Home > Policies > Procedures Manual > Academic > 02-024 Commencement Ceremony - Walk Early Policy

02-024 Commencement Ceremony - Walk Early Policy

I. SCOPE

This policy applies to current SUNY Canton students who are close to completing but will not meet their degree requirements prior to the Commencement Ceremony.

II. POLICY STATEMENT

This policy delineates the criteria for eligibility to participate in person/walk across the stage in the Commencement Ceremony prior to the completion of degree requirements.

III. POLICY

 Students are eligible to participate in person/walk across the stage in the Commencement Ceremony prior to the completion of degree requirements, provided the following criteria are met, Dean’s approval is given, and required Commencement tasks are completed.

1. The student must be within 12 credit hours of completing all degree requirements and be in good academic standing (2.0 GPA or better).
2. The student must be able to complete their outstanding degree requirements by the end of the subsequent Fall semester.
3. The student must complete and submit the Request to Walk Early Application and Agreement by the Submission Period deadline (second Friday of April by 4 p.m.) in order to avoid having to complete the Late Walk process and fee payment.
4. The student must complete all degree requirements before a diploma will be issued.
5. SUNY Canton will not certify or verify the student’s degree information for potential employers or other parties until degree requirements are completed.
6. An approval to walk early does not constitute the completion of the student’s degree and does not imply a contractual obligation of the university to provide a diploma.
7. Students approved to walk early:
   1. Will not have their degree(s) posted on official records or transcripts until all requirements for the degree are completed.
   2. Will not have their names included in any graduate press releases until all requirements for the degree are completed.
   3. Can only walk at a single commencement for each degree received.
   4. Will only have their name printed in the program once for each degree received and only if the program has not gone to print.
   5. Will not have honors denotations next to their name in the program, as all requirements for the degree are not complete.

IV. DEFINITIONS

None

V. OTHER RELATED INFORMATION

None

VI. PROCEDURES

1. The student completes and submits the Request to Walk Early Application and Agreement* by the Submission Period deadline (second Friday in April by 4 p.m.).
2. The student’s respective Dean’s Office will receive, review, and act on the application.  
3. The Dean’s Office will email the student and the Special Events Coordinator with their decision and next steps.
4. Upon receipt of an approved application, the Special Events Coordinator will contact the student with final instructions and approval to attend the ceremony in person/walk across the stage.
5. The Special Events Coordinator will contact the Graphic Designer to have the student’s name added to the Commencement program.
6. Late applications will follow steps 2. through 4. above and will be processed as a Walk Late Request**. Step 5 will be completed if the Commencement program has not gone to print.
   **Walk Late Requests require a late-fee payment of $20.

VII. FORMS

Request to Walk Early Walking Application and Agreement  – located on UCanWeb under the Graduation and Services Card

VIII. AUTHORITY

None

XI. HISTORY

None

X. APPENDICES

None

XI. FREQUENCY OF REVIEW AND UPDATE

Policies will have a normal review period of every five (5) years unless required otherwise.

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