M E M O R A N D U M

TO: Candidates for Degrees

FROM: Kimberly Barber, University Registrar

RE: IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY — SUMMER 2008

CEREMONY DATE AND TIME: AUGUST 9, 2008 9:00 A.M.

CONGRATULATIONS, GRADUATES!

ACADEMIC INFORMATION

  1. Requirements for Graduation. Before degrees are officially granted, 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.
  2. Degrees of Distinction. Three degrees of distinction are granted to undergraduate students only, based on all work (excluding physical education activity and vocational courses) attempted and including the term's work in which baccalaureate degree requirements are completed.
    DEGREE OF DISTINCTION MAY VARY ONCE A FINAL CHECK IS COMPLETE.
    3. "Cum Laude" for an overall average of 3.50
    "Magna Cum Laude" for an overall average of 3.70
    "Summa Cum Laude" for an overall average of 3.90
    Degrees of distinction are granted to transfer students who meet all three of the following requirements:
      1. The students must complete at least forty (40) graded hours of work, including the final term's work, at Florida State.
      2. The student must have a 3.5 or higher average on all work taken at this university. NOTE: The grade point average shown on the web is your FSU cumulative grade point average. It is NOT your overall, cumulative grade point average including transfer credits that are used when calculating degrees of distinction.
      3. The student must have the required overall average on all college work attempted, including any transfer credit. Transfer credit cannot be used to raise your Florida State grade point average, but can lower your overall grade point average in calculating degrees of distinction.
  3. Future Registration. Once you have applied for graduation for the Summer 2008 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.
  4. 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.
  5. Transcripts Degrees will be posted to your transcripts on September 4, 2008. Contact:
    6. Office of Admissions and Records - Transcript Section
    Florida State University
    Tallahassee, FL 32306-2400
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 (former name if applicable), 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

  1. Regalia & Attire. FULL ACADEMIC REGALIA IS REQUIRED TO PARTICIPATE IN CEREMONY.
    All students must rent regalia through the Florida State Bookstore. Graduate regalia can be rented or purchased. If you plan to purchase your gown, allow 10-12 weeks for delivery.
  2. Ordering Caps & Gowns. The 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:
    1. You must place your order at the Bookstore between June 2 and June 13, 2008. A Herff Jones representative will be there on June 2nd-4th to help you with measurements, invitations, announcements, etc. Orders placed during this time will have a preferred price.
    2. There will be a $10.00 late fee imposed on all orders received between June 16th and June 20th. Under no circumstances will they accept orders placed after June 20th.
    3. Phone orders will be accepted after June 5th for students who will not be in Tallahassee during the summer semester. You will need to provide your height, weight, head size in inches, degree and school/college. The phone number for the bookstore is (850) 644-2072.
    4. 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 University Union Bookstore. Refunds will not be made automatically.
    5. Pick up of caps and gowns will be held from July 28th through August 1st in the Florida State Bookstore. Hours for pick up will be 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Gowns can not be mailed. If you can not pick up your gown during the pick up dates, please contact Dianne Skinner at dskinner@admin.fsu.edu.
    6. All caps and gowns are to be turned in immediately after the ceremony at the Civic Center. Transcripts and diplomas will be withheld until rented regalia has been returned to the University store.
  3. Guests (tickets). Each graduate will be given six tickets to the ceremony. All tickets will be distributed at cap and gown pick up in University Union Bookstore, July 28-August 1, 2008. Your guests should arrive at the Civic Center by 8:00 a.m. Saturday morning. Extra tickets can be requested from the graduation office in the Registrar's Office between June 30th and July 11th. Each student will be limited to two extra tickets, if available. Seating is limited at the Civic Center; please keep this in mind when extending invitations.
  4. Graduation Announcements are available at the Florida State Bookstore.