Students failing courses in the last semester:
It is possible to fail a course in your final semester of attendance. If your work is unacceptable in a course, you cannot assume that an instructor will pass you just because you are a degree candidate. An undergraduate student who is enrolled in a class on a pass/no pass basis should be particularly mindful of her academic performance. A passing grade in a course for a letter grade is D- or higher, but a passing grade for a pass/no pass course is C- or higher. A cumulative Mills grade point average of 2.0 for undergraduate students and 3.0 for graduate students is required for graduation. Students who have failed a course may still participate in Commencement but will not receive their degree or their diploma unless the failure does not effect the satisfactory completion of their requirements.

Final Examinations/Theses

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Bachelor of Arts degree candidates must take final examinations in courses scheduled for finals.

GRADUATE STUDENT THESIS AND DISSERTATION DEADLINE: Graduate students must file completed theses and dissertations, with the appropriate signatures, to Linda Guzman in the Office of Graduate Studies (Mills Hall room 226) by 4:00 p.m., Monday, November 28, for January 2006 graduates, or Friday, April 21, for May 2006 graduates. Due to the time required to process completed theses and dissertations, this deadline is strictly enforced.

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 IMPORTANT DEADLINE: You must clear your account by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, April 28, to march at Commencement. *There is no grace period after this deadline.*

This means that student account charges, including tuition, fees, room and board, emergency loans, parking and library fines, and any miscellaneous charges must be paid in full by this April 28 deadline for you to be eligible to march at Commencement and receive your diploma or credential.  

Deadline for payment of library fines: All library fines for late and lost materials must be paid at the Olin Library no later than Friday, April 28, at 4:00 p.m.

All library books must be returned to the Olin Library by Monday, May 8, at 5:00 p.m.

Mandatory Exit Interview Sessions for Students with Loans

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 Federal regulations require that students complete exit loan counseling prior to graduation.  The exit loan counseling sessions will provide you with important information regarding your loans, including debt management strategies, estimated payment schedules, repayment and deferment options, and information on consolidation.

Federal Stafford Loan Borrowers:

If you have borrowed through the Federal Stafford Loan program, you must attend one of these two exit loan counseling sessions: Wednesday, April 19, 5:30 p.m. in Lucie Stern 100 or Thursday, April 20, 5:30 p.m. in Fine Arts Annex, 106. Each session will be approximately one hour in length.

Federal Perkins Loan / Mills College Loan Borrowers:

If you have a Federal Perkins Loan or a Mills College Loan, you must attend one of these two exit loan counseling session: Tuesday, April 25 or Wednesday, April 26. Sessions begin at 5 p.m. and will be held in the Fine Arts Annex, room 106. 

IMPORTANT: If you have borrowed through the Federal Stafford Loan program and through the Federal Perkins/Mills College loan programs, you must attend an exit loan counseling session for each program.

Weekend Meal Service

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Meals are in FOUNDERS COMMONS, unless otherwise noted, during Commencement weekend as follows:

Friday, May 12:           
Breakfast 7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. 
(Final meal for students who are not graduating.)

Rehearsal Continental Breakfast - Music Building Ensemble Room – 9:00 a.m.
(Only for graduating students who attend Commencement rehearsal.)

Lunch 11:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Dinner 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, May 13:
Brunch 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Dinner 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, May 14:
Brunch 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. (Final meal for graduating students.)

Meal prices:
Breakfast $5.25 per person
Brunch or lunch $7.25 per person
Dinner $9.00 per person

Residence Hall and On-Campus Residents Checkout

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Information detailing checkout procedures will be sent to all students living on campus from the Division of Student Life. Please read and follow the instructions carefully.

DEADLINE FOR STUDENTS GRADUATING IN MAY 2006: Residence hall checkout deadline is 12:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 14. Students living on campus must schedule a checkout appointment with the Resident Assistant (RA) or House Manager and vacate the room by the designated time. Please see Returning Keys regarding where and how to return your residence keys.

To have your mail forwarded from your assigned PO Box, you must go to the campus Post Office and fill out a forwarding address form. Your mail will otherwise be returned to sender. The Post Office will forward your mail for three months only. If you will not be returning to Mills, then be sure to note on the form that the mail forwarding is "permanent" rather than "temporary".

