Commencement 2008

Graduate Checklist

This checklist outlines everything you need to do to prepare for graduation. You must complete all of the required steps by the specified deadlines in order to participate in the ceremony. To simplify the process you can complete many of these steps online.

In order to graduate, you must also fulfill all academic requirements outlined in the University catalog. E-mail CommencementSupport@ccu.edu if you have any questions about your graduation requirements. Please make sure you include your ID number.

Required Items

  • Submit your CUS Graduate Application (PDF) or CAGS Graduate Application (PDF) to Service Central by the extended deadline of March 1, 2008.
  • Fill out the Commencement Information Collection Form online between February 15 and March 31, 2008. Please remember, you must have six or fewer credits remaining after the spring semester in order to participate in the Commencement ceremony. If you are eligible to participate, please print out your official name card after submitting this form and bring it to the ceremony.
  • Order your caps and gowns, and other regalia at the one of the Grad Fairs on March 13 and March 14 at the CCU Bookstore and save on shipping costs. You may also order online through the Jostens Web site by April 16, 2008. After this deadline, you must call Jostens at 800-854-7464 to order; late orders will also be assessed a $10 late fee and expedited shipping charges. The white collar that comes with your regalia does not need to be worn. Master’s degree candidates must order a degree-specific hood along with their regalia for a special hooding ceremony on stage when they receive their diploma.
  • Review the qualifications for special bachelor's degree honor cords and instructions for obtaining a cord if you qualify.
  • Check your student account balance online and pay any fines and fees by April 18, 2008. You will not be permitted to participate in Commencement unless your student account is paid in full.
  • If you received any Perkins loans and/or Federal Stafford loans you must complete an exit interview by April 30, 2008. Unlike a grant or scholarship, Perkins and Stafford Loans must be repaid. After graduation prudent students maintain a realistic budget that includes their student loan payments. Lenders offer several payment options that help students with their various career and income levels. The exit interview walks through these and other significant items for graduating students. The exit interview can only be done online, so it is important to complete it by the April 30 deadline.
  • If you have special needs, such as a physical disability, e-mail CommencementSupport@ccu.edu as soon as possible so we can make special arrangements.

Optional Items

  • If you wish to order graduation announcements or class rings, you can order online through the Jostens Web site by March 31, 2008. In addition, representatives from Jostens will be holding Grad Fairs on March 13 and March 14 at the CCU Bookstore to assist students with class ring and announcement orders. Download the Jostens Grad Fair flyer (PDF) for details.
  • Professional photographers from Graduation Foto will be taking photos of each graduate during the ceremony. At least two photos will be taken: one portrait shot of each student standing in front of a flag and another as the student receives the diploma from CCU’s President. Visit the Graduation Foto Web site to pre-order graduation photos prior to Commencement. (Enter Event# 26237574 to access information for CCU.) You may also order photos online for up to one year after the May 10, 2008 Commencement date. Download the Graduation Foto flyer (PDF) for details.
  • Joyco Multimedia will be videotaping the Commencement ceremony. You can order a Commencement video through the Joyco Web site or at the Joyco table after Commencement.