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 Commencement for December 2008 Graduates will be held on Sunday, December 14, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. in the Dean E. Smith Center.
The Chapel Hill/Orange County
Visitors Bureau and the Durham
Convention & Visitors Bureau web sites provide information
on local lodging, restaurants, scheduled events, shopping, tours,
and area resources.
Letter from the Chancellor
TO: All Degree Candidates
FROM: Holden Thorp, Chancellor
 Congratulations on completing your degree. I'm looking forward to celebrating with you and your family and friends during Carolina's December 2008 Commencement weekend. Several years ago, I had the honor of serving as the speaker at December Commencement. It is a very special occasion in the life of the Carolina community and a wonderful opportunity to honor our graduates and celebrate academic life.
The Commencement Ceremony begins at 2:00 p.m., Sunday,
December 14, in the Dean E. Smith Center. Please join us to mark this milestone in your life.
General arrangements for the weekend are coordinated by the Commencement
Committee and the Office of University Events. If you have questions,
please contact Jane Smith at jane_smith@unc.edu
or (919) 962-0045, or Leigh Ann Hartwell at hartwell@unc.edu or (919) 962-1996.
You've worked hard to reach this goal, and we delight in your accomplishments. We know from experience that you will go on to bring much distinction to your alma mater.
Nothing thrills us more than seeing our graduates go out and change the world. We look forward to the chance to remind you that you have the love of all of us here at Carolina.
Hark the Sound!
Holden Thorp
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Commencement Speaker
 The 2008 December Commencement speaker will be
Dr. Valerie Ashby, an award-winning chemistry professor at UNC. For more information, please click here.
To read a transcript of Dr. Ashby's address, please click here.
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Speaker Selection
The speaker selection committee is composed of four students,
the faculty chair, the faculty secretary, two distinguished faculty
members, and the chair of the commencement committee. The committee
is advisory to the chancellor, and he makes the final decision
on the speaker. December commencement speakers are traditionally
respected members of the faculty. For both the December
and May commencements, the Chancellor selects a speaker who has
made significant contributions to the world and who will honor
the graduates, their parents and friends, and the faculty.
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Student Processional
All graduates should enter the Smith Center at Entry D (pink entrance/student entrance) which is at the rear of the Smith Center. Graduates should be at the Smith Center, already dressed in caps and gowns, by 1:15 pm in order to line up. Signs will be posted and there will be marshals to direct Bachelor, Master and Ph.D. candidates to their respective places in the procession.
Please note that Ph.D. candidates will have their names read. Master and Undergraduate degree candidates will be recognized as a group by the dean of their school.
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Department and School Ceremonies and Events
Department of Dramatic Art
Information about this event will be available at a later date.
School of Information and Library Science
The School of Information and Library Science will hold its Mid-Year Commencement ceremony in the Pleasants Room at Wilson Library on Sunday, December 14th, 2008, at 10:00 a.m.
School of Journalism and Mass Communication
The School of Journalism and Mass Communication will hold its Mid-Year Commencement ceremony in Carroll Hall, Room 111, at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, December 14th, 2008.
Kenan-Flagler Business School
The BSBA program will have a reception in Loudermilk Foyer in the McColl Building immediately following the main Commencement ceremony on Sunday, December 14, 2008. School of Nursing
The School of Nursing will hold its Mid-Year Commencement ceremony in Hill Hall on Friday, December 12th, 2008, at 10:30 a.m.
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Photography
Everyone
participating in the 2008 Commencement ceremonies in the Smith Center will have the option of being photographed by Chappell Studios. There is no fee for this service, or obligation
to purchase. Free proofs will be mailed to you, and online viewing
is available to facilitate the order process. Call 1-800-424-3686
or go to www.chappell.com to place orders or have questions answered.
Faculty Information
As has been our recent practice, faculty members are encouraged to wear academic regalia if they have it, or march in street clothes if they do not. Faculty members will assemble at 1:30 p.m. in the Press Room of the Smith Center. Use Entry D and take the elevator down to the main floor. Marshals will be there to direct you to the room. Parking is available in the Koury Lot adjacent to the Smith Center. If you have questions, please contact Jane Smith at jane_smith@unc.edu or Leigh Ann Hartwell at hartwell@unc.edu.
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Caps, Gowns and Graduation Announcements
 Caps and gowns will be on sale through the Student Stores website at www.store.unc.edu from November 17th through December 5th. They can also be purchased in-store from December 5th through the 14th. For more information, visit the Student Stores website or e-mail Eve Bradshaw at ebradsha@email.unc.edu. Prices are subject to change.
Undergraduate Regalia: $42.99
Master's Regalia: $54.99
Doctoral Regalia: $69.99
Graduation Announcements can be purchased through Herff Jones.
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Diplomas
All students graduating in December will receive their diplomas in the mail in March of 2009. Diplomas will be printed with the student's course of study. For further information regarding diplomas, and to ensure that they arrive at the correct address, please contact the University Registrar at 919-962-3956 or visit their website.
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Disability Services,
Seating and Parking
Services for guests with disabilities are available. If you require accommodations, special seating, parking, interpreter services,
etc., please contact the Department of Disability
Services,
SASB – Suite 2126, Campus Box 7214, (919)962-8300 (TDD), or e-mail disabilityservices@unc.edu.
Frequently Asked Questions for December Commencement
1. Do I need tickets?
No. Tickets are not needed for the ceremony in
the Smith Center. You may bring as many family members and friends
as you like. It is open to the public.
2. What time do graduates need to be there?
Students should enter the Smith Center at Entry D (pink entrance/student entrance) which is at the rear of the Smith Center. Graduates should be there by 1:15 pm in order to line up. Signs will be posted and there will be marshals to direct Bachelor, Master and Ph.D. candidates to their respective places in the procession.
