IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR
2008 SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY GRADUATION CANDIDATES

Congratulations! We are proud of your accomplishments at Southeastern University and look forward to sharing this very special milestone with you and your family. The graduation ceremony will be held on Sunday, June 22, 2008 at 2:00 pm. The ceremony will take place at DAR Constitution Hall.

Please complete and return to this form as an attachment to: marketing@seu.edu

Here's some early information for you.

1. Who May Participate In Graduation: In order to participate in graduation, students must have:
   1. Thoroughly completed a "Degree Application" and submitted it to the Registrar's Office by the deadline of January 12, 2008.
   2. Paid the "graduation fee" to the Business Office by the deadline of January 12, 2008.
   3. Associate and Master's Degree candidates must have successfully completed all of the courses needed to earn their degree.
   4. Bachelor's Degree candidates may participate in the ceremony if they have a maximum of six credits left to finish.
   
   
   
2. Your Email Address: So that you receive information about graduation in the quickest manner, if you have access to e-mail, please e-mail your name and e-mail address to hadnan@seu.edu. Ask to be added to the graduation e-mail list. Those of you who don't have e-mail, please make sure that you keep the Registrar's Office up-to-date on your most current address.
   
   
   
3. Your Current Address: For many reasons that benefit you, it is crucial that we have your current address. Those reasons include making sure that you receive information about graduation and any changes that may occur and ensuring that you receive the pictures that will be taken of you at the graduation ceremony. To that end, please stop by the Registrar's Office. Ask them what the current address they have listed for you in the computer system is. Make sure your street address, apartment number, city, state and zip code are all correct. Make any necessary updates. This is so important!
   
   
   
4. Sashes: We are pleased to make three types of optional sashes available for purchase. Here is a description of each:
   
   

   SEU "Class of 2008" - These are hand-woven Kente cloth type sashes. They have a red background with black and gold stripes. On the bottom of one side are the letters SEU. On the bottom of the other side are the words "Class of 2008." A sample will be on display in Southeastern's Office of Student Affairs & Retention. The cost of each sash is $30.00 plus tax.

   Greek Sashes - These are hand-woven Kente cloth type sashes in the colors of each fraternity or sorority with the organization's insignia. The cost of each sash is $25.00 plus tax.

   National Pride Sashes - These are for graduates who want to display their national pride. Sashes are available for all countries who are members of the United Nations (including the United States). A "Pan African" sash is available for people of African descent. It contains red, green and gold stripes. The cost of each sash is $35.00 plus tax.
   A custom order National Pride Sash is available this year. Instead of showing just one country, it would be half for one country and half for another country. This may be good for international students who want to display their pride in both their country of nationality and their country of education. It may also be good for Americans who are immigrants from another country. The cost of each of these special order sashes is $40.00 plus tax.

   To purchase any sash:

   1. Complete the "Sash Order Form";
   2. Pay for the sash in the Business Office;
   3. Submit the form showing you've paid for the sash to the Office of Student Affairs and Retention with your payment no later than April 14. If you want a custom ordered sash, we must receive your order by March 31.
   4. Out-of-town students may send completed forms with payment to the Office of Student Affairs and Retention. Checks must be made payable to Southeastern University.
   
   
   
5. T-Shirts:: White t-shirts will be available for sale this year with Southeastern University's Logo on the front and "Southeastern University's Class of 2008" on the back with a list of each graduate's name on the back at the Campus store - The Hawks Nest (located in Southeastern's Lobby). The cost of each t- shirt will be $18.00 plus tax. The t-shirt will list the names of all students whose applications for the 2008 graduation were accepted by January 12, 2008.
   
   
6. Pictures: A photographer from Panoramic Visions Photography will be on campus on Saturday, March 1; Saturday, March 15; and Saturday, April 5 from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm each day to take individual photographs. There is no charge for the photo session. Information about how to purchase your pictures will be given to you on the day that you come to have your pictures taken. You then have the option of ordering them directly from Panoramic Visions Photography.
   
   * Please note that for safety reasons your family and friends will not be permitted to approach the stage to take your picture when you receive your diploma at the graduation ceremony. The University has hired a photographer to take a picture of each graduate receiving his/her diploma and will provide each graduate with four copies of this photo (4" x 6").
   
   
7. Class Rings: A representative from Balfour will be on campus (in the lobby) on Saturday, March 1; Saturday, March 15; and Saturday, April 5 from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm each day to take orders for class rings. To preview ring styles in advance, please visit http://ww2.balfour.com/college/.
   
   
   
8. How To Invite Family Members/Friends Who Live Overseas To Attend Graduation: Click here to receive "Instructions For Inviting Your Family Members/Friends Who Live Overseas To Graduation". Please read the document and follow the stated instructions.
   
