When and where is the 2010 Commencement Ceremony?

Commencement will be held on Saturday, May 29, at 10:00 a.m. in the Polk County Convention Complex, 501 Grand Avenue, in the center of downtown Des Moines. Students are asked to arrive one hour early.

How do I get more information about the graduation ceremony?

Commencement information and updates will be posted on the website beginning in January. We suggest you check the commencement homepage regularly. Major postings will occur in January and March with the following content:

January

• Updated Commencement Week Schedule
• Lodging (group rate) Information
• Information for Ordering Commencement Announcements
• Guest Hooder Policies & Procedures
• Registration Information for BLS Recertification
• Dual Degree Policies & Procedures

March

• Final Commencement Week Schedule
• Picnic Reservation Form (No charge to attend)
• Banquet Reservation and Order Form
• News Release Form for Local Media
• Military Promotion Ceremony Reservation Form (DO)
• Class/Club Event Reservations

When do I need to be in Des Moines for Commencement Week?

Graduates in clinical programs, as well as the graduates in the MSA and MBS programs, must participate in mandatory activities on Friday, May 28. Graduates from the other programs are welcome, but not required, to attend. You may view the tentative schedule on line in January. Check the site regularly for updates.

How do I order tickets for the college banquets?

An order form will be available on-line in March.

Graduates can reserve one free ticket to cover their banquet admission, plus one free guest ticket. Additional tickets will cost approximately $25.00. Graduates must reserve all tickets in advance, including those provided on a complimentary basis. Please be aware that banquet orders must be accompanied with credit card payment.

So, what’s special about the banquet?

The banquets are a traditional event at DMU where the graduates gather prior to the ceremony to celebrate as a class. Family and guests are welcome. A program follows the banquet, during which the Dean announces the “Graduate with Distinction,” as well as other major awards.

Are tickets required for the University Commencement Ceremony?

No. Tickets are not required for the University Commencement Ceremony.

Are students limited to a certain number of guests at the ceremony?

No. This is an important event and we want you to invite as many as you wish to celebrate with you!

How do I get a cap and gown for the ceremony?

Cap and gown measurements for graduates in clinical programs were taken prior to leaving campus for your rotations. If we missed getting your cap and gown measurements, you will be contacted by Matthews Bookstore for your measurements. Please check your e-mail and U.S. mail for any information.

MSA, MBS, MPH, MHA and Postprofessional DPT graduates will receive information for providing measurements for caps and gowns.

Caps and gowns will be distributed through Matthews Bookstore the week of Commencement. Please check the commencement website in March for the distribution information.

MPH, MHA and PPDPT graduates who will not arrive in time for on-campus distribution will get attire the morning of the ceremony at the Polk County Convention Complex.

What do I need to do before graduation?

D.O. and D.P.M. students are reminded that all clinical paperwork must be submitted within one week of completion of the rotation. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that all paperwork - including the preceptor’s evaluation of the student - reaches the appropriate Office of Clinical Affairs within this time frame. Please note that if all paperwork is not received in the Office of Clinical Affairs, the graduate may not be allowed to participate in the Commencement Ceremony and may not receive a diploma. Also, be advised to keep on schedule with rotations. All requirements must be completed prior to graduation to ensure your participation in the ceremony.

How do I find out about local lodging for my guests?

A listing of hotels will be available in January at: http://www.dmu.edu/commencement/.

What if my guests need special assistance at the ceremony?

Des Moines University will gladly accommodate guests with special needs.

• Guests requiring a wheelchair are advised to bring their own as the Convention Complex does not provide them. Seating is readily available at the end of any row. Simply remove the chair to make room for the wheelchair.
• Graduates with guests who have hearing or sight impairments are asked to contact Student Services at 515-271-1440 or StudentServices@dmu.edu for special seating instructions.
• Guests who need special assistance during the Commencement Ceremony should contact the Office of Student Services at 515-271-1440 or e-mail StudentServices@dmu.edu . Guests with special needs are advised to arrive one hour early to secure your seating.

How long will the graduation ceremony last?

