M E M O R A N D U M
TO: Candidates for Degrees
FROM: Kimberly Barber, University Registrar
RE: IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR COMMENCEMENT CEREMONIES - FALL 2009
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY
CONGRATULATIONS, GRADUATES!
| December 12, 2009 9:00 a.m. | December 12, 2009 2:00 p.m. |
| Arts & Sciences | Business |
| Communication & Information | Education |
| Criminology | Engineering |
| Law | Human Sciences |
| Medicine | Music |
| Motion Picture | Nursing |
| Social Sciences | Social Work |
| Visual Arts, Theatre & Dance |
ACADEMIC INFORMATION
A. Requirements for Graduation
Before degrees are officially granted, your final semester grades must be recorded and records rechecked for total hours, quality points, and other degree requirements. PARTICIPATION IN GRADUATION EXERCISES IS NOT A GUARANTEE OF GRADUATION.
B. Degrees of Distinction
Three degrees of distinction are granted to graduating students, based on all college-level work attempted (excluding physical education activity courses), including the term's work in which baccalaureate degree requirements are completed:
Cum Laude for an overall average of 3.500;
Magna Cum Laude for an overall average of 3.700; and
Summa Cum Laude for an overall average of 3.900.
Degrees of distinction are granted to transfer students who meet all three of the following requirements:
- The student must complete at least forty (40) semester hours of graded work at Florida State including the final term's work;
- The student must have the required average on all work taken at Florida State University; and
- The student must have the required overall average on all work attempted, including any transfer credit excluding any physical education activity courses or vocational courses, regardless of how many years have elapsed since the credit was earned. Transfer credit cannot raise a student's Florida State University grade point average.
C. Future Registration
Once you have applied for graduation for the Fall 2009 Term, a STOP will be placed on any future registrations unless you have been readmitted to the university or your name has been removed from the graduation list.
When you receive a degree from the University, you are "discharged" as a student. If you wish to continue as a doctoral student, special (non-degree seeking) student or to work on a second bachelor's degree you must apply for readmission to the University through the appropriate section of the Admission's Office.
Master's degree seeking students must be readmitted through the Graduate Admissions Office.
D. Diplomas
Diplomas will be mailed to each student after he/she is cleared by the academic dean and when diplomas are received from the printer. Allow 6 to 8 weeks after the end of the semester for your diploma to arrive. Call 644-5850 with any additional questions.
E. Transcripts
Degrees will be posted to your transcripts on January 7, 2010.
Contact:
Office of the Registrar
3900A University Center
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL 32306-2480
Transcripts may be requested in person, by mail or on the web at www.fsu.edu/current/transcripts.shtml. There is a $5.00 charge for each transcript. When writing, include social security number, full name (maiden name if applicable), and first and last dates of attendance.
DIPLOMAS AND TRANSCRIPTS WILL NOT BE RELEASED UNTIL THE STUDENT HAS CLEARED ALL HIS/HER FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS TO THE UNIVERSITY (i.e., PARKING FINES, LIBRARY FINES, ETC.)
Federal regulations require that all recipients of long-term loans participate in an Exit Interview Counseling Session upon graduating. To conduct your online interview, please go to www.studentsfirst.fsu.edu. Scroll down to the "Money Matters" section and click on "exit interview for financial aid".
COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY DETAILS
A. Regalia & Attire
FULL ACADEMIC REGALIA IS REQUIRED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE CEREMONY.
All students must obtain regalia from the Florida State Bookstore in the parking garage on Woodward. Borrowed regalia will not be permitted. Undergraduate caps and gowns can be rented. Graduate regalia may either be rented or purchased.
B. Ordering Caps & Gowns
The Florida State Bookstore will be processing your orders for caps and gowns to be worn at graduation. In order to make this process as simple as possible, the following information should be noted:
- You must place your order at the Florida State Bookstore between September 21 and October 2, 2009. A Herff/Jones representative will be on hand September 21, 22, and 23 to assist you with your orders for gowns, rings, etc.
- There will be a $l0.00 late fee imposed on all orders received between October 5 and 9, 2009. Under no circumstances can we accept orders placed after October 9.
- The Bookstore will accept phone orders for off-campus graduates after September 25th. They will need to know your height, weight, cap size, college and degree. For information contact the Bookstore at (850) 644-2072.
- Students who have not fulfilled their graduation requirements, as determined by the Registrar's Office, will NOT BE PERMITTED to pick up their caps and gowns. They may request refunds from the Union Store. Refunds will not be made automatically.
- Pick up of caps and gowns will be held from November 30 through December 4, 2009 in Room 315 of the Union. Hours for pick up will be 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- All caps and gowns are to be turned in immediately after the ceremony at the Civic Center Exhibit Hall. Grades and diplomas will be withheld until rented regalia has been returned to the University store.
C. Guests (tickets)
Each graduate will be given eight tickets to the ceremony. They will be distributed at cap and gown pick up between November 30 and December 4, 2009 in Room 315 of the Union.
Extra tickets can be requested, in person, from the Registrar's Office after October 15, 2009. Depending on the number of graduates participating in the ceremonies, each student will be eligible for two to three additional tickets as long as they are available. There is no guarantee that each student will receive extra tickets. Seating is limited at the Civic Center; please keep this in mind when extending invitations. Friends and family members who are not able to attend graduation are encouraged to view the ceremonies online via our live webcast the day of the ceremony.
FSU Commencement Ceremony webcasts are available at http://campus.fsu.edu/graduation.