Commencement 2017Commencement 2017Commencement 2017

Susan W. Gibson, University Registrar

102 Trevor Arnett Hall ● 223 James P. Brawley Drive, SW ● Atlanta, Georgia 30314

Commencement 2017Commencement 2017Commencement 2017 Schedule of ActivitiesSchedule of ActivitiesSchedule of Activities

MAY

3 Last Day of Classes

4 - 5 Senior Final Exams/Reading Period

9 Final Grades Due for Graduating Seniors

Graduation Overview

Thomas W. Cole, Jr. Science Research Center - Delores P. Aldridge Auditorium

Undergraduate Students - 3:00 p.m.

Graduate Students - 4:30 p.m.

16 Cap and Gown Distribution- Barnes and Nobles (CAU Bookstore) 12:00 noon

17 Honors and Scholars Convocation - 3:00 p.m.

Bishop Cornelius Henderson Student Center - Juanita Baranco Multipurpose Room

3rd Floor Graduate Salute - 5:00 p.m.

Bishop Cornelius Henderson Student Center - Juanita Baranco Multipurpose Room

19 Commencement Rehearsal - Panther Stadium

Undergraduate Students - 12:00 p.m.

Graduate Students - 4:00 p.m.

20 Hooding Ceremonies

School of Social Work - 11:00 a.m. - Vivian Wilson Henderson Center

Leonidas Epps Gymnasium

School of Education - 2:00 p.m. - Haven-Warren Hall - Davage Auditorium

21 Baccalaureate Services - Vivian Wilson Henderson Center

Leonidas Epps Gymnasium

Arrival Time - 8:00 a.m. Ceremony Start Time - 10:00 a.m.

Hooding Ceremony

School of Business - 2:00 p.m.

Thomas W. Cole Science Research Center - Delores Aldridge Auditorium

22 Commencement Convocation - Panther Stadium

Arrival Time - 6:00 a.m.

Ceremony Start Time - 8:00 a.m.

Commencement Checklist Commencement Checklist Commencement Checklist Candidates for graduation must complete an application for graduation and a degree audit. Students

must complete all degree requirements prior to graduation. Commencement is held once a year.

The summer 2016, fall 2016 and spring 2017 graduating students are invited to participate in this

year’s Commencement Convocation, Monday, May 22, 2017.

Students with 1-6 outstanding credits may petition to participate in Commencement activities.

Students who file an application for graduation, but fail to complete all graduation requirements as

planned, are required to submit a new application for graduation for the term in which they will

complete all requirements.

The following checklist will help you in tracking your progress toward commencement:

Review and verify completion of all degree requirements with your academic adviser.

Complete your degree audit and application for graduation with your academic adviser/

departmental chair.

Please type all information on your application for graduation.

Check your CAU student email account regularly, as this is how the Office of the

University Registrar will contact you regarding pertinent information concerning

graduation activities or information.

Diplomas will be printed with the name currently on record in BANNER, unless specified

otherwise.

Clear your academic record. Incomplete or in-progress grades must be converted to

satisfactory grades before your degree will be awarded.

Check BANNER for any holds on your student account.

Satisfy all financial obligations with Office of Student Accounts, including payment of the

$200 Graduation fee. Outstanding debt will prevent your participation in Commencement

and will delay release of your diploma and transcript.

Order your regalia from Herff Jones and/or CAU Bookstore after your application for

graduation has been submitted.

Obtain clearance for the Robert W. Woodruff Library: Atlanta University Center.

Academic Honor cords will be distributed at the Honors and Scholars Convocation.

Commencement Announcements will be distributed at the Graduation Explosion or in the

Office of the University Registrar.

Contact the Office of Career and Professional Development for assistance in writing and

posting your resume, as well as for career fair and possible interview schedules.

Diplomas will be available for pick-up immediately following the Commencement

Convocation. Diplomas not picked up following the commencement ceremony will be

mailed to the address indicated on your application for graduation or the updated address

on the back of your name card. Returned diplomas will be held for one year, after which

they will be destroyed. Duplicate copies of diplomas may be requested for $25 each.

Check with the Office of Financial Aid, as well as any financial institutions from which

you borrowed funds, concerning any outstanding educational loans and when payments on

those loans are scheduled to begin. Certain educational loans will require you to complete

an exit interview.

Mark your calendar and plan to participate with your classmates in the University’s annual

Baccalaureate Service on Sunday, May 21, 2017. A Baccalaureate Service is a celebration

that honors a graduating senior class from a college/university. The event is typically

a Christianity-based interdenominational worship service.

On Monday, May 22, 2017, report at 6:00 a.m., to the Bishop Cornelius Henderson

Student Center to prepare for the Commencement Ceremony line of march.

