Graduating from SPC

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Graduating from SPC

Graduation Online Application
St. Petersburg College summer commencement ceremony is at Ruth Eckerd Hall on July 19, 2008 beginning at 10 a.m. To assist the college in planning this event, we ask that you apply for graduation online at MySPC as quickly as possibly. Being part of the graduation exercise does not imply or suggest that all graduation requirements have been met. Graduation certification is made by the College after final grades are posted. Immediately following your posting, your diploma will be mailed to you. This could take up to 4 weeks.
Reminder: Guest seating at graduation will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Graduation timetable
Last date to apply for graduation: June 9, 2008*
Graduation date: Saturday, July 19, 2008
Graduation time: Graduation processional starts at 10 a.m. IT IS IMPORTANT to be at Ruth Eckerd Hall by 9:30 a.m. (9 a.m. for honor students.) The ceremony will last approximately 2 1/2 hours. Please plan accordingly and be courteous to other graduates by not leaving early.
Graduation location: Ruth Eckerd Hall
1111 McMullen Booth Road
Clearwater FL 33759
MAP

* The last day to apply for graduation, with assurance of your name in the program. Note: You can still apply for graduation but your name will not be in the program.

On graduation day........

Arrive no later than:

9:30 am
Graduattes should enter: All students will enter through the back (South End) door.
Honor cords distribution time: 9 am
Guests should arrive through: East and West entrances.
Parking fee: Free

  

A message from the College Registrar's Office

Dear Student:

As the time for graduation approaches, you probably have numerous questions. The first step is to check with an SPC counselor to verify your graduation status. Next, you must complete the online GRADUATION APPLICATION / CONFIRMATION OF PARTICIPATION form:

This should answer most of your questions.

    • Complete the Apply for Graduation form and SAVE. This will submit the form to your home campus.

Because a college degree or certificate is an accomplishment worth celebrating, we invite you to participate in the Summer Commencement.

You must apply for graduation to receive your diploma whether or not you participate in Commencement. Of course, commencement exercises are a special once-in-a-lifetime experience that no graduate should miss. It is a time for you to receive a well-deserved recognition for your hard work. The last day to apply for graduation, with assurance of your name in the program, is June 9, 2008.

I hope to see you at graduation; I’ll be the one presenting the graduates.

                                                                        Sincerely,

                                                                        Patrick W. Rinard
                                                                        College Registrar


  

You must apply for graduation

All eligible students must apply for graduation using Apply for Graduation in MySPC. Even if you have completed all the coursework for a degree or certificate, you cannot receive a degree or diploma without applying for graduation. Applying for graduation is also the first step toward participating in the Summer Commencement Ceremony Saturday, July 19, 2008.

DON'T DELAY!

Please apply for graduation no later than the deadline for graduation. This is the last day to apply for graduation with the assurance of timely receipt of diploma and participation in the graduation ceremony. If you're applying for more than one degree or certificate, you must complete an application for each.  If you wish to make changes to your graduation application once it is submitted, please contact the admissions office on your home campus.  


  

Graduation is free; caps and gowns are affordable

Unlike some other institutions, SPC does not charge a graduation fee. However, there is a nominal fee for the cap and gown. You must pick up your cap and gown at the Follett's Bookstore on your home campus when you are measured.

When Purchasing Cap & Gown please contact your campus bookstore to be measured for your royal blue cap and gown (you pay for and pick up on same day) between now and Friday, July 18, 2008. Students can purchase caps and gowns, graduation announcements and rings. Family and friends can find a variety of gifts for the graduate. Bookstore Hours:

 Caruth Health Education Center
Monday and Thursday
Wednesday and Tuesday
Friday
8:30 am to 7:00 pm
8:30 am to 5:00 pm
8:30 am to 1:00 pm
     
 Clearwater Campus
Monday-Thursday
Friday
7:45 am to 7:30 pm
7:45 am to 4:00 pm
     
 St. Petersburg/Gibbs Campus
Monday-Thursday
Friday
7:45 am to 7:30 pm
7:45 am to 4:00 pm
     
 Seminole Campus
Monday and Thursday
Tuesday and Wednesday
Friday
8:30 am to 7:00 pm
8:30 am to 4:00 pm
8:30 am to 2:00 pm
     
 Tarpon Springs Campus
Monday-Thursday
Friday
7:45 am to 7:30 pm
7:45 am to 2:00 pm


  

Wearing cap and gown

The cap should be placed on the head so that the mortar board is level, with the long point of the crown to the back. The front point should be well down on the forehead with no hair showing in front. Put the tassel on the right side. The gown should be removed from the package as soon as received and placed on a hanger, to allow the folds acquired from packing to fall out. The hook at the back of the yoke is for use only in attaching collar for females. Collar should be hooked on the back of the yoke and fastened on each side in front with small safety pins, which are in the collar envelope.

Dress The suggested dress for men is black or solid dark pants, white shirt, black or solid ties and black or dark shoes. The suggested dress for women is a white or light solid dress and black or dark shoes.

Honor Cords (students receiving Associate's and Bachelor's degrees) Students graduating with honors will receive gold cords in recognition of their academic achievement. Honor cords will be distributed inside the Grand Concourse area at 9 a.m. Saturday, July 19, 2008. Students who are members of Phi Theta Kappa may order their graduation stoles through their chapter sponsor. Your overall GPA (A.A., A.S. and A.A.S. recipients) for honor cords must be 3.30 - 3.79 for one cord and 3.80 or above for two cords (high honors). Your overall GPA for a bachelor's degree must be 3.50 for one cord and 3.80 or above for two cords.

NOTE: the GPA used to compute honors eligibility is based on the prior term cumulative GPA.


  

Diplomas

Your diploma will not be in the cover you will receive at graduation. Diplomas will be mailed within weeks after the ceremony to those who met the application deadline. Diplomas for students who applied late will be ordered with the next session's graduation.Final responsibility for meeting graduation requirements rests with the student. A "graduation check" should be requested from the Counseling Office for verification of degree(s). Subsequent to the graduation check, there will not be time to compute final grades prior to the commencement ceremony. Students who fail to meet graduation requirements must reapply for graduation for the next term. Graduation applications are not carried forward to the next term automatically. SPC does not issue duplicate diplomas. If your diploma is damaged, a replacement can be made available to you for $15, along with an explanation for the request. The original diploma must be returned, regardless of condition.

NOTE: Honors designation on your diploma will be based on your final cumulative GPA.

Leader Frames now offers SPC personalized degree frames for distinctive display of your diploma and graduation portrait. Visit their site at www.degreeframes.com and look for St. Petersburg College's page.


  

Important information

  1. If you would like accommodations for a disability during the graduation, please call Peg Connell, (727)341-3398 at least seven days prior to graduation. Our staff can provide assistance for you such as accessible seating, interpreters for the deaf or hard-of-hearing and other accommodations as needed.

  2. You should receive your name card in the mail the week of graduation. Please bring it with you. It is used to call your name as you walk forward to receive your diploma cover. If you choose, your name card will be used by Bob Knight Photo to send your graduation pictures to the e-mail address that you provide on the card. If there is an error in your name, phone number, or address, please call Don Harris, (727) 341-3125. If you did not receive a name card in the mail, this does not mean you are not graduation or that you cannot participate in the graduation ceremony. Extra name cards will be available at the graduation ceremony.

  3. Parking at Ruth Eckerd Hall is free.

  4. Guest seating is limited to first-come, first-seated. An overflow room with video capability will be availible if the hall reaches capacity.

    Note: Do not enter Ruth Eckerd Hall carrying personal items. Leave all personal belongings at home or with family members.


Last updated 10-April-2007