Daily Skiff

Graduation can be a hectic process for students and their families. But now help may only be a click away.

The Office of Communications has launched a new Web site this fall that guides students, family and friends through the graduation process.

Lisa Albert, associate director of communications, said that although students could access information regarding commencement in previous years, the site was created to bring it all together in one location.

"We hope that it makes the commencement process easier for graduates," Albert said. "Sometimes it can be confusing to know where to order your cap and gown, how much fees are, where to meet, where to tell parents to park - all those different things. It just makes the commencement process a lot easier."

Albert said the site helps walk students through a list of things to do before commencement, the day of commencement and after commencement.

Before commencement the site provides students with information on fees as well as how to order a cap, gown, diploma and invitations, Albert said.

The Web site also includes a schedule of when and where to meet, a parking map and guest information for the day of graduation.

After commencement, students can follow a link on the Web site to a feature called Hometown News, which allows students to announce their graduation, selection to the Dean's List or TCU Scholar's List, Albert said.

Students can also find photographs taken by the university's official commencement photographer, who can provide "a vantage point that others wouldn't be able to get in the crowd," Albert said. The photographs are free to download from the site to use in a scrapbook or photo album.

Adam Martinez, a senior history and criminal justice major, said that although he did not know about the Web site, it would be helpful for him when he graduates in May.

"Instead of feeling lost, I can focus on graduation instead of all the other things around it," Martinez said.

Albert said the Almost Alumni Handbook used in previous years to guide graduating students will still be available, but that the Web site would help streamline the process.

"That was pretty much the thought process - to bring it all together and make it logical and easy for someone graduating to find the information they need, kind of a 'one-stop-shop,'" she said.

Students can access the Web site at www.commencement.tcu.edu.

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