Commencement Guide
2002
General Information
Speaker
Student Commencement Events
Official Commencement Events
Important Phone Numbers and Contact Info
Centre Street Construction
The following has been compiled in an effort to answer the most frequently asked questions concerning Commencement and related events. If you need more information or assistance, please contact Joan Manna, the Law School Commencement Coordinator (617/552-4344; mannajo@bc.edu) in the Dean’s Office.
official graduation date
Monday, May 20, 2002: Official University Graduation Date. For purposes of Bar applications or at any time your OFFICIAL date of graduation is required, please note that May 20, 2002 is the date that will appear on your final transcript of courses. Boston College’s Board of Trustees formally confers degrees to all students graduating from BC on this date. Our commencement ceremony, on Friday, May 24, celebrates the presentation of diplomas, awards and honors.
bar certification
All bar certifications must be submitted to Linda Raute in Academic Services for completion. Bar certification forms for Massachusetts should be submitted to her as soon as possible. The completed Massachusetts forms will be available for student pick-up on Friday, May 24. Other states’ completed forms are mailed directly to the state bar examining committees.
pronunciation
Graduates who want to avoid having their names mispronounced at graduation should see Elizabeth Rosselot, Director of Admissions & Financial Aid, in Stuart M302 and give her the phonetic pronunciation of their names.
mailed diplomas
If you will not attend the Law School Commencement Ceremony on Friday, May 24, but want your diploma mailed to you, please inform Linda Raute in Academic Services, Stuart House M301.
invitations
Commencement invitations will be distributed on April 17 & April 18 from 10am - 4pm, in the East Wing Student Lounge Room 100. You will be given a packet of five invitations. However, please note that there is no limit to the number of guests you may invite to Commencement and related events.
garb
You will be measured and given your Commencement garb on Wednesday, April 17 and Thursday, April 18 between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the East Wing Student Lounge Room 100. The cost is $22 payable at pickup. Any students not able to pick up their garb on the above dates may do so between 12 noon and 1 p.m. on Commencement day, in front of the Quonset Hut. In case of rain, gowns will be distributed at Conte Forum.
wearing of academic garb
After robing, carry your hood draped over your left arm and wear your tassel to the left. After the Dean presents you with the diploma, proceed across the stage and hand the academic hood to one of the Associate Deans, who will formally place the hood on you. Once you have received your hood, you may transfer your tassel from left to right, signifying conferral of the degree.
garb return
Signs will be posted instructing you where to return your academic garb. Please be sure that your receipt is attached to the robe or included with it in the plastic garb bag. If you do not return the academic garb after the commencement ceremony, it will be your responsibility to ship it to the address on your receipt. Please be sure that the hood is included in all returns. If you wish to purchase academic regalia, please call Rich Hanlon, University Cap & Gown, 978/686-4566 (Mr. Hanlon will be here on April 17 and 18 for the distribution of rental garb).
lineup of students for procession
Graduating students must arrive at the Quonset Hut adjacent to the soccer field no later than 1 p.m. on Friday, May 24. After robing, you will line up alphabetically. It is very important that you stay in alphabetical order so that you receive the correct diploma.
photographs and videotaping
A professional photographer will take your photo when you receive your diploma and when you are hooded. You will receive information about placing orders from the photographer, Commencement Photos, Inc. In the event you do not receive an order form, you may call the studio directly at (978) 851-5924. Please note: So that all guests may have an unobstructed view, those using video cameras are not permitted to approach the stage during the ceremony.
special needs
If you have guest(s) with special needs (i.e., handicap, parking, seating) please contact Joan Manna (617/552-4344), in the Dean’s Office, Stuart M307, to make the necessary arrangements.
parking
Law School Campus Police will direct you to the parking site. Parking in the Chapel lot, Barat Circle and the yellow-lined Stuart Lot is restricted to handicapped students and guests, podium guests, faculty and staff.
centre street construction
To avoid construction delays on Centre Street, we suggest the alternate route(s) shown on our map on the opposite page. Please note that these routes are subject to change.
facilities
Signs posted around the campus will identify restrooms. Water stations will be set up throughout the graduation site. If any special needs arise, there will be staff available to assist you and your guests. They will be wearing identification badges.
programs
You will be handed a program when you assemble for the procession. Ushers will pass out programs to your guests.
rain site information
In case of inclement weather, the Commencement ceremony and the following reception
will be held in Conte Forum on the Main Campus (see reverse for map). The Commencement
Mass and the Commencement luncheon will be held on the Newton Campus, regardless
of the weather. Announcements concerning changes will be posted on one of the
following telephone numbers by 8:30 Friday morning:
BC LAW main number: 617/552-8550
Dean’s Office: 617/552-4340
In the event of rain, Graduating students are asked to be at Conte Forum no
later than 1 p.m. Those who need to pick up academic garb may do so at the East
Gate of Conte Forum. Signs will be posted with instructions for entering the
Forum and lining up. Parking for Conte Forum is in the adjacent garage on Beacon
Street, Chestnut Hill.
Paul Cellucci served as Governor of Massachusetts from 1997 through 2001, when he was nominated by President Bush to serve as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States to Canada. He has worked closely with Canada regarding issues such as trade, energy and preserving the environment.
