This message was sent to department chairs on 4/14/2020.

Because of the relative size of department vs. the whole college, we are recommending that departments/programs recognize their graduates this spring. Departments can provide a more personal and meaningful experience for our graduates than we would be able to be at the college-level. These efforts will complement the plans for the Chancellor and deans to virtually confer degrees that is being produced by the Chancellor’s Office.

There are three common ways programs are planning to celebrate their graduates:

1. Virtual reception – Webcasting the in-person event you previously hosted in the past.
2. Graduate slideshow for social media/website – This could include student submitted content as well as faculty and staff content, and could be done in conjunction with a virtual reception, or as a stand-alone communication.
3. Graduation in a box – Sending a package to each graduate with department/program letters/certificates/logoed gifts (mini Terrace chairs, coffee mugs, etc.).

We have assembled some tools and services to assist you:

• CALS External Relations can edit and create a congratulatory video for your department/program by assembling video messages submitted by faculty and staff. Video submissions are due to pix@cals.wisc.edu by 5 p.m. Friday, April 24 so we have time to edit them and make them available to you prior to graduation. More details about how faculty/staff can submit videos
• We have created PowerPoint templates you can use to create a slideshow of student-submitted content, along with some tips on how to most effectively use them.
  • Commencement template 1
  • Commencement template 2
  • Commencement template 3
• This DoIT chart compares approved UW–Madison web-conferencing tools. Note that UW–Madison accessibility policies require public videos to be captioned. WebEx and Collaborate platforms provide captioning options.
• CALS Academic Affairs will receive diploma addresses from the Registrar in June. Departments can request their list from Assistant Dean John Klatt. (Because so many students have left campus, we are discouraging the use of students’ mailing addresses).
• Academic Affairs has business card holders that have been given to graduates in the past as a gift from the college. Departments who would like to include these in their student mailings can contact John Klatt.
• DoIT publishing is still accepting print orders, with a smaller on-site staff. Most jobs are turned around in 5-7 days. Use their online ordering system.

If you would like us to compile a video for your department/program, please submit video messages by the deadline. Thanks for your efforts as we try to reimagine what graduation will look like for our students.

Sincerely,

Heidi Zoerb
Associate Dean for External Relations and Advancement