2020-2021 Dates and Deadlines for Graduating Seniors

Graduation 2020-2021 Academic Year

GRADUATION GUIDELINES

REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADUATION

Please adhere to your Catalog of entry:
- All Students must meet:
  - General Education Requirements
  - Minimum of 124 hours towards graduation
  - 2.00 grade point average in major and overall
  - Grade of “C” in all required courses (including General Education)
Repeated courses will not count towards gradation
All graduation Developmental courses (Mat091, Rea091, Eng100 etc.) will not count towards graduation
requirements must be met by deadlines listed on the “Dates and Deadlines” document and the College’s Academic Calendar.
Community Service requirements are being waived for the 2020-2021 academic year for graduating senior. Freshmen, Sophomores and Juniors have time to catch up depending on the status of COVID-19 for the 2021-2022 academic year.

APPLICATION PROCESS

All students planning to complete requirements in December, May or during the summer must submit an Application for Degree by October 23, 2020 in order for the Office of Records to prepare a Senior Audit. The audit will be sent to the student’s Division Dean by November 1, 2020.
The student must meet with their advisor to determine graduation status.

Students not on track must discuss graduation options with major advisor to determine graduation date for the next graduation cycle.
All application deadlines as stated in the academic calendar are enforced.

HONORS AT GRADUATION

Bachelor’s degree students
Calculated after all final grades are posted
Students will wear gold honor cards
Honors awarded to students meeting the following scholarship standards at graduation:
- With honors 3.00 – 3.19
- Cum laude 3.20 – 3.49
- Magna cum laude 3.50 – 3.79
- Summa cum laude 3.80 – 4.00

CEREMONY PARTICIPATION

Students who have completed all requirements, have no debts with the college and have been checked out as final prior to the graduation deadline date
- May have honors recognition
- Will have degree conferred
- Will pick up diploma immediately after the Commencement Ceremony
As of October 14, 2018 the “Walking Policy” has been ELIMINATED. All students must complete all degree requirements prior to participating in the graduation ceremony at Tougaloo College.

DIPLOMAS

Diplomas will be mailed to students who do not participate in the graduation ceremony by certified mail to the address listed on the Application for Degree.

REGAILIA

The Regalia Attire is the traditional black cap and gown for Bachelor and Master Degree candidates and maroon for Associate Degree candidates.

Ladies should wear dark dresses under their academic gown with black shoes and modest jewelry.
Men should wear dark pants, ties and a white shirt under their academic gown and black shoes.

SENIOR CLEARANCE

The Senior Clearance Sheet will be available on-line in the Office of the Bursar prior to each upcoming graduation date and should be completed in signature order beginning with the first signature. Signatures from the Office of Records and the Office of the Bursar may be secured after final grades have been submitted and all degree requirements have been successfully completed and verified.

COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES

The Commencement Exercises for the 2020-2021 Academic Year is currently scheduled for May 2, 2021 for students completing all degree requirements as of the August 2020, December 2020 and May 2021.

All candidates for graduation must apply by completing an Application for Degree located on the Tougaloo College website at www.tougaloo.edu/admissions/office-registrar/application-degree.

The Application for Degree is REQUIRED and MUST be submitted to the Office of Records by the deadline posted for the date the candidate intends to complete requirements. If degree requirements are NOT met by the date requested on the Application for Degree, the candidate must reapply by completing another Application for Degree to be considered for the next intended graduation date. Only students with a current Application for Degree on file in the Office of Records will be considered for graduation.

The graduation fee is $100.00 for cost associated with graduation. This includes the Diploma, Cap/Gown and other graduation expenses. This fee is non-refundable.

GRADUATING SENIORS REQUIRED DATES AND DEADLINE

ACADEMIC YEAR 2020-2021

DATES/DEADLINES	REQUIRED ACTIVITY
Fall 2020
Friday, August 28, 2020	Mandatory Senior Class Meeting (Virtual)
September 1- October 23, 2020	Seniors meet with Major Advisor to complete “Graduation Verification Form” verify hours, grades, courses, etc., must past 124 college credit hours and have a 2.00 CGPA.
Friday, October 16, 2020	Deadline to submit Senior Thesis for students completing requirements as of fall smester 2020. Deadline to submit Senior Thesis Topics and Statements for May and August graduates.
Friday, October 23, 2020	Degree Application Deadline for students completing requirements as of fall 2020 and for all students requesting a Senior Audit. NO EXCEPTIONS
October 23 - November 1, 2020	The Office of Records pepares Senior Audits fo all students submitting an Application for Degree by October 23, 2020.
Friday, October 23, 2020	Senior Clearance Sheets available on-line in the Office of the Bursar (Students completing in December). Degrees will be awarded in May 2021.
SPRING 2021
Friday, January 15, 2021	Mandatory Senior Class Meeting (Virtual).
Monday, February 1, 2021	Application for Degree Deadline for May Graduates NO EXCEPTIONS Priority Date for students completing requirements during the summer of 2021.
Monday, April 5, 2021	Senior Clearance Sheets available online, in the Office of the Bursar (May and Summer Graduates)
April 15-17, 2021	Senior Thesis Week (May and August graduates)
Friday, April 16, 2021	Deadline for paying outstanding fees by check to Office of the Bursar including $100.00 graduation fee.
Friday, April 16, 2021	All degree requirements must be completed and on file in the Office of Records with the exception of final exams.
Friday, April 16, 2021	Honors Ceremony for Seniors (6:00 p.m. Woodworth Chapel)
Tuesday, April 30, 2021	Senior papers must be electronically submitted by the major advisor, to the Commission on Writing by 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday, April 20, 2021	Graduating Senior Grades Due by 3:00 p.m. All degree requirements must be met.
April 20-21, 2021	Senior Final Examinations
Thursday, april 22, 2021	Graduation Senor Grades Due by 3:00 p.m. All degree requirements must be met.
Friday, April 23, 2021	Priority Date for paying all Graduation Fees and all Financial Obligations
Monday, April 26, 2021	Registrar’s Office Senior Clearance beginning at 2:00 p.m.
Tuesday, April 27, 2021	Mandatory Graduation Rehearsal Assemble in Holmes Hall Auditorium 11:00 a.m.
Tuesday, April 27, 2021	Turn in Senior Clearance Sheets to Office of the Bursar/Finance/Fiscal Mgt, between 1:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Pick up Caps and Gowns
Wednesday, April 28, 2021	BACCALAUREATE SERVICES 10:00 a.m. Woodworth Chapel
Friday, May 30, 2021	Final date to settle all Financial Obligations and pick up caps and gowns by 5:00 p.m. NO EXCEPTIONS
Sunday, May 2, 2021	COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY Report to Holmes Hall Auditorium by 9:00 a.m.
Sunday, May 2, 2021	Pick up Diploma immediately following Commencement in Chapel Conference Room located in basement of the Chapel.
SUMMER 2021
Monday, June 7, 2021	Degree Application Deadline for students completing summer NO EXCEPTIONS
Monday, July 5, 2021	Senior Clearance Sheets available in the Office of the Bursar (students completing requirements during the summer)
Monday, July 23, 2021	Degree requirements due in Office of Records by 5:00 p.m. for summer graduates.