COMMENCEMENT New Year, New Venue! - CEREMONY INFORMATION

New Year, New Venue!
   COMMENCEMENT
CEREMONY INFORMATION
   THURSDAY, MAY 23, 2019
    9 A.M. | 2 P.M. | 7 P.M.

EVENT CENTER AT LIVE! CASINO & HOTEL
   7002 ARUNDEL MILLS CIRCLE, HANOVER

NEW THIS YEAR!
Three separate commencement ceremonies to be held Thursday,
May 23, at the Event Center at Live! Casino & Hotel, at 9 a.m.,
2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Graduates will select their ceremony time and be
provided a maximum of five guest tickets for that ceremony.
General guest seating opens an hour prior to each ceremony. Every
guest must have a ticket for that ceremony time and should plan to
be seated before its start time. Graduate procession begins at the
ticketed time. The ceremony is expected to last about an hour and a
half and graduates are expected to remain for the entire ceremony.
To ensure the event is enjoyable for everyone, there is no standing
in the aisles, strollers must be parked in the designated areas and
disruptive behavior could result in being asked to leave the event.

BEFORE THE EVENT
U Graduate Packet Distribution –
Cap, gown, announcements, invitations and tickets
APRIL 4 THROUGH MAY 7
In order to accommodate our graduates and guests, you will choose
9 a.m., 2 p.m. or 7 p.m. for your ceremony time when you pick up
your graduate packet. Packets will be available beginning at 10 a.m.
April 4 in the AACC Bookstore. Time preferences are accommodated
on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets are required for each
guest – even children – attending the event.
You or your designee may purchase, with ID, your cap, gown and
tassel, and pick up your announcements, invitations and a maximum
of five guest tickets* in the AACC Bookstore. The regalia packet
costs $29.95. Additional announcements ($3 for a set of five)
may be purchased at the AACC Bookstore. The bookstore will
accommodate unique sizes; call 410-777-2225 for special orders.
Beginning May 8, a limited number of cap-and-gown packets will be
available for $49.95 on a first-come, first-served basis until May 14
for graduates who did not purchase their cap and gown by May 7.
Graduates who have demonstrated financial need may qualify for
assistance with the expense of the cap and gown by completing a
“Regalia Scholarship Application” by April 1 through the financial
aid office.

U April 4 Grad Fair
10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Choose your college ring, preorder a commencement video,
purchase your cap and gown, and pick up your tickets, invitations
and announcements. During the grad fair, a photographer will be in
the AACC Bookstore to take graduation portraits.

U Extra Tickets
At the time you purchase your cap/gown packet and pick up your
guest tickets, you or your designee, with ID, may submit a request
form, available in the AACC Bookstore, for extra guest tickets
based on availability. Only one form will be accepted per graduate.
A drawing for extra guest tickets will be done May 16 and those
graduates will be contacted. Quantities will be limited per selected
graduate to a maximum of two extra tickets and may be further
limited based on availability. There is no guarantee of the availability
of extra tickets.

U Outstanding Obligations
All fees and other financial obligations to the college must be
paid in order to participate in the commencement ceremony. If you
have an outstanding obligation, you will not be eligible to reserve
your ceremony time and pick up the regalia packet during the
distribution dates.

U Active Duty Members or
Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces
If you are an active duty member or a veteran of the U.S. Armed
Forces, you may be eligible to receive a cord to wear with your
cap/gown in recognition of your military service. Contact AACC’s
Military/Veteran Resource Center (MVRC) at 410-777-4838 or
email veterans@aacc.edu for information.
Note: Graduates on active military duty are invited to wear their
service dress uniform to the ceremony.

*Spring 2019 graduation applicants may not purchase cap/gown or pick up
announcements/invitations/tickets until they receive a graduation status letter
indicating they are eligible to graduate. However, graduation applicants who wish to
apply for the Regalia Scholarship must do so by April 1, regardless if they have received
a graduation status letter.

