Application for Graduation:

This should have been done in February. If you have not completed this application, you must do so immediately in:

• Utica: Registration’s Office – Payne Hall Student Service Center
• Rome: Room 117 Plumley Complex – Registration/Business Office

Graduation Fee:

To receive your diploma, this $35 must be paid whether or not you plan to attend commencement exercises. Payment can be made at:

• Utica: Student Service Center; Payne Hall – Business Office
• Rome: Room 117 Plumley Complex – Registration/Business Office

Caps, Gowns & Announcements:

All caps, gowns, hoods and eight free announcements may be picked up in the Bookstore on either campus beginning April 28. A student ID will be required to obtain commencement attire and announcements. The cap and gown are yours to keep. Bookstore hours are:

• Utica: 8am – 7:00pm Monday–Thursday and Friday 8am – 4pm
• Rome: 10am – 4pm Monday–Thursday and 10am – 3pm Friday

Services for People with Disabilities:

If you or any of your guests will need special assistance in attending the ceremony, please contact:

• Lynn Igoe, Coordinator – Disability Services
• Room 153 AB Utica Campus (315) 792–5413 (V/TTY)

Sign language interpreters will be provided. If one of your guests will require this service, please call to reserve seating for them.

Wheelchair seating is available in Section 204A of the Auditorium. One family member may be seated with each wheelchair user.

Photographs:

A professional firm will be photographing each candidate as they cross the stage. About two weeks after the ceremony, you will receive a proof of that photo. YOU ARE UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO PURCHASE ANY PHOTOS. Any purchases you make are strictly between you and Genesee Photo Systems, Inc

Parking:

Please observe all parking signs in the vicinity of the auditorium. Some parking is available in the auditorium lot, free of charge. Other parking is available in the Washington Street Garage (enter on the lower level via Broadway Street). There is a $2.00 charge for parking in the Garage. Be sure to identify yourself as participating in the MVCC commencement exercises.

Guidelines for Dress & Behavior:

Use common sense and dress appropriately for the occasion. No alcoholic beverages are permitted anywhere in the auditorium. Any alcohol will be confiscated prior to and during the ceremony. Behavior during the ceremony is expected to be mature and in line with the dignity of the occasion.

Arrival Time:

You should be at the auditorium by 3:30pm. Proceed to the lower level and look for a sign indicating your department. A faculty member will line you up in alphabetical order and give you a card with your name on it. ALL CANDIDATES MUST BE IN CAP & GOWN, IN PROPER ORDER BY 3:45PM. Your guests should go to their seats on the upper level. (No tickets are required).

Processional:

Commencement marshals will lead you to the proper row of seats. *MEN: REMOVE YOUR HATS. REMAIN STANDING THROUGH THE NATIONAL ANTHEM AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.

Presentation of Class:

Acting Vice President Engel will present the Class of 2009 to President VanWagoner. EVERYONE SHOULD STAND DURING THIS PRESENTATION. After the presentation, Commencement marshals will lead rows of candidates to the stage. YOU SHOULD REMAIN SEATED UNTIL YOUR ROW IS CALLED.

When You Reach the Stage:

Stay at the bottom of the stairs until the person in front of you begins to walk across the stage. Walk up the steps, hand your card to the department head and wait for your name to be called. Then, walk across stage to receive your diploma cover. Continue walking across stage and a commencement marshal will guide you back to your row of seats. REMAIN STANDING UNTIL EVERYONE IN YOUR ROW IS BACK AND THEN BE SEATED.

Recessional:

Remain standing until your row is led out by the commencement marshal. PROCEED OUT AT A NORMAL WALKING PACE, FOLLOWING THE DIRECTION OF THE MARSHAL.

Diploma:

The cover you receive from President VanWagoner will be empty. All diplomas will be mailed within 6–8 weeks.

Reception:

Beginning at 6:30pm in IT Building Lobby – Utica Campus. You and your guests are cordially invited.

Special Note:

If you are student with a disability and will require special assistance to receive your diploma cover, CONTACT LYNN IGOE as soon as possible so that appropriate arrangements can be made. She can be reached in Room 153AB or by telephone (315) 792–5413 V/TTY.

1. Complete all required and elective courses for the program as described in the catalog for your program or certificate.
2. Fill out application for graduation for the semester you complete the requirements. You may print, fill out and sign the application for graduation form. Please mail the form or submit the form to the Registration's Office. Spring 2009 applications for graduation due by February 1, 2009.

General deadlines to submit application	Graduation
February	Spring semester
July	Summer semester
September	Fall graduation

3. Pay your graduation fee and any other outstanding financial obligations to the college. Send your $35.00 graduation fee to the Business Office, 1101 Sherman Drive, Utica, NY 13501. Make check or money order payable to MVCC or provide credit card information (see form).
4. Clear all holds on your record (e.g. return books to the library).
5. Read graduation packet. Students who apply for graduation early in the semester receive their graduation packets through the mail. You may pick up a graduation packet from the Registration's Office in Utica.

• Final High School Transcript showing graduation information or GED Certificate on file.
• In order to graduate, students must pass all courses required for the program or certificate in which they have matriculated, and must achieve at least a 2.0 program grade point average. Courses should be completed as specified in the catalog including general education requirements and competency requirements.
• Residency Requirement: A minimum of 25% of the required program credits for graduation must be successfully completed at Mohawk Valley Community College.
• Students expecting to have transfer credit to count towards graduation should have all official transcripts on file. All transfer courses must be posted on your official transcript prior to graduation.
• Financial Obligations to the college must be fulfilled, including payment of the $35.00 graduation fee.
• Students are responsible for satisfying all requirements leading to a degree or certificate for the curriculum in which they are enrolled.
• Matriculation is terminated by graduation. Students intending to pursue another degree or certificate need to matriculate in the new degree or certificate.

A cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.75 is required for Graduation with Honors.

Providing that all requirements are fulfilled for both programs, including at least a 2.0 GPA in both, a student may concurrently or consecutively undertake a second degree program at the same level as the first. A second degree will be awarded only in those cases where the second program requires at least 15 semester credit hours of specific courses which are not part of the requirements of the first.

A passing grade in two credit hours of the Instructional Program in Physical Education is a graduation requirement for students in most degree-granting programs at Mohawk Valley Community College. This requirement applies to all full-time students who matriculated in or after the Fall semester of 1982. Those part-time students who matriculated after September 1987 have the same Physical Education graduation requirements as full time students.

Students with physical limitations or disabilities should consult with a member of the Physical Education faculty to discuss their specific needs. Although physical education courses may be repeated for credit, any given course may be counted only once toward the two-credit requirement (e.g., PE 154 may only count as one credit of the graduation requirement no matter how many times it was taken). Students having met the physical education requirement for graduation may elect to participate further in the physical education program. The application of elective credits earned in physical education is the prerogative of the degree-granting program in which the student is enrolled. Some physical education courses may have additional fees attached.

A passing grade in ED 100, College Seminar, is a graduation requirement in all degree-granting programs, to be taken within the first thirty hours of instruction. This requirement applies to all students who matriculated in or after the fall semester 1994.

Diplomas are mailed to students 6-8 weeks after certification.