From the Office of the Resident Dean

Carlos E. Díaz Rosillo

Issues for the Week:

Final Exams

Please, double, triple-check your final exam schedule at  www.registrar.fas.harvard.edu  to make sure you go to the right place, on the right day, at the right time.

Best of luck with all your exams!

Please note the following about exams

• If you are not able to complete your written work by the end of this week, the only way it can potentially be covered is by vote of the Administrative Board, which is not a guarantee and one that must have instructor support.
    
• Get to your exams on time!  If you are a few minutes late for an exam, go anyway, and you may be accommodated. If you miss the exam altogether, please come by the office and let me know ASAP. You may be able to arrange a make-up exam, but this will depend on your instructor and the AdBoard, who may or may not be willing to do this.  The lesson is: go!


• If you are really ill, and cannot physically take the exam, you have one of two options:  In some cases the Registrar’s staff can administer examinations to students who have been admitted to Stillman Infirmary and who feel ready to take their exam within the 24-hour period following the scheduled time OR you might petition the Administrative Board to take a makeup exam in October. To do this, you must be seen by a UHS clinician within the 24-hour period before the exam. Either way, consult me about the best course to take if you are really ill.


• If you are a graduating senior who misses a final, contact me immediately to arrange a special make-up exam. Again, there is no guarantee that your make-up exam will be approved, so we would need to discuss it together.


• Exams schedule: Available on the registrar’s web page at www.registrar.fas.harvard.edu.

Noise (suites, courtyard, etc.)

Please remember that there can be no parties or outdoor gatherings during exam period, which lasts until May 12. Any infractions of the noise policy will be strictly addressed.  Also, please keep noise to a bare minimum in the courtyard in the evening hours. Voices carry. For parties after May 12, seniors must complete a party form and follow the regular procedures that apply during the school year.

If you are Contemplating a Leave of Absence in the Fall, and have yet to talk with me about it, please do so soon so I can file the appropriate paperwork for you and also talk to you about housing requirements, obligations and so on.

Have a fun, productive, and relaxing summer!

To the Dunster House class of 2012, CONGRATULATIONS and Best of Luck in your future endeavors!  Be Safe.  Be Happy.  And Remember to Stay in Touch!

CARLOS’ OFFICE HOURS (Week of May 7-11)
Monday, May 7:                3:00-5:00 pm, open

Tuesday, May 8:               10:00-11:00 am, open

Wednesday, May 9:           3:00-5:00 pm, open

Thursday, May 10:            10:00-11:00 am, open

Friday, May 11:                 2:00-5:00 pm, by appointment

Other appointments by arrangement:  Call 5-2263 or email dn-abrd@fas.harvard.edu.       

TUTOR ON-CALL

The tutor on-call for the week of May 7 - May 14 is Kathy Gerlach in H-51. She can be reached at 3-2273.

EXTENDED LIBRARY HOURS

Starting on Sunday the library will have extended hours during reading and exam periods.  The hours will be as follows:

Sunday – Friday: Noon - 2:00 am

Saturday: Noon - 4:00 pm

The library will remain open until the last shift on May 11th.

UPCOMING HOUSE EVENTS

Goat Roast

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Final Exams Begin

Friday, May 4, 2012

Move out for all non-graduating students by Noon

Sunday, May 13, 2012

Senior Dinner (6pm Reception; 6:30pm Dinner)

Monday, May 14, 2012

Tutor Appreciation Dinner

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Masters Reception @ 5:00 pm

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Commencement

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Move out for all seniors

Friday, May 25, by 5:00 pm

COMMENCEMENT INFORMATION FOR SENIORS:

COMMENCEMENT DAY LUNCHEON

Tickets for Dunster House Commencement Luncheon will be sold in Diana’s Office, J-35, beginning on Monday, May 7, 2012. We are having a buffet luncheon that will be free for each senior and two guests. Extra tickets will cost $15.00 and must be picked up in the House Office along with your complimentary tickets. Cash only is accepted for payment, no credit cards or checks. Please, if possible, try to bring exact change.

IMPORTANT: Kosher lunches for the HUDS Commencement day luncheon still require a regular lunch ticket, and may be ordered directly from Maureen Johannessen (maureen_johannessen@harvard.edu). Extra Kosher lunches will not be readily available that day, so please do be sure to order in advance if you wish to have a Kosher meal on Commencement Day.

Dunster House Commencement Program: The Dunster House program will include your name, concentration, and honors. The program will be distributed to your family and friends just prior to the ceremonies at Dunster. As space permits, we list as many of your Harvard prizes and awards as we can.  Because we rely almost exclusively on you for the information about your awards, please report any prizes and awards you have won during ALL four years at Harvard. You can email Diana (hovsep@fas.harvard.edu) with the information.

How and Where Do You Get Tickets for Commencement Week?

