At the beginning of the semester in which a student plans to complete degree requirements, he or
she must notify his or her department of the intent to graduate. Without the notification, the student will not be
placed on the graduation list and no diploma will be issued. Notification at the beginning of the graduation
semester may also be done via eLion. It is the
student's responsibility to indicate his or her intent to graduate.
Students who fail to meet their degree requirements by the end of their intended graduation
semester will be removed from the graduation list.
It is each student's responsibility to ensure that all degree requirements have been met
before he or she can be certified for graduation. All exceptions and substitutions must be supported on
time by appropriate petitions and signatures. Petitions will not be considered during the graduation
semester.
All-University undergraduate commencement ceremonies are held at the end of each summer session
and fall semester, immediately after the final exam period ends. Consequently, diplomas are not ready for
distribution during the ceremony for those graduating summer or fall, but are mailed to the graduates. Students
may participate in the commencement ceremony even if, as a result of the last semester's work, they do not
complete all degree requirements.
A College of Engineering graduation ceremony is held at the end of each spring semester, a
week after the final exam period ends. During this ceremony, students receive their diplomas. Because the
ceremony at the end of the spring semester is actually a graduation ceremony where diplomas are presented,
students who are not graduating may not participate by crossing the stage and having their name read.
An exception will be made for students who, as a result of last minute academic problems, fail to complete
the degree requirements. Last minute means after the late-drop deadline. Withdrawals at any time are not
included as justified last minute academic problems. Graduating students who cannot or who do not wish
to participate in the spring graduation ceremony must request the Office of the University Registrar to mail their diplomas to them.