Instructions for Prospective Graduates -
December 2009
Commencement Ceremony -
The December 2009 Commencement Ceremony will be held on Friday, December 18, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. in the Curb Event Center. Tickets will not be required for all guests attending this fall semester event.
Participation in commencement exercises at Belmont University is reserved for students who have met all degree requirements. Students who are unsure whether they have fulfilled all requirements for December graduation should contact their academic advisor as soon as possible.
Tickets -
Tickets will not be required for guests attending the December 2009 Commencement ceremony.
Student Line-Up -
All degree candidates will need to report to the processional line-up area on the lower level of the Curb Event Center by 6:30 p.m. on Friday, December 18, 2009.
Caps, Gowns, and Hoods -
Participants are expected to wear academic regalia at Commencement. It is customary to wear the gown over casual business attire. Academic regalia is ordered by the university bookstore at no charge to the student. Candidates for graduation may begin picking up their academic attire beginning Monday, December 7, 2009.
Undergraduate candidates should wear the tassel on the cap over the right temple. Masters and doctoral candidates should wear the tassel over the left temple.
Honor Cords -
Belmont University graduation commencement is a university wide celebration. Honor cords approved as part of the academic regalia that may be worn as a university wide level distinction include: Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, Summa Cum Laude, Belmont Scholar, and Alpha Chi.
Cords awarded through individual academic disciplines, or fraternities/sororities, are not eligible to be worn at the unviersity commencement ceremony.
Announcements -
Personalized commencement announcements may be ordered through the university bookstore. Prices vary depending on the type and number of announcements selected. Contact the Bookstore for ordering deadlines and additional details. The deadline to order announcements for December commencement is Monday, October 30, 2009.
Photography Services -
Bill Smith Photography is the university's commencement photographer. An alumnus of the university, Bill has supplied individual portrait pictures as well as ceremonial photographs since 1972. If you are interested in using this service, please contact him at least two weeks prior to the commencement date at (615) 834-5876 or visit his web site at www.tennesseephotographer.net .
Graduates and Guests with Disabilities -
If a person in your party requires any special services, please complete the appropriate Request for Special Services form and submit it to the Office of the Registrar no later than Friday, December 4, 2009 for the August ceremony. Anyone whose guests require special seating must return the completed form.
Special seating passes will be issued to admit the guest and one additional person accompanying that individual for reserved seating. Seating passes will be mailed after December 4. It may not be possible to honor telephone requests or those received after December 4, 2009.
Request for Absence -
Students are required to participate in the Commencement ceremony unless formally excused. If for some reason a student cannot attend the event, an Absence Request for Commencement form must be completed and returned to the Office of the Registrar by Friday, December 4, 2009.
The Office of the Registrar will contact degree candidates who are not able to attend the commencement ceremony with information regarding how to procure the diploma. Pending verification of completion of all degree requirements and the release of any academic or financial holds the diploma will be available for release.
