The Big Day

Online Viewing Information

Bellevue University streams the Commencement live so those who cannot attend still have an opportunity to watch their graduate walk across the stage.

To view the the live streaming video of the June 5, 2010 Bellevue University Commencement Ceremony please click here. The event will begin at 9:30 a.m. C.S.T.

Commencement Ceremony Information - Spring 2010

The spring commencement ceremony is June 5, 2010.. The event begins at 9:30 a.m.

Placement into the ceremony is done through a two-step process:

• A reservation for placement into the ceremony is submitted through BRUIN by the student before the deadline date of March 1, 2010.*
• A cap and gown order is filled out online OR the student comes to the cap and gown measurements in person at the main campus and/or the Lozier Professional Center.* The cap and gown measurement dates and times are specified below.

Bellevue University purchases a cap and tassel the graduate and rents a gown and hood (for masters) regalia to wear during the ceremony. The gowns and hoods are turned in immediately following the ceremony.

Tips for a Successful Ceremony

*Graduates are responsible for their placement into the ceremony (online reservation).
*Graduates are responsible for ordering their cap and gown (online or in person).
Important Tips for Students
Important Tips for Family and Friends

Cap & Gown Measurements

Date	Main Campus/Student Center	West Omaha/Lozier
Monday, April 5	5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.	4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday, April 6	11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.	4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday, April 7	5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.	4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Thursday, April 8	11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.	4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Orders are no longer being accepted for the Spring Commencement Ceremony, for further information contact the Commencement Coordinator at 1-800-756-7290, ext. 7012.

The deadline date for cap and gown orders is Wednesday, April 14, 2010. If you do not place your order before the deadline date, a $50.00 late fee is charged. Graduates also have the option of walking in the January 29, 2011 Commencement Ceremony rather than joining late and paying the fee.

Ordering Cap & Gown Online

Graduates who do not live in the Metro Area may place their cap and gown orders online after submitting a registration to participate in the ceremony.

Cap & Gown Pick-Up

The caps and gowns are delivered to the main campus and available for graduates to pick up in the Quiet Lounge in the Student Center during the following dates and times. June 1st, 2nd, & 3rd (Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday) 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. & 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. on all days. 

*Graduates can send a family member or friend to pick up their cap and gown.
The ceremony is open to the public, you can invite as many guests as you like, and there is no entrance fee.

*Graduates must arrive at 8:00 a.m. for check-in and seating.
Graduates living outside of the Metro Area who cannot come to pick up their cap & gown during the scheduled days/times can pick up their cap and gown at the Omaha Civic Auditorium the morning of the ceremony, at 8:00 a.m., Saturday, June 5th.

Graduation honors are awarded to undergraduate students who have completed a minimum of 60 credit hours at Bellevue University and have a cumulative GPA of 3.60 and above. These credits do not include CLEP, DANTES, OR ELA. [FOR DETAILED INFORMATION regarding academic honors, please see pg. 29 in the 2006-2008 Catalog, or pg. 24 in the 2008-2010 Catalog. You can also find information in the student handbook pg. 12, or online at Graduating with Honors].

For the purpose of the ceremony, honors will be "estimated" for those bachelor students who are still completing coursework. All classes a student is registered in as of May 1, 2010 will be counted toward the "estimated" honors for the ceremony. Graduate students are not included in the honors program because it is an honor in itself to be accepted into and complete the requirements for a Master's degree.

For undergraduates participating with honors, a sash will be provided with your gown at the Cap and Gown Pick Up location. The meaning of the honors sashes are as follows:

Red Sash	Summa Cum Laude	3.95 to 4.00
Gold Sash	Magna Cum Laude	3.88 to 3.94
Green Sash	Cum Laude	3.76 to 3.87
White Sash	With Distinction	3.60 to 3.75

If you would like your picture taken in your cap and gown, Bellevue University is pleased to provide professional photographer, Kim Photography, throughout the three days of cap and gown picks-ups, during the Graduation Open House, and immediately following the ceremony at the Omaha Civic Auditorium. Guests are allowed to take pictures during the ceremony from their seats. Also, Bellevue University Instructional Technology department records the ceremony. A DVD of the ceremony can be purchased online through BRUIN, e-Services, Commencement Video Order Form.