Parents and other guests should enter the Smith Center through Entry A (main/front entrance).
3. How long does the ceremony usually last?
About one hour, from 2:00 pm until 3:00 pm followed by a reception on the concourse.
4. Where do we park?
Please refer to parking information section below.
5. Is there handicapped parking?
Contact Disability Services with requests for handicapped parking
or seating. Office of Disability Services, 05 Steele Building,
962-8300.
6. Will they call out my name?
All undergraduate,
masters and doctoral candidates will be recognized by the dean
of their respective school. Candidates for the doctoral degree will be individually recognized.
7. Where do I get my diploma?
Your diploma will be mailed to you in March of 2009. See the
section on diplomas
for more details.
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General Alumni Association
 As a December 2008 graduate, you are invited to take advantage of the new grad rate and become a member of your General Alumni Association for one year at HALF-PRICE -- only $20. We are also offering the Class of 2008 a $50 discount on paid-in-full life membership in the Association.
There is no better way to keep in touch with Carolina and your Tar Heel friends and classmates than through membership in your General Alumni Association. The GAA provides many activities and benefits to our members including an annual subscription to the Carolina Alumni Review, access to Alumni Career Services and TarNation - the GAA's enhanced Online Alumni Directory, plus much more. In addition, the GAA serves all alumni by providing an e-mail forwarding service, short- and long-term major medical plans and "Out of the Blue ", a monthly e-newsletter.
You may also participate in local and regional Carolina Club activities. With approximately 100 clubs throughout the U.S. and the world, there are many opportunities for fun, fellowship and networking with fellow Carolina graduates.
Stop by and visit us at the George Watts Hill Alumni Center on Stadium Drive. For more information on GAA and membership options, please call us at (919) 962-0742 or e-mail membership@unc.edu.
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Helpful Phone Numbers
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Diplomas
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Registrar's Office - (919) 962-3956
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Disability Parking or Seating
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Disability Services - (919) 962-8300
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Parking
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Special Event Parking - (919) 962-3951
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Caps, Gowns & Announcements
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Student Stores - (919) 962-2427
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Alumni Membership
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General Alumni Assoc. - (919) 962-0742
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Graduate School
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(919) 966-2611
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General Information
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University Events Office - (919) 962-0045 or 962-1996
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Local Visitors
Bureaus
The Chapel Hill/Orange County
Visitors Bureau and the Durham
Convention & Visitors Bureau web sites provide information
on local lodging, restaurants, scheduled events, shopping, tours,
and area resources.
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The Dean E. Smith Center
The Smith Center is located on the southernmost part of campus on Bowles Drive, between the Kenan-Flagler Business School and the Koury Natatorium, and just below Hinton James dormitory. Please find directions below.
FROM VIRGINIA AND POINTS NORTH
Take I-85 South to Durham, NC. Exit left at US 15-501 in Durham and follow 15-501 approximately 9 miles to Chapel Hill. Once in Chapel Hill, maintain US 15-501 Bypass (Fordham Boulevard). At around the 7th stoplight, turn right onto Manning Drive. The Smith Center is one-half mile on the left on Skipper Bowles Drive.
FROM POINTS WEST
Take I-85 North towards Durham. Exit just past Burlington onto NC 54 East (Exit #148, Chapel Hill Exit). Follow NC 54 for approximately 20 miles to Carrboro. Pass Carrboro Plaza on the right and stay on NC 54 for about 4 miles to the next stoplight, Manning Drive. Turn left onto Manning Drive. The Smith Center is one-half mile on the left on Skipper Bowles Drive.
FROM POINTS EAST
Take I-40 West toward Chapel Hill. Exit at NC 54 West (Exit #273 A) and follow for approximately 4 miles. Once in Chapel Hill, continue to follow signs for NC 54 West, which means you will have to exit right under first overpass. At the top of the exit turn right at the light. Follow NC 54 West/15-501 South until the 2nd stoplight. Turn right onto Manning Drive. The Smith Center is one-half mile on the left on Skipper Bowles Drive.
FROM POINTS SOUTH
Take US 15-501 North toward Chapel Hill. Exit right onto US 15-501 Bypass in Chapel Hill. Turn left at the first stoplight onto Manning Drive. The Smith Center is one-half mile on the left on Skipper Bowles Drive.
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Parking Information
Public parking will be available in the Manning Lot, Bowles Lot, Business School Deck and the Craige Parking Deck. There is no charge for parking. Parking for handicapped guests will be available in the Smith lot. To obtain a permit contact Disability Services, 05 Steele Building, CB #5100, (919) 962-8300 (voice or TDD). You can also email Disability Services at disabilityservices@unc.edu.
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Safety
Dean E. Smith Center Entry Policy
The following policy is being implemented for building and patron
safety. The following items will not be permitted in the Smith Center:
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Backpacks, duffel bags, backpack-style/oversize/large purses,
computer cases
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Alcohol, bottles, food, cans, thermoses, coolers, drugs,
chains, fireworks.
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Weapons, noise makers, signs, laser pointers, and other items
deemed inappropriate by Smith Center personnel.
All guests and/or their belongings are subject to be screened
by entry personnel.
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Scholarships and
Financial Aid
A graduating student who has borrowed from University loan funds
or from the Federal Perkins, National Direct, Health Professions,
or Stafford Loan Programs must have an exit interview in the Office
of Scholarships and Student Aid before leaving the University.
Failure to come for an interview and to sign the required repayment
agreement could result in a loan being declared delinquent. Notices
about interview times will be sent to borrowers by the Office
of Scholarships and Student Aid prior to the end of the semester.
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