When is the commencement ceremony?
Sunday, June 1, 2008.

What are the Charter Oak State College school colors?
The school colors are green and white.

When will I receive the graduation invitation?
Graduates of July 2007, September 2007, November 2007, January 2008, March 2008 and May 2008 are considered members of the Class of 2008. In April of 2008, you will receive an invitation to the graduation ceremony, brunch and reception. The packet will include directions to the ceremony and a reservation card for the brunch.

There is no limit to the number of guests who may attend the ceremony, but the brunch is limited to the first 220 reservations.

What is the “brunch?”
Graduates and their guests will have an opportunity to attend a brunch that begins at 11:15 a.m. (and ends at 12:30 p.m.) the morning of the commencement ceremony. The cost last year was $16.00 per person (including the graduate) and seating is limited to 220 graduates and their guests.

If you are interested in attending, please make your reservations as soon as possible by contacting Linda Larkin at 860-832-3841 or . The reservation deadline is Friday, May 23rd.

Where can I stay if I’m coming from out of state?
Charter Oak State College has made arrangements for a special room rate at the Farmington Courtyard by Marriott for those who plan to attend the ceremony. Mention Charter Oak in order to receive a special $109.00 per night rate. You must reserve by May 1st! For reservations call 800-321-2211 or go to http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/bdlhf-courtyard-hartford-farmington/ enter your reservation (special rate applies only to May 30 and 31) Then in the box marked Group Code: enter COCCOCA for a king size bed or COCCOCB for two queen size beds.

Note: There is no bus service from the Marriott to CCSU on Sunday, but taxi service is available.

Valley Cab (860-675-6040 or 860-673-4250 or 860-232-9730) provides 7 day service to and from Bradley International Airport at a cost of $53. You MUST make advance reservations and they accept all major credit cards. They also provide local cab service.
Taxi service is also available from ground transportation service coordinators located at counters on the lower level curbside of Terminal A and next to baggage reclaim area two in Terminal B. Taxis are normally available 7 a.m. to midnight. Outside these hours, taxis can be called from airport phones or hailed from the curb outside baggage reclaim.

Bus: Connecticut Transit (860-525-9181) runs buses between the Old State House in Hartford and the airport. Valley Transporter (413-253-1350) offers a door-to-door shuttle service running hourly from both terminals; desks are located in the baggage reclaim areas of both terminals. Thomas Transport (603-352-5550) also offers a scheduled shuttle service from the airport. For more information on bus services, call the Connecticut Bus Association (860-272-9955).
Avis, Budget, Hertz and National are all represented at the airport. The car park is located next to long-term car park 3 and is served by shuttle buses running from the terminals, daily 24 hours.

What about my guests?
There is no limit to the number of guests you may bring to the ceremony and no tickets are required. Your guests should enter the Welte Auditorium through the front doors. We recommend that you ask one of your guests to hold any items you don’t want to worry about during the ceremony such as a purse or jacket.

What is the reception following the ceremony?
After the ceremony, a reception will be held for all graduates and their guests under the tents set up in front of Welte Auditorium. Light refreshments will be served.

How do I order my cap and gown?
All students who earn their degrees between July 2007 and March 31, 2008 and those who plan to graduate in May will receive cap and gown ordering information in the mail in March, if they have submitted a graduation application by February 29, 2008.

You must purchase a gown, cap and tassel in order to participate in the ceremony. Caps, gowns and tassels are black. Cost is $20. A $10 late fee is added for attire ordered after the deadline. Cap and Gown Order Form (on the second page)

What is the deadline for ordering the cap and gown?
To receive the proper size gown, orders must be received no later than Friday, April 11, 2008. There is a $10 late fee for orders received after that date. Cap and Gown Order Form.

Where and when do I get my cap and gown?
Your cap and gown will be sent to Charter Oak State College. You will be directed to meet on the campus of Central Connecticut State University at 12:30 p.m. the day of the ceremony to receive your cap and gown. Please be sure you know whether you are receiving an Associate, Bachelor of Arts, or Bachelor of Science degree.

If I earned honors will I receive an honors cord?
Only those students who earned their degree between July 2007 and May 2008 and have earned honors will receive a gold honors cord when they participate in the ceremony and will have honors indicated in the program. If you earned honors and will not be able to participate in the ceremony, you may purchase an honors cord for $10.00.

If you choose to participate and HAVE NOT COMPLETED DEGREEE REQUIREMENTS, honors cannot be calculated by the time of the commencement ceremony. If you do participate and have honors confirmed when you complete requirements, the cord will be mailed to you with your diploma. Your name with honors will be included in next year’s program as you will officially be a member of that graduating class and if you request a copy of the 2008-2009 program we will mail it to you next June.

How should the cap and tassel be worn?
The cap should be placed squarely on the top of your head (not the back) and the tassel should be placed to the RIGHT side of the cap.

What if I don’t plan to attend the ceremony; can I order a tassel?
Yes, graduates will have the opportunity to purchase a commemorative 2008 tassel. Cost in $5.00.

Will my name appear in the program?
If you have earned your degree between July 2007 and May 2008 your name will be in the program. If you choose to participate and HAVE NOT COMPLETED DEGREE REQUIREMENTS, your name will appear in the program ONLY IF YOU INDICATE AT LEAST TWO WEEKS PRIOR to the June 1st ceremony that you wish to participate. Your name will also be included in next year’s program as you will officially be a member of that graduating class, and if you request a copy of the 2008-2009 program we will mail it to you next June.

Where is the ceremony held?
The ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, June 1, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. in the Welte Auditorium on the campus of Central Connecticut State University in New Britain, Connecticut (across the street from Charter Oak State College). Directions and a map are included with your graduation invitation.

Where do I park?
Parking is available behind Welte Auditorium, the Student Center and in the Student Center parking garage.

What time should I arrive for the ceremony?
Graduates are asked to arrive at 12:30 p.m. The ceremony commences at 2:00 p.m.

What time is the actual ceremony?
The ceremony starts at 2:00 p.m. SHARP!

What time does the ceremony end?
Between 3:30 and 4:00 p.m. Graduation is usually 1.5 hours and no more than 2 hours.

What if I or my guests have a disability?
If you or your guests require special seating arrangements or are hearing impaired, contact Linda Larkin at 860.832.3841 or to make special arrangements.

What about photographs?
The ceremony will be broadcast over the Internet and a professional photographer will also take individual photographs of each graduate. The proof will be mailed to your home within 5 to 7 days following the ceremony. You may place orders or obtain answers to questions at http://www.chappell.com or 641-472-6892.
The ceremony will be Web cast on the World Wide Web. This will allow family members or friends who cannot attend, see you graduate. The link to this real time broadcast will be found on the College’s Web site at http://www.charteroak.edu.

When do I receive my diploma?
At the ceremony you will receive a diploma cover. If your degree will be granted on May 31, 2008, your diploma will be mailed to you approximately 4-6 weeks following the ceremony.

All other graduates may pick up their diplomas at the reception immediately following the ceremony. Diplomas are distributed by the Charter Oak State College Academic Counselors.

How do I get my diploma if I don’t attend the ceremony?
Diplomas will be mailed to graduates (classes of July 2007, Sept. 2007, Nov. 2007, Jan. 2008, March 2008 and May 2008) following the ceremony.

If you do not receive your diploma by the end of June, notify Gale Terrill at 860.832.3838 or at .