The Bloustein School will hold its convocation ceremony on Sunday, May 17, 2009, at 1:00 p.m. at the Nicholas Music Center, Douglass Campus. During the ceremony, public policy and urban planning master's degree recipients will receive their diplomas. Doctoral degree candidates will also be recognized, but will receive their diplomas at the main University Commencement on Wednesday, May 20.

A keynote address to the graduates will be provided by United States Congressman Robert E. Andrews, 1st District - New Jersey.

We anticipate ceremony to last approximately one hour, with a reception immediately after the convocation on Bettenbender Plaza outside the Nicholas Music Center. In case of inclement weather, the reception will be held in Rehearsal Hall 104 inside the Nicholas Music Center.

If you have any questions about the graduation activities or process, please contact
Lynn Astorga (lastorga@rutgers.edu; (732-932-5475, ext. 740) or
Steve Weston (sdweston@rutgers.edu; (732-932-5475, ext. 753).

Options for getting to the Nicholas Music Center, Douglass Campus, from the New Brunswick Train Station (NJ TRANSIT):
1) Take the the Rutgers "EE" bus from the corner of George St. and Somerset St. -- this bus goes to Douglass Campus and stops near the Nicholas Music Center.  However, the buses may be running on a reduced weekend schedule by Sunday, May 17, so the "EE" bus may just run once every 40 minutes or so. The website for the Department of Transportation Services, which runs campus buses, will have the summer bus schedule posted at: http://parktran.rutgers.edu.

2) Take a taxi from the New Brunswick Train Station to the Nicholas Music Center -- the Victory Taxi stand is on Easton Avenue, right by the train station. The fare is approximately $5 within the city limits for up to 2 passengers (there is an extra fee for additional passengers). Victory Taxi's phone number is 732-545-6666.

Regalia
Graduates are required to wear academic regalia (i.e. gown, hood, and cap) specific to their degree. MPP and MPAP candidates wear peacock blue hoods; MCRP and MCRS candidates wear brown hoods. Contact the Rutgers University Bookstore (tel.: 732-246-8448) or stop by to arrange for purchase of academic regalia. The bookstore is located at the Ferren Mall (across from the New Brunswick train station), One Penn Plaza, New Brunswick. Regalia orders will be available for pick-up at the bookstore (lower level).

Hotel Accommodations
The Bloustein School has arranged for discounted rooms at several area hotels for the convenience of our graduates and their guests. Make sure to indicate affiliation with the Rutgers-Bloustein School Graduation to take advantage of the discounts.

Hilton East Brunswick
3 Tower Center Boulevard
East Brunswick, NJ 08816
Call 732-828-2000; rate is $99.00 for Friday and Saturday and $129.00 for Sunday to Thursday. Request Rutgers University preferred rate.

Holiday Inn Express
4 Tower Center Boulevard
East Brunswick, NJ 08816
Call 732/247-6800 for information, make reservation through Web site (http://www.hiexpress.com/ebrunswick); room rate is $95.00 + tax based upon avail.

Hyatt Regency
Two Albany Street
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Call 732/867-1234; $125.00 Rutgers University corporate rate.

Days Hotel - East Brunswick
195 Route 18 South
East Brunswick, NJ 08816
Call 732/828-6900; room rate is $79.00. Rutgers preferred rate.

The Heldrich
10 Livingston Avenue (across from EJB)
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Tel: 732-729-4670; $109.00. Rutgers preferred rate.

Invitations and RSVPs
During the week of April 6, each graduating student will receive 10 invitations with envelopes to distribute to family and friends. Additional invitations are available -- stop by or contact Lynn Astorga for additional invitations. You will also receive an RSVP form to let us know if you will be attending as a graduate, how many guests you estimate will be joining you at the event, and if any of your guests have special requirements (e.g., require wheelchair access). The ceremony and the reception afterwards are free and open to all Bloustein School graduating students and their guests. All continuing students and staff are also welcome to attend.