DATE: April 1, 2020
TO: Faculty, Staff and Students
FROM: Robert Z. Carr, Jr., Ed.D., Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
RE: Graduation Exit Requirements and Payment of Graduation Fees

As we continue to adjust to the new normal as we deal with the Covid-19 pandemic, I have been in the process of working with our academic deans, department chairs, and other university personnel to work through some of our issues. Two issues that I have received the most questions about have been exit requirements for Spring 2020 graduating seniors and can seniors pay their graduation fees online?

Exit requirements for Spring 2020 Graduating Seniors:
After working with the academic deans and department chairs, and because of the stress that the Covid-19 pandemic has caused, it has been recommended to me that the comprehensive examinations, the English Proficiency Examinations and rising junior examination for Spring 2020 graduating seniors be waived. (I concur with this recommendation; therefore, these assessments will be waived and will not prevent Spring 2020 graduates from completing degree requirements).

Payment of graduation fees:
The Controller's Office has created an electronic form in the shopping cart for graduating seniors to pay all fees associated with graduation. These fees cover the costs of the diploma, the diploma cover, the transcript that you receive, and the cost of the commencement ceremony. Although the date has not been released as of yet, we intend to have a commencement ceremony in late summer. If we are unable to have a ceremony, because of Covid-19, we will invite our Spring 2020 graduates to attend either the Winter 2020 or Spring 2021 ceremony of their choice. Finally, we are feverishly working on a completely online clearance process, so please be patient and bear with us as we automate our current processes.

Let us finish the Spring 2020 semester strong!