General Information

Date: Sunday, January 24, 2009

Location: Shrine Center, 2540 Park Avenue, Minneapolis

Time: (to be determined by December 9, 2009)

Graduates: You will receive a letter confirming which ceremony you will participate in by the graduation application form deadline, Friday, December 4, 2009.

Eligibility: Generally, any student who will complete all degree requirements by January 8, 2010 is eligible to participate in the October commencement ceremony. Students intending to commence in January are required to submit their completed Application for Graduation and Commencement form to the Student Services Office no later than Friday, December 4, 2009. Please direct questions regarding academic eligibility requirements to your program.

Download Application for Graduation and Commencement form.

Parking Information

Parking is available on the streets surrounding the campus, in the Shrine Center lot, or any Saint Mary’s University parking lot. All lots are located on Oakland Ave. A drive up on the north side of the Shrine Center can be used for guests needing assistance. Security guards will be in the area should you have parking questions.

Campus Map • Directions • Printable map and directions

The Ceremony

The ceremony is approximately an hour and a half. Degree candidates will be hooded as they proceed toward the stage. With the exception of the doctoral students, hoods will not be included in the mailed cap/gown packages that you will receive two weeks before the ceremony. Candidates will proceed across the stage as their names are called and receive a diploma envelope. The auditorium should accommodate all guests, and tickets are not required. We do ask that graduates limit their guests to 6 or under.

If you are inviting guests from another country and need a letter to the Embassy for them to attend, please fill out the Graduation Embassy Letter form and send it to the following address:

Saint Mary's University
Attn: Mary Thole
2500 Park Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55404

Reception

All are invited to a reception serving bars and beverages held on the 2nd floor of the Shrine Center immediately following the ceremony. Elevators and stairs are located on both sides of the auditorium.

Academic Costume

Academic costume is traditional. By completing the Application for Graduation and Commencement form, certificate, bachelors or masters regalia will be mailed to you before two weeks ahead of the ceremony. Candidates for the undergraduate degrees wear the black bachelor's gown that has a block sleeve with no trimming. Candidates for master's degrees wear the master's gown, which is black with a sleeve opening near the wrist called a "bat wing" sleeve. The hood's velvet side depicts the degree color and satin side depicts the school colors. Caps are worn with black tassels and a gold year plate.

The gown size is based on the measurements you provide on your Application for Graduation and Commencement form. Bring the cap and gown for the ceremony (doctoral students will also bring their hoods to give to staff at check-in). Your academic hood will be received from your program director or representative during the ceremony. For questions related to the undergraduate and graduate regalia contact Mary Thole at (612) 728-5118.

Doctorate candidates wear the navy Saint Mary's University official academic regalia with the bell shaped sleeve, and black velvet panels and chevron. Questions regarding doctoral academic regalia (which takes 8 weeks from order to delivery) should be referred to Mary Thole at (612) 728-5118.

Diplomas

Diploma envelopes will be presented at the ceremony. Diplomas are not guaranteed at commencement. If your graduation application form has been processed through the university and ordered (Jostens requires up to 5 weeks to process diploma orders), and financial obligations cleared, you will receive your diploma at commencement. You may still march in the ceremony if financial obligations are not met. If you do not receive your diploma, it will be mailed to you as soon as it is received on campus if financial obligations have been met. Questions related to processing your Application for Graduation and Commencement should be directed to your program.

For questions on your financial status call Abby Kingsley at (612) 238-4527 or Mary Thole at (612) 728-5118.

Disability Accommodations

Handicapped parking is available on campus. There is also a drive-up area at the door on the north side of the Shrine Center. Elevators are available. Anyone needing special accommodations for the first floor seating in the Shrine Center auditorium should call Mary Thole at 612-728-5118 to make arrangements. The first two rows of guest seating are reserved for this purpose. Limited family members are welcome to sit with the individual requesting special needs seating. A sign language interpreter can also be prearranged.

Announcements

The university does not provide graduation announcements or invitations; however, these items can be purchased online at www.herffjones.com/college/graduation or at the Saint Mary's University bookstore on campus in LaSalle Hall, 2nd floor at 2500 Park Ave. If you have questions regarding bookstore announcements or invitations call (612) 728-5170.

