Frequently Asked Questions
Information is subject to change, please check back frequently.
When and where will Commencement Ceremonies be held?
On Friday, May 21, 2010, the Washington University Commencement Ceremony will be held in Brookings Quadrangle at 8:30 a.m., and the Washington University Law Commencement Ceremony will be held at Seeley G. Mudd Field (southeast of Anheuser-Busch Hall and east of Seigle Hall) immediately following the conclusion of the University ceremony (approximately 11:00 a.m.).
When and where is the Law School reception?
The Law School reception for graduates, their families, and guests will begin at the conclusion of the Law School ceremony. The reception will be held in various locations throughout Anheuser-Busch Hall.
Who is eligible to participate in the Law School and University ceremonies?
August 2009, December 2009, May 2010, August 2010, and December 2010 graduates are invited to participate in both the University and Law School ceremonies. Every graduate is strongly encouraged to attend the University ceremony and participate in the Law School ceremony. Last year, almost 98% of the graduates attended both the University and the Law School ceremonies.
What is the schedule of events on Commencement Day?
Subject to change, please check back.
- 7:50 a.m. or earlier Law Students arrive for class group photo
- 8:00 a.m. Graduating class group photo (north side of Olin Library)
- 8:10 a.m. Proceed to Quad (north side between Eads and Cupples II)
- 8:30 a.m. University Commencement Ceremony
- Approx. 10:45 a.m. Conclusion of the University ceremony
- 11:00 a.m. Procession into Law School ceremony site (Seeley G. Mudd Field)
- 11:15 a.m. Law School Commencement Ceremony begins
- 12:30 p.m. Law School ceremony concludes
- 12:30 p.m. Reception (Anheuser-Busch Hall)
- 2:00 p.m. Reception concludes
Will a class photo be taken?
In 2007, the Law School instituted a new tradition – a class group photo of both the J.D. and LL.M./J.S.D./M.J.S. classes. The photo will be taken at 8 a.m. on May 21 on the north side of Olin Library. Please gather for the photo no later than 7:50 p.m.; please also bring the fan from your Commencement packet. We strongly encourage you to be in your class photo. This is a momentous day for you, your family, and friends, and, although the start time is early, the day will be exciting and joyful for all who attend. Students who are in the class photo will receive a complimentary copy, which will be sent to the address on your Intent to Graduate Form.
What provisions are being made for professional photos of graduates during the Law School Commencement Ceremony?
Chappell Graduation Images will take professional photos of graduates as they cross the stage and receive their diploma. Chappell Graduation Images will contact graduates after graduation regarding the purchase of individual photos and will be using the address listed on your Intent to Graduate form.
What is the purpose of the fan for the group photo?
Numbered fans will be given to all law students in their Commencement packets. The numbered fan will be used to take one photo for identification purposes, and, of course, the final picture will be taken without the fan. Please bring this fan to the group photo session at 7:50 a.m. on May 21 on the north side of Olin Library.
When and where should law students gather for the University ceremony?
For the University ceremony, the Law School will assemble at the north side of the Quad, between Eads and Cupples II. The Law School should be assembled by 8:15 a.m. at the latest. At the University ceremony, students may sit with their law school friends, but will need to line up and sit according to school.
Who is the University Commencement speaker? Does the Law School have a Commencement speaker?
TBD
Where should law students gather for the Law School ceremony?
Immediately following the University Commencement Ceremony, law students will assemble on the sidewalk on the south side of Anheuser-Busch Hall for the Law School Commencement Ceremony. Students will process in alphabetical order at the Law School ceremony. Please look for the banners indicating where you should assemble.
Where should law students’ guests gather while law students are assembling for the processional?
Your guests should have ample time to travel from the University ceremony in the Quad to Seeley G. Mudd Field for the Law School ceremony. Ushers will assist your guests with seating for the Law School ceremony.
Are tickets needed for the Law School and University ceremonies?
Tickets are not needed for either the University ceremony at the Quad or the Law School ceremony on Mudd Field.
What is in the Law School Commencement student packet?
The Washington University Law Commencement packet includes the logistical information needed for law students to participate in the Law School ceremony, including a fan for the group photo (see above) and name card for the Law School ceremony.
What is the purpose of the name card?
Included in the Commencement packet will be a card with the graduate’s name, line number, degree, gender, and space to add pronunciation of the graduate’s name. Please bring this card to the Law School Commencement Ceremony. This card needs to be shown to a staff member before the graduates walk up the stairs onto the stage. Once on stage, graduates will be asked to hand their card to either Associate Dean Pauline Kim or Assistant Dean Colleen Erker, who will read their name.
What should students who did not receive or misplaced their packet do?
All graduating law students will have received a Commencement packet in their mail file on the third-floor of AB Hall during finals week. If for some reason, once finals are over, you did not receive one or misplaced your packet, please contact Jeanne Heil-Chapdelaine at jheil@wulaw.wustl.edu or 314-935-7567.
