COLUMBIA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY
MAY 2008 COMMENCEMENT WEEK INFORMATION
Office of the University Registrar

TO: All College students applying for degrees or certificates in 2008.

COMMENCEMENT PRACTICE:

  • Friday, May 2, 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m., Shortess Chapel
  • Commencement is required for all College students receiving degrees or certificates. Those graduates not enrolled during spring semester should attend marching practice. Marching practice preempts any Field Education Lab scheduled.

CAPS, GOWNS, and HOODS

  • Academic attire is worn for Commencement by those receiving degrees (men receiving Certificates wear coat and tie; women receiving Certificates should wear an appropriate dress).
  • Graduates purchase academic attire from the CIU Bookstore. Previously purchased gowns and caps may be used if black and same length as the gowns we will be using. Tassels should be ordered because they are unique to the graduate.
  • Caps and gowns may be ordered from Herff Jones at www.herffjones.com/college. Orders after March 14th will be charged a late fee.

BACCALAUREATE SERVICE:

  • Tuesday, April 29, 2008, during Chapel
  • All graduating students must attend.
  • Attire is your black graduation robe without hats.
  • Please line up in the courtyard outside of Fisher building 10:30 a.m. Applicants are excused from class to line-up at 10:30 a.m. Applicants will process to the chapel and sit in the reserved center section of Shortess Chapel.

COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES

  • Saturday, May 3, 2008, at 9:00 a.m. at Shortess Chapel
  • Graduates will meet in Rm 102 of Fisher Bldg. at 8:00 a.m. to put on caps and gowns. No tickets will be required.
  • Child care is available for Commencements for all children up to age 5. Child care is required for children from birth to age 3. Advance notification to the Registrar's Office is requested. Email your reservation to registrar@ciu.edu indicating how many children you will be placing in the nursery with ages listed.

OTHER IMPORTANT MATTERS -- READ CAREFULLY!

Receiving your Diploma: All diploma cases are empty at the presentation. May graduates who marched during Commencement and are academically clear, not enrolled in any Extension courses, and financially clear may pick up your diploma immediately after the ceremony. Diplomas will be mailed by the end of September for August graduates to your permanent address unless other arrangements have been made with the Registrar's Records Office.


Extension & Transfer Courses:
All required Columbia Extension courses which you intend to use to fulfill curricular requirements for May graduation must be completed by May 2. The Extension course grades must reach our Records Office by May 12 (undergrad level). Transfer courses must be completed by May 2 (undergrad level). Transcripts must be received in the registrar's office by May 12. The similar Columbia Extension deadlines for August graduation are August 8 (to complete coursework) and August 18 (for submission of grade/transcript to our office). If these deadlines are not met, graduation will be forfeited and a new application for a later graduation date must be submitted with another application fee.

Additionally, College candidates who are taking their last credits at another school must submit an Academic Petition requesting approval for transfer credits to be accepted as part of the final 15 credits of the degree program (see 2008 CIU Undergraduate Catalog, p. 22).

Honors (bachelor degrees only):
Honors (based on Fall Semester GPA) will be announced during the Commencement service.

Photography:
Family and friends are encouraged to remain in their seats and enjoy the ceremony. Due to fire hazard safety concerns, tripods are not allowed in Shortess Chapel. Personal pictures may be taken prior to or after the service. We have contracted with a professional photographer (Photos by JeeJee 772-4302). An order form and proof will be mailed to you with your complimentary transcript approximately 3 weeks after commencement. You may place your order directly with them for any picture(s) you desire to purchase.

Serving those with physical limitations:
If your guest requires special seating needs for a wheelchair, a sign language translator, or any other assistance, please contact the Registrar's Office as soon as possible so that we may plan accordingly.

Lodging for Guests:
Check http://www.ciu.edu/alumni/services/hotel.php for a list of accommodation suggestions.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

I won't have all my courses finished by May. Can I still participate in Commencement?
May Commencement is for students who graduated the previous December, the present May and the coming August. Undergraduate students can finish up to 9 hours in the summer and still participate in May's commencement. Students anticipating August graduation, yet wishing to participate in the May commencement ceremony, must apply for graduation by the application deadline established for May graduates.

What if I move after I have applied for graduation?
Undergraduate students should notify Tammy Tumey at 807-5030.