Frequently Asked Questions About Graduation and CommencementIf you are unable to find the answer to any of your questions, contact the Office of the Registrar.
Q: How do I participate in the graduation ceremonies?A: Participation in the ceremony is available to all candidates because degree confirmation is not determined prior to the ceremony. Whether or not you plan to attend the graduation ceremony, it is imperative that you complete a Graduation RSVP online by the deadline of April 9, 2008. Even if you checked the "yes" or "no" box on your graduation application for ceremony attendance, you must still submit a Graduation RSVP online via the graduation website. If your plans change concerning your participation in the graduation ceremony, please simply submit another RSVP online. Only your most recent submission will be used. Q: What should I wear to the graduation ceremony?A: Dress for the ceremony is business casual. All students who participate in the graduation ceremonies are required to wear the proper graduation regalia. There are five steps which students will use to get up, on and down from the stage at the ceremonies; therefore, please wear the appropriate shoes. Please leave all personal items such as purses, cell phones, stuffed animals, flowers, etc. with friends and family. You will not be allowed to take anything with you on stage. The white collars that come with the ladies' graduation gowns are optional. Q: Where can I order graduation announcements and find out about a brick for Legacy Lane?A: You may contact Herff Jones directly at www.herff-Jones.com to order your graduation announcements. Q: Is there a limit on the number of guests I can invite?A: Yes, there is a limit. Each student will be allotted a number of tickets during ticket pick up week based on the number of students who have RSVP'ed to attend each ceremony. Tickets are required for each guest due to building capacity restrictions. If a child will be taking up space for a seat, the child will need a ticket. Additional tickets may be requested, however their availability is not guaranteed. If additional tickets become available, they will not be distributed until the
Monday after the week of reserved ticket pick up. Q: Will there be a professional photographer at Commencement?A: Yes. Flash Photography will be present at Commencement. They will send you proofs of your pictures taken at Commencement in addition to information regarding ordering prints. You may contact them at 214-443-9393 or e-mail them at flash@airmail.net for more information. Q: Will there be a professional videographer at Commencement?A: Yes. DVDs may be purchased through HiEd. You may contact HiEd Inc. at Tel.: 972-437-3747 E-mail: sales@hied.com Q: Who do I notify if I think I will earn honors?A: Undergraduates receive academic honors. Graduates do not receive academic honors. Undergraduates should contact their academic advisor for additional information. Q: Where and when will I get my Latin Honors medallion?A: Medallions for Latin Honors undergraduates will be handed out by the Undergraduate Dean to students in line 30 minutes prior to the ceremony. Latin Honors candidates must be in line in order to receive their medals. Q: Who do I contact to arrange disability accommodations?A: The cermony will be projected with captions on a large screen behind the stage.
If you are a person with a disability or
expect guests with a disability and need special accommodations,
Disability Services provides seating on the main floor
at commencement. Please Note:
The Office of Disability Services accommodates requests on a first
come, first serve basis at commencement and does not
issue reserved tickets, please contact the Office of Disability Services
at disabilityservice@utdallas.edu
for information. Q: In which ceremony do I walk if I am a double degree or double major student?A: If you are earning a double degree, you must notify the Graduation Office at graduation@utdallas.edu by TBA. and notify the Graduation Team which ceremony you will walk in and under which degree. You may only walk in one ceremony. At that ceremony, the orator will announce that you are receiving a second degree when your name is called. If you are a double major, you must walk under your designated primary major.
The orator at the ceremony will announce both of your majors as you walk across the stage. Q: Will there be a graduation rehearsal?A: No. You should arrive at the UT Dallas Activities Center at least 30 minutes prior to your graduation ceremony. The number on your graduation card refers to the group you will assemble in. This group will be in the hall or in the auxiliary gym. There will be signs directing you to the hall or the gym. Please come already dressed in your graduation regalia. Q: I have not met all the requirements for graduation. May I still walk in the ceremony?A: Bachelors and masters students who do not complete their degree requirements may still participate in the ceremony. Even if you do not complete your degree requirements, participation in the ceremony is available to all candidates because degree confirmation is not determined prior to the ceremony. However, all participants must complete a Graduation RSVP by the deadline. You may not walk in the ceremony for the current semester and a later semester, you may only walk once. Doctoral students are the only graduates who receive diplomas at the graduation ceremony. Bachelors and masters students receive a certificate of congratulations. Q: How will my name be spelled in the Graduation program?A: Your name will appear in the program the way you
printed it on your application for graduation. Please
note: If you currently have confidentiality on the
"name" and/or "degrees awarded" your name will not
appear in the program. To remove confidentiality from
your records, you must come to the Registrar's Office
and complete the required form no later than April 7, 2008. If you are not sure whether or not you have
confidentiality on your records, please contact the
Office
of the Registrar. Q: How long is each ceremony?A: Each Graduation ceremony lasts approximately two hours. Q: How and when will I know if I have met all my graduation requirements?A: Undergraduate Students: Approximately four weeks before the graduation ceremonies the Graduation Office will complete all audits for undergraduate students and will send out the appropriate information for each audit. No information is ever given by the Graduation Office over the phone, in person, or via e-mail regarding a student's graduation status. Please check with the department of your major if you have any concerns about your graduation status. After the official UT Dallas grade day, students who have not met the requirements for their degree will be notified by e-mail that they must reapply for a future semester. Graduate Students: The graduate departments perform degree audits for graduate students in conjunction with the Graduate Dean's Office. Should you have any questions about your graduation status, please contact the department of your major. |