Returning Keys

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You must return any Mills College keys in your possession in order to clear your student account. Obtain a receipt when you return your keys to the HMDS Office, Sage Hall 138. Do not leave keys at the front Gate House, or anywhere other than the locations indicated below!

If you need to return keys while the HMDS office is closed (at any other time than between 8:30 am and 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday), please get a key envelope from your RA, your House Manager, or the HMDS Office. Complete the information on the envelope, seal the envelope, and drop it, with your keys enclosed, into the Controller’s “Night Deposit” drop box. This drop box is located just outside the door at the right hand entrance of Sage Hall.

IMPORTANT: Fines for keys not returned will be charged to your student account and you will be billed. Your account will be placed on hold and you will not be able to obtain transcripts until your account is paid in full and/or the keys are returned. If lock changes are performed additional, non-reversible charges will be assessed.

Expiration of Mills Computing Accounts

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Whether you graduate in January 2006 or May 2006, student-related services will stay open through Commencement to facilitate Commencement-related and personal communications; afterwards you will have e-mail and dial-in privileges for six months as a guest of the college. The myMills website will continue to be available. If you are planning to return to Mills in a new program in the fall, student-related services will start again in time for the next semester.

If you would like to notify those individuals and groups that send you messages that you have a new address, we offer a ‘vacation’ message service that sends courtesy reminders to those that send you a message. It can be found by visiting the Mills homepage, clicking on 'Student Services', then on 'Technology', then on 'A-Z'. Find 'Vacation Message Setup http://mail.mills.edu/cgi-bin/emailVacationSet.pl  (email)' and complete the form.

If you would like to start reading your Mills mail at another account, visit the myMills website. Go to the section on email addresses and make sure that the address you wish to use is in the list and then check it as preferred.

If you wish to preserve information from campus file servers (i.e. MyFiles) onto diskettes, CDs, or Zip disks using Mills computing facilities, you need to do so before the student computing labs are closed. Labs are closed on the same day and time that traditional residence halls are closed for graduating students.
(Wednesday, December 14, 12:00 p.m. and Sunday, May 14, 12:00 p.m.)

If you would like to continue to have an e-mail account at Mills, Mills offers an e-mail service for alumnae/i. Your student account will expire as noted above but once classes are over, you can set up your own permanent Webmail e-mail account at Mills by going to http://alumnae.mills.edu. You can then move your email from your student account to your alumna/us account. Messages arriving in your student account will be automatically forwarded to your alumna/us account until your student account expires. You can also use the ‘vacation message’ service noted above to let everyone know of your new address.

Student Speakers at Commencement

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One speaker from the Senior Class and one speaker representing graduate students will be selected to speak at Commencement. Speeches must be no longer than 3 minutes. The speech given at Commencement must be the same as the one submitted for auditions.

Selection of the Senior Class Speaker: Speakers are selected by vote open to all seniors eligible to graduate by May 2006. Auditions were held on Monday, March 27, at 4 p.m. in the Rothwell Center Student Union. Congratulations to our senior speaker, Patricia Contreras Flores!

Selection of the Graduate Speaker: All commencing students who wish to address the graduating students and their guests are invited to submit two copies of their three minute speech (typed double- spaced) to Linda Guzman, Office of Graduate Studies, Mills Hall Room 226, by Friday, April 7. Faculty representatives will review the speeches in April and may request presentation of some of the speeches before selecting a final candidate. For more information, contact Associate Provost Marianne Sheldon at (510) 430-2345, mshel@mills.edu.  

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Personalized graduation announcements and thank-you cards can be ordered in lots of 25 from the Mills College Bookstore. Orders can be placed at the Bookstore until Monday, April 3. No personalized orders will be filled after April 3.

NOTE: A limited supply of generic individual announcements will be available in the Mills College Bookstore and will be sold while supplies last.

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IMPORTANT: Academic regalia are required for all students who participate in the Commencement ceremony. You may not march without academic regalia.

