· When and where do I file my declaration of candidacy?

You must file with the Office of Enrollment Services to initiate graduation certification and advise the University that you intend to graduate in May 2009. You should have received a “Declaration of Candidacy” form in the mail during the fall 2008 term.  The deadline date for filing was November 1st.  If you did not.  If you have any further questions, please call your campus Office of Enrollment Services listed below.

College at Florham  (973) 443-8600

Metropolitan Campus   (201) 692-2214

· When and where is the ceremony being held?

The ceremony is being held at the IZOD Center in the Meadowlands, East Rutherford, NJ  on Tuesday, May 19, 2009.  The ceremony is scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m. Candidates for graduation must arrive no later than 8:30 a.m. through the Arena Public Entry located between Gates A and D, and proceed on the escalators to the Arena floor level. You will be lined up according to your degree and by college.  No family or guests are permitted in the graduate line-up area.

Please be advised that all participants in the May 19 Commencement at the IZOD Center in the Meadowlands must be at the arena by 8:30 a.m. Because of Arena parking reconfiguration (see Note below) and traffic lane construction, you should allow 45 minutes to 1 hour extra travel time. Families and friends of the graduates should also allow for the extra travel time.

Note: Parking will be in Deck 23 and Lots 26, 27 and 28 as shown in the Meadowlands Map.

· Will my name be called?

All graduates will have their names called. You will be given a name card to fill out in the line-up area.  Each graduate will walk across the stage and be congratulated individually.           

· What time should the ceremony end?

The ceremony should end by 1:00 p.m.

·  Will diplomas be distributed on stage?

No. Diplomas will be mailed starting Monday, June 22, 2009.

· Will guests require a ticket for admission to the ceremony?

All candidates for graduation can have an unlimited number of guests.  Therefore, an admission ticket for the ceremony will not be required.

· Will accommodations be provided for disabled persons?

Please contact the Dean of Students Office at your home campus, if the candidate for graduation requires accommodations.  The telephone number for the College at Florham Dean of Students Office is (973) 443-8935 and the Dean of Students telephone number at the Metropolitan campus is (201) 692-2190.  If your guest requires accommodations, please contact ADA services at the Meadowlands Sports Complex at (201) 935-3900 or visit the website at www.meadowlands.com.

If you experience problems with obtaining the necessary accommodations for your Disabled guest, please contact the Dean of Students Office at your campus.      

· Will there be a reception, following the ceremony?

There will not be a reception following the ceremony.

·  Where and when do I pick up my academic regalia and commencement announcements?

Candidates for graduation can pick up their academic regalia and commencement announcements at their campus “Graduation Salute” Program.

College at Florham:  Tuesday, April 14, 2009  11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Student Center Mall

Metropolitan Campus: Wednesday, April 15, 2009 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Alumni Hall

Note:  If a candidate for graduation cannot attend the “Graduation Salute”, then the student can pick up academic regalia along with the commencement announcements at their campus bookstore on the following dates and regular business hours:

College at Florham: Wednesday, April 15 through Friday, May 15

Metropolitan Campus:  Thursday, April 16 through Friday, May 15

We want to encourage all students to attend the “Graduation Salute” Program.

· Can I pick up my academic regalia and announcements at another FDU campus, other than my primary campus.

Students will not be allowed to pick up their academic regalia and announcements at another FDU campus other than their primary campus. In other words, College at Florham students must pick up their academic regalia and announcements at the College at Florham,  and Metropolitan campus students must pick up their academic regalia and announcements at  the Metropolitan campus. No exceptions will be made.

All Partnership Program Students must go to the Metropolitan Campus Graduation Salute Program or make arrangements through the Metropolitan Campus Bookstore.

· Where do I obtain my academic awards, if I earn Academic Honors?

Students who qualify for academic honors will be notified directly by the Office of Enrollment Services regarding the time and place to pick up their awards.  Contact Enrollment Services with any additional questions you may have.

                        College at Florham Students Only              (973) 443-8600

                        Metropolitan Campus Students Only          (201) 692-2214

· How should I dress for the ceremony?

Dress should be appropriate for the occasion. It is recommended that the candidates for graduation wear business-casual attire. It is also recommended that they wear comfortable shoes (excluding sneakers).  Personal belongings should not be brought to the line-up area. Candidates for graduation will not be permitted to carry handbags, cameras, balloons or any other objects.     

·  Will there be a Commencement Rehearsal?

There will be no commencement rehearsal, but designated marshals will guide the candidates for graduation through the processional into their proper seating area.

Detailed information about Commencement 2009 will be mailed in March to those candidates who have declared their candidacy.

· How do I get to the IZOD Center?

See directions in the box at the bottom of this page.

· Where can guests stay overnight near the campus?

See Places to Stay pages for College at Florham and Metropolitan Campus.

DIRECTIONS TO THE MEADOWLANDS SPORTS COMPLEX From the Lincoln Tunnel: Follow Route 3 west to Route 120 north. From the George Washington Bridge: Follow Interstate 95 south to the New Jersey Turnpike.  Take the Turnpike’s western spur to the Sports Complex exit - 16W. This exit provides direct access to the Sports Complex parking areas. Northbound on the New Jersey Turnpike: Take the western spur to exit 16W, which provides direct access to the Sports Complex parking areas.  To The Arena from Turnpike North: After paying the toll at 16W, proceed straight on the exit ramp, over Route 3.  Pass the ramps for Route 3 East and Route 3 West and continue until you enter Sports Complex property. As you enter the Sports Complex, the first right turn you come to (a horseshoe turn) is Stadium Club Road. Make this right, and follow Stadium Club Road straight to the IZOD Center. Parking will be in Deck 23 and Lots 26, 27 and 28 as shown in the Meadowlands Map. Northbound on the Garden State Parkway: Follow the Parkway north to exit 153A and follow Route 3 east to the Sports Complex. Southbound on the Garden State Parkway: Follow the Parkway south to exit 153 and follow Route 3 east to the Sports Complex. Alternate: Follow the Parkway south to exit 163 and follow Route 17 south to Paterson Plank Road. Take Paterson Plank Road east to the Sports Complex. Eastbound on Route 80: Take exit 64 and follow Route 17 South to Paterson Plank Road to the Sports Complex. Westbound on Route 80: Take exit 64B and follow Route 17 South to Paterson Plank Road to the Sports Complex. Traffic using the Holland Tunnel and Brooklyn/Staten Island Bridge crossings and from lower Jersey City and Bayonne: Take the New Jersey Turnpike extension to the Turnpike. Take the Turnpike’s western spur to exit 16W.