   
9. Graduation Regalia (clothes you wear to the ceremony): Your graduation regalia includes a cap, gown, tassel (decoration for your cap), and a hood. Your cap and gown will be ordered based on the size you indicated on your graduation application. You may pick up your caps and gowns starting on Monday, May 19, 2008 from the Registrar's Office. The last day to pick up your caps and gowns is Saturday, June 21, 2008. Please remember that the Registrar's Office is open Monday - Friday from 10:00 am - 6:00 pm and Saturday from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm.
   * No caps, gowns, tassels or hoods will be available at the graduation ceremony. Students will not be allowed to participate in the ceremony unless they are wearing the proper Graduation Regalia. There will be no exceptions to this rule.
   
   
   
10. Career Services Exit Survey: You need to complete the "Career Services Exit Survey" at the Registrar's Office when you pick up your graduation regalia and announcements.
    
    
    
11. Announcements (Invitations): ): ): You may pick up your invitations to graduation starting Monday, May 26, 2008 from the Registrar's Office. Each degree candidate who has met all financial obligations to the University is entitled to ten invitations.
    
    
    
12. Graduation Rehearsal/Practice: Graduation practice will be held on Wednesday, June 18, 2008 from 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm at DAR Constitution Hall (see #13 for location information). Attendance is mandatory for all students who plan to participate in the graduation ceremony. Please be prompt! You will not be allowed to participate in the ceremony if you do not attend graduation practice. In other words, YOU MUST ATTEND GRADUATION PRACTICE - NO EXCUSES!!!!!
    
    
    
13. Graduation Day:

    When: The graduation ceremony (more formally known as "Commencement") will take place on Sunday, June 22, 2008 It will start at 2:00 pm and last for approximately two hours. Please arrive no later than 12:30 pm to register and line up for the ceremony.

    Where: Graduation will be held at DAR Constitution Hall located at 1776 D Street, N.W. (corner of 18th and D Streets N.W.), Washington, DC 20006. There is limited street parking nearby. Graduates should enter the D Street entrance of the building, and immediately visit the Registrar's table to check in and prepare to line up. To arrive using public transportation, please call Metro's information number (202) 637-7000. Give them your address and the address of Constitution Hall and tell them the time you need to arrive. They will give you detailed instructions on how to get there by bus and metro. Alternatively, use their "Trip Planner" at http://www.wmata.com/.

    Graduation Attire: Men should wear shirts and ties under their robes and dark slacks (preferably black). Suit coats and sport jackets should be removed and left with guests. Women should make sure their robes fit comfortably over their outfits and their caps fit securely over their hairstyles. Purses should be left with guests. Please wear dark shoes (preferably black). Please make sure to bring hair pins and safety pins to secure your cap and gown. Of course, you must wear your cap, gown, tassel and hood (for Master's Degree recipients). Graduates will not be allowed to participate in the ceremony without the proper regalia/attire.

    YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PICK UP YOUR CAP AND GOWN ON THAT DAY SO YOU MUST FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS DETAILED IN #9!
    
    
    

14. Diplomas: Diplomas will be distributed at Constitution Hall immediately following the ceremony. Details will be available at the graduation practice. All students will be required to present a picture I.D. when picking up their diploma. Students with outstanding financial balances will not be able to pick up their diplomas or final transcripts until the balances have been settled.
    
    
    
15. If You Are Not Attending The Ceremony:
    
    
    1. A. You may pick up your cap, gown, tassel, hood (for graduate students) and announcements from the Registrar's Office before June 21, 2008. No caps and gowns will be available after that date.
       
       
    2. You may pick up your diploma from the Registrar's Office on June 23, 2008. You will have to show a picture I.D. to receive it.
       
       
       1. If you wish to have someone pick up your diploma, please write a letter to the Registrar's Office stating your name, your student I.D. #, and the name of the person who will be picking up your diploma. The person who picks up your diploma will have to present a picture I.D. when picking it up.
          
          
       2. If you wish to have your diploma mailed to you, please send a letter to the Registrar's Office. The letter must include your name, your student I.D. number, your complete address (with zip code and country) and telephone number (with area and/or country code). Unless you specify otherwise, your diploma will be mailed using the U.S. Postal System. If you wish to have your diploma sent through a courier service (i.e. DHL, Federal Express, etc.), please include your credit card information in your letter; type of your credit card, your name as it appears on your credit card, and the credit card expiration date. If you do not have a credit card, you will have to make arrangements with the Business Office to pay them before it will be sent.
          
          
    3. In all cases, if you plan to leave the country before graduation, please visit the Business Office before departing for your country. This step is to ensure that you have no outstanding debt with the University and that your diploma will be sent to you without delay.