Graduation

Students

Jefferson State's annual Commencement Ceremony is a special time for our Jefferson State faculty, staff, and students. It is a time filled with excitement as graduating students have their degrees/certificates conferred and are recognized for their great accomplishment.

This section of the Graduation site will guide you through the entire process of Jefferson State's Commencement.

2012 Commencement Ceremony

May 4, 2012, 1:30 p.m.
Location - Cathedral of The Cross - Directions

Diplomas are mailed approximately four weeks after the end of the term to the address indicated on the diploma card.

Graduation Ceremony

August and December graduates of the previous year and students who are classified as Pending for spring are eligible to participate in the commencement ceremony. Students may view their graduation status through My JSCC Pipeline on their transcript. Students graduating the following summer term will not be permitted to participate in the ceremony.

Commencement Instructions

Join us as we celebrate and recognize the academic achievements of our graduates. The information found here will assist you and your guests as you make plans to participate in our Commencement Ceremony. We look forward to celebrating with you!

Ceremony Attendance Registration Graduates expecting to participate in the Commencement Ceremony must complete the Graduation Ceremony Registration survey on My JSCC Pipeline/Online Services/Personal Information. Completion of the Graduation Ceremony Registration is required if participation in the ceremony is to occur. Graduates must register by Wednesday, May 2, 2012.

Graduates wanting their name to appear in the Graduation Program must be approved for May graduation prior to April 16, 2012.

Caps, Gowns, Tassels, PTK Stoles, and Announcements

All graduates participating in the ceremony must wear the appropriate cap, gown, hood, and tassel. Purchase your cap, gown, hood, and tassel at the Jefferson and Shelby-Hoover Pioneer and St. Clair-Pell City Bookstores April 2 - 30, 2012. Bookstore hours for the Jefferson and Shelby-Hoover Campus are Monday & Thursday, 7:45 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday & Wednesday, 7:45 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Friday, 7:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. Pell City Center hours are Monday- Thursday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Friday 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

If you borrow a cap and gown from a friend, it must be the silver cap and gown that Jefferson State graduates wear. You must notify Rita Mclendon in Enrollment Services at (205) 856-8546. You should also purchase a 2012 tassel from the Bookstore.

When purchasing your cap, gown, hood, and tassel, be sure to check that your package includes your cap, gown, hood, and tassel. Do Not Steam or Press Your Gown with a steamer or iron. The material is very thin so the gown should only be steamed in the bathroom.

Phi Theta Kappa students may wear an honor stole purchased from Phi Theta Kappa. Contact Jefferson Campus advisor, Shelley Coley at (205) 856-6052, scoley@jeffstateonline.com or Shelby-Hoover Campus advisor, Liesl Harris at (205) 983-5956, lward@jeffstateonline.com.

Fees

• Graduation Fees* (subject to change)
• Diploma Fee $20.00 each diploma*
• Cap/Gown/Hood/Tassel $50.45 + tax*
• Honor Cord $ 11.50 + tax*
• Extra Tassel $ 6.50 + tax*
• Graduation Year Drop $ 0.75 + tax*
• Announcements $ 1.50 each + tax, minimum of 10 announcements* We have new personalized graduation announcements this year! Check them out.
• School rings can be ordered online at http://www.jostens.com

Honor Cords

• White Honor Cord Graduation GPA of 3.5 or higher
• Gold Honor Cord Phi Theta Kappa member

Students with a graduation GPA of 3.5 or higher will graduate with honors and may purchase an honor cord. Graduation GPAs are calculated based on Jefferson State courses numbered 100 and above. Students graduating in August and December may check their My JSCC Pipeline transcript for honors listed with their degree information. If Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude or Summa Cum Laude is not listed you should not purchase an honor cord.

Students graduating in May should check their online transcript. Hours and grades for developmental and transfer courses will not be included in the graduation GPA. Developmental hours and quality points should be taken out of your cumulative stats to determine if you should purchase an honor cord. Since grades have not been posted for the spring term, honors in the Commencement program will be based on your cumulative Jefferson State GPA after fall semester (less developmental courses). The honor announced during the ceremony will be calculated with grades submitted for the spring term. Honors will be posted for May graduates with your degree if it is determined that your spring semester grades raise your Jefferson State GPA to a 3.5 or higher. In some cases, a student may not actually graduate with an honor designation. Final honors designations are placed on the student transcript and diploma.

