President Neil L. Rudenstine will award 5,969 diplomas during today's 346th Commencement exercises.

The National Weather Service predicts the ceremonies will take place under sunny skies, with high temperatures in the mid-60s this afternoon.

The College will grant 1,560 bachelor degrees to 862 men and 698 women, according to Senior Associate Registrar Thurston A. Smith.

All but 10 undergraduates will receive bachelor of the arts (A.B.) degrees, with the rest receiving bachelor of science (S.B.) degrees.

Of that total, 183 are without honors, 364 cum laude (formerly known as cum laude in general studies), 412 cum laude in a field of concentration, 471 magna cum laude, 55 magna cum laude with highest honors and 75 summa cum laude.

Forty fewer summa cum laude degrees will be awarded this year than last. Smith said the decrease is the result of the Faculty's decision to be more stringent in recommending and granting the College's highest academic honor.

"They both recommended fewer and chose fewer," said Smith.

While Rudenstine will confer degrees upon all of the University's graduates, undergraduates will actually receive their diplomas in the afternoon at ceremonies held at their residential houses.

Arts and Sciences

The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences will award 267 doctorates of philosophy (Ph.D.), 187 master of the arts (A.M.), 29 master of science (S.M.) and one master of forest science (M.F.S.) degree to its students, according to Lynn Dunham, associate registrar. No master of engineering degrees will be awarded.

Students will receive their diplomas at Sanders Theater.

Medicine

Nineteen master of medical sciences (M.M.Sc.) and 186 doctor of medicine (M.D.) degrees will be awarded at the Medical School (HMS), according to Associate Registrar Lisa A. Oteri.

Of the M.D. degrees, 12 are cum laude and nine magna cum laude. Students will receive their diplomas at a ceremony in the school's Quadrangle.

Business

The Graduate School of Business Administration will award 887 master of business administration (M.B.A.) and four doctor of business administration (D.B.A.) degrees, according to Registrar Coral A. Sullivan.