Bookstore

The Saint Mary's University Bookstore, located in LaSalle Hall, 2nd floor at 2500 Park Ave., will be open on Sunday, January 24, from 10:30-3:30 p.m. They will have Graduation gifts, diploma frames, beverages, coffee, snacks, SMU logo items, and more on hand to purchase. Contact the bookstore at (612) 728-5170 for questions.

Photographer

Herff Jones will take a full-color photograph of graduates as they receive their diploma envelopes. Proofs will be mailed to you after three weeks following the ceremony. Attached to the proof will be an order form and all necessary information to order pictures. Video taping is not provided. For questions, please contact Herff-Jones at 800-683-8157 or visit the website: www.hjgrads.com as Saint Mary's does not handle photographs.

Financial Obligations

Student accounts must be paid in full in order to receive diplomas and transcripts. Graduates are still eligible to march in the ceremonyif complete in your program, even though your account has not been paid. You can view your account at http://webtools.smumn.edu. If you have questions concerning your bill, contact Student Services at (612) 238-4527.

Minneapolis Area Hotels and Restaurants

Hotels

Crowne Plaza Northstar Hotel
618 Second Avenue South, Minneapolis MN

This downtown hotel caters to business and pleasure travelers with ergonomic desk chairs and the convenience of Internet access. The Skygarden patio on the 8th floor is open during the spring and summer. During the rest of the year, dine at Café Northstar on the 7th floor, or have a frosty beer with lime at the Corona Lounge on the lobby level.

Embassy Suites Downtown
425 South 7th Street, Minneapolis MN

The Embassy Suites Downtown's finest feature is the Garden Atrium: a tropical fantasyland, stretching six floors high with palm trees and curvy paths befitting Willy Wonka himself. The all-suite hotel is skyway connected and has an indoor pool and two restaurants. Complimentary breakfast served daily. For questions or to make a reservation call toll free in the US: 1.800.839.6210

Radisson Metrodome
615 SE Washington Avenue, Minneapolis MN

Located on the University of Minnesota campus, guests of this Radisson can walk to the Metrodome and also to the college neighborhood called Dinkytown, which is as adorable as it sounds. It has all the amenities of a small town and also the Positively 4th Street vibe of Bob Dylan fame. Complimentary transportation within a five mile radius of the hotel is available by appointment. For questions or to make a reservation call toll free in the US: 1.800.839.6210

Dining

Minneapolis Downtown Area

Rock Bottom Café/Brewery, 800 La Salle Plaza 612-332-2739
Monte Carlo Bar & Café, 219 3rd Ave. N. 612-333-5900
Palomino Restaurant Rotisseria Bar, 825 Hennepin Ave. 612-339-3800
Old Spaghetti Factory, 233 Park Ave. 612-341-0949
Capital Grille, 801 Hennepin Ave. 612-692-9000
Buca Di Beppo, 1204 Harmon Place 612-288-0138

Minneapolis Uptown Area

Figlios, 3001 Hennepin Ave. 612-822-1688
Famous Dave's, 3001 Hennepin Ave. 612-822-9900
ChinoLatino, 2916 Hennepin Ave. 612-824-7878
Three Fish, 3070 Excelsior Blvd. 612-920-2800
Dixies Calhoun, 2730 W. Lake St. 612-920-5000
Campiello, 1320 W. Lake St. 612-825-2222
Sidney's, 2120 Hennepin Ave. 612-870-7000
Green Mill, 2626 Hennepin Ave. 612-374-2131
Herkimer The Pub And Brewery, 2922 Lyndale Ave. S. 612-821-0101
Fuji-Ya Restaurant, 600 W. Lake St. 612-871-4055

Minneapolis Phillips Neighborhood
Maria's Café, 1113 Franklin Ave. E. 612-870-9842
Christo's Greek Restaurant, 2632 Nicollet Ave. 612-871-2111


St. Paul Area Dining
St. Paul Grill (Downtown area), 350 Market St. 651-224-7455
Pazzaluna, 360 St. Peter St. 651-223-7000
W. A. Frost & Co., 374 Selby Ave. 651-224-5715
Dixies On Grand, 695 Grand Ave. 651-222-7345
Wild Onion, 788 Grand Ave. 651-291-2525