Graduation Timeline

May 2012 Commencement

Please be sure to review and take note of key dates associated with May 2012 commencement-related activities.

March 2, 2012

Deadline to apply for May 2012 graduation. Find May 2012 graduation applications online.

• Only students graduating in May 2012 are permitted to walk. Under extenuating circumstances, some students may gain approval to walk early. See your Dean's office for additional details.
• Both a paper application and an online application (through VIP) must be submitted for the application process to be considered complete.
• Graduate students must submit the Graduate Level Application for Graduation to the Graduate Office. 
• Undergraduate students must submit a completed application for graduation at their academic dean's office.
• All students should contact their academic department in order to obtain further information on official graduation requirements and responsibilities. Honors status should also be reviewed and established at this time.

Mid-March 2012

Commencement information (aka, "Grad Pack") will be sent to the student's permanent mailing address. The Grad Pack will include valuable information from various campus departments and details on commencement-related items such as caps and gowns, announcements, class rings, and diploma frames.

Be sure to take care of the following details early:

• Teacher Certification Applications: (see college dean)
• Verification of Minor or Career Concentration: (see college dean)
• Financial Aid Loan Exit Interview: Recipients of the Stafford Loan program must complete an exit interview online or at the Financial Aid Office, Dixon 105, 724-938-4415, before graduation.
• Voter Registration: Graduating students who will be moving and are registered to vote in Washington County should update their registration with their new address, if staying within Pennsylvania. Details can be found online: http://www.votespa.com/portal/server.pt?open=514&objID=591539&mode=2.

March 26, 2012

First day this semester that graduation accessories will be available for purchase at the University Bookstore. Our Graduation Fair will be held Monday, March 26, 2012 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Faculty regalia will be available for rental.

It is recommended that students purchase caps and gowns at least one month prior to Commencement. Caps and Gowns: Undergraduate and graduate students must purchase approved academic robe and matching cap through the University Bookstore, except those who chose to wear their military dress uniform.

March 26, 2012

Last day for faculty to submit orders to purchase regalia (requires 6-8 week lead time).

April 3, 4, and 5, 2012

Spellman Studios will be on campus for senior portraits (yearbook photos) from 11- 6 p.m. in Hamer Hall Alumni Room. No appointments required - just walk in! Be sure to dress appropriately. No t-shirts or hats. The studio will send portrait package information along with proofs. Contact Joy Helsel, helsel@calu.edu, with any questions. 

April 23, 2012

Recommended date for purchase of caps and gowns. Students should arrange for purchase at least one month prior to Commencement, before sizes are limited and it is too late to place special orders. 

Last day for faculty to place regalia rental orders at the University Bookstore.

April 23, 2012

Students with disabilities should request necessary accommodations. Alternate access arrangements for commencement events and/or all other accommodation requests should be made to the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD), preferably by Monday, April 23, 2012. Contact OSD in person, Azorsky Hall - Room 105, or by phone, 724-938-5781.    

April 30, 2012

Honors cords will be available at the University Bookstore. Because of print deadlines for the Commencement brochure, grade point averages from the semester prior to the last semester are used to determine honors status at Commencement. Those students who meet the requirements after the last semester grades are posted can obtain and wear honor cords, but their names will not be listed in the program. Cords can be obtained at the University Bookstore (at no charge).

Review the undergraduate Honors at Graduation policy.

Honors cords are given to graduate students who complete their program with a cumulative minimum 3.75 QPA based on the semester prior to graduation. Graduate students will not be recognized in the Commencement program as receiving honors.

April 30, 2012

Graduates may return parking permits between April 30, 2012 and May 11, 2012. If students are required to be on campus, temporary parking permits for the last week of the semester can be obtained. Return parking permits to Room 123 in Manderino Library  Please call 724-938-4677 with any questions.

May 4, 2012

Deadline to register your contact information with the Cal U Alumni Association. You are required to update your information to ensure inclusion in our many Young Alumni mailings, e-blasts, networking events, insurance offerings, discounted car rental rates, Cal U logo license plate orders, and more. Don't miss out!

• Dinner begins at 6 p.m. in Gallagher Music Center. (This event is open to graduating students and invited faculty and staff members only.) 

• Commencement rehearsals begin immediately following dinner. Graduate School rehearsal will be held in Steele Hall and Undergraduate rehearsal will be held in the Convocation Center.

• Spellman Studios will be available take portraits at the graduate dinner, from 4 to 5:45 p.m., in the Gallagher Music Center Recital Hall. Contact Joy Helsel at helsel@calu.edu with any questions.

May 11, 2012

• ROTC Commissioning Ceremony, 10 a.m.

• Graduate Commencement, 7 p.m., Convocation Center 

May 12, 2012

• Undergraduate Commencement, 10 a.m., Convocation Center 

• CCAC Nursing Pinning Ceremony, 6 p.m., Steele Hall