Participation in the Graduation Ceremony
The University conducts commencement ceremonies twice a year, at the conclusion of the spring and fall terms. There is no ceremony at the conclusion of the summer term. Students who wish to participate in the commencement ceremonies must adhere to the University policies and procedures. Candidates for graduation are not required to attend the commencement ceremony to be considered "graduates."
Walking Petitions -
Available for Summer graduates/Spring commencement ceremony only.
Note that only undergraduates who have applied to graduate in the following Summer term may petition to "walk" in the Spring commencement ceremony, as Summer graduation does not have an associated commencement ceremony.
Undergraduate students who have not completed the graduation requirements may petition through the office of their dean to the Provost and Senior Vice President to “walk” (participate in commencement) on the following conditions:
• Be within two courses (6-8 credit hours) of completing graduation requirements.
• Have previously met all 1000/2000 level requirements and all general education courses.
• Have a cumulative 2.0 GPA and meet any additional GPA requirements as required by the program of study at the time of petition.
• Demonstrate that there is a plausible non-academic reason beyond the student’s control that prevented completion of all requirements.
• Recognize that this is available for Summer graduation/Spring commencement only and not available for December commencement.
• Recognize that the actual graduation date listed on the diploma will be the graduation following the documented completion of all requirements.
• Note that approved petitioners may be able to participate in both the robing and graduation ceremony although a faculty member may elect not to robe students who have not completed their requirements.
• Finally, note that students approved to “walk” are entitled to a letter from the University Registrar/Provost certifying that they have completed all requirements once, in fact, final requirements are met. This may occur prior to the actual graduation date entered on the diploma.
The petition application is available online on the Provost’s webpage at www.txwes.edu/info/office-of-the-provost, or in the Office of Student Records.