For seniors who have been affected with a case of “senioritis,” anxiously awaiting graduation, May 8 is right around the corner.  But until then, from March 22-25 seniors can obtain all of their graduation necessities at the University Bookstore during GradFest.

GradFest is an event where several representatives from Jostens will be present to aid students in their graduation preparation. During the four-day period there will be a 15 percent discount on all cap and gown packages. 

After GradFest ends, students will have the option to order their graduation materials online at the University Bookstore homepage or the Jostens website. They can also visit the bookstore until May 7.  Orders on the Jostens website will close within three weeks to the graduation date to allow time for shipping.

Bookstore Director Donna Morris-Powell stated that even though students have the option to make purchases at the last minute, it is not recommended for them to attempt it.

“We try to plan for everybody, but we don’t exactly know all of the numbers so we are just trying to plan things out at this point,” said Morris-Powell.  “We generally try to bulk-stock the tickets all the way through that Friday and we close at 5 p.m. so they have until then to pick up anything they need on Saturday morning.”

The only new options available this year will be the navy blue cap and gown for undergraduates only. Students graduating with masters and doctoral degrees will have traditional black.

Undergraduate packages, which will include a gown, cap, tassel, hood and zipper pull, will be $58.  Masters and doctoral packages will have a gown, cap and hood for $80 and $148 respectively.

Packages can also include generic or personalized announcements, diploma frames, blue and gold stoles, class rings and Kente stoles with the year and Greek names.

“The big event is next week so we recommend everybody come in and do it next week,” said Morris-Powell. 

• Marcus Thompson