Join the University’s Alumni Association and plan to become active in a local chapter.

Update your mailing address in BANNER to receive current and future University

information and correspondence.

COMMENCEMENT CONVOCATION DECORUM

To make this a memorable occasion for each of our graduates, we request your cooperation by

adhering to the following guidelines:

All graduates must adhere to the dress code. Students in violation of the dress code will be

removed from the line of march and not permitted to participate in the ceremony.

GUEST ACCOMMODATIONS

Seating begins at 6:00 a.m. We request that your guests arrive at 7:30 a.m., thirty minutes

prior to the ceremony to make certain that they are seated comfortably. This is imperative

as it relates to the seating of elderly relatives or those requiring special assistance.

Special areas will be reserved for the graduates, special guests, faculty and special-needs

guests. All others should please proceed to designated areas not reserved for special

guests. Only one family member will be allowed to accompany a special-needs guest.

Transportation will be provided for elderly and special-needs guests from the entrance

gate to the area designated for special-needs guests.

Seats may not be held! We strongly encourage family and friends to arrive early in order

to sit together. If possible, designate an area to meet after the ceremony.

Please cooperate with the ushers. They are volunteers who are there to assist you. Be

courteous. To avoid conflicts, please follow the instructions.

CEREMONIAL DECORUM

There will be no admittance once the procession has begun. Late arrivals will be seated in

the upper stands of the stadium.

Individuals planning to take pictures or videotape are encouraged to secure seating in the

stadium to avoid interrupting the ceremony and other guests.

A professional photographer has been hired to take individual pictures of each student

accepting their diploma cover from the President. Graduation pictures may be ordered

online at www.curtismcdowell.com. The ceremony will be broadcast on the University’s

television station, CAU-TV, at a time to be determined following the event.

Please turn off cell phones and electronic devices. The use of cell phones during the

ceremony is prohibited. Should some parents and/or guests be on call, we request that

your put your cell phone on vibrate and take all calls outside of the event area.

Because of safety concerns with electrical wires, balloons will not be allowed in the

stadium.

Best wishes for a wonderful commencement experience!

Dress Code

Commencement Convocation is held outdoors. Therefore, to ensure

appropriate attire and maximum comfort, please strictly adhere to the

following:

Men: Black or Navy blue suit, white dress shirt, dark tie (black or blue); dark

dress shoes. No earrings.

Women: Black or White knee-length dress or suit, (Black pant suits are

permissible), closed-toe black shoes, flesh colored (skin-tone) hose, small

earrings.

Plain mortarboard caps must be worn.

NO DECORATED CAPS WILL BE PERMITTED.

Counseling and Disability Services Center

Students, family members or guests with disabilities or requiring special

accommodations for the Baccalaureate or Commencement Services should contact

Ms. Joyce Worrell via email at jworrell@cau.edu or (404) 880-8044.

Please provide the following information in your email:

Your name or guest name(s)

Telephone or cell phone number

Email address

A brief description of disability or accommodation needs

Students are urged to provide this information as soon as possible to ensure that you

and your guest(s) will have the necessary accommodations to participate in

commencement activities with minimum inconvenience.

Special-Needs

Students and/or family members requiring special needs should submit the following information:

Guest Information Student Information

Name__________________________________________

Telephone Number (_______)______________________

Email Address:__________________________________

Describe Need:

_______________________________________________

_______________________________________________

_______________________________________________

_______________________________________________

_______________________________________________

Name_________________________________________

Telephone Number (_______)_____________________

Email Address:_________________________________

Describe Need:

_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

Monday, May 22, 2017 at 6:00 a.m.

Graduate Students: Report to the Crogman Dinning Hall located on the 1st Floor of the

Bishop Cornelius Henderson Student Center.

Undergraduate Students: Report to the Juanita Baranco Multipurpose Room located on the

3rd Floor of the Bishop Cornelius Henderson Student Center.

YOU MUST HAVE YOUR PANTHER PAW CARD , VALID STATE ID

OR DRIVER’S LICENSE PRESENT AT ALL CHECKPOINTS

Checkpoint 1 - Bishop Cornelius Henderson Student Center (All students must

present valid ID in order to receive a Graduation Ticket*).

Checkpoint 2 - Panther Stadium Entrance (All students must present their ID and

Graduation Ticket).

Checkpoint 3 - Entrance onto the Track and Field All students must present their ID

and Graduation Ticket).

*Graduation ticket is the name card used to call your name when you walk across the

stage to receive your diploma cover. NOTE: Unauthorized Graduation tickets will be

confiscated and the student will not be allowed to participate.

Commencement Checkpoints