Students planning to graduate with a bachelor’s degree at the end of spring term can now complete their applications online, but they must do so by today to avoid any unforeseen snags that could keep them from their caps and gowns.
The registrar’s office will accept applications until the end of the second week of spring term, but officials warn that procrastinating could prevent the office from having adequate time to examine a student’s transcripts and identify any problems that could prevent them from graduating on time.
“We want them early to make sure they’re clear,” said Karen Duncan, assistant registrar for student academic records.
Those seeking advanced degrees cannot apply to graduate online.
Those applying for degrees online should access Duck Web, Duncan said. After they login to the system, students should click on “Student Menu.” Once there, a click on the last item in the second column of choices, “Application for Undergraduate Degree,” will allow the student to fill in the required information.
The form asks for the student’s preferred name, which may be read aloud during the ceremony, where the diploma should be mailed and what the student’s e-mail address is.
“They must include an e-mail address,” Duncan said.
Students planning to graduate with a double major cannot apply online if one of their majors is undeclared, however. Those students must go directly to the department of their undeclared major and file a formal change of major, Duncan said.
If students attend a formal ceremony, they can choose between a smaller ceremony composed of those graduating from their academic department or the large ceremony, open to all University graduates. The system is flexible, though, said Laura Blake Jones, associate dean of students for student life.
“A student doesn’t have to participate at all,” Jones said. “Or they have the opportunity to attend both.” The departmental graduations are scheduled around the large ceremony.
The names of students graduating with a bachelor’s degree won’t be read aloud at the large ceremony, scheduled for noon on June 16 at McArthur Court. Instead, students will be recognized in groups. Officials will read all student names aloud at departmental ceremonies.
University President Dave Frohnmayer will speak at the large ceremony, however, as students shed their academic skins for professional ones — a transformation enjoyed by more than just students and their families.
“It reminds me of why I do the job,” said Heather Bottorff, academic adviser for the business school, which graduated the second highest number of undergraduates of any school at the University in spring 2001. “Life happens while you’re going through school.”