Purchase your academic regalia from the Mills College Bookstore early to avoid delays. You will receive a 20% discount if you purchase your regalia prior to April 3.

If you wish to donate your academic regalia for the use of future graduates who cannot afford academic regalia, you can leave it in the Robe Bank donation box located by the diploma pick-up area in the front of Warren Olney Hall immediately following the Commencement ceremony.

NOTE: Mills College degree candidates are hooded at Commencement, thus the tassel on the cap is not used. Graduates receiving only the certificate or credential (but not a degree) wear a tassel on the mortarboard because they are not hooded. Detachable robe collars are not used for any of the programs.

A very limited number of robes, hoods, and caps are available for students who are unable to afford to purchase regalia. Contact the Division of Student Life for more information. Students who purchase regalia are strongly encouraged to donate it to the Robe Bank after the Commencement ceremony.

Commencement Seating Tickets

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IMPORTANT: Commencement seating tickets will not be released until all Student Account bills are paid.

A maximum of eight (8) tickets are available to each graduating student. Request tickets by completing the green “Reply Card”, that was enclosed in the packet mailed to all degree candidates on March 24. Seating is limited, so please request only tickets that will be used. Tickets are required only for guests sitting in the reserved seating area. Tickets are not required for graduating students participating in the ceremony, or for lawn seating behind the reserved seating area.

If your guests, require special seating due to a disability, please contact Linda Northcott lln@mills.edu, (510) 430-3230, prior to picking up your seating tickets. In some cases, pre-approved special seating tickets for your disabled guests will be available. Guests in wheelchairs must also have a seating ticket. Any special seating requests will require a “disability seating” ticket, that you will pick up as part of your 8 tickets from the Division of Student Life.

DEADLINE: Pick up seating tickets from the Division of Student Life between Monday, April 17, and Friday, May 12. NO tickets will be available after 4:30 p.m., Friday, May 12. NOTE: Deadline for ordering disability tickets is Monday, May 8 and you can pick them up as late as the May 12 deadline.

Only January degree candidates may ask to receive seating tickets through the mail. Write your address on the green “Reply Card” found in your Commencement packet and return it to the Division of Student Life in the Cowell Building no later than Monday, April 17. During the last week of April, seating tickets will be mailed to students with cleared accounts.

There will be no seating tickets available on the day of the ceremony, and no one will be admitted to the reserved seating area without a ticket. If tickets are lost, your guests will not be able to enter the reserved seating area until after the ceremony begins. In order for you and your guests to have the most enjoyable experience possible, please coordinate the distribution of your seating tickets with your guests well before the ceremony! Seating tickets cannot be left for guests at the front gate house.

NOTE: No smoking or pets are allowed in the seating or stage area. Cell phones must be turned off during the ceremony.

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All graduating seniors must complete the confidential Senior Survey, that was enclosed in the Commencement packet mailed to you on March 24. Survey information about students’ experiences at Mills and plans after graduation helps the College improve its operations, identify successful efforts, and plan future change. It also helps to maintain and improve the value of the Mills degree. Please return the survey to the Division of Student Life in person or by mail in the envelope provided.

IMPORTANT: Commencement seating tickets will be available to graduating seniors only after the completed Survey is received.

Commencement Rehearsal

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Commencement rehearsal will be held in the Concert Hall on Friday, May 12, at 10:00 a.m. Upon arrival, sit in the seats closest to the stage. There will be demonstrations of what will happen on stage when diplomas are distributed, on marching procedures, and academic regalia protocol. You will also be given the opportunity to help the Provost or Associate Provost with the correct pronunciation of your name. (See “Name Pronunciation”.)

All candidates who participate in rehearsal are invited to a rehearsal continental breakfast in the Music Building Ensemble Room on Friday at 9:00 a.m. before rehearsal.

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At rehearsal, on Friday, May 12, you will be given an opportunity to help the Provost (undergraduates) or Associate Provost (graduates) with the correct pronunciation of your name. They will have marching cards for all graduating students. If your name is frequently mispronounced, you should ask them to print a phonetic pronunciation of your name on the card.

