The number of students graduating from NGCSU is steadily rising. In an effort to continue smooth, seamless preparations for these ceremonies, the Registrar's office must adapt to these growing numbers. The following graduation policy and procedures will be implemented beginning with Summer's graduating class (August 2005).

Each student who plans to graduate from NGCSU must:

• Submit a plan of study to the Registrar's office prior to earning a specified number of earned hours.
• Submit an application for graduation no later than the published deadline
• Pay the graduation fee prior to the deadline
• Participate in the NGCSU commencement ceremony

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The plan of study is the first indication to the Registrar's office of a student's intent to graduate from NGCSU. Each student is tracked by graduating class according to the graduation term listed on the plan.

Students who do not submit a plan of study in an appropriate manner cannot be tracked. The Registrar's office uses the following methods to attempt to increase the number of plans of study submitted by students.

• Contact students via email regarding the approaching plan of study ‘limit'.
• Request assistance from departmental secretaries by sending lists of students who are approaching the plan of study ‘limits'.
• Place holds on students' records for those who exceed the specified number of earned hours. This hold restricts registration and grade access for the student.

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The application for graduation orders the student's diploma, triggers degree verification and secures the student's name in the graduation program. This form also confirms the contact information for the student in the final semester. The address listed is used as a mailing address for the diploma (if the student does not receive the diploma at the ceremony).

However, in order for the Registrar's office to continue to offer the same or better service to students, we will strictly adhere to the deadline for this application. This application is the confirmation that we need from the student that (s)he plans to graduate in the specified semester.

The implementation of the following items strengthens the application process for graduation.

• If an application for graduation arrives in the Registrar's office prior to the plan of study, the application will not be accepted and will be returned to the student. The plan of study must be submitted prior to the application.
• Applications for each semester's graduation vary. A student must complete the form appropriate for his/her term of graduation.
• A new application for graduation must be submitted by a student who does not graduate in the term previously specified.
• If an application is not received by the deadline, the student will be assessed a late fee of $100.

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The graduation fee offsets graduation costs for programs and the students' diplomas. Beginning Summer 2005, the graduation fee changes in the following ways.

• The graduation fee is due on the same day as the application for graduation. Fees submitted after the deadline are subject to the $100 late fee.
• Graduation fees are no longer 'rolled' to the subsequent term if the student does not graduate in the given term. Student(s) who do not graduate in the specified term must pay the graduation fee again for the new graduation term. Students who move their graduation term from Summer to Fall 2005 must pay the new $20 fee.

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Students who participate in the graduation ceremony receive their actual diploma from our NGCSU president. However, students who choose not to participate in the ceremony (those who graduate in absentia) can receive their diploma by mail after the ceremony and after all degree requirements have been met.

Due to the rising costs incurred with diploma mailings and an increase in the number of students who do not participate, students graduating in absentia will assist with the expense. Students who do not participate in the ceremony will be assessed a mailing fee. This fee is separate from the graduation fee (and any late application fee) and will not be charged to students who participate in the ceremony. Two categories of students are listed below.

**NOTE: Students must request to graduate in absentia from the Registrar's office at least 2 weeks prior to the ceremony. Students who contact the Registrar's office after this point will be charged the $10 fee.

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