Senior Desk: “Senior Desk” is located at the Harvard Alumni Association Office located on the 6^th floor of 124 Mt. Auburn Street. It is open between the hours of 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM, Monday through Friday. That is where you pick up the tickets for which you are entitled to and purchase additional tickets to other activities and events. 

Cap & Gown Rentals: Cap and gown rentals will be available from May 17 to May 24, M-S 9am to 9pm and Sunday from 10am to 7pm. (in the Textbook department). For more information contact Nancie Scheirer: E-Mail: hbooks@bncollege.com; Phone: 617.499.2070; Web: www.thecoop.com.

Not attending the Commencement Ceremony?  If you do not want to participate in the House Commencement Ceremony on May 24, tell Diana ASAP, House Office J-35. If you want your diploma mailed to you, contact the Registrar’s office (there is a charge within US for this mailing), and let Diana know (so when we get to graduation and your diploma is not there, we’ll know why!) 

Special Needs/Accommodations:  Please advise us of any special needs/accommodations (guests arriving in a wheelchair, walker, cane, etc.) for visitors to the House on Commencement Day by emailing Diana at hovsep@fas.harvard.edu. If your guest is in a wheelchair and will be attending the main commencement ceremony in the Yard, please email and let us know .

Term Bills: If you have any outstanding bills, you must settle them as soon as possible at the Term Bill Office, 5th floor, Holyoke Center. Make sure all University bills are paid prior to Commencement day or you will receive a blank diploma at Commencement. The College is very strict about this, and every year there are a number of students who open their red envelope to find NOTHING!  If this happens to you, go to the Term Bill Office, and settle your bill. With verification paperwork, you will be allowed to pick up your diploma from the Registrar’s Office.

Social Events:  A list of graduation social events is available on the following website:  http://commencement.harvard.edu/. The Masters’ Reception for Dunster House Seniors and their families and friends will be held on Wednesday, May 25, 5-6:30 pm in the courtyard (or Dining Hall in case of rain).

Commencement Day Schedule:

6:00 -7:45 am       Breakfast in the JCR

6:45 am                Dunster procession to the yard

12:00 pm (noon)   Presentation of the diplomas begins in the courtyard

1:00 pm                Luncheon for seniors and their guests in the courtyard

Commencement Practices: There aren’t any!! You will be guided every step of the way for the ceremonies in the Yard and at the House.  So just relax and enjoy the day.

Commencement Morning: A continental breakfast will be available in the JCR from 6:00-7:00 a.m.  Seniors will meet in the courtyard and walk as a group led by the Masters and the Resident Dean to the Commencement Ceremonies in Harvard Yard at 6:45 am. Be sure to bring your Harvard ID as you will be receiving your Commencement lanyard that you will need to get into the Yard (for security purposes). Without your ID and the lanyard you will be unable to get into the Yard with the rest of the graduates.

Dunster House Diploma Ceremony: You are more than welcome to invite as many family members and friends as you wish to the Dunster House diploma ceremony.

After ceremonies in the Yard, please return IMMEDIATELY to the Dunster Courtyard. Seniors will sit alphabetically in reserved chairs. (Your name will be on the front of your chair).  As close to noon as possible, Master Porter and Carlos will begin the ceremonies with short speeches.  Next, an usher will guide each row of students to the stage. Carlos will announce your name and then Co-Masters Roger and Ann Porter will present you with your diploma. Ushers will direct you back to your seat for the rest of the ceremony.

The diploma ceremony will take place in the dining hall, should it rain. Ushers will direct you to waiting spots.

Photos: Arrangements have been made for Commencement Photos to photograph each student as the diplomas are presented. If your family plans to do its own photography, please advise them not to interfere with the professional photographers. If you have any questions for photos please contact https://commencementphotos.com/index.aspx .

Drippy, Runny Red Diploma Folders: Please be advised that the dye in the folders in which the diplomas are enclosed will run if any liquid is spilled on them. The actual diploma will be enclosed in protective plastic. DO NOT THROW this protective plastic away. If the diploma does become stained for whatever reason, you must return it to the Registrar’s Office, Room 201, 20 Garden Street, as soon as possible. It will be replaced at no charge. A delay will cost you $100 for a new one.

Housing: Seniors will be allowed to stay in their rooms until 5 pm on May 25 (the day after graduation).  Anyone staying beyond that time will be escorted from his or her room, and their belongings taken and placed in the courtyard!

If you have any other questions regarding commencement activities and plans, please be sure to contact Diana at hovsep@fas.harvard.edu or at 617-495-2263. Enjoy the rest of your senior year!

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Please submit your news for the Dunster House Mooseletter. Deadline is Thursday at 3:00 pm for Monday publication. Submit notices with a brief headline in writing to Diana Hovsepian, either at the House Office (J-35) or by e-mail at hovsep@fas.harvard.edu.