U Honor Societies:
Phi Theta Kappa and Chi Alpha Epsilon
Graduates who have been inducted into the Omicron Theta chapter
of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and/or the Epsilon Chi chapter
of the Chi Alpha Epsilon Honor Society will have a notation on their
diplomas. See www.ptk.org/Store/Graduation for PTK regalia
items that may be worn during the commencement ceremony.
For PTK information call 410-777-2218.
For XAE information call 410-777-1258.

U Honors
Honors for summer and fall graduates reflect grade point averages
at the time of summer or fall graduation. For spring degree
candidates, the honors indicated in the program and announced
during the ceremony reflect grade point averages as of April 1,
2019. Actual graduation honors will be designated on diplomas
and transcripts after the records office reviews final spring grades.

U Commencement Questions
If you have questions regarding the commencement, call
410-777-2243. Commencement information also is available at
www.aacc.edu/commencement.
  Note: The college will be closed March 18-24 for spring break.

DAY OF THE EVENT
U Where to Report
Graduates MUST report to the Event Center at Live! Casino & Hotel
one hour before your reserved ceremony for lineup and instructions.
Allow adequate time to arrive and park. DO NOT BE LATE. There is
no rehearsal for commencement, so it is important to arrive before
the ceremony begins. Signage will direct you to the appropriate area.

U Parking Options for Graduates and Guests:
Surface parking is available directly across from the hotel
entrance or to the side and in front of Burlington Coat Factory.
Walk through the lobby, passing LUCKIES on the right. Turn left.
Garage parking is available. On levels 3, 4 and 5 at rows E and F,
a bank of elevators will take you down to the casino level. Exit the
elevator and turn left.*

U Wear Appropriate Attire
As you plan your attire to be worn under your gown, consider your
comfort in walking/standing for a procession. Shorts, flip-flops
and beachwear/swimwear are not permitted. You may not carry
purses, cameras, etc., while marching in the procession. Leave
valuable items at home or with a family member. The college is not
responsible for lost items.

U Photographs
During the ceremony, a professional photographer will take pictures
as graduates receive their award and a second photograph will be
captured with their diploma immediately after the graduate leaves
the stage. The photographer will contact graduates with information
on how to purchase prints. Due to safety regulations, aisles need to
remain clear. Family and guests will not be permitted to stand in the
aisles to take pictures.

U Disability Accommodations
Guests with limited mobility should arrive early to allow adequate
time to be seated. Graduates and guests requiring other
accommodations are highly encouraged to contact Disability
Support Services at 410-777-2306 by
May 4 to ensure accommodations are coordinated for the event.

U Be Considerate
Commencement is an academic ceremony that is dignified
and joyful. We will call graduates to the stage to be individually
congratulated. For many graduates and guests, the name
announcement is the highlight of the ceremony. For others, enjoying
the singers and speakers is important. We ask everyone to express
excitement in positive ways that respect others’ enjoyment.
Noisemakers are prohibited. Electronic devices should be silenced,
and graduates must remain until the ceremony ends.

* Maryland law dictates casino guests must be 21 or older to enter
the casino. For the convenience of younger guests, please plan your
route accordingly.

AFTER THE EVENT
U Post-Ceremony Viewing Options
The ceremonies will be recorded and available on the college’s
YouTube channel for rebroadcast at a later time.

U Diplomas and Transcripts
Diplomas will be mailed June 30 to all spring 2019 graduates.
Diplomas already have been mailed to summer and fall
2018 graduates.
Notation of spring graduation on transcripts will occur June 15.
A complimentary, unofficial transcript will be mailed to spring
graduates June 15.

NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION: AACC is an equal opportunity, affirmative action, Title IX, ADA Title 504 compliant institution. Call
Disability Support Services, 410-777-2306 or Maryland Relay 711, 72 hours in advance to request most accommodations. Requests for sign
language interpreters, alternative format books or assistive technology require 30 days’ notice. For information on AACC’s compliance and
complaints concerning sexual assault, sexual misconduct, discrimination or harassment, contact the federal compliance officer and Title IX
coordinator at 410-777-1239, complianceofficer@aacc.edu or Maryland Relay 711. 3/19