CLASS Convocation Fall 2016

CLASS Convocation Ceremony Friday, December 16, 2016

CLASS Convocation will include all Fall 2016 bachelor’s, master’s and Ph.D. degree candidates and all Summer 2016 graduates from the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences. Families and friends are encouraged to attend.

Schedule

7:30 a.m. Early Admission Mobility Impaired Guests, UH Basketball Facility
8:00 a.m. Guest General Admission - Doors open to UH Basketball Facility
8:00 a.m. Degree Candidates Line-up
8:30 a.m. Degree Candidate Procession Begins
9:00 a.m. Convocation Ceremony Begins
11:30 a.m. Ceremony Concludes

CLASS COOGS Senior Celebration!   *Cap Decorating*

• Date: Thursday, December 8, 2016
• Agnes Arnold Hall 210, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Summer ‘16 CLASS grads & Fall ‘16 CLASSgrads are invited!
• Celebrate your accomplishment by decorating your cap!
• Enter Cap Decorating contest!
• Everything is free!  Decorating supplies, food, snacks, soft drinks! Giveaways!
• Please arrive no later than 4:15 p.m.  Inquiries – E-mail:classcoogs@uh.edu

Parking

*Ceremony attendees should expect to park some distance from the graduation venues and will need to walk across campus to their destinations. Please wear suitable clothing and footwear for walking and be prepared for a crowd.

Guest Information

When inviting guests, please be advised of the following:

Guest Tickets

Guest tickets are not required for this event.

UH Basketball Facility

• Doors will open 1 hour before the ceremony.
  • CLASS Convocation starts at 9:00 a.m. Doors will open at 8:00 a.m. for seating.
• If necessary, guests will be required to release any saved seats 15 minutes prior to the beginning of the procession.
  • This will be strictly enforced by security and ushers.
• Doors to  UH Basketball Facility will close if maximum capacity is reached. This decision is made by the UH Fire Marshall and not the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences.

Guests with Mobility Impairments

Special seating is available, but limited. Please plan to arrive early. UH Basketball Facility doors will open at 7:30 a.m., 30 minutes earlier than the scheduled opening time, for guests with mobility impairment so they may be comfortably seated. Please email CLASS Convocation coordinators no later than Wednesday, November 30, 2016 to reserve space for mobility impaired students and/or guests.

In order to accommodate as many mobility impaired guests as possible, there will be a strict limit of one guest to accompany the mobility impaired guest in the reserved seating area. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause your group.

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Photographs

Family and friends should feel free to bring cameras and video recorders and take as many pictures as they desire. However, they must remain in their seats during the ceremony. Guests will not be allowed to stand in the aisles, and under no circumstances will they be permitted on the floor of the hall.

We also suggest that family photographers take photos at home and at other locations on campus prior to or after the ceremony.

A professional photographer, "Flash Photography," will be on hand taking individual photos during the ceremony. "Flash Photography" will send the proofs via email to the graduation candidate so that prints can be ordered. The photographer will have the email address approved by the student on the walk card used during the ceremony.

If you do not receive the proofs within 30 days of your convocation program please contact: Flash Photography at 800.410.8070

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Graduation Candidates

Information about Applying to Graduate

Students must apply for graduation on myUH to be considered for the degree. Applying for graduation and/or participating in convocation does not guarantee the degree will be approved. Conferral of degree is contingent upon successful completion of all coursework and degree requirements, regardless of attendance at graduation events. Students are assessed the application fee(s) for each application they submit and for each degree they are seeking.

Before you apply!

• Please confirm that your major and minor information is listed correctly on myUH prior to submitting your graduation application. (If it is incorrect you should check with your major advisor.)
• Graduation applications cannot be retracted. Once you submit a graduation application you must graduate if you meet graduation requirements.

How to apply

• Apply through your myUH account.

Deadline to Apply

• Friday, September 30, 2016.  $25 non-refundable application fee.
• Late applications accepted Saturday, October 1 – Friday, October 28, 2016.  Student name will not appear in printed program. $50 non-refundable application fee.