On Commencement Day, Saturday, May 13, before the ceremony, you will pick up your marching card at the table near your lineup area on Mills Hall Oval. Hand this card to the Provost or Associate Provost when you reach the stage. The Provost or Associate Provost will then read your name and major(s) as you march across the stage to receive your diploma.

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Degree candidates and guests who have disability-related needs requiring assistance for Commencement, should contact Linda Northcott, Commencement Coordinator, Sage Hall 135, (510) 430-3230, e-mail: lln@mills.edu, to make arrangements. It is YOUR responsibility to contact Linda Northcott regarding special needs for your guests no later than 4:00 p.m., Monday, May 8.

If your guests require special seating at the ceremony (due to a disability), you must contact Linda Northcott before picking up your seating tickets so that you can receive tickets to the special seating area.

All degree candidates and their guests must provide their own wheelchairs, if needed.

Students/guests displaying the official state disability placard will be directed to a specially designated parking lot.

For those without wheelchairs but with mobility concerns, a golf cart will be transporting people from the specially designated parking lot to the Meadow and another from the car/van drop off in front of the Olin Library to Toyon Meadow (Commencement site). Vans will also be transporting people from various parking areas to the drop off area in front of the library.

DEADLINE: Monday, May 8, no later than 4:00 p.m. Disability accommodations for graduating students and guests cannot be arranged after this date and time.

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The Commencement ceremony will be held outside on Toyon Meadow, rain or shine. Advise guests to bring brimmed hats, sunglasses, umbrellas, sunscreen, and bottled water to Commencement for their several hours in the sun. If it looks like rain, they should bring appropriate rain gear. More guest information can be found in this document under the following headings:

Guestrooms/Hotels

Parking

Private Parties-Commencement Day

Weekend Meal Service

Commencement Seating Tickets

Disability-Related Needs of Degree Candidates and Guests

Photographing Commencement

Note: Pets are not allowed at the Commencement ceremony and reception. Smoking is not allowed on Toyon Meadow, Suzanne Adams Plaza (by the Bookstore and Tea Shop) or at the Commencement reception on the Art Museum Meadow.  

As a courtesy to the graduates, the speakers, and those who came to honor and celebrate the accomplishments of our students, please turn off your cell phone during the ceremony.

Parking

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Please allow extra time for parking before the Commencement ceremony. Even with extra traffic officers and our Public Safety staff directing traffic on campus, there still is a back up when approaching the entrance of Mills College.

Once you are on campus, a Public Safety Officer will direct you to a parking lot. A shuttle service will run between your parking lot and the drop off area by Olin Library, near Toyon Meadow, where the ceremony is held. Degree candidates participating in the ceremony should proceed directly to the Oval in front of Mills Hall. NOTE: The Oval is closed to traffic.

Students/guests displaying the official state disability placard will be directed to a specially designated parking lot.

After the Commencement ceremony has concluded, Wetmore Gate (by the Education Building/Children’s School) will be open for exit only traffic. The main gate at the entrance of Mills College always remains open.

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Residence Halls:
Guestrooms are available in residence halls for guests of the College and personal guests of graduating students. Each graduating student may reserve two residence hall guestrooms for personal guests, based on availability. Charges range from $50 to $105 nightly.

IMPORTANT: To reserve guestrooms, contact the HMDS Office, located in Sage Hall 138, in person or by calling (510) 430-2063. Guestroom reservations for Commencement are accepted beginning Monday, March 27th. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Do not leave messages on the voicemail to reserve guestrooms. Please continue to call until a staff member can answer your call. All reservations are made on a first come, first served basis. Payment in full confirms your reservation. Guestrooms will not be held without payment in full.

Hotels near Mills College:

Emeryville:

Courtyard Marriott
5555 Shellmound
Emeryville, CA 9460
(510) 594-0972

Four Point By Sheraton San Francisco Bay Bridge
1603 Powell St
Emeryville, CA 94608
(510) 547-7888

Woodfin Suite Hotel
5800 Shellmound
Emeryville, CA 94608
(510) 601-5880

Downtown Oakland:

Washington Inn
495 -10th Street
(510) 452-1776

Marriott – Downtown Oakland
1001 Broadway
(510) 451-4000

Oakland Embarcadero:

Executive Inn and Suites
1755 Embarcadero
(510) 536-6633
Free Shuttle is available.

