Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Fall 2012 Graduation/Commencement



Q. How do I apply to graduate?

A. You can apply to graduate online and you can also update your graduation date as well! If you have earned 78 hours toward a baccalaureate degree or 32 hours toward an associate degree, you are eligible to apply for graduation. To apply sign in to your MyISU portal and select the Student tab. Select the, "Apply for Graduation - Undergraduates Only" option. Next select your expected graduation term and indicate whether or not you plan to participate in the commencement ceremony. Please be sure to also verify that your degree(s), major(s)and minor(s) are correct. If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Registration and Records at (812)237-2020.

Q. When is the deadline to apply for graduation?

A. You have until the close of business on the last day of the term to apply to graduate. If you are applying to graduate for the Fall 2012 term, you have until 4:30 pm on Friday, December 14, 2012 to apply for graduation. However, if you would like for your name to appear in the commencement program and/or be considered for Latin Honors, you must apply by Friday, November 2, 2012. Please continue to check your ISU email account for further information.

Q. How do I know if I have completed requirements for graduation?

A. It is your responsibility to make sure that you have completed the requirements for graduation. The Office of Registration and Records can verify that you have applied to graduate or you can check online. To check your graduation status online, log into your MyISU portal and click on the "Apply for Graduation - Undergraduate Only " link to apply to graduate online. If you have already applied, it will show the term you applied to graduate. If you have questions related to whether you have completed requirements to graduate, please contact your academic advisor.

Q. When will I receive my diploma?

A. As you walk across the stage at the commencement ceremony, you will receive a diploma cover but not your diploma. You will receive your diploma(s) approximately 30-60 days after the close of the term. Please be sure you have an active address on file in the Office of Registration and Records. If you need to change your mailing address, you can do this online or by contacting the Office of Registration and Records.

Q. If I am completing requirements for graduation during the summer term, in which commencement ceremony do I participate?

A. If you are completing requirements for graduation during the summer term, you will automatically be included in the Spring commencement ceremony.

Q. What should I do if I apply to graduate but then do not complete requirements to graduate that term?

A. If you have applied to graduate and you do not meet requirements to graduate that term, you should receive an email from the Office of Registration and Records to that effect within 30-60 days after the close of the term. Once you receive this information, you will need to update your graduation date online through the "Application for Graduation - Undergraduate Only" link on the Student tab of your ISU portal. You will not automatically be included on the next graduation list. You must update your graduation term online in order to graduate.

Q. I’m a graduate student…is there anything special I need to do regarding graduation?

A. Graduate students should contact the College of Graduate and Professional Studies for more information regarding the completion of requirements for graduation and applying to graduate. The College of Graduate and Professional Studies sends out transcripts and diplomas. If you have questions regarding when you will receive your graduate level transcripts or diplomas, again contact the College of Graduate and Professional Studies at (812)237-3111.

Q. When is the commencement ceremony?

A. The Fall 2012 commencement ceremony will be held on Saturday, December 15, 2012. The ceremony will begin promptly at 12:00 p.m. and the doors to Hulman Center will open at 10:00 a.m. Undergraduate students must arrive at the Hulman Center no later than 11:15 a.m. More specific instructions regarding commencement day will be emailed to you at your ISU email account by mid-November.

Q. Where do I get my cap and gown and order my invitations?

A. Caps and gowns can be purchased at the ISU Bookstore located at 4th and Cherry Streets. Invitation orders are also handled through the Bookstore. If you have any questions, please contact the Indiana State University Bookstore at (812)232-2665.

Q. Where can I get more information regarding graduation and commencement?

A. There is a website specifically devoted to Indiana State University commencement with up-to-date information. If you are interested in visiting this website, the address is http://www1.indstate.edu/academicaffairs/commencement.htm

Check your ISU email account as all information regarding graduation and commencement is being sent via email.

Q. Do I need to bring anything to commencement with me?

A. You will receive a name card electronically directly to your ISU email account approximately two weeks prior to commencement. The card will be used to announce you as you walk across the stage. If your card has been written or marked on your name will not be read. Besides your cap and gown, this is the only item you need to bring.

Please note that you should leave personal items (i.e. purses, bags, cell phones, etc) in a secured location of your choice (your car, house, etc) or with someone not participating in the commencement ceremony. The location where students meet before the ceremony will not be secured and therefore, we advise that students not leave any items in that location.

Q. How will I know if I am graduating with honors?

A. To be considered for honors, you must adhere to the Spring honors deadline, which is Monday, March 26, 2012. Please continue to check your ISU email account for further information. A 3.60 or higher cumulative index at Indiana State University is necessary before consideration may be give for graduation with honors. Those students who have obtained a 3.60 or higher honors GPA (including all attempted courses at other colleges/universities) and meet the residency requirement (62 semester hours) for honors at the completion of their final semester will be awarded honors commensurate with their index (index is listed below). All grades which are on a point basis are used in final honors designation. Grades such as "N", "IN", "WP", "DP", "S" and "U" are not included in honors calculation. Honor candidates who choose to participate in commencement exercises will be determined by the overall cumulative indexes at the close of the preceding term. If your cumulative index at the close of the preceding term does reflect an honor, prior to the close of your final term, you will receive a letter from the President of the University indicating the honor you will walk with as well as instructions on how to retrieve your stoles. Final honors will be awarded after the close of the term.

The graduation honors are awarded as follows:

  • Summa Cum Laude – grade point average of 3.9 or higher (gold stoles)
  • Magna Cum Laude – grade point average of 3.7 through 3.89 (white stoles)
  • Cum Laude – grade point average of 3.5 through 3.69 (blue stoles)