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Status of your Graduation Application

Once you submit your application to graduate

When you submit your application to graduate, your primary major advisor will receive notification in their weekly reports. Your primary major advisor will then begin to collect all documents, petitions, etc. related to your degree progress and begin to make a preliminary recommendation for degree conferral. If your graduation is contingent on completing any coursework, you must first successfully complete those requirements before a decision can be made. If there are any other outstanding items that your primary major advisor is aware of and has already communicated with you about, these items will also need to be completed before a preliminary recommendation for degree conferral can be made.

*Your major advisor is your contact for questions related to the status of your application and the completion of your degree.*

Conditions that Warrant Immediate Disapproval

If there are requirements for your degree completion that will not be met by currently enrolled courses and your major advisor is not already aware of these outstanding items, your application could be disapproved before the end of the semester that you have applied to graduate.

A notification of that decision will be sent by UH (not CLASS) to you at your email address listed on your record. You will then need to work with your major advisor to complete any remaining requirements and apply for graduation again in the next feasible semester.

Approval Process

Once the semester officially closes (Thursday, December 15, 2016) and all grades are posted (last day to submit grades is 72 hours after the close of the semester), a final recommendation will be made by your major advisor and the college Dean’s Office for Academic Affairs will begin their final review for degree conferral.

If you have successfully completed all requirements of your degree program, your application will be approved by CLASS and then sent to UH with final recommendation for degree conferral.

After UH has completed their review and has determined that all degree requirements have been satisfied, a final approval decision will be made and posted to your record.

A notification of that decision will be sent by UH (not CLASS) to you at your email address listed on your record.

Disapproval Process

Once the semester officially closes (Thursday, December 15, 2016) and all grades are posted (last day to submit grades is 72 hours after the close of the semester), a final recommendation will be made by your major advisor and the college Dean’s Office for Academic Affairs will begin their final review for degree conferral.

If you have not successfully completed all pending requirements by that date, your application will be disapproved.

A notification of that decision will be sent by UH (not CLASS) to you at your email address listed on your record. You will then need to work with your major advisor to complete any remaining requirements and apply for graduation again in the next feasible semester.

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Printed Convocation Program

We make every effort to ensure that all graduating students who applied on time (April 1 – September 30, 2016) are listed in the Convocation program.

If you apply for graduation during the LATE application period (October 1 – October 28, 2016) your name will NOT be listed in the Convocation program. We have a printing approval deadline that will preclude inclusion of late applicants.

Please also be aware of the following information:

• If at any time you have requested privacy protection for your academic records, your name cannot be published in the program by law unless you have indicated on your application for graduation that you desire your name be included in the program.
• Although your name might not be included in the printed program, you will still be individually recognized by name as you cross the stage.

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Academic Regalia

Academic regalia (the traditional black mortarboard cap and black gown) are required for all graduates. The University of Houston has selected Official UH Regalia for undergraduates and Master’s. We strongly encourage you to purchase your regalia at the UH Bookstore.

Important: Regalia and regalia item purchases must be made prior to CLASS Convocation. Cap and gown orders may be placed September 14 - October 14, 2016 through Herff Jones or through the UH Bookstore. A cap and gown is a requirement to participate in the convocation ceremony.  Students not attired in appropriate regalia will not be allowed to participate in convocation.

Bachelor graduates and candidates

• Must wear the appropriate black convocation gown and black mortarboard cap with UH CLASS tassel.
• Wear your tassel on the right side of the mortarboard.

Master graduates and candidates

• Must wear the appropriate black convocation gown and black mortarboard cap with UH Class tassel.
• Must also rent and wear the appropriate hood.
• Wear your tassel on the left side of the mortarboard.

Doctoral graduates and candidates

• Must bring the appropriate black convocation gown and black tam with tassel.
• Must bring the appropriate hood with you.
• Please contact the Program Director for Graduate Studies regarding the hooding ceremony process:
  Anna Marchese, CLASS Graduate Studies Program Director, amarchese@uh.edu

Regalia Colors for All Departments

	Tassels	Hoods
Baccalaureate	Citron	None
Master	Black	Citron
Doctoral	Gold	Dark blue

Bachelor and Master Candidates Regalia Purchase Prices †

Bachelor Unit (Cap, gown, tassel)	$65.00
Bachelor Gown	$45.00
Master Unit (Cap, gown, tassel, & hood)	$87.00
Master Hood only	$35.00
Master Gown	$60.00
Cap only	$9.25
Key Chain Tassel	$8.25
Tassel only	$8.50
Mega Tassel	$9.25
Honor Cords	$14.50
Gratitude Stole	$30.00

† Prices do not include sales tax.

