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02-024 Early Walking at Commencement Policy

I. SCOPE

This policy applies to current SUNY Canton students who have not yet met their graduation requirements prior to the spring commencement ceremony.

II. POLICY STATEMENT

This policy is meant to address the issue of students who wish to participate in the May commencement ceremony but will not have all degree requirements completed by the end of the spring term. This policy delineates the criteria for eligibility to participate in the commencement ceremony prior to the completion of graduation requirements.

III. POLICY

Students are eligible to participate in commencement prior to the completion of graduation requirements, provided the following criteria are met and Dean’s approval is given.

1. Student must be within 12 credit hours of completing all degree requirements and be in good academic (2.0 GPA or better) and social standing by April of the year they wish to walk.
2. Student must have a conversation with their academic advisor or Dean’s Office to ensure that they can complete their outstanding degree requirements by the end of the subsequent Fall semester. The Early Walking Application and Agreement must be completed by the end of the second week of April.
3. Student must complete all graduation requirements before a diploma will be issued.
4. Student can only walk at a single commencement.

IV. DEFINITIONS

None

V. OTHER RELATED INFORMATION

Students who have approval to walk early will not have honors denotations next to their name in the program, as they have not finished their degree requirements.

Student’s degree will not be posted on official records of transcripts until all requirements for the degree are completed.

Student names will not be included in any graduate press releases prior to them completing their degree requirements.

VI. PROCEDURES

1. Student completes and submits the Early Walking Application and Agreement online prior to the second Friday in April. Failure to meet the deadline will result in loss of eligibility to walk early and/or have their name appear in the program.
2. The student’s respective Dean’s Office will receive, review, and act on the application. The Dean will contact the Vice President for Student Affairs’ Office to ensure that the student is in good social standing. Notification of action will be emailed to the student and the Special Events Coordinator prior to the Commencement program going to print.
3. Upon receipt of all approved applications, the Special Events Coordinator will place student names in the program and contact the students with any pertinent information regarding Commencement.

VII. FORMS

Early Walking Application and Agreement

VIII. AUTHORITY

None

XI. HISTORY

None

X. APPENDICES

None

XI. FREQUENCY OF REVIEW AND UPDATE

Policies will have a normal review period of every five (5) years unless required otherwise.

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