Letter from the Provost

Class of 2008
University of San Diego

Dear Senior:

I would like to extend my congratulations to all undergraduates who have reached senior status (completion of 90 or more units) and/or have petitioned for a 2008 degree date. The information provided here should help you as you plan your celebrations for the University’s May 2008 Commencement Ceremonies.

The Commencement ceremony for students graduating with a bachelor’s degree from the College of Arts and Sciences will be held on Sunday, May 25th, at 9:00 a.m. in the Jenny Craig Pavilion. The Commencement ceremony for graduates receiving bachelor’s degrees from the School of Business Administration and Department of Engineering will be held at 2:00 p.m. that same day, Sunday, May 25th. Seniors who complete their course work in December will be invited to a Celebration Mass and reception on Thursday, December 13, 2007 at 4:00p.m. in Founders Chapel. Mid-year graduates are also invited to participate in the May 2008 Commencement Ceremonies.

The university uses a ticket system to ensure that each graduate has an opportunity for family and friends to attend the Commencement exercises. We also provide a video simulcast of each ceremony in the Hahn University Center to allow those who cannot be accommodated in the Jenny Craig Pavilion to view the ceremonies as they occur. Eight (8) tickets will be available to graduating seniors in the College of Arts and Sciences. Given the smaller size of the graduating classes in the School of Business Administration and Department of Engineering, these graduates will have ten (10) tickets available. Tickets for both ceremonies will be available at the Jenny Craig Pavilion Ticket Office on Monday, May 5th and must be picked up by Friday, May 23th by 4:00 p.m.

The university desires and intends to provide all of the graduates and their guests the most pleasant and dignified Commencement exercises possible. We hope that this early announcement will allow your family to do the advance planning necessary to ensure that all of your guests can take full advantage of the activities of Commencement weekend and to make the necessary arrangements for a memorable graduation. If you will be in need of accommodation, USD has partnered with Bartell Hotels, which offers discounted rates to students’ families. Please see their website  (www.bartellhotels.com/usdpartnership) for more information. For other hotel options, rental cars and local attraction tickets, ARES Travel http://aresdirect.com/clients/usd/parents.html also offers discounted rates through the university. We encourage you to explore our Commencement Web site regularly, www.sandiego.edu/commencement, to stay up-to-date on Commencement activities and other related events that will help make this weekend memorable.

Please recognize that receipt of this letter is not meant to imply that you will complete all degree requirements or that you will be eligible to attend graduation ceremonies. To ensure that you are making adequate progress toward degree completion and if you intend to particulate in the May 2008 Commencement ceremonies, you must submit a Graduation Petition. Instructions for filing the Undergraduate Graduation Petition are available at www.sandiego.edu/registrar/documents/gradpetitioninstruct.pdf.

I look forward to sharing this proud moment with our graduates. I also look forward to welcoming you to the USD alumni community, individuals who are leading and serving throughout the world to create a more just and compassionate society.

Sincerely,

Julie H. Sullivan
Vice President and Provost