Honors

AA, AS, AAS Degrees

• Cum Laude 3.50 to 3.69 GPA
• Magna Cum Laude 3.70 to 3.89 GPA
• Summa Cum Laude 3.90 to 4.00 GPA

Certificates

• Graduation with Distinction 3.50 to 4.00 GPA

Graduation GPAs are calculated based on Jefferson State courses numbered 100 and above. In addition, the student must have completed a minimum of 32 semester credit hours at JSCC. Students graduating in August and December may check their My JSCC Pipeline transcript for honors listed with their degree information.

Commencement Day Instructions

Family and guests should plan their arrival time so they may be seated by 1:15 p.m. The graduate processional begins at 1:30 p.m. and marks the beginning of the Commencement Ceremony.

Graduate Report Time: Graduates should report no later than 11:30 a.m. to Cathedral of the Cross for instructions and line-up for the ceremony. Ambassadors will be available to direct you to the check-in location. Please have your cap, gown, and hood on when you arrive. Your tassel will be to the right. Valuables and personal items should be left with a friend or family member and not left in the room where you assemble. The room will not be secured during the ceremony.

Student marshals will meet graduates at the assembly locations and direct your movement throughout the ceremony concluding with the recessional. Graduates will follow their student marshal to the appropriate seating on the auditorium floor. You should remain standing until all graduates have processed to their seat and the Platform Party has reached its place on the stage.

A formal academic processional that includes all graduates and members of the faculty mark the start of the Commencement Ceremony.

Late Arrival Degree Graduates

Graduates arriving after the start of the ceremony should report to the rear of the auditorium. College office staff will be available to assist you with seating. Graduates will be seated in the next available seat which may not be with their degree.

Proper Attire and Etiquette

Commencement is a dignified occasion honoring important educational accomplishments. Decorum and courtesy are important to you and your family, and to your fellow graduates and their families.

• Suggested Attire for Women
  • dark dress or pants, cool fabric
  • dark low heel or flat shoes
  • no high collars or bows at the neck
  • no corsages or jewelry on the robe
• Suggested Attire for Men
  • dark trousers, white shirts, tie is optional
  • dark shoes and socks
  • no sandals
• Ceremony Etiquette
  • Once you have entered the auditorium and have been seated you are expected to remain seated until the conclusion of the ceremony marked by the candidate recessional.
  • Improper attire, signs, and insignia will be removed by the marshals.
  • Cell phones and other electronic equipment should be turned off.
  • Valuables should be left with family members or guests prior to arriving at your assembly location. Do not leave purses, keys, or other personal items in the line-up room or hallway. The College is not responsible for items left in the assembly room, hallways or in the auditorium.
  • The ceremony should last approximately two hours.

About the Ceremony

The Commencement Ceremony is expected to be two hours in length. Ceremony length may vary slightly depending on the size of participation. Check-in on the 2nd floor by 11:30 a.m. with cap, gown, hood, and tassel. Ambassadors will be available to show you to the assembly room. Leave personal belongings with a friend or family member. Hand mirrors and bobby pins will be available.

Line-Up: Graduates will be lined up by degree: AA, AS, AAS, and Certificate. If you have an AA and AS degree, you will line up with the AA graduates. Be ready to march by 1:15 p.m. Graduates are the first to march in.

Tassel goes to the right.

Processional: The candidate processional begins promptly at 1:30 p.m. which denotes the start of the commencement ceremony. Family members and guests should be seated at by 1:15 p.m.

Members of the graduating class will march to the reserved seat area on the auditorium floor. Graduates will follow your student marshal to the appropriate seating location. Remain standing until all graduates have arrived on the floor and the Platform Party has reached its place on the stage. You will continue standing for The National Anthem, posting of the colors, invocation, and benediction. Men will remove their caps for the singing of The National Anthem and invocation.

Presentation of Graduates: Following the commencement address and a song Danielle Coburn, associate dean of Instruction, will instruct the graduates to rise. She will then present to the President the candidates for the various degrees/certificates. Candidates will: 1) ascend the stairs on the right hand side of the stage; 2) hand the Reader Card to the announcer; 3) wait for their name and academic honor, if applicable, to be spoken; 4) walk across the stage to be greeted first by the dean of Instruction, then the President will hand a blank diploma cover to the graduate; 5) have their picture taken; 6) descend the stairs on the left side of the stage; 7) return to their seat. Graduates should stay seated until prompted to begin the march to receive diplomas. When receiving your diploma, take your diploma with your left hand and shake with your right hand.

When the last graduate has completed the graduation march, all graduates will stand for the conferring of the degrees. Dr. Merritt will say: "By virtue of the authority vested in me by the State Board of Education, I confer upon you the associate degree or certificate to which you are entitled with all rights, privileges thereunto appertaining." Graduates should move tassels to the left at this time. Dr. Merritt will ask graduates to show appreciation by applause to the faculty.

