2016 commencement changes
Posted on: November 24, 2015; Updated on: November 24, 2015
By Wes Hickman, whickman@mailbox.sc.edu
The university will experiment with a new commencement calendar in 2016, moving from ceremonies held in May, August and December to dates in May and December only.
The decision follows several years of declining interest in the August ceremony among graduating students and participation rates well below 50 percent of eligible graduates. The move — in line with many peer institutions in the SEC and around the country — will help ensure all graduates receive the superior commencement experience they deserve.
Additionally, the change will encourage students graduating on a four-year track to complete graduation requirements in time for the May ceremony, rather than assuming the additional cost of an extra summer term.
Students who plan to graduate in August 2016 may participate in the May 2016 commencement ceremony. August graduates also still are eligible to participate in the December ceremony. For more information, graduates should contact their college's or school's advisement office.
Students complete their degrees in the semester in which they complete the requirements for their degree. As always, the Registrar’s Office will review a student’s final credentials at the end of the summer term in August to ensure all degree requirements were met and that there are no outstanding holds on the records. Diplomas will be then be ordered and mailed in early fall as they have been. The process of final review takes about one month and up to three months before diplomas are mailed.
Over the course of the year, the university will collect feedback and track participation in ceremonies before making a final determination about the 2017 commencement calendar.
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