Baccalaureate Degree Ceremony
Baccalaureate Degree Ceremony will commence at 2pm
Village Green, Framingham Centre
Commencement Speaker: Senator Elizabeth Warren
Read the letter from Dean Stoops to Graduating Seniors found here.
COMMENCEMENT SECURITY RESTRICTIONS
The following items are prohibited:
- Large bags, back-packs, wrapped gifts, briefcases.
- Firearms, explosives, pepper spray, or other weapons.
- Thermoses, coolers, or other liquid containers except in cases of medical need, as certified by a physician.
- Artificial noisemakers, air horns, or megaphones.
- Large signs, flags, poles, banners, or laser pointers.
- Promotional items with commercial slogans or identifications.
- Food or drinks.
- Alcoholic beverages, drugs, or illegal substances.
Handbags and purses of normal size will be allowed, but are subject to visual inspection upon entry.
Guests may be subject to search of their person and/or possessions.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Academic Requirements
Degree Application:
All students are required to complete a formal degree application. The Notice of Candidacy Form is available on line or from the Student Services Center, McCarthy Center , Rm 515.
The University has four (4) graduation dates and the degree application must be submitted as follows:
September 1st for the December 31st graduation date
October 1st for the January 31st graduation date
February 1st for the May graduation date
May 1st for the August 31st graduation date
No student’s name may appear on the graduation list unless all financial debts to the University have been settled. Conferral of a degree occurs only when the Registrar finalizes the student’s academic record and confirms that all degree requirements have been met.
Please note that all students must complete all degree requirements prior to the ceremony in order to participate in Commencement. This includes having completed a minimum of 32 course-credits along with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.00 in both the major and for the overall degree.
Course Residency Requirements
To complete the University course residency requirement, a minimum of eight (8) course credits (32 semester hours) must be taken at Framingham State University.
To complete a major requirement, a minimum of five (5) course credits (20 semester hours) in the major department must be taken at Framingham State University.
To complete a minor requirement, a minimum of three (3) course credits (12 semester) hours must be taken at Framingham State University.
Academic Honors
To be a candidate for graduation honors, a student must have completed all degree requirements and must have completed a minimum of sixteen (16) course-credits at Framingham State University. The baccalaureate degree is conferred with honors upon a student with a final cumulative point average of:
Cum Laude: 3.25 - 3.59
Magna Cum Laude: 3.60 - 3.79
Summa Cum Laude: 3.80 - 4.00
All students graduating with honors will receive a gold honor tassel. Honor tassels will be distributed at the Commencement Rehearsal.
Academic Regalia (Caps and Gowns)*
Participation in the ceremony requires that a cap, gown and hood be worn. Contact University Cap & Gown to place your order through their website: www.mygraduationstore.com. You will need the following information to place your order:
- School ID - 00385
- Student ID - This is the number on your student ID. If you do not know your student ID number, call our main office at 508-626-4558.
- Email Address
University Cap & Gown will also have representatives on campus on the following dates:
Monday April 8, 11am to 3pm, McCarthy Center Lobby
Monday April 22, 10am to 1:30pm, Athletic Center Lobby (Investiture is at 1:30pm)
Wednesday, May 1, 2:30pm to 7:30pm, McCarthy Center Lobby
Thursday, May 16, 10am to 2pm, Athletic Center Lobby (This is rehearsal day!)
*Students without academic regalia will not be allowed to participate in the commencement ceremony.
University Obligations
If you have any unresolved obligations such as library fees, student loan exit interviews, bills at the Business Office or residence hall damage, diplomas will be held until the obligation is resolved. Take care to resolve these matters prior to the end of final exams.
Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony
The Winter Commencement is scheduled for Saturday, February 2, 2013. Graduates must check in one hour before the ceremony begins. Commencement exercises will take place indoors at the University. Additional ceremony details will be provided to those students eligible to attend.
The Spring Commencement is scheduled for Sunday, May 19, 2013 at 2:00pm (participants & graduates must check in at 12:30pm). Commencement exercises will take place outdoors on the Village Green in Framingham Centre. The ceremony will be held rain or shine. Additional ceremony specifics will be addressed at the mandatory commencement rehearsal.
Commencement Rehearsal
All students who wish to participate in the Spring Commencement Ceremony MUST attend the mandatory rehearsal held on Thursday, May 16, 2013. Check-in is at the Athletic Center Gymnasium unless otherwise noted. Mark this date on your calendar and do not be late. If you do not attend rehearsal, you CANNOT participate in the Spring Commencement Ceremony. Exceptions will not be made.
Invitations/Announcements
For the Winter Commencement Ceremony, seating will be limited and tickets will be provided. Additional details will be sent to those students eligible to participate in this ceremony.
For the Spring Commencement Ceremony, seating for guests is “open”. This means that no tickets or invitations will be required for your guests to gain admittance to the commencement exercises. No guests are guaranteed seating.
Off-Campus Course Work
If you are taking a course at another college this semester you must have already submitted an Off-Campus Course Approval Form (prior to enrolling in the course) to the Office of the University Registrar. It is your responsibility to make arrangements for an Official Transcript to be forwarded from that college to the Office of the University Registrar at Framingham State University. You may become ineligible to participate in the Spring Commencement Ceremony if grade confirmations are not received by May 18, 2012.
Parking
For the Spring Commencement Ceremony, parking is available on the University Campus. The Village Green is located approximately one half mile from the Framingham State University Campus. A continuous shuttle bus will run between the University and the Village Green for anyone who wants a ride to the ceremony.
Photographs
During the ceremony, access to the stage area for picture taking or video-taping by guests will be prohibited. Please relay this information to your guests. A professional photographer will take your picture as you receive your degree. The photographer will be contacting you in writing at your home address with specifics on ordering photographs and the cost.