Recessional: The ceremony will conclude with a formal recessional led by the platform party, followed by the faculty, and ending with the graduates. Your student Marshall will direct your exit of the auditorium floor.

Diploma Covers: Graduates must leave diploma covers in their chair at the end of the ceremony. Your diploma will be in a diploma cover when mailed to you. All graduates are presented with a blank diploma cover.

Reader Card

The Reader Card provides your name to the announcer for individual recognition as you walk across the stage. The card will include your honors and the phonetic pronunciation of your name that you provided when registering for the ceremony. Candidates receive their card at the time they assemble for the processional. You will take the "Reader Card" with you to the stage. Do not lose, destroy, or leave the "Reader Card" in your seat when it is time for you to approach the stage.

Disability Related Access

We are pleased to provide a reserved area for family members and guests in need of disability accommodations or special seating needs. It is important that you list any special accommodations that you may need for friends or family members when you register for the ceremony on-line through My JSCC Pipeline for the Graduation Ceremony. Contact Tiffany Lane at tconnell@jeffstateonline.com for questions and further information at least three weeks prior to each commencement ceremony. Priority seating for those in need of disability accommodations or special seating will be located on the floor level to the right of the stage.

Disability Parking: Your state-issued disability placard prominently displayed inside your vehicle is required. The disability parking area is located on the north and south sides of Cathedral of the Cross. Jefferson State Security personnel will be located at entrances.

Church Entrance: Persons with disability accommodation needs may enter the church by way of the ramp located at the south entrance or the north street level entrance.

Wheelchair Availability: Family members, guests, and degree candidates in need of a wheel chair should make provisions to bring this item with you. The reserved seating area is wheel chair accessible. Wheelchairs or walkers are not provided.

Auditory Assistance: Accommodations for those who are hearing impaired will be provided in the form of an American Sign Language interpreter. Seating arrangements in an area within close proximity to the interpreter will be provided.
Priority seating for those in need of disability accommodations or special seating will be located on the floor level to the right of the stage is given to wheel chair family members and guests.

Parking Information

Parking for family and guests is available at Cathedral of the Cross. Reserved and disability parking is located in the Cathedral of the Cross parking lot. It is advisable to carpool.

Photographs

A professional photographer will be available for a Cap and Gown Portrait. Click here  for pricing and information on cap and gown photography packages

Friends and Family

Invite your family and friends to join you for the commencement ceremony. Family and guests should plan their arrival time so they may be seated by 1:15 p.m. The graduate processional begins at 1:30 p.m. and marks the beginning of the Commencement ceremony. Small children should be seated and quiet. We know this is a special, exciting occasion. Pictures may be taken. Those taking pictures should stand left of the stage as graduates are coming off so the aisles won't be blocked. The Commencement Ceremony will be viewable on large screens in the auditorium. Tickets are not required for the commencement ceremony.

Commencement Program

Jefferson State presumes all graduates want their names recorded in the Commencement Program for sentimental, as well as, historical reasons. As a result, your name will appear in the College's Commencement Program (and be available for public dissemination) unless you checked no to the "I wish to have my name included in the Commencement Program" on your Graduation Application. Please contact Nancy Swanson at nswanson@jeffstateonline.com if you want this changed. Please include your signature.

Diplomas

Students must complete a Diploma Card and pay a diploma fee of $20.00 for each diploma ordered. Diplomas for all May graduates, contingent upon final grade submission and degree verification, will be mailed to the address on the diploma card no later than 4 weeks after the end of the term.

Update Your Mailing Address

To update your mailing address for graduation, contact Nancy Swanson at nswanson@jeffstateonline.com or call (205) 856-7790. Note: changing your address with the Graduation Office does not change your address for the college. Contact Enrollment Services at (205) 856-7704 to change your address for the college.

Graduate Communication

Last minute communication regarding graduation will be conducted via the student's JSCC email address. Graduates have responsibility to insure their mail boxes at their JSCC email address is clear to receive mail and that the mail is read and managed appropriately.

Graduates may contact the Graduation Office at nswanson@jeffstateonline.com for additional information about the ceremony.

Students who do not complete degree requirements or need to change their graduation date to a later semester

Students not completing degree requirements will have their application moved forward to the next term.  Students transferring courses back after the 12 month period must return to JSCC and complete a course to fulfill this requirement. Students graduating the following summer term will not be permitted to participate in the ceremony.