2008-2009 Academic Catalog and Handbook

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Commencement

Students who complete degree programs at George Fox University are encouraged to participate in one of the Commencement ceremonies held each year. The university holds a combined ceremony at the end of the Fall semester and those students who have completed programs from the prior Summer and Fall are eligible to participate. The Spring ceremonies are available for those students completing their programs that semester. The university also holds a ceremony in Idaho in July for students who complete programs throughout the year at that location (Idaho students are eligible to participate in Newberg ceremonies instead if they choose). Regardless of semester of completion, students are only eligible to participate in (and have their names in the program for) one ceremony.

Academic regalia will be provided for all student participants in the Commencement ceremony. No external regalia will be allowed. Only regalia for officially recognized activities and honors should be worn.

Participation in Commencement with Incomplete Program Requirements

Traditional undergraduate students may request to participate in spring commencement if they are within four hours of meeting all requirements. All such remaining hours must be completed during May Term at George Fox University and requires that students are registered for the remaining hours at the time of the Commencement ceremony. Hours completed at other institutions and transferred back to George Fox are not eligible.

Graduate students must have all coursework complete to participate in a Commencement ceremony. In some limited cases, graduate students who have not completed internship requirements may be allowed to participate in spring commencement subject to department and registrar approval. (All requirements must be met to participate in fall commencement without exception.)

Failure to Complete Incomplete Program Requirements

Commencement participation is based on students receiving passing grades at the time of the ceremony though final grades may be posted by faculty following the ceremony. In some circumstances, students may participate in the ceremony but later receive a failing grade for a course taken in the final semester. In such circumstances, students must retake the failed course and must do so within one calendar year from the Commencement ceremony. Failure to do so will result in withdrawal from the university and may require the completion of additional program requirements at the time of readmission.