Specific Instructions
to Degree Candidates

All degree candidates may confirm their final graduation status approximately one week after commencement by:

1) accessing the SamWeb; or

2) by coming to the Registrar's Office on the 3rd floor of the Estill Building.

Commencement changes:

• The dates of Commencement through August 2005 have either been changed or are under review. (Refer to the Academic Calendar on the web or in the Schedule of Classes.)
• Degree candidates will take their final exams at the regularly scheduled time.
• Degree candidates will be certified for graduation and the degrees posted to the student's transcript approximately one to two weeks after commencement. The diploma will be mailed to the student's permanent address and should be received by the student approximately three weeks after commencement (or mid-January for December commencement).
• The recognition of academic honors during the Commencement Ceremony will be based on the student's hours and grade point average as of the 12th class day of the spring and fall semesters and as of the 4th class day of the 2nd summer session for August candidates. A student's final grades must be sufficient to maintain the required grade point average to qualify for an academic honor and to have the honor documented on their diploma and transcript. Students whose final grades qualify them for an academic honor or for a higher honor than what was recognized during the Commencement Ceremony will have their diploma and transcript appropriately documented.

Commencement ceremonies at Sam Houston State University are scheduled each May, August, and December. To access the Registrar's Office "PREPARING FOR GRADUATION" website http://www.shsu.edu/~reg_www/graduation for the time and date of your graduation. Report to the Health/Kinesiology Center one hour before the commencement ceremony is scheduled to begin. In the event of inclement weather, report to the Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum one hour before the ceremony is scheduled to begin. Degree candidates will be seated before the ceremony.

Degree candidates with disabilities who may require special seating or assistance during the commencement ceremony should contact the Registrar’s Office at (936) 294-1061.

Dress
Degree candidates should dress in keeping with the dignity and tradition of the occasion and in harmony with the formality of the traditional black cap and gown. Wear the academic cap with mortar board flat and the tassel draped over the left temple.

Caps and Gowns
Each degree candidate should arrange to obtain a cap and gown from one of the local bookstores well in advance of the ceremony. The costs for the caps and gowns vary according to the academic degree conferred.

Processional and Recessional
Each commencement ceremony will include an outdoor processional of faculty and degree candidates into the Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum. Marshals direct the candidates to their seats. The recessional begins immediately following the completion of all items on the printed commencement program. The commencement marshals provide directions regarding the recessional exit procedure.

Conferring of Degrees
The doctoral, master’s and baccalaureate degrees are conferred by each college in the order indicated in the commencement program.

• The first degrees conferred are the doctorates. Each doctoral candidate walks to the stage, with the unbuttoned doctoral hood draped over his/her arm, when directed by the dean. The candidate is then hooded on stage and returns to his/her seat.
• Each college dean will request the master’s degree candidates to stand as the various majors in that college are announced. After the degree is conferred by the university president, the candidates will be directed to proceed to the stage. Each candidate should take with them their unbuttoned master’s degree hood. The dean will hood each candidate as their name is announced.
• Each college dean requests that the baccalaureate degree candidates stand as the various majors in that college are announced. After the degree is conferred by the university president, the candidates will be directed to proceed to the stage.

Diplomas and Transcripts
Degrees will be posted to the transcript approximately one week after commencement. Diplomas and/or transcripts will not be released to students financially indebted to the university. Picture Identification is required for official transcripts to be released in the Registrar's Office.

Should someone other than the student be picking up the diploma or transcript, a letter granting permission to have the diploma or transcript released to the named person will be required with the following information included: name of person picking up the transcript or diploma and signature of student requesting the release of the transcript or diploma. For security purposes, picture identification will, again, be required of the person picking up the transcript or diploma.

Payment for transcripts is due at the time of request.

Order Your Transcript Online
After degrees are posted, you may order your transcript online via SamWeb through Student Records. Transcripts are not available to students financially indebted to the university or to students tagged by a university department. Be sure that you check your unofficial transcript online through SamWeb to be sure that your degree has been posted to your record before ordering your transcript online. The Registrar's Office will NOT be responsible NOR grant a refund for transcripts ordered before degrees are posted.

Baccalaureate Graduation with Special Recognition
Special recognition at graduation is given to those undergraduate students with outstanding academic records.

Those graduates who have achieved academic excellence at the undergraduate level at the University receive a gold cord at graduation to reflect this achievement. A gold cord is awarded for the following academic achievements: Summa Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, Cum Laude, Academic Distinction, and Honors/Honors Program.

The academic achievement earned is indicated on the student’s seating card that is given to the announcer just before crossing the stage. On the basis of this entry, the academic achievement is announced as the candidate crosses the stage, and the student is presented a gold cord on stage signifying the special recognition.

General Information
Should the Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum reach seating capacity, guests will be directed to the Lowman Student Center ballroom, where a live broadcast of the ceremony will be shown.

The academic vice president is the presiding official or master of ceremonies for each commencement program. A printed program booklet provides the order of the program activities.

Photographs
The University engages the services of a professional photographer for the ceremony. Each candidate is photographed while crossing the stage. A video tape is also made of the entire ceremony. Orders for photographs/video tapes are placed with the photographer, who will contact each graduate within ten days following commencement. Admission to the coliseum floor for the purpose of taking pictures during the ceremony is not permitted.

Parking for Commencement Guests
Several large parking areas are located near the Coliseum with easy access from Avenue H. Two parking areas are reserved for guests with impairment. The first area, located east of the Coliseum at the intersection of Avenue H and Bowers Boulevard, is designated specifically for guests in wheelchairs or those with a mobility impairment.

The second area, located in the Teacher Education Center parking lot and the south end of the Newton Gresham Library parking lot, is designated for all other guests with disabilities. Guests are directed to the appropriate parking areas by university police officers and blue street signs with the international disability symbol.

Seating and Special Services for Guests with Disabilities
Ushers will be available to direct guests in wheelchairs or with a mobility impairment to a special seating area. Please arrive at least 45 minutes prior to the ceremony. Enter the Coliseum through the east tunnel. For the hearing impaired, an American Sign Language expert will interpret during the commencement ceremony. If you have any questions about arrangements for parents or guests with disabilities, please contact the office of the University Registrar and request the publication entitled Information for Commencement Guests with Disabilities. Telephone number: 936/294-1061.

Prepared by the Office of the Registrar | Sam Houston State University | Huntsville, TX 77341 | 936/294-1061