Jack London Square:

Waterfront Plaza Hotel
10 Washington Street
 (510) 836-3800

Oakland Airport Area:

Airport Park Plaza
150 Hegenberger Road
(510) 635-5300

Oakland Airport Courtyard
350 Hegenberger Road
(510) 568-7600

Oakland Airport Hotel
500 Heggenberger Road
 (510) 562-5311

San Leandro:

Hilton Garden Inn    Oakland/ San Leandro
510 Lewelling Boulevard
(510) 343-8104

San Leandro Marina Inn
68 San Leandro Marina
(510) 895-1311

For a more complete listing of hotels in the Oakland area, log on to your computer and go to www.oaklandcvb.com , or contact your travel agency.

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Flower Orders

Congratulate your graduate with flowers or a lei! Take the hassle out of bringing flowers to the Commencement ceremony by pre-ordering and picking them up next to the ceremony site. Even better—take advantage of a 20% discount by pre-ordering flowers!!! Please refer to the order form for more details: 

Flower pre-order form (doc) | Flower pre-order form (11k, pdf)

Order forms accompanied by a check or money order need to be received by Wednesday, May 3, 2006. All pre-orders will be confirmed either by phone or email. There will a limited stock of flower bouquets available for sale the day of commencement. Thanks for supporting the fundraising efforts of the Class of 2007. Please direct any questions to Mary Galvez, Class of 2007 Advisor, at 510.430.3165 or mgalvez@mills.edu.

Private Parties - Commencement Day

If you wish to have an outdoor private party on campus on Commencement day, you must reserve the location in advance, with Conference Services (510) 430-2145. Reservations are taken beginning Monday, March 27, on a first come, first served basis. There is no charge for reservations, but they must be booked in advance. You must provide your own tables, chairs, and equipment for private parties, due to the demand placed on the College's equipment and personnel during Commencement weekend.

Reservable locations for outdoor parties are as follows:

Lawn near Chapel (right side)
Lawn near Chapel (left side)
Mills Creek Area – Elm Trees (small)
Greek Theatre – Stage Area
Duck Pond – Cowell Lawn
Mills Oval
Soccer Field – near Tennis Courts
Music Building Lawn
Olney Courtyard
Orchard Meadow Courtyard
Mary Morse Courtyard (stair area)
Ethel Moore Olive Courtyard (paved area)
Ethel Moore Rhododendron Courtyard
CPM Sundial Courtyard
Student Union Courtyard (Mills Statue)
Mills Grill Courtyard (small)
Sage Hall Lawn
Founders Commons Lawn

Please clean up after your event, using marked trash cans. You may pick up extra trash can liners at the Office of Housing Management and Dining Services (HMDS), Sage Hall 138, (510) 430-2127, between 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday - Friday. You will be assessed a fee if facilities and grounds are not cleaned up immediately following a private party.

IMPORTANT: Interior spaces are NOT available for private parties so please be prepared with your own rain plan.

College Liquor Policy Agreement: When you make reservations with Conference Services as a private party sponsor, you will be required to read and sign the College Liquor Policy Agreement. No alcohol may be served outside and hard liquor is prohibited.

Photographing Commencement

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Professional photographs of individual graduating students: A professional photographer selected by the College takes color photographs of each degree candidate on stage as the diploma is presented. A second photograph is taken in front of the official Mills student banner, just after the candidate receives the diploma and is on the route returning to their seat.  

These photographs may be purchased from the photographer, Commencement U.S.A. Order forms will be in the Commencement packet mailed to all degree candidates in March, available in the Division of Student Life when seating tickets are picked up, at Commencement rehearsal, and at program tables on the day of Commencement.

Degree candidates can contact the photographer and view their photos on-line by going to the photographer's website at commencementusa.com.

Audience members taking photographs must do so from a specially marked area. This area is located at the end of the exit ramp each degree candidate will use just after receiving her/his diploma. To reach this area, move around to the left as you are facing the stage, using the side aisles and around the rear of the audience. Guests must not block the aisles during the ceremony.

