Graduation Candidate Instructions
Map, Assembly Area, Seating Diagrams
Commencement Instructions
Traditionally, Commencement is the high point of the academic year and is the most dignified of academic ceremonies. To assure that you experience the recognition you deserve for the hard work required to complete your degree, the following Commencement Policies have been established by the College.
- All graduates, their families and friends are expected to remain for the entire Commencement Ceremony. Any unnecessary movement may prevent families and friends of those persons crossing the stage from hearing the name of the graduate read. Graduates should not leave the ceremony floor until the appropriate time during the recessional.
- No one but the graduates, faculty, and members of the platform party will be permitted in the stage area of the ceremony floor.
- To preserve the dignity of the Commencement Ceremony, no alcoholic beverages are permitted in the Colorado Convention Center. A Faculty Marshal will confiscate any alcoholic substance immediately. Further, should any Faculty Marshal deem any individual unable to safely participate in the Commencement Ceremony as a result of the consumption of an alcoholic beverage, that individual will be removed from the line of march and not permitted to participate in the Commencement Ceremony.
Assembly Area Procedures
- STUDENTS REPORT AT 1:00P.M. to the Graduate Assembly Area which is located at the rear of the ceremony area in Hall A (upper-level of the Colorado Convention Center).
- Refer to the Assembly Area Diagram to determine your school and major code. Line up alphabetically within your major department, which will be located in back of your school sign. Once in alphabetical order, a card showing your name, major, and degree honor status WILL BE BROUGHT TO YOU. The card must be kept and presented to the reader on stage when you come forward to be acknowledged.
- At 2:00 p.m. you will walk in four columns into the Commencement ceremony area and to the academic seating area. YOU MUST STAY IN THE PROPER LINE UNTIL YOU ARE SEATED.
- As graduates from your department/school come forward, you will approach the stage from the right. As soon as you hand the reader your name card, proceed immediately across the stage to receive your degree, exiting by the left steps before returning to your seat.
Additional Commencement Notes
- Disabled students who will have difficulty with the processional march or ramps onto and off the stage should contact the Office of the Registrar, Mr. Jeff Johnson, at (303) 556 3997, immediately. Students who have immediate family who use wheelchairs or walkers should call the Commencement Office, (303) 556-6226, regarding special seating. Special seating tickets must be picked up in the Plaza building, room 220-A.
- There is no rehearsal for the Commencement Ceremony.
- No tickets are required for guests attending the ceremony. No seating is reserved for groups.
- Graduates' coats may be hung in the Graduate Assembly Area; however, this should not be considered a secured area.
- Family and guests should be in their seats by 1:55 p.m. Doors to the ceremony floor will be closed at 2:00 p.m. for 20 minutes to accommodate the procession of the graduates and faculty.
- The tassel on the cap is to be worn on the RIGHT side until you are instructed at the end of the ceremony to switch your tassel.
- A professional photographer will take the picture of each graduate as s/he receives the degree. The photographer will contact each graduate by mail two weeks following the ceremony regarding the option of purchasing photos.
- Teacher licensure students should request their name card from the area of their major. They may then participate with the Teacher Education department (EDUC), if they wish.
- Actual Spring diplomas will not be available at the commencement ceremony. Graduates will be notified by mail at the end of June regarding the dates diplomas may be picked up or mailed.
- Official transcripts with Spring degrees posted will be available late June. You must request official degree transcripts. One will not automatically be sent to you. Please be informed that neither a transcript nor the diploma will be released until the student has cleared all debts to the College, and if you have a Perkins Loan you will need to complete the necessary Perkins Loan interview in CN-110.
- You are eligible to register for classes for one year following your graduation. Check MetroConnect for this and other information.
Application for Graduation
Access the Application for Graduation.
Graduation Checklist
Access the Graduation Checklist.
Instructions for Graduating Candidates
You must monitor MetroConnect for messages and information regarding preparation for Commencement. You will be sent reminder e-mail messages throughout the semester with information on cap and gown rental, graduation honors, graduation announcements, class rings, reporting time at the Convention Center, maps, etc.
If you do not receive the first email announcement by the end of April, please call 303-556-3068, 3983, or 303-352-4264 to determine that your name is on the list of candidates.
Cap and Gowns
The cap and gown supplier will be on campus to take fittings and distribute caps and gowns as follows: MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
| LOCATION: | Tivoli Student Union - Multicultural Lounge (just to the right as you enter the South Tivoli entrance) |
DATES/TIMES:* |
Tuesday, May 13th 10:00 am – 6:00 pm |
COST:** |
Cap, gown, and tassel rental = $19.50 |
*These dates should be early enough to arrange for professional photographs
on your own, if you wish. |
|
Graduation Announcements and Class Rings
If you wish to purchase personalized announcements and have not yet been contacted by the company, please call 1-800-433-0296. Though you may be contacted by more than one announcement company, this is the phone number of CB Announcements, which also supplies the Auraria Book Center. Non-personalized announcements are also available now in the Auraria Book Center. Orders for class rings will also be taken on the cap & gown distribution days, or may be ordered from the book center.
Commencement Ceremony Photos
A professional photographer will take the picture of each graduate as s/he receives the degree. The photographer will contact each graduate by mail two weeks following the ceremony regarding the option of purchasing photos. In order to update your address or to order prints, please contact Graduation Foto by phone (1-800-283-1779) or e-mail customerservice@gradfoto.com.
Commencement Ceremony DVD/VHS
VHS & DVD's are also available to order at commencement. You may also order a DVD or VHS of the commencement ceremony by calling 303-758-1818.
Honors
According to the Metro State Catalog to qualify for Summa Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, or Cum Laude, a graduate must have completed a minimum of 50 semester hours of Metro State (classroom) credit prior to the term in which he/she will graduate. Compare your Metro State cumulative grade point average (G.P.A.) and residence hours prior to Spring Semester 2008 as indicated on your CAPP Compliance Report with the G.P.A. cut-offs for the School in which your major department is located. The cut-offs are listed below. Students who qualify MUST contact their dean's office after May 9 for a letter of authorization to purchase honor cords at the time they rent their caps and gowns.
School |
Summa Cum |
Magna Cum |
Cum Laude |
Business |
3.90 |
3.74 |
3.65 |
Letters, Arts & Sciences |
3.93 |
3.85 |
3.77 |
Professional Studies |
3.92 |
3.86 |
3.75 |
Graduates with an Individualized Degree Program Major have been identified for honors purposes with the School most prominent in their major.
Honor Societies
Visit the Honor Societies Web Site.
Alumni Association
Visit the Alumni Association for more information.