IMPORTANT: May Commencement 2016 • Check In tonight NO LATER THAN 5:00 PM outside the Athletic Department offices. Graduate entrance prior to 5pm will be on the left side entrance as you face the Convocation Center. (Just around the corner from the ticket booth. Not he front doors.) • Keep your name card secure (you will receive this at check-­‐in). • Do not bring purses or other valuables to the check-­‐in area as there is no secure area to leave them -­‐-­‐ -­‐ these are best left with your guests. • Cell phone use and chewing gum are unacceptable during the ceremony. GUESTS: • Tickets are required for the ceremony this evening. • Guests are not permitted in the degree candidates’ check-­‐in area. They should enter the front doors of the Convocation Center and find a seat in the arena upon arrival. • Babies and small children are best left with private sitters. Baby strollers are not permitted in the Convocation Center. • Balloons will not be permitted inside the Convocation Center. • Please, please ask your guests to refrain from yelling or using noise makers after your name is called, as it prevents the guests of the next graduate from hearing their name read by the announcer. There will be a time in the ceremony where the Chancellor will invite family members to share their enthusiasm for your accomplishment. • Those unable to attend the ceremony can watch it live via webcast – a link will be posted at www.usca.edu. HONORS: • Students graduating with honors will receive the Chancellor’s Medals at the check-­‐in area tonight, with the exception of nursing students who already have their medals. ATTIRE: • There is no dress code for the ceremony. Women usually wear a dress or skirt; however, dress slacks are also appropriate. Men usually wear dress pants and dress shoes with a dress shirt and tie. If you decorate your cap, we ask that it be in good taste. • Have your caps and gowns already on when you arrive for the ceremony tonight. All candidates wear a black gown. • Your tassel will be worn on the right side of your cap during the processional. The entire class will move the tassels from right to left during the ceremony – at the same time, when prompted to do so. • Men should remove caps for the Invocation and the Benediction and put them back on immediately at the end of each. • If you are a member of a USC Aiken honor society and have not already received your regalia, please contact the person listed below prior to this evening. • Alpha Psi Omega (blue and gold cords) – Professor Jack Benjamin, (803) 641-­‐-­‐ -­‐3327 • Beta Gamma Sigma (blue and gold cords) – Dr. Mike Ritchie, (803) 641-­‐-­‐ -­‐3228 • University of South Carolina Aiken Veterans Honor Society: (blue and gold cords) – Mr. Robert Murphy, Library, Room 108. • Gamma Beta Phi (gold stoles) – D r. A drenne B anko, (803) 6 41-­‐3761 • Kappa Delta Pi (purple and green cords and medallion) – Dr. Bridget Coleman, (803) 641-­‐-­‐ -­‐3792 • Lambda Pi Eta (red and white cords) – Dr. Charmaine Wilson (803) 641-­‐-­‐ -­‐3546 • National Order of Omega (ivory and gold cords) – Angel M iano SAC Office • Omicron Delta Kappa (black, white, and blue cords)-­‐-­‐ -­‐ Angel Miano SAC Office • Pi Gamma Mu (navy and white cords) – Dr. Phillip Mason, H&SS Building -­‐-­‐ -­‐ Room D6 • Sigma Theta Tau International (lavender and white cords) – Dr. Thayer McGahee, (803) 641-­‐-­‐ -­‐2829 • Psi Chi (silver and blue medallion) – Dr. Ann Ellison, (803) 641-­‐-­‐ -­‐3219 • Sigma Tau Delta (cardinal and black cords) – D r. K atie K alpin-­‐Smith ( 803) 6 41-­‐3400 • USC Aiken Honors Program (gold honor sash with blue letters) – Dr. Chad Leverette, (803) 641-­‐-­‐ -­‐3291 FINANCIAL ISSUES: If you have been notified that you have unresolved financial issues, please contact the Office of Business Services in Penland, Room 114 as soon as possible. If you have an outstanding balance owed to the University, you will not be issued a transcript or diploma. You will also not have your graduation verified by the Office of the Registrar verbally or in writing. FINAL GRADES: Final grades are not due until Friday, May 6 th . Your degree application will be given a final approval or disapproval that week based on those grades and any other remaining requirements. Transcripts should be updated by mid-­‐May indicating you have graduated. Diplomas will be mailed directly from the printer. The USC Aiken Registrar will announce via student email when diplomas are placed in the mail, however, this normally takes several months. If your degree application is disapproved, you will be sent a letter from the Registrar explaining what you should do. Follow any directions and meet any deadlines involved in this notice. GRADE FORGIVENESS: If you are contemplating using Grade Forgiveness upon receipt of your May 2016 grades, please have your Grade Forgiveness paperwork completed and returned to the Records Office no later than Monday, June 6th. Once your degree has been posted, you can no longer use Grade Forgiveness. ALMA MATER: We hail thee, Carolina, and sing they high praise, With loyal devotion, remembering the days, When proudly we sought thee, thy children to be: Here’s a health, Carolina, forever to thee! (Toasting on the last line….)