College photographers: Official College photographers will also be taking pictures from various locations to document the ceremonies. These are the only photographers allowed to shoot photographs outside of the specially marked area. These photographs will be posted on the Mills website www.mills.edu shortly after the event.

IMPORTANT: Only authorized College photographers and the press (wearing identification badges) will be allowed in front of the stage or in the aisles.

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 The Mills College undergraduate yearbook, "The Crest", will be available May 2006 and can be picked up at the Division of Student Life. If you will not be in the area, you may send a check in the amount of $4.00 to cover postage and a copy will be mailed to you. Telephone questions may be directed to (510) 430-2130. Please mail your check and your request to: Division of Student Life - Amy Rosan, attn: Yearbook Order, Mills College, Oakland, CA 94613.

Schedule of Weekend Activities

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Friday, May 12

· 9:00 a.m.

This continental breakfast is offered to all graduating students who will attend Commencement rehearsal.

Assemble near the stage. IMPORTANT: All undergraduate Commencement participants must attend. Undergraduate students unable to attend the rehearsal for reasons beyond their control should contact Alexis Bucknam, abucknam@mills.edu . Note: Graduate students are not required, but strongly encouraged, to attend as Mills College has its own unique traditions and procedures in this important ceremony.

· 5:30 p.m.

Baccalaureate is a time to honor all graduating students (undergraduates and graduates) and celebrate their accomplishments. This reflective ritual, which schools have held for centuries, helps mark your transition from student to alumna/alumnus. As part of the ceremony, graduating students are presented with the laurels (lauri) of the Baccalaureate Address by a member of the Mills community. At Mills, all graduating students are invited to bring family and friends to this time-honored celebration. Note: Candidates line up to march on the Chapel steps at 5:15 p.m. Wear robes but not hoods. Hats optional.

· 9:45 a.m.

All candidates must assemble no later than 9:00 a.m. on the Mills Oval, in front of Mills Hall, as announced at the rehearsal. Non-resident students should allow extra travel time for heavy traffic and parking.

Only candidates will march in the procession; candidates may choose any other candidate as a marching partner. Graduate student candidates march within their respective disciplines. Candidates with children should arrange for child care in advance. Children are welcome to sit with the candidates' guests in the audience section.

Candidates may carry a marching card, bottled water and a Commencement program but nothing else when marching; leave purses, wraps, books, etc. with friends or family.

IMPORTANT: Academic regalia must be worn. All candidates must be present at 9:00 a.m. on the Mills Oval to pick up a marching card in order to march. Give your guests their seating tickets ahead of time so you will not have to worry about them this morning!

· 12:15 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Reception for all candidates, their guests, and all other Commencement attendees. Meet under your division sign and say goodbye to your favorite professors and other students in your division.

Checklist for Commencement 2006

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NOVEMBER

· November 21

RSVP deadline for New Alumnae Winter Reception for students completing course work in January 2006.

· November 28

Master's and doctoral theses for degrees to be conferred January 2006 due in the Office of Graduate Sudies.

DECEMBER

· December 2

4:00 p.m. New Alumnae Winter Reception. Art Museum.

Submit all work to instructors for removal of “incomplete” or “in progress” grades.

· December 6

Federal Perkins Loan and Mills College Loan Exit Interview Session, Lucie Stern 101, 4:30 p.m.

· December 9

Student accounts must be paid in full for students graduating in January 2006.

· December 12

All Library books must be returned to the Library for students graduating in January 2006.

· December 14

12:00 p.m. Residence Halls close.

12:00 p.m. Computing labs close.

JANUARY

· January 2

This is your graduation date, if all requirements are fulfilled at the end of Fall 2005 semester. Your degree will be "posted" no later than February 15.

FEBRUARY

· February

Purchase your academic regalia from the Mills College Bookstore between now and April 3 and receive a 20% discount.

Order personalized graduation announcements and thank you cards from the Mills College Bookstore.

Generic announcements available at the Mills College Bookstore and will be sold while supplies last.

