FAQS
Why is Graduation on June 4?
The OHSU School of Nursing will be holding Commencement on Monday, June 4, 2012 from 2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. A variety of factors were taken into consideration when determining the date for 2012 graduation, including venue availability and the incorporation of the other OHSU schools.
Do I need tickets for Commencement? Is an RSVP needed?
While no tickets are required for the Commencement ceremony, we will need to obtain an approximate number of graduate attendees as well as an estimated number of guests planning to attend. A Commencement RSVP form is available online. Please complete your online RSVP by March 23, 2012.
Go to RSVP form
How many guests can I bring?
Graduation is an important accomplishment and your family and friends are cordially invited to attend this special celebration. While this is a non-tickets event, we do request that graduates limit their number of guests to a maximum of 7-8 guests to ensure availability of seats. If you have special circumstances in which your guest list would be more than this number, your guests are of course welcome.
Where can my out of town guests stay?
If you have friends or family arriving from out of town, please note that OHSU receives discounts from a number of hotels in the area. Check out the complete list of local hotels.
Be sure to ask if the hotel offers an OHSU discount.
Hotels close to the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall* include:
• Hilton Portland
• Heathman Hotel Portland
• Paramount Hotel
• The Nines
• Westin Portland
• Hotel Modera
*Please note that these hotels may not offer an OHSU discount.
Will there be a reception following Commencement?
Yes, the School of Nursing will be hosting a small reception after graduation to allow our graduates the opportunity to mix and mingle with friends, family and faculty. We have reserved space for the reception in the Performing Arts Center directly across the corridor from the Schnitz.
What is the Application for Degree and when is it due?
The Application for Degree is a form generated by the OHSU Registrar's Office that allows graduates to receive their diploma upon program completion. All students planning to graduate during Spring term must submit an Application for Degree to the Registrar no later than March 23, 2012.
What if I only have 1 course to complete? Can I still walk in the Graduation?
If you would like to walk in the OHSU School of Nursing Commencement but will not have your degree requirements completed by the Commencement date (i.e. 1 course or 3 credits outstanding), you may petition to participate. You will need to be in contact with your program support staff and submit a Petition to Walk form no later than April 13, 2012.
How do I order Regalia?
Students participating in the 2012 Portland Commencement ceremony are required to wear appropriate regalia. Rental regalia can be ordered online through Royal T Papers.Orders MUST be placed online at www.royaltpapers.com no later than April 12, 2012.
Doctoral students wishing to purchase regalia will need to call our vendor to obtain pricing. Please call 1-800-552-3228 for more information on purchasing regalia.
Do Baccalaureate graduates have to purchase a nursing pin?
No. The nursing pin is not a requirement of graduation. Baccalaureate graduates have the option to purchase a nursing pin through Klein Jewelers (deadline March 23, 2012) and be pinned at the Commencement ceremony by a faculty representative. Unfortunately, graduates cannot select which faculty member does the pinning.
I did not purchase a pin, does that mean I'm not in the pinning ceremony?
Not at all. Graduates who do not purchase a nursing pin will still participate in the ceremony. When on-stage, you will shake hands with the faculty member rather than be pinned.
Does it have to be a nursing pin or can I bring my own pin?
It is tradition that the pins used for the pinning ceremony be nursing pins, as this is a nursing pin ceremony. This pin can be either the pin purchased this year or one that has been handed down in your family.
When is the Graduation Fair?
Graduation Fair will be held on Friday, May 18, 2012 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. on the 6th floor of the School of Nursing in Portland. Graduates will be able to pick up their regalia, honor cords (if applicable), and pins at this time. Class pictures will also be taken at this time. Please plan on attending this event if you will be graduating from either or Portland or Virtual campus.
What if I am unable to attend the Graduation Fair? How can I get my Regalia?
Please be in contact with the Graduation Coordinators if you are unable to pick up regalia at the Graduation Fair; special accommodations can be made to ensure you receive your regalia. If you are located near the Portland area you can pick up your regalia from the Graduation Coordinator prior to June 4th. For those unable to come beforehand, such as distance education graduates, we can bring your regalia to the Commencement ceremony for you if notified ahead of time. Please contact sn-affrs@ohsu.edu with questions.
Who is eligible to graduate?
Students who have completed their program of study and are set to graduate during the 2011-2012 academic year are eligible to participate in the 2012 Commencement Ceremony. If you are unsure of your status, please be in contact with your program support staff.
- Graduate students
Svetlana Guduras at 503 418-2271 or via email at gudurass@ohsu.edu - Undergraduate students
Aleksandra Krstic at 503 494-4594 or via email at krstica@ohsu.edu
- RN-BS students
Lorraine Cook at 541 552-6736 or via email at cookl@ohsu.edu - Monmouth students
- Hilary Holman-Kidd at 503-838-8981 or via email at holmanki@ohsu.edu
Which programs are graduating and can attend Commencement?
Graduates from the following degree programs are eligible and are encouraged to attend the Commencement ceremony:
- Bachelor of Science Degree -
Traditional Seniors-Portland Campus, Traditional Seniors-Monmouth Campus, Summer Start Accelerated Baccalaureates, RN to Bachelor Completion, and Community College Transition Seniors - Master of Nursing/Master of Science Degree -
Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Certified Nurse Midwifery, Nurse Anesthesia Program, and Nursing Education. - Post Masters Certificate Degree-
Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Certified Nurse Midwifery, Advanced Practice Gerontology and Nursing Education. - Master of Public Health Degree
- Graduate Certificate of Public Health
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Doctor of Nursing Practice
