Graduation/Commencement
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Graduation Procedures
Forms
Governors State University graduates students from its various degree programs three times per academic year: December, April, and August. To apply for graduation, a student must complete and submit the following forms to the Registrar's Office by the application deadline date of the trimester in which he or she will be graduating.
Prior to completing these forms students should have met with their advisor to review their study plan and verify completion of degree requirements. (Outstanding requirements must be completed by the term the student is expected to graduate.)
Requirements
Students must meet the university's general requirements for the baccalaureate or master's degree as stipulated in the catalog. Students must satisfy all specific requirements for their major.
Fees
There is a non-refundable processing fee of $50 for both undergraduate applicants and graduate applicants. The fees help to defray the cost of diplomas, caps and gowns, and the commencement ceremony.
Processing of Forms
When the Registrar's Office receives the applications, they are coded for billing. The forms are then sent to the college academic advisors to determine whether the student has completed their degree requirements. The advisor must notify the student if he or she is not eligible for graduation. The forms are then signed with the appropriate signatures and sent to the Graduation Counselors in the Registrar's Office. Students are advised not to call the Registrar's Office to inquire on the status of their application for such calls delay processing.
Students are notified in writing of missing documents and the results of the final review. Approval by the Registrar's Office results in the awarding of the diploma. The diploma is awarded only upon verification of completion of all degree requirements and satisfaction of all financial obligations to the University. Diplomas are inscribed with the degree, major, date, and name on record at the time the degree is conferred. For undergraduate students, Honors (3.8 to 3.94 cumulative g.p.a. ) or High Honors (3.95 to 4.0 cumulative g.p.a. ) will be designated on the transcript and diploma. Minors appear on the transcript, but not on the diploma.
The Registrar's Office will notify graduates that the application has been approved and will send other information concerning graduation and commencement.
Application Deadline
Commencement
Important Commencement Infomation Commencement Details
Commencment is held twice a year, in January or February and in June. Students who have fulfilled graduation requirements in August or December of the previous year may participate in the January/February commencement, while those who have fulfilled graduation requirements in April of the current year may participate in the June commencement. Participation in commencement is limited to students who have been certified by the Registrar as having completed all requirements for the degree and who have no outstanding financial obligations to the university.
As a keepsake the university will provide caps and gowns to all graduates who participate in commencement.Information regarding tickets, caps and gowns, announcements, and photographs will be mailed to graduates who submit participation forms.
Any additional questions, please feel free to contact the Registrar's Office at 708.534.4500.