· February 24

Last day for undergraduates to submit official transcripts to the M Center for coursework completed elsewhere during the summer 2005 or fall 2005 terms. Transcripts for coursework completed elsewhere prior to summer 2005 will no longer be accepted, except for students studying away on an approved Mills study abroad or exchange/visiting program for both the spring 2005 and fall 2005 terms.

Last day for undergraduate students who are not graduating but are eligible to “walk” in the Commencement ceremony to submit either a request to “walk” to the M Center or a petition for “In Absentia” status to the Academic Standing Committee.

· Early March

A list of all candidates eligible for Commencement will be posted in the M Center.

· March 15

Last day to drop a class.

Last day to decrease credit for a variable-credit course or undergraduate 1.0 credit academic course.

Last day to change grade option from graded to pass/no pass or pass/no pass to graded.

· March 24

Informational packets, including the green Commencement "Reply Card", were mailed to all degree candidates.

· March 27

4:00 p.m.  Auditions for the Commencement senior speaker, Rothwell Center, Student Union.

First day to reserve residence hall guest rooms.

First day to reserve an on-campus after-Commencement party location. Only outdoor locations are available.

· March 29

Last day to withdraw from a class.

APRIL

· April 3

Last day personalized graduation announcements and thank-you cards can be ordered from Mills College Bookstore.

Last day to receive a 20% discount from the Mills College Bookstore for academic regalia purchase.

· April 7

DEADLINE for submitting entries for graduate student Commencement speech.

· April 17

First day to pick up Commencement seating tickets from the Division of Student Life, Cowell building.

· April 19

If you have borrowed through the Federal Stafford Loan program, you must attend one of these two exit loan counseling sessions: Wednesday, April 19, 5:30 p.m. in Lucie Stern 100 or Thursday, April 20, 5:30 p.m. in Fine Arts Annex, 106. The session lasts approximately one hour.

· April 20

If you have borrowed through the Federal Stafford Loan program, you must attend one of these two exit loan counseling sessions: Wednesday, April 19, 5:30 p.m. in Lucie Stern 100 or Thursday, April 20, 5:30 p.m. in Fine Arts Annex, 106. The session lasts approximately one hour.

· April 21

4:00 p.m. DEADLINE: Master’s and Doctoral Degree Theses for degrees to be conferred May 2006 due in Graduate Studies Office.

· April 25

If you have a Federal Perkins Loan or a Mills College Loan, you must attend one of these two exit loan counseling session: Tuesday, April 25 or Wednesday, April 26. Sessions begin at 5 p.m. and will be held in the Fine Arts Annex, room 106. 

· April 26

If you have a Federal Perkins Loan or a Mills College Loan, you must attend one of these two exit loan counseling session: Tuesday, April 25 or Wednesday, April 26. Sessions begin at 5 p.m. and will be held in the Fine Arts Annex, room 106. 

· April 28

All library fines for late and lost materials must be paid at the Olin Library.

·MAY

· May 2 - 12

If you haven’t already done so, purchase academic regalia at the Mills College Bookstore. Purchase early in the month to avoid delays! Ed.D. candidates only may rent academic regalia during this time. The rental option is not available to other students.

· May 3

Submit all work to instructors for removal of “incomplete” or “in progress” grades.

· May 8

DEADLINE for making arrangements for disabled guests for Commencement. Contact College Events/Master Calendar Office, Sage Hall 135, (510) 430-3230, e-mail: lln@mills.edu .

All library books must be returned to the Library  to avoid lost books charges

· May 12

9:00 a.m. Continental breakfast for all graduating students who participate in Commencement rehearsal - Music Building Ensemble Room.

10:00 a.m. MANDATORY Commencement rehearsal - Concert Hall.

4:30 p.m. DEADLINE to pick up Commencement Seating tickets at the Division of Student Life.

5:30 p.m. BACCALAUREATE - Chapel

· May 13

9:00 a.m. Candidates line up to march - Mills Oval

9:45 a.m. Commencement Ceremony - Toyon Meadow

12:15 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. Commencement Reception - Art Museum Meadow

· May 14

12:00 p.m. Computing labs close.

12:00 p.m. Residence Halls close. All students must vacate at this time.