Who receives a diploma on May 21?
May 2010 graduates will be handed their actual diploma on stage during the Law School’s ceremony. If you graduated before May 2010, you should have already received your diploma. If your actual graduation date is after May 2010, you will be given a diploma cover on stage with information about receiving your actual diploma at a later time.
Where can May 2010 graduates who were unable to participate in the May 21 ceremony pick up their diploma?
Diplomas of any May 2010 graduates who do not participate in the Law School ceremony on May 21 will be held in the Student Records Office, Women’s Building, Lower Level, until June 2, 2010, where they may be picked up by graduates (please bring an ID). Diplomas that are not picked up by that date will be mailed to the address listed on your Intent to Graduate Form.
Who to call about your diploma?
Call (314) 935-5976 in the Washington University Office of Student Records to inquire about your diploma. [more]
When and where can rental regalia (cap and gown) be picked up?
Rental regalia may be picked up at the Danforth Campus Bookstore in Mallinckrodt Center between May 7–15. Students must bring an ID to pick up their regalia, which they needed to have preordered in February.
When and where should rental regalia be returned?
Rental regalia MUST be returned following the Law School ceremony. On Commencement Day (May 21), return regalia to the Gargoyle, lower level of Mallinckrodt Center; an additional site will be available for returns near the law school. On May 21, return regalia to the Danforth Campus Store in Mallinckrodt Center. (Details will be given at time of pick-up.)
Will the schedule of events change due to rain or other unfavorable weather conditions?
The schedule of events does not change due to bad weather. However, in the event of violent weather, see the severe weather plan below.
What is the severe weather plan?
In the event of violent weather (more than rain, but less than the apocalypse), the University Ceremony will be held at 8:30 a.m. in the Field House of the Athletic Complex, and will be converted to an undergraduate only degree ceremony due to space constraints. No graduate school degree recipients will participate in this ceremony. The same weather conditions may prompt the Law School ceremony to be held in the recreational gym at 11:30 a.m. No tickets will be required for your family and friends under this scenario, as there will be plenty of space.
How can graduates and their families check to see if the University and/or Law School have switched to the severe weather plan?
On the morning of the ceremony, if you are concerned about the weather, please call the commencement hotline (314-935-4355) or the Law School weather hotline (314-935-6400 – press 7 and then immediately press 3) for notice of the decision to move the ceremony indoors.
What is the severe weather plan for the class photo?
If the Law School ceremony is moved indoors, JD students are asked to report to the Bryan Cave Moot Courtroom, room 310 and the LLM, JSD, MJS students are asked to report to the Trial Courtroom, room 309 at 10:15 a.m. for the class photo. After the photo is taken, students will proceed to line up by the squash courts to the north of the recreational gym by 10:45 a.m.
What is the recommended attire for graduating students?
It is recommended that students wear professional clothing under their gowns and comfortable, yet professional looking shoes. Check the weather forecast when choosing your wardrobe.
Should students wear their hoods to the Commencement ceremonies? What side should their tassel be on?
Students are asked to carry their hoods to the University ceremony, where during the proceedings, they will be asked to hood their friends. Students will need to have their hoods on for the Law School Ceremony processional. Candidates receiving graduate degrees should wear tassels on the left for both ceremonies.
What provisions are made for Disability Access?
Anyone needing special assistance while attending the University Commencement Ceremony should contact Donna Kepley at 314-935-5102. Individuals who will need a wheelchair are encouraged to contact directly the Medical West Healthcare Center at 314-725-1888 for rental arrangements. Anyone needing disability access while attending the Law School Commencement Ceremony is asked to park on the upper level of the Snow Way Garage, where a staff member will be available to assist. Reserved, wheel-chair accessible seating also will be available on Mudd Field.
- An American Sign Language interpreter will be present during both the University and Law School Commencement ceremonies.
- More information on disability access is also available at: [http://commencement.wustl.edu/instructions.html]
Where should students and their guests park?
Parking is always difficult on Commencement Day due to the large number of visitors to the campus. Please allow extra time for parking and access to the campus. Visitors may park in any area of the University parking lots except for those designated as disabled or loading zones.
- For more information go to [http://parking.wustl.edu/]
- For information on taking MetroLink as an alternative to parking on campus, visit:
[http://commencement.wustl.edu/instructions.html]
Is more general information about Commencement available on the Web?
Please refer to the University’s Commencement Web site: [http://commencement.wustl.edu/] for any additional information regarding the University Commencement ceremonies. Your family and friends may be interested in this site, as well.
Questions?
Contact Jeanne Heil-Chapdelaine, Events and Scheduling Manager
by email - jheil@wulaw.wustl.edu or by phone - (314) 935-7567