COLUMBIA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY
MAY 2008 COMMENCEMENT WEEK INFORMATION
Office of the University Registrar
TO: All Graduate School and Seminary students applying for degrees or certificates in 2008.
COMMENCEMENT PRACTICE:
- Columbia Seminary & School of Missions and the Graduate School - Friday, May 16, 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m., Shortess Chapel
Those graduates not enrolled during the Spring semester should also attend marching practice. Marching practice preempts any Internships 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. Though previously purchased gowns and caps may be used if black and same length as the gowns we will be using, hoods (colors determined by the graduate's degree and the institution's colors) and tassels should be ordered because they are unique to the graduate. Caps, gowns, hoods, and tassels may be ordered from Herff Jones at www.herffjones.com/college. Orders after March 14th will be charged a late fee and must go through the CIU Bookstore instead.
BACCALAUREATE SERVICE: Tuesday, April 29, 2008, during Chapel
All graduating students must attend unless you live too long of a distance away to travel in for this service. Attire is your black graduation robe but without the caps or hoods. Please line up in the courtyard outside of the Fisher Building at 10:30 a.m. Applicants are excused from class at 10:30 a.m. to line-up. We will then process to the chapel together and sit in the reserved center section of Shortess Chapel.
COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES
- COLUMBIA SEMINARY and COLUMBIA GRADUATE SCHOOL: Saturday, May 17, 2008, at 9:00 a.m. in Shortess Chapel
- Graduates will meet in Room 102 of the Fisher Building by 8:00 a.m. to put on gowns, caps, and hoods. We will have staff assistants there to help with the hoods. No tickets for Commencement will be required.
- Childcare is available for Commencement for all children up to age 5. Childcare 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 diplomas immediately after the ceremony by going to the Registrar's Office in the Administration Building. Diplomas will be mailed by the end of September for August graduates to the permanent address unless other arrangements have been made with the Registrar's Office.
Extension & Transfer Courses: All required Columbia Extension courses which you intend to use to fulfill curricular requirements for May graduation must be completed and submitted by May 16th. The Extension course grades must reach our Records Office by May 27th. Transfer courses must be completed by May 16th. Transcripts must be received in our Records Office by May 27th. The similar Columbia Extension deadlines for August graduation are August 8th (to complete and submit coursework) and August 18th (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.
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(s) 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? Yes, May Commencement is for students who graduated the previous December, the present May, and the coming August. Students anticipating August graduation, yet wishing to participate in the May commencement ceremony, must apply for the August graduation by the application deadline established for May graduates.
What if I move after I have applied for graduation? Please inform Kathy Kroll at 807-5046 or at kkroll@ciu.edu of any address changes. We will be mailing your picture proof and transcript to this address.