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Graduation Information

Commencement is held in McKenzie Arena at 2:00 pm

Term Commencement Date Graduation Application Deadline
Spring 2007 May 6, 2007 October 16, 2006
Summer 2007 August 12, 2007 March 15, 2007
Fall 2007 December 16, 2007 June 15, 2007
Spring 2008 May 4, 2008 October 15, 2007
Summer 2008 August 10, 2008 March 17, 2008
Fall 2008 December 14, 2008 June 16, 2008
Spring 2009 May 3, 2009 October 15, 2008
Summer 2009 August 9, 2009 March 16, 2009

Arrival Time
Please arrive by 1:15p.m McKenzie Arena -- 1st floor. You will line up in the area designated Graduation Candidates' Robing Room located on the first floor of the Arena. Graduate candidates and undergraduate candidates robe in separate rooms. Please watch for the posted signs to determine the appropriate room for you to use. Faculty marshals will be available with signs to indicate where the line for your college is forming. Marshals will make a final check of graduation candidates at approximately 1:40p.m. All graduates not in line at that time will be considered in absentia and their names will not be read at the ceremony.
Attire
Students should wear lightweight, comfortable clothing underneath the gown. Male graduate are advised to wear dress trousers in a dark color, a dress shirt with tie, dark shoes and dark socks. Female graduates are advised to wear an appropriate day dress or slacks, and comfortable dark shoes and should not carry a purse or handbag.
The cap should be worn so that the mortarborad is level/flat on the head. It should not be slanted to the back or side of the head. The crown should be approximately one inch above the eyebrow.
Caps and Gowns
Caps and gowns can be purchased in the Bookstore in the University Center. In addition to your height, weight, and hat size, you will also need to know the academic degree you are to receive.
Check-In on Graduation Day
Please check here Marshal Assignment to determine which faculty marshal will assist you in lining up for the processional. Faculty marshals will distribute cards with the names and honors designations for each graduate. Please keep your card with you, as you will hand it to the faculty secretary who will read your name once you ascend the stairs to the stage.
Current Address and Telephone Number
Please be sure that the Records and Registration Office has current and accurate information in the event that we must contact your prior to Commencement. Your graduation specialist will make every attempt to contact you if you have not met the requirements for graduation after grades have been posted.
Diplomas
Diplomas will be available 6-8 weeks after graduation. Students will be notified via UTC email when the diplomas arrive. Diplomas can be picked up in the Records and Registration Office in 109 Race Hall or mailed to the address you provide on the Diploma Mailing Card(PDF).
Disability (Special Needs) Accommodations
If you or a family member requires special assistance at Commencement, please contact the Associate Provost's Office at 425-4515.

Wheelchair users should speak with an usher for directions to designated wheelchair seating. Space is limited to the wheelchair user and one companion.

Do Not Release Information Flag
If you previously submitted a request to the Records Office requesting that your directory information NOT be released, your name will NOT appear in the Commencement Program. To have the "do not release" flag removed, you must submit a request in writing to the Records Office. The request must be submitted prior to the printing of the Commencement program which is usually 5 weeks prior to the date of Commencement.
Faculty Marshal Assignment List
Please check here Marshal Assignment to determine the assistant marshal who will assist you in lining up for the processional.
Graduation Ceremony Process
Please hand your pronouncement card to the faculty secretary who will read your name as you ascend the stairs and cross the stage. You will receive a congratulatory certificate from the dean of your college and will shake hands with the chancellor as you cross the stage. After you cross the stage, you will return to your seat on the Arena floor for the remainder of the ceremony.
Handicapped Seating
Wheelchair users should speak with an usher for directions to designated wheelchair seating. Space is limited to the wheelchair user and one companion.
Holds
Financial Aid Exit Interview: Students who have had financial aid loans must complete an exit interview. If you have not already done so, please contact the Financial Aid Office prior to Commencement. Failure to do so means a hold place on your academic record preventing us from fulfilling any transcript requests you submit after commencement.

Holds: In compliance with Tennessee law, all financial obligations to the University such as fees, tuition, parking fines, library fines, transcript fees, or return of any rented or borrowed equipment must be cleared before your diploma can be released or any transcript request can be fulfilled.

Senior Exit Exam: Graduation requirements for all undergraduate students include completion of the Senior Exit Exam. If you have not completed this requirement, please contact the UTC Testing Center at 425-4288. Diplomas will not be released to students who have not completed the Senior Exit Exam.

Honors Designation
The honors designation listed in the Commencement Program may not reflect final honors status since the program is printed prior to the posting of final grades.
Honors Tassels
Gold tassels are provided to undergraduate students graduating Magna Cum Laude. White tassels are provided to those students graduating Summa Cum Laude. Faculty marshals will distribute these tassels when you line up just prior to the commencement service.
Photographer
A professional photographer will take your picture as you cross the stage. You will be mailed a proof of the photograph at no expense to you provided that the Records and Registration Office has an accurate permanent address for you. If you have moved and not updated your mailing address, please be sure to submit a change of address form to the Records and Registration Office.
Pronouncement Cards
You will be notified by email when you can meet with commencement officials to verify the pronounciation of your name. If you have any concerns about the accurate pronunciation of your name, it is important that you stop by the Records and Registration Office during that time. No other time is scheduled for this purpose.
Rehearsal
There is no rehearsal prior to the commencement exercise. You will receive instructions from your faculty marshal on the day of commencement. Please be sure to arrive at McKenzie Arena by 1:15p.m.
University Honors

Undergraduate Students

Cum Laude - both the cumulative and the UTC grade point average at the end of the final semester are at least 3.5.

Magna Cum Laude - both the cumulative and the UTC grade point average at the end of the final semester are at least 3.75.

Summa Cum Laude - the undergraduate student with the highest grade point average in the graduating class will graduate Summa Cum Laude if the average is at least 3.9.

Graduate Students

Graduate students do not graduate with honors since a minimum 3.0 grade point average is required to graduate.
Other Questions
Please contact Sandy-Zitkus@utc.edu if you have any other questions or concerns that are not addressed here.