Congratulations on getting so close to graduating that you can see the end! This newsletter incorporates information that will help you prepare. Of course, you will need to complete all the requirements, and once the good people in the Registrar’s Office have checked your academic records and certified that you’ve completed everything, you’ll be ready to receive your diploma.

Because Averett is a small university, and we believe in treating each student as an individual, we design our graduation ceremony around individual graduates. If you can participate in the ceremony, we’ll call your name, the appropriate member of the faculty or staff will present a hood with Averett’s colors, and I’ll hand you your diploma. It’s a proud moment for you and your family.

Graduation is the most important ceremony at the University because it marks your success in reaching your goal. Our principle, “It’s about students” reminds us every day that Averett exists to offer you the opportunity to complete your degree, and in the graduation ceremony we celebrate your achievement.

Dr. Richard Pfau

To accommodate many students who complete their degree requirements during the summer months, Averett University has an August Conferral. However, this conferral is not like Averett’s traditional graduation because there is no ceremony involved. Diplomas will be dated August 15th and will be mailed on approximately August 15th.

To participate in the August Conferral, students should keep in mind the following important guidelines:

• All requirements for graduation must be completed by July 31st.
• Transcripts from other institutions or test scores from outside sources must be received in the Registrar’s Office by July 31st.
• Final grades must also be submitted to the Registrar’s Office by July 31st.
• The fee for August Conferral is $100.00.
  Students who choose the August Conferral may participate in the December graduation commencement ceremony by so noting on the application for August Conferral.

Students who apply for August Conferral and would like to participate in the December graduation will receive their diplomas by mail in August, but their diploma COVERS will be held for presentation in the December ceremony. The covers will contain photocopies of the diploma.

If a student applies for August Conferral, but then does not meet all graduation requirements by July 31st, the $100.00 graduation fee will be transferred to the December graduation, and an application for the December graduation will be required.

HONORS AT GRADUATION

During each graduation ceremony, undergraduate students are recognized with honors they have achieved while enrolled at Averett University.

To be eligible for honors at graduation, a student must have earned at least 33 semester hours at Averett. In addition, all prior academic coursework completed at other colleges or universities by a student will be taken into account. GPA information from other institutions will be considered even if a student transferred in no credit from other institutions. The overall honors GPA calculated from all higher education institutions cannot exceed the GPA a student has earned at Averett University. The cumulative grade point averages that must be earned for honors at graduation are as follows:

Summa Cum Laude
3.80 grade point average

Magna Cum Laude
3.60 grade point average

Cum Laude
3.40 grade point average

Sample Graduation Honors GPA Calculation

The 3.77 GPA calculation equates to a student receiving Magna Cum Laude honors.

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER

Graduation Day is one of the most important events in a student’s life. Remembering to take care of final details required to get to the finish line is equally important.

You must follow the dates listed below for submitting information to the Registrar’s office to ensure that all scores, transfer credits and other pertinent information are processed in a timely manner. Please mark your calendars so that you do not miss these deadlines.

February 13 : Independent Studies Sign-up
Students planning to graduate in April 2007 should register for independent studies prior to this date. Independent studies will not be approved after this date.

March 23 : Deadline for Transcripts and Test Scores
Only an official transcript or CLEP, DANTES, AP, etc., score is acceptable. Students should make certain that transcripts and test scores are ordered well in advance to ensure receipt in the Registrar’s Office. If a student is enrolled in a course at another institution and the final transcript will not arrive before March 23, participation in commencement will not be permitted without special permission from Dean Fager.

March 30 : Deadline to Apply for Graduation
The $100.00 graduation fee should be submitted with the application. Students can pay by check (payable to Averett University) or complete the credit card portion of the graduation application. The graduation fee must be paid even if a student does not plan to participate in the ceremony.

NOTE: Graduation caps, gowns and invitations MUST be ordered from the Averett University Bookstore. The fee for the cap and gown IS NOT included in the $100.00 graduation fee. Please call the Bookstore at (434) 791-5640, or call 1-800-283-7388, and ask for the Bookstore.

April 6 : Payment of Student Accounts
Students who plan to participate in the December graduation ceremony should have all account balances paid by April 6.

NOTE: GPS students should contact their Accounting Representative if there are any questions regarding outstanding balances, 1-800-948-2810.

April 26 : Final Grades Due by 9:00 a.m.
All requirements for graduation should be completed by April 26. Senior grades should be submitted to the Registrar’s Office by 9:00 a.m. to ensure ample time for the staff to process grades and certify students in time for the ceremony on Saturday.

April 27 : Graduation Rehearsal
Graduates are strongly encouraged to make every effort to attend graduation rehearsal at the E. Stuart James Grant Convocation and Athletic Center on Averett’s North Campus on April 27 at 3:00 p.m. The Grant Center’s address is 707 Mt. Cross Rd., Danville, VA 24540.

April 28 : GRADUATION DAY!

Participation in graduation is expected. Graduates should be in line by 9:30 a.m. The graduation ceremony will begin promptly at 10:30 a.m. If you find that you are unable to attend, please notify the Registrar’s Office (in writing) immediately.

GRADUATION AUDITS & WITHDRAWING FROM GRADUATION

After your application for graduation has been received, a graduation audit will be performed to confirm your eligibility for graduation. If you notice discrepancies in your graduation audit, please bring it to the attention of your advisor or the Registrar’s Office for immediate review.

If after receiving your graduation audit, you find that you will not meet requirements for graduation and wish to withdraw from the ceremony, please notify the Registrar’s Office in writing. This notification needs to be submitted only if you have already applied for graduation. Faxes are acceptable (434-799-0658).

NOTE: Students withdrawn from graduation will need to re-apply to participate in a future graduation ceremony.

If you wish to receive your diploma, but do not plan to participate in the ceremony, you will still need to submit your graduation application and fees. To notify us of your plans to participate in the ceremony in absentia, please complete the bottom portion of your graduation application. Your diploma will then be mailed to the address specified on your graduation application. You should receive your diploma approximately two weeks after the graduation ceremony.