The Commencement Ceremony will last approximately two hours. All graduates will walk across the stage as their name is read and receive congratulations from the Dean and President.

What activities follow the ceremony?

A reception will be held after the ceremony. This will include light refreshments. We encourage all students to plan lunch on their own with family and friends.

Are children welcome to attend the Commencement Ceremony?

Yes, children are welcome at the ceremony. In addition, we provide a supervised play area for children so they will have access to toys, colors and coloring books, and videos.

Please note: Children must be accompanied by an adult relative at all times.

Whom do I contact to make sure my “official” name is on my diploma?

Members of the Class of 2010 will be contacted later this year by the Registrar's Office to provide their "official" name, as it is to be printed on their diploma.

What is Hooding?

Hooding of doctoral candidates is a cherished academic tradition at DMU. During this ceremonial ritual, the doctoral hood is placed over the shoulders of the graduates to signify the professional status attained by terminal degree holders.

D.O., D.P.M. and D.P.T. graduates are hooded on stage. Masters candidates wear their hoods throughout the ceremony.

The hooding policy will be available online in January.

What if I am receiving a dual degree?

At Commencement, students receiving dual degrees (an MPH, MHA or MBS, MSA as well as the DO, DPM, MSPA or DPT) will march and be seated with the candidates in their full-time primary degree program. Recognition for the dual degree will be announced as they march across the stage for their primary degree.

Students receiving dual MPH and MHA degrees will be recognized for both degrees as the final candidates to march across the stage for these programs.

DO, DPM, and DPT students will receive the Doctoral hood on stage; MSA, MBS, MSPA, MPH and MHA students wear the Master's hood throughout the ceremony. Based on academic protocol, a graduate wears only one hood representing the highest degree earned or the hood representing the primary academic program.

How do I order Commencement announcements?

Matthews Bookstore is coordinating the sale of commencement announcements. Electronic links with information and order forms will be provided to graduates in January.

What if I graduate but still owe money to the University?

Your University account must be cleared in order to receive your diploma. Students with outstanding obligations will be notified by the Accounting Office.

What if I had student loans?

All graduates in the Class of 2010 who obtained student loans are required by the Department of Education to have an exit interview. Information on how and when to complete the DMU on-line exit interview will be provided to graduating students. The exit interview will contain information on loan amounts, rights and responsibilities, repayment options, loan consolidation, a repayment calculator and more. You will be required to provide information including references and expected employer. Students who received campus-based loans will be contacted with instructions on additional required on-line exit counseling. Students who do not complete the exit requirements will have their diploma placed on hold.

When will I receive my diploma?

Graduates who have met all obligations (financial and academic) will receive their diploma following the ceremony.

Whom do I contact for a change of address before and after Commencement?

Please contact the Office of the Registrar at 515-271-1461 or send an e-mail message to Melinda.Sherzer@dmu.edu. It is your responsibility to keep the Registrar’s Office informed of any address changes.

What if I need my medical records from the DMU Clinic?

Please be sure to print your health record from the portal or email the record to your own
email address before you graduate. Your immunization and health records can also be obtained from the

Des Moines University Clinic through Health Information Management (i.e., Medical Records) by calling 515-271-1706 or faxing a request to 515-271-1726.

How can I get a map of Des Moines?

http://www.seedesmoines.com

How long will my student I.D. remain active?

Your student I.D. will remain active as long as you are a student. Once you graduate, the I.D. is disabled unless you request that the University’s Security Office activate your I.D. on an annual basis. The activation will be limited to the library and if a waiver is signed, it will be activated for the Wellness Center as well.

How long will I have access to my University e-mail address?

At this time, the University will maintain an e-mail address for those graduates who want the e-mail service. Approximately once every six months, the University may require a reply to an e-mail to keep the account activated. We will not remove any accounts until six months after graduation.

How long am I covered through DMU’s student health insurance?

To students enrolled in the DMU-sponsored coverage, the plan year ends on July 31. Because this is a group plan, we are unable to adjust the plan year based on the effective dates for coverage at your residency site or new employer.