Class rings, announcement, and other graduation items can be ordered through the following companies:

Graduation Supplies, Inc. at: www.graduationresources.com
Jostens® in the Bellevue University Bookstore and online at: www.jostens.com  Commencement flowers at: www.commencementflowers.com 

The Big Day

On the day of the ceremony graduates need to arrive at 8:00 a.m. Guests can begin arriving at that time as well. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Street parking is free and there are several parking lots and garages available for a fee.

Upon arrival to the auditorium, graduates will be escorted to the Exhibition Hall for placement in the ceremony and guests will be escorted to upstairs. We ask graduates to give belongings to their guests before being escorted to the Exhibition Hall. If you must bring your belongings, please make sure they can be held on your person using pockets, fanny packs, etc. You will not be allowed to go upstairs to visit with your guests once you have been placed into the ceremony seating.

The Omaha Civic Auditorium is accessible for handicapped individuals and those with special needs. Bellevue University ushers, wearing purple gowns, will help individuals gain access to suitable seating.

*If you are graduate with special needs please contact the University's Disability Services Specialist terra.beethe@bellevue.edu or 1-800-756-7920, ext. 7414 as soon as possible to ensure accommodations are made for the ceremony and the seating chart.

Helpful Hints to enjoy your Commencement Day

• Bring six to ten dollars for parking as there are very few free spaces on the nearby streets.
• Upon arrival, graduates go to the staging area (downstairs) and guests go to the upstairs seating. Graduates are not allowed upstairs and guests are not allowed downstairs before the ceremony.
• Be on time.
  8:00 a.m. - Graduates arrive for formation.
  8:30 a.m. – Final count of participants (must be in their seat)
  9:10 a.m. - Begin graduation march.
  9:30 a.m. - Ceremony begins promptly at 9:30, entering late can be a distraction.
• Families and friends are not allowed on the main level during the ceremony only graduates and VIP / ADA seating.
• Seating is on a first come-first served basis.
• Do not bring bull horns as names are announced quickly and the next graduate's name will not be heard. Please be respectful of this request so everyone's name can be heard.
• Use cell phones to locate each other after the ceremony has concluded.
• Graduates may want to bring hairpins to hold caps in place and to help secure sashes.
• Ladies - Ask a family member or friend in attendance to hold your purse or other personal items. There is not a secure place to store these items during the ceremony. If you have a cell phone to use after the ceremony put it a pocket or fanny pack.

Nominate a Student Speaker

You have an opportunity to nominate the Student Speaker representing your class at the June 5, 2010 Spring Commencement Ceremony!

Candidates may be nominated from the senior undergraduate and graduate class. Nominations will be accepted until March 30, 2010.

How the process works:

• Utilizing an established selection process, each college Dean will select the student speaker from their respective college. The selection criteria include the number of nominations received and GPA.
• The student selected from each college will present a 3-5 minute "preview" at the all-faculty meeting in May held at the Criss Auditorium, Hitchcock Humanities Center.
• Immediately following the presentations, Faculty will vote by ballot determining which student will represent the Spring Graduating Class of 2010.

The nomination form is located in BRUIN, e-Services, under Graduation Events. The winner will be announced online the week of May 10, 2010.

Questions

If you have questions about the ceremony please contact the Commencement Coordinator at julie.mahoney@bellevue.edu or 1-800-756-7920, x7012.

For the questions regarding graduation, the process, number of credits you have or need, and graduation honors, please contact your Academic Advisor at "Ask Your Advisor" online: or call 1-800-756-7920 x7281 for Undergraduate Advising and 1-800-756-7920 x7240 for Graduate Advising.

If you have questions regarding your diploma, please contact the Registrar's Office at ashley.kirchner@bellevue.edu or 1-800-756-7920, x7404.