Commencement Handbook
Application Dates
Application For Graduation
Students planning to graduate must complete an Application for Graduation form with the Registrar’s office the semester prior to the time they think they may graduate.
When this application is processed and a graduation check is completed, the graduate’s name is placed on the graduation list and will receive all communications regarding commencement. This application gives graduates the opportunity to state how they want their name to read on their diploma.
The Graduation Fee is $60.00. This fee covers academic costs associated with commencement, including preparation of diplomas. This fee does not cover purchase of caps and gowns. These are purchased directly through the bookstore.
Application Deadlines
- Application for Winter - April 15
- Application for Spring - December 15
- Application for Summer - March 15
Students planning to graduate should ensure that all the requirements have been met for graduation.
Graduation Application
Log onto the FSC Portal to fill out the Graduation Application online.
Graduation fees are paid on the FSC Portal as well.
Apply for GraduationGraduation Requirements
Grad Check
Students planning to graduate should complete a Graduation Check with the Office of the Registrar to be sure they meet all the academic requirements for graduation. This should be done at the beginning of the semester prior to the student’s anticipated graduation. Students who have not had a graduation check appointment should contact the Office of the Registrar to schedule an appointment.
Student Accounts and Library Books and Materials
A graduate should check with the business office and library to make sure all bills are paid and library books and materials are returned. A graduate who owes money may be allowed to participate in commencement ceremonies but will not receive their diploma or transcripts until all accounts are paid.
Graduate Survey
Graduates are expected to complete an online graduation survey to confirm their major, address, campus activities, and future plans. When the survey becomes available, the graduate will receive an email with login information. Winter graduates may expect to receive the email to the online survey beginning in early November. Spring graduates will receive the survey in late March or early April. If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Institutional Research.
Caps and Gowns
Order Caps and Gowns, Announcements and Class Rings
Caps and gowns are required for commencement and are purchased through the Campus Bookstore. Graduation announcements and class rings also may be ordered at that time. Payment is required when your order is placed.
Information about delivery and/or pick up times for graduation purchases is provided by the bookstore. For questions, please call the bookstore at 863.680.4186.
Herff Jones, the provider of these products, will send an information packet with purchase details to each graduate’s permanent address.
Campus Bookstore
For the convenience of our graduates and their families and guests, the campus bookstore will be open on graduation days from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
The bookstore will have a table set up at each commencement featuring regalia for those graduates who need assistance with their commencement attire. Gift items will also be available for purchase.
The bookstore is open during the week, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. It features FSC apparel and many items suitable for commencement gift giving. Shop online for a complete selection of Florida Southern gifts at the Campus Bookstore.
Commencement Ceremony
Faculty Marshals
These designated faculty members provide the graduates with instruction and guidance for their participation in the ceremony. Graduates receive name cards for use by the announcer during the ceremony.
The Processional
Graduates remain standing for the entire processional, the invocation, and the National Anthem. Men remove their caps during the invocation and anthem and then replace them. Women leave their caps on throughout the ceremony. Bachelor’s degree candidates wear their tassels over their right temples. Graduates are seated as a group when the anthem is completed.
Presentation of Degrees
Graduates rise in a group to be presented for their degrees. The faculty marshals direct the movement to the platform. When graduates advance toward the stage, the announcer reads their names. Graduates walk across the platform to receive their diplomas from the president of the College.
The Recessional
Graduates rise for the alma mater. Women leave their caps on, but men remove theirs for the alma mater and benediction. At the conclusion of the ceremony, faculty marshals direct each to join the recessional. Platform occupants recess first; then, the faculty members. Finally, the graduates exit, beginning with the front rows. Graduates are asked to meet their family/guests at a pre-determined location.
Undergraduate Academic Honors
Academic honors (summa cum laude, magna cum laude, and cum laude) noted in the commencement program are based on final cumulative grade point averages and are explained in the current academic catalog. To be eligible for these honors within the graduating class, students must have earned 62 or more hours at Florida Southern College. CLEP, AP, transfer, transient, and other non-Florida Southern credit do not meet this requirement.
Honor Cords, Stoles and Mortar Board Decorations
Honor cords representing specific honor societies are given to graduates by a representative of that organization. Their cost is not included in the graduation fee. Each organization is responsible for ordering the cords through the Campus Bookstore. Only authorized and registered honor societies may provide honor cords. Graduates may wear unlimited academic cords or medallions and one additional non-academic cord. In addition, the college reserves the right to prohibit decorations on mortar boards that it deems overly elaborate or inappropriate.
Dress Code for Graduates
Caps and gowns must be worn to participate in commencement.
Photography at Commencement
Professional photographers from GradImages will record each graduate receiving his or her degree. Proofs are provided to the graduate electronically shortly after commencement, and several online opportunities are provided for purchase. For more information, call 800.261.2576 or email www.gradimages.com. During the ceremony, guests are permitted to take photographs from their seats and the aisles to each side of the graduates. They are not permitted access to the stage at any time and must keep the aisles open for graduates walking to and from the platform.
Tickets
Ticket Pick-Up
Tickets are distributed through the College ticket box office next to Branscomb Auditorium. You may pick up your seven (7) tickets at the Branscomb auditorium box office. Box office hours are Monday through Friday 2:00 to 6:00 PM. The box office is located behind the Lakeland Symphony Orchestra office, adjacent to Honeyman Pavilion.
You must present a valid form of identification and sign for your tickets. In order to ensure that your tickets do not end up going to someone else, there will be no exceptions to this requirement for identification.
We are unable to reprint any tickets. Be sure to keep track of your tickets. If your tickets are lost, we will not be able to replace them.
Pick-Up Dates
Tickets may be picked up November 13 through December 13.
Length of Ceremony
The entire commencement ceremony is usually one and a half to two hours, depending upon the number of graduates and the length of the speeches.
Seating
The tickets do not have specific assigned seats. Once in the auditorium, guests may sit wherever they wish. If you have a large family and wish to sit together, you may encourage them to arrive early.
Children
Children under 2 years old do not require a ticket to attend the commencement.
Graduates
Graduates do not require a ticket.
Handicapped Seating
There will be specially designated handicapped seating in the auditorium. Guests needing handicapped seating will still need a ticket to get into the auditorium. Because handicapped seating is limited, only one other guest may accompany the person requiring the handicapped seating.
Graduates with Physical Disabilities
Graduating seniors with physical disabilities should contact the Office of the Provost as soon as possible so proper accommodations may be made.
Parking
Parking for commencement on the Florida Southern campus is free and is on a first-come, first-served basis in any campus parking lot. Handicap parking is available.
After Graduation
Career Assistance
Career Services helps ours students and alumni gain the experiences to prepare for their post-graduation goals such as employment and graduate school. Services include resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn reviews; internship and experiential learning options; graduate/professional school preparation; mock interviews; job search assistance; and more!
Email Address
Graduates with a college e-mail address ending in @mocs.flsouthern.edu will be able to keep this FSC e-mail account for life as long as they continue to use the account. Other campus e-mail addresses are discontinued approximately one month after graduation.
Campus Mailbox
All students with a campus mailbox should turn in their mailbox keys to the campus post office before graduation. If a key is lost, a fee will be charged to the student’s account. When turning in the key, the graduate will complete a form providing a forwarding address. As soon as the mailbox key is returned and the forwarding address is available, the campus post office will begin forwarding mail.
Alumni Services for Graduates
To learn about the numerous services and benefits available to alumni, please visit the alumni page on our website.