Commencement Instructions
Undergraduate Degree Candidates

Family and Friends: For information about Commencement, please go to the Commencement Handbook.

Your participation in Commencement is optional. If you do participate, please read the following carefully:

  T a k i n g   C a r e   o f  F i n a l   B u s i n e s s

Substitutions - All substitutions must be turned in by March 1, 2004.

Incomplete Grades - Before you can be cleared for graduation, all incomplete grades in courses requisite to graduation for undergraduates must be removed and new letter grades must be submitted to the Records Office by May 12, 2004.

CCTST Requirement - Seniors graduating in either the Fall, Spring, or Summer Terms who are selected as part of a random sample will be required to take the CCTST exam in order to graduate. All testing will occur during the Fall Semester. If you have any questions, please call Office of Institutional Research and Assessment at 974-4373.

Financial Obligations - You must settle all financial obligations with The University of Tennessee before graduation (for example, library, student clinic, physical education, and traffic fines).

Important!!!! The University is authorized to withhold your diploma and transcript for any financial fees owed by you and reported by a department of the University. To alleviate this problem, please have all financial obligations taken care of before the day of Commencement practice.

If you have a University of Tennessee Loan or a Federal Perkins Student Loan, you must complete an exit interview in the Bursar's Office, Room 211 Student Services Building, before April 23, 2004.  Please call the Student Loan Department at 974-4497 to schedule an appointment.  Office hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

P r e   -   C e r e m o n y

Privacy Status and Commencement - The names of some privacy students will not be included in the Commencement Program.  If you are a privacy student and would like to be included, please contact Student Data Resources in person, immediately, 212 Student Services Building (registrar@utk.edu) to find out if this applies to you (please call if you have any questions (865) 974-2108).

Commencement Invitations - You may purchase invitations at the University Book & Supply Store beginning the first of the semester.

Cap and Gown - Bachelor degree candidates may purchase and pick up caps and gowns between now and March 26, 2004, at the UT Book and Supply Store or call 1-800-733-8657.

Commencement Rehearsal- A commencement rehearsal will be held at 12:00 noon, May 7, 2004, in the Thompson-Boling Assembly Center and Arena for all candidates who are participating in the commencement ceremony. Please make arrangements to attend the commencement rehearsal.

If you find that you cannot graduate and that you must cancel your application for commencement, please notify the graduation specialist of your college in the University Registrar's Office, Room 201 Student Services Building. You must REAPPLY to graduate for the term you anticipate your requirements will be completed.

Graduation Fee - There is no undergraduate graduation/diploma fee.

  T h e  C e r e m o n y   I t s e l f

Commencement Exercises--Basic Plan The University Commencement Ceremony will be held at 8:30 a.m., Saturday, May 8, 2004, in the Thompson-Boling Assembly Center and Arena. Participation in the exercises is optional. If you do participate, the attire is cap and gown. All participating candidates should be in their caps and gowns and seated by 8:00 a.m. Students will be assisted by Graduation Staff on the Arena floor.

Thompson-Boling Assembly Center and Arena

Commissions - If you are receiving a commission in the United States Marine Corps or in the United States Navy and wish to participate in the Commissioning Ceremony during the University Commencement Ceremony, along with the United States Army and Air Force, please contact the Registrar in Room 209 Student Services Building or your unit. The procedure for the Commissioning Ceremony will be explained to you.

When to Take Pictures - Please arrange for all pictures to be made after the ceremony has been concluded. The stage settings will be kept intact for a limited time after the ceremony.

  P o s t    C e r e m o n y  

Degree Confirmation - Degrees will be confirmed by May 19, 2004.

Diploma Pick-up / Mailing - You may pick up your diploma or have it mailed. Pick it up May 19 and 20, 2004, in 201 Student Services Building (come down one floor from the Circle Park level, turn left and go down the hall). If you do not pick up your diploma by May 20, 2004, it will be mailed to the permanent address UT has on file for you. You can check that address on Circle Park Online.

Displaying Your Diploma - You may have your diploma plaqued at the UT Book and Supply Store.

Privacy Status and Post-Graduation - If you are a student with privacy status, your privacy status will be maintained after you have graduated. Depending on your level of privacy, your name may not appear in the Commencement Program. In additon, your privacy status may prevent us from confirming your degree with those who inquire, including potential employers. If you would like to discontinue your privacy status at graduation, please come in person to Student Data Resources immediately (212 Student Services Building). If you have questions related to this, please call (865) 974-2108 or email to eellis@utk.edu.

Lists of Who Have Graduated- The final list of graduates will be published on the University Registrar's Website May 19, 2004. The Web page that has the list of the lists is: gradlist.html

Questions?  Please e-mail Ms. Tammy Murphy:  tmurphy@utk.edu