FAQs for Seniors
Below are some of the questions frequently asked by students as Commencement Weekend approaches.
- How can I find out about Senior Week activities?
- Is there a limit to the number of people I can invite to Commencement Weekend?
- Do my family and friends need TICKETS for anything?
- Should I let someone know I'm NOT planning to walk at Commencement?
- How do I get my cap and gown?
- What about inclement weather?
- When and where do seniors line up for graduation?
- When do I have to be out of my room?
- When will I be notified if I've been elected to Phi Beta Kappa?
- Can I walk with my class if I haven't completed my requirements for graduation?
- Can non-graduating seniors remain on campus for senior week?
- Other questions
How can I find out about Senior Week activities?
Your class committee will be putting together a schedule of activities for Senior Week.
You will be sent a detailed schedule near the end of Spring Semester.
Is there a limit to the number of people I can invite to Commencement Weekend?
No! You may invite as many people as you like. Even if it rains, our indoor site will have plenty of seating.Do my family and friends need TICKETS for anything?
YES!! Guests will need to pre-register for tickets for any MEALS served by the College during Commencement Weekend. The two meals that you will particularly want tickets for are the Family Dinner on Friday and the Commencement Picnic on Saturday.
Your parents will receive a registration flier in the mail in late February 2012. There will be online registration through the web site from March 1 until April 30.
Your family does NOT need to order meal tickets for you. Your meals are already covered.
Guests do NOT need tickets for any ceremonies or events (other than meals), and you may invite as many people as you like.
Should I let someone know I'm NOT planning to walk at Commencement?
Yes! Please notify ALL of the following individuals:
Tacci Smith, Associate Dean of Students - pbx. 5923 or smitht@kenyon.edu
Ellen Harbourt, Registrar - pbx. 5152 or harbourte@kenyon.edu
Pamela Faust, Commencement Coordinator - pbx. 5075 or commencement@kenyon.edu
How do I get my cap and gown?
An e-mail will be sent out in the first few weeks of second semester asking you to attend our Grad Fair at the Bookstore right after spring break where you will sign up for your cap and gown, order announcements, take a look at class rings, and pick up information on special services for Seniors from various office representatives.
All gowns will be distributed at Commencement rehearsal on Thursday, May 17. You must pick up YOUR OWN GOWN, you cannot pick up gowns for friends.
What about inclement weather?
If the forecast calls for rain (or temperature extremes of any kind) outdoor activities will be moved to inside locations. In case of inclement weather, the alternate site for both Baccalaureate and Commencement is the Toan Track of the Kenyon Athletic Center.
Students will be notified of the final weather decision by e-mail on the morning of each ceremony.
When and where do seniors line up for graduation?
If Commencement is outdoors, Seniors will line up on Middle Path beginning near The Village Market.
If Commencement is indoors, Seniors will line up in the KAC tennis courts. If the ceremony is going to be indoors, students will receive an e-mail that morning.
Regardless of site, students should arrive for line up no later than 10:00 a.m.
When do I have to be out of my room?
Graduates and their guests must be out of the dorms and apartments by 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 19. Be sure to take a look at the End of Year Closing Information on the Housing and Residential Life web site.When will I be notified if I've been elected to Phi Beta Kappa?
The Phi Beta Kappa committee cannot make their final determination until after Senior grades have been submitted to the Registrar. While important, grades are only one of several criteria considered by the committee.
Qualifying students will be invited to join Phi Beta Kappa during Senior Week. The spring induction into Phi Beta Kappa will be held on Friday, May 18, at 10:30 a.m. in Rosse Auditorium.
Can I walk with my class if I haven't completed my requirements for graduation?
NO. Kenyon has a very strict policy of not allowing seniors to walk if they have not finished all of their graduation requirements.
If you have further questions about this policy, please contact the Office of the Dean of Students, pbx. 5137.
Can non-graduating seniors remain on campus for senior week?
Seniors who will not be graduating with their class must receive permission from the Office of the Dean of Students to remain on campus for Senior Week activities.
Requests to stay may be made through Associate Dean of Students Tacci Smith - pbx. 5923 or smitht@kenyon.edu.