Doctoral Candidates’ Regalia Rental Prices †

Doctoral custom rental unit (Rental gown, keeper hood, tam, & tassel)	$140.00
Ph.D. Keeper Hood	$40.00
Ph.D. Rental Gown	$80.00
Ph.D. Keeper Student Tam	$35.00

† Prices do not include sales tax.

*PhD Hood & Tam w/Tassel are keepers and only the gowns will need to be returned to the Bookstore.

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University of Houston Grad Fair

Dates:  Tuesday, September 20th – Friday, September 23rd, 2016

• Location:  UH Bookstore, Times:  9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Graduation Website Opens September 14, 2016
• Graduation Website Closes October 14, 2016
• After October 14, 2016 caps and gowns can no longer be ordered online or in store
• Gown Distribution begins November 21, 2016 through December 16, 2016
  • There will be extras for graduation candidates who did not pre-order

(Herff Jones Cap & Gowns, Custom Announcements, Framing Success Diploma Frames, Church Hill Diploma Frames, Balfour Rings, Grad Images, UH Spirit Cords)

Invitations

Students can order personalized invitations and announcements from Herff-Jones Company, the authorized vendor for the University of Houston.

Orders may be placed online or 713-864-6464.

Cougar Spirit Cord

Don't be left out at graduation!

Give to the University of Houston and get your Cougar Spirit Cord today!

The Cougar Spirit Cord is a symbol of your pride and a way to help make more scholarships available to next year's students or show support for a program that's made a difference in your UH experience.

Make a minimum $16 donation (perhaps a gift in honor of your class, $20.16) to any CLASS department or program of your choice (perhaps your major?) and wear the cord at convocation to show your Cougar Pride!

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Reserve Space for Mobility Impaired Student and/or Guests

Students and/or guests needing any services or have special requests for CLASS Convocation (Friday, December 16, 2016, 9 a.m.) must notify CLASS Convocation Coordinators no later than Wednesday, November 30, 2016.  

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What to Expect, Day of Convocation

Arrive: Graduation candidates should arrive no later than 8:00 a.m. dressed in cap and gown in order to assemble into degree groups and to receive final instructions.  Note: If you are late there is no guarantee that you will walk across the stage.

CLASS Ceremony

• CLASS Ceremony starts at 9:00 a.m.
• Processional starts at 8:30 a.m.

The closer it is to the starting time of the ceremony parking becomes more challenging and will take more time to go through the process to get in line. Please plan for enough time to travel and arrive safely.

DO NOT BRING any purses, bags, umbrellas, etc. There is no storage space (secure or otherwise) for you to leave your personal belongings.

Where: Yeoman Field/Sports Court in the Alumni Center

Name Cards:  Upon entering Yeoman Fieldhouse report to the table identified with your major/department to pick up your graduation walk card.  After picking up your graduation walk card, report to the opposite end of Yeoman Fieldhouse to line up with the other students in your particular major/department. Do not lose this card – you will need to present this card during the ceremony before walking across the stage!

Recognition of Graduates and Candidates: Recognition will proceed in department alphabetical order. Each graduate will be announced starting with Doctoral, then Masters, then Bachelors.

As you approach the edge of the stage:

1. Give your name card to the person collecting the cards.
2. Walk across the stage to shake hands with the Dean of CLASS and chairperson of your department.
3. Continue to behind stage where you will, again, have your picture taken by a professional photographer.
4. Go back to be seated. [This will probably not be the same seat you had before crossing the stage. Do not bring/leave any valuables at your seat].
5. Remain seated until all students have been recognized. (You will not be allowed to leave the ceremony early. Please be respectful of all participants in the ceremony.)
6. Follow the person in front of you when the recessional begins.

