Table of Contents
Questions?
Contact Registrar’s Office.
Disclaimer
The policies on this website (including any university procedures, processes, benefits, courses of conduct, or oral or written statements arising from or related to these policies) do not constitute any legally enforceable contract, obligation, or liability on the part of the university, except to the extent that they are incorporated by reference into a written agreement signed by an authorized university official. These policies do not alter the “at-will” employment status of any university employee hired on an “at-will” basis. The university reserves the right to interpret, revise, or withdraw these policies at any time and at its sole discretion.
Contents, Related Policies, Applicability ▾
Approved
Disclaimer
The policies on this website (including any university procedures, processes, benefits, courses of conduct, or oral or written statements arising from or related to these policies) do not constitute any legally enforceable contract, obligation, or liability on the part of the university, except to the extent that they are incorporated by reference into a written agreement signed by an authorized university official. These policies do not alter the “at-will” employment status of any university employee hired on an “at-will” basis. The university reserves the right to interpret, revise, or withdraw these policies at any time and at its sole discretion.
University and college graduation ceremonies are held each April to recognize students who are approved to graduate during that academic year. For more information on this process, contact a College Advisement Center (CAC).
For purposes of this policy, key terms are defined as follows:
Commencement means the university’s annual graduation ceremony in which all graduates are invited to participate.
Convocation means an academic college’s annual graduation ceremony in which graduates from the college are invited to participate and be individually recognized.
A student may elect to participate as a graduate in commencement and convocation ceremonies for the academic year in which the student has been approved to graduate.
Early Participation
A student may request to participate in graduation ceremonies that occur in the academic year before the academic year in which the student anticipates graduating. Before making the request, the student applies to graduate. Then, the student contacts the CAC for the student’s primary major program by the early participation deadline established by the CAC. The CAC relays the request to the college dean or designee, who either approves or denies the request. If approved, a student may participate in the early graduation ceremonies and the student’s name may be added to the convocation program with an annotation for the student’s anticipated graduation date.
Participation in Another College’s Convocation
A student may request approval to participate as a graduate in the convocation of a college that is not the college of the student’s primary major program. A student interested in participating in another college’s convocation first applies for graduation in the college of the student’s primary major program and then, by the deadline, submits a request to the CAC of the college for the convocation the student wishes to attend. The CAC relays the request to the college dean or designee, who either approves or denies the request. If approved, a student may participate in the requested convocation.
The college convocation program includes the names of students who applied for graduation and were approved by the printing deadline. A student who prefers to have his or her name unlisted communicates with the CAC before the printing deadline.
If a student has an Honor Code or Title IX Office hold, the student’s name may not be listed in the program and the student may not be allowed to participate in the ceremonies. The Honor Code and Title IX offices, in connection with the applicable CAC, can clarify the extent of any restrictions. To view the policies and procedures for this process, see the Honor Code Investigation and Administrative Review Process and Sexual Harassment Policy.
Latin Scholastic Distinctions
Latin scholastic distinctions may be recognized in college convocation programs. See Undergraduate Graduation Evaluation Policy.
Participating in commencement and convocation ceremonies does not guarantee graduation. A student’s graduation is conditional on the registrar verifying the student has completed all graduation requirements. See Undergraduate Graduation Evaluation Policy.