A strong advocate for smaller government and lower taxes, then-governor Cellucci signed one of the largest tax-cuts in Massachusetts history in 1998. During his years of service to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, he has worked closely with education reform, has increased access to health care, and has fought against domestic violence.
Ambassador Cellucci was born in Hudson, Middlesex County, Massachusetts in 1948. By the year 1977, he had become a Member of Massachusetts State House of Representatives, and served in that capacity until 1985, when he became a member of the Massachusetts State Senate. In 1991, Cellucci received the position of the Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts, and six years later was elected Governor.
Ambassador Cellucci has over 17 years of experience in private practice, eventually serving as partner in the Hudson law firm of Kittredge, Cellucci and Moreira, P.C. He received both his undergraduate and law degrees from Boston College in the early 1970s. While at the university, Cellucci served in the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC). He also served in the U.S. Army Reserves for eight years and was dismissed with the high rank of Captain.
Both natives of Massachusetts, Ambassador Cellucci and his wife Jan have two children. Jan has served as a librarian at Boston College. Their daughter Kate graduated from Boston College in 1999 and is now attending Boston College’s Lynch Graduate School of Education. Their second daughter Anne graduated from Harvard University in 2000 and is now attending Boston College Law School.
Important Phone Numbers
Boston College Law School
885 Centre St.
Newton, MA 02459
617/552-8550
Commencement Coordinator
617/552-4344
Academic Services
617/552-2527
Boston College Law School Bookstore
617/552-4403
Boston College Police
EMERGENCY: 617/552-4444
Lost & Found: 617/552-4440
commencement week student events
Package for BC Law student ($80) includes 1 Sox ticket, 1 Bar Night ticket and 1 Ball ticket. Package for BC Law student and a non-BC Law guest ($125) includes 1 Sox ticket, 2 Bar Night tickets and 2 Ball tickets.
Sunday, May 19 BAR NIGHT AT KARMA
Dance the night away with your fellow graduates at Karma located on Landsdowne
St. Food, cocktails, and DJ included. Please note: only BC Law students and
their guests will be admitted.
Monday, May 20 RED SOX V. CHICAGO WHITE SOX
Fenway Park for a 7:05 game. Tickets are limited to BC Law students and are
available individually or as part of a package.
Tuesday, May 21 GRADUATION BALL
Copley Plaza Hotel, Boston, 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Black tie optional. Cost $60. Price
includes dinner and cocktails.
CLASS GIFT
The Class of 2002 will continue the $100,000 endowed fund for loan forgiveness
at our 5th Reunion. Pledge forms will be available at ticket sales and all graduation
events.
All events are sponsored by the LSA. Tickets will be sold in packages (at discounted prices). Guests are welcome to all events (except the Red Sox game).
All information is subject to change. For questions about LSA events, please contact Solveig McShea at solveig.mcshea@bc.edu, or Lisa Tenerowicz at tenerowi@bc.edu.
Wednesday, May 22 CLASS DAY PICNIC
1:00 p.m., Duschesne Lawn, Newton Campus. Barbecue, yearbook dedication and
distribution, volleyball for students, faculty and staff. Rain location: Barat
House Tent.
Thursday, May 23 COMMENCEMENT EVE CELEBRATION for family & friends
5-7 p.m., Barat House and Adjacent Tent. Includes a short awards presentation.
Friday, May 24 COMMENCEMENT MASS
10:30 a.m., Chapel of the Most Holy Trinity.
Friday, May 24 COMMENCEMENT LUNCHEON
11:45 a.m., Barat House and Tent. All students and families are welcome to this
luncheon, hosted by the St. Thomas More Society.
Friday, May 24 COMMENCEMENT
2 p.m., Newton Campus Practice Soccer Field
Speaker: Ambassador Paul Cellucci.
Friday, May 24 COMMENCEMENT RECEPTION
A reception following the ceremony will be held in the tent adjacent
to Barat House. Champagne, soft drinks and light refreshments will be served.
Alternate Routes for
BC LAW COMMENCEMENT
May 24, 2002
Boston College Law School is located at 885 Centre Street in Newton Centre approximately halfway between Newton Corner (Exit 17 off the Massachusetts Turnpike) and Commonwealth Avenue (Route 30).
Alternative Routes to Boston College Law School During Reconstruction of Centre Street (Directions Subject to Change)
From Points North and South:
Take Interstate 95 (Route 128) to Exit 24 (Route 30). Proceed east on Route 30, also known as Commonwealth Avenue, left onto Walnut Street, right onto Mill Street. Left into campus entrance.
From Points West
Take the Massachusetts Turnpike (Route 90) to Exit 17. To avoid construction on Centre Street proceed to second right, third light (Park Street). Right onto Park Street. Sign will say "To Brighton." Left onto Tremont Street. Right at light onto Waverly Avenue. Right onto Ward Street. Right onto Morseland Street. Right onto Mill Street. Left into campus entrance.
From Points East
Take the Massachusetts Turnpike (Route 90) to Exit 17. Straight onto Washington Street (Route 16 West). Left onto Walnut Street. Right onto Mill Street. Left into campus entrance.