The line should be continuous. Staff will direct candidates to the stage, a few rows at a time. Many people have volunteered to help direct this special event. Just follow their instructions, watch the person in front of you and enjoy family members, friends, cheering, clapping, and flashing cameras. Have a great time!

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Baccalaureate Candidates Graduating with Honors

Once the Fall 2016 semester has officially closed and all grades have been posted, your honors status will be updated accordingly and will be engraved upon your diploma.

Undergraduate students who have completed the graduation requirements of the Honors College may graduate with special honors designations. Please see your advisor in the Honors College for more information.

Undergraduate students who successfully complete a senior honors thesis/project and who are not members of the Honors College graduate with "Honors in Major."

Catalog Prior to Fall 2010

Students graduating with University Requirements (aka: Career requirements or General Requirements) from a catalog before the 2010 catalog:

Undergraduate students who complete their degree requirements will graduate with the stated academic honors if they achieve the following grade point averages earned in the last sixty-six (66) hours (at least 60 of which must be letter-grade courses) completed at the University of Houston. Grades of S, U, I and W are not assigned grade point values and are not used in the computation of the grade point average.

Honors Designations:

3.75 to 4.0 GPA	Summa Cum Laude (with highest honors)
3.50 to 3.74 GPA	Magna Cum Laude (with high honors)
3.25 to 3.49 GPA	Cum Laude (with honors)

Further, the honors calculation will include all hours completed in the semester in which the first of those final sixty-six (66) hours was completed.

Catalog Beginning Fall 2010 or after

Students graduating with University Requirements (aka: Career requirements or General Requirements) from the 2010 catalog or after:

Undergraduate students who complete their degree requirements will graduate with the stated academic honors if they achieve the following grade point averages earned in the last fifty-four (54) hours (all of which must be A, B, C,... letter grade courses) completed at the University of Houston. Grades of S, U, I and W are not assigned grade point values and are not used in the computation of the grade point average.

Honors Designations:

3.90 to 4.0 GPA	Summa Cum Laude (with highest honors)
3.70 to 3.89 GPA	Magna Cum Laude (with high honors)
3.50 to 3.69 GPA	Cum Laude (with honors)

Further, the honors calculation will include all hours completed in the semester in which the first of those final fifty-four (54) hours was completed.

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Where is my diploma?

Diplomas will be mailed out 6 - 8 weeks after graduation. If you do not receive your diploma, call the Graduation Office at 713-743-1010.

Do you need documentation of your degree for a job or grad school?

• If you are applying to graduate programs or if you have a job offer for which your degree posting is required, you may request that your degree processing be expedited.
• To do so, you must supply documentation of urgent need to your major department advisor. The documentation should be addressed to you and should include a deadline. 
• No reviews can post prior to the close of the term.

Diplomas are mailed directly to students at the most current address provided through their myUH student account. The diploma printing company will also send email notifications to diploma recipients indicating when diplomas have been mailed. It's important to keep contact information updated in myUH to avoid shipment delays.

Alumni graduating as of Summer 2008 and/or who have placed order(s) for additional diplomas from other graduating semesters, can check their Diploma Order Status online.

Contact Get Help if you have additional questions about your diploma order.

Please note: Effective September 1, 2009, there is a $25.00 fee for each additional diploma ordered (postmarked by received on or after this date). This fee does not apply to the initial diploma mailed upon graduation, but will apply to additional quantities as requested via the diploma order form.*

*The fee is applicable to diplomas requested as a result of a diploma name change. Diploma names must be provided at the time of completing the online graduation application. Failure to do so may result in a $25 diploma order fee for subsequent name changes.

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For questions not answered in this website

Undergraduate students

Your major advisor is your contact for questions related to the status of your application and the completion of your degree.

If you have questions related to Fall 2016 CLASS Convocation, please contact: CLASS Undergraduate Convocation Coordinators

Graduate Students

Master and PhD students who have questions about the ceremony and degree conferral process are asked to email:

Anna Marchese, CLASS Graduate Studies Program Director, amarchese@uh.edu

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