Are you graduating? Here's what you need to do...

Are you graduating? Do you have all of your information or have you done a follow up?

For more info go to www.desu.edu , then go to the bottom of page to commencement.


This note is just because I don't want to see you stressed out before graduation. Please make sure your account reflects the $175 graduation fee and make sure your account has a zero balance in order to graduate. This is everything from parking tickets to village & courtyard charges...EXIT INTERVIEWS MUST BE DONE BY THIS FRIDAY, APRIL 18th - everyone must do them...the details are listed below.PLEASE READ IT ALL SO YOU ARE NOT STRESSING WHEN ITS TIME TO HEAR YOUR NAME CALLED!!!

Love, Melody
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Graduation Requirements and InformationCourse and Credit Criteria The minimum number of semester hours required for graduation are one hundred twenty (120).This number varies with many of the major programs. Candidates must satisfactorily complete the requirements of the major study area in which they are enrolled to be eligible for graduation. Of the minimum total of 120 semester hours, fifty-two (52) hours of General Education courses must be completed by the candidate. General Education Program Requirements are distributed as follows: sixteen (16) hours of Core Courses, three (3) hours of Arts and Humanities, six (6) hours of History/Social Studies, six (6) hours of Foreign Languages, six (6) hours of Literature, six (6) hours of Mathematics, six (6) hours of Natural Sciences and a minimum three (3)-hour Senior Capstone Experience course.A candidate for the baccalaureate degree must complete the last thirty (30) semester hours of credits at Delaware State University. However, a student may enroll in six to eight (6-8) hours of courses at another institution upon approval of the Department Chairperson and the Academic Dean.Students who transfer from other institutions must earn a minimum of thirty (30) semester hours at Delaware State University.Degree AuditsAll Degree Audits must be done through your academic advisor and sent to the Records & Registration Office.Grades and Grade Point Averages (GPA) To qualify for graduation, the following grades and grade point averages must be earned by the candidate:A minimum overall grade point average of 2.00 (“C”) A minimum grade of 2.00 ("C") in each course in a field of specialization A minimum of 2.00 (“C”) GPA for the last 30 semester hours at the University No Student may graduate with any incomplete (“I”) grades on his/her transcript. Double DegreesA student can be awarded two (2) degrees at the same time only if the degrees are different (e.g., Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts degrees). If a student is pursuing two (2) fields of study for which the same degree is awarded, then only one (1) degree will be granted, but both fields of study will be listed on the diploma. To be eligible for a second degree, 1) course work must be taken in two fields of study and; 2) the student must satisfy the curriculum requirements of both departments.A student returning to Delaware State University for a second degree or major must officially declare a major in the second area and need only satisfy the additional requirements for the second major in order for the second baccalaureate degree to be conferred. Diplomas are ordered by degree. One diploma will be ordered for each degree earned and will not be issued to a candidate who has not satisfied all financial obligations to the institution, including loan programs administered by the University.Graduation With Honors Honors are awarded to those graduation candidates who have attended the University for at least three years (90 semester hours) and have met the following criteria:SUMMA CUM LAUDE for a scholastic average of 3.75 or above MAGNA CUM LAUDE for a scholastic average of 3.50 to 3.74 CUM LAUDE for a scholastic average of 3.25 to 3.49 Application for GraduationAll prospective graduates should have filed an application for graduation in the Office of Registration and Records by October 15. There is no guarantee that diplomas or regalia will be available for the graduation exercise for those students who apply after the deadline. Students who have met degree requirements are eligible for graduation at the close of any semester. Degrees are awarded on the students’ transcripts upon completion of all requirements with the actual award date (December 15th for Fall, August 15th for Summer).Degrees are conferred once a year during the University’s annual Commencement Exercises in May. Summer school and December graduates are eligible to receive their diplomas on the actual award date and are eligible to participate in the graduation exercise of the succeeding year.Exit InterviewIt is mandatory that all graduates who have been awarded Title IV Loans (Perkins Loans, Signature Loans, Stafford Loans, Student Nursing Loans and Unsubsidized Loans) complete an exit interview.The exit interview can be completed by selecting one of the following:Log on to: DSU Website @ www.desu.edu Click on “Student Services” from the top bar on the home page On the Student Services web page, click on “Exit Interview” Select your correct loan exit interview: Perkins or Academic Management Services After you then enter your name and ID#, you will go to “Exit Counseling” and provide the requested information. To secure a copy of your debt summary, log on to: www.manageyourloans.com.If your graduation date is incorrect, forward an email to: lthompso@desu.edu listing your expected graduation date.An exit interview hold will be placed on your account and all university services will be withheld including release of transcript and diploma if the exit interview process is not completed by April 18, 2008.Participation in Commencement Exercises Students may participate in the annual Commencement Exercises in May only if they have satisfied the following conditions: Filed the application for graduation by October 15; Enrolled in and successfully completed all academic requirements for graduation prior to graduation; Satisfied all financial obligations to the University; Completed the Exit Interview QuestionsFor all questions pertaining to graduation requirements (except the Exit Interview), contact the Office of the Records and Registration at (302) 857-6375. For questions concerning the Exit Interview, contact the Office of Student Accounts at (302) 857-6240.Pre-Commencement InformationAnnouncement OrdersOrder forms for announcements and diploma frames are available in the DSU Bookstore. Orders must be placed immediately to ensure timely delivery. All orders take approximately 2-3 weeks to complete once they have been received. Orders may also be placed by telephone (1-800-353-5299) or online to Jostens at www.jostens.com. Other options for announcements are available at the DSU Copy Center located on the 1st floor of Grossley Hall, (302) 857-6280.Cap and Gown DistributionProspective graduates can pick up their caps and gowns at the backdoor of the DSU Bookstore (located next to the Village Cafe) from April 28 to May 3 during the follows:Monday thru Friday,April 28 thru May 2-10 – 10 a.m.to 4 p.m. Saturday,May 3 – 11 a.m.to 2 p.m. To receive a cap and gown, each graduate must present a picture identification card.Senior Class GiftThe Senior Class Gift will be presented to the University during the Senior Class Banquet on Thursday,May 15 at the Modern Maturity Center in Dover.Thank you to all Seniors who contributed toward the Senior Class Gift.President's Hospitality Tent for Graduates and FamiliesThe DSU President’s Hospitality Tent on the lawn in front of the Price Building will serve refreshments to graduates and their chosen family members immediately following the Commencement.Each prospective graduate will receive four complimentary tickets to the Hospitality Tent.The tickets will be distributed at the May 16 mandatory rehearsal.Financial Obligations and University ResponsibilitiesAll financial obligations must be paid in full by certified check, money order, credit or debit card, or cash at the Student Accounts Office on or before May 9, 2008. Financial obligations include the satisfaction of all outstanding balances to the university, traffic tickets, fines, etc.All university services will be withheld including release of transcripts and diploma if the exit interview process is not completed by April 18, 2008. Caps and gowns, invitations, and tickets will not be issued to anyone who has not satisfied all academic requirements and met all financial obligationsto the institution, including loans administered by the University. All prospective students must also have returned all university books and department equipment to participate in Commencement and receive their diploma and transcript.Commencement RehearsalAll prospective graduates are required to attend the Commencement Rehearsal that will be held at 9 a.m. Friday, May 16 at Alumni Stadium, rain or shine.The rehearsal enables DSU officials to establish the assembly marching and seating order, and share with the students all pertinent Commencement Ceremony information.At the beginning of the rehearsal, the names of all prospective graduates who have satisfied all requirements will be called. Those students whose names are not called will then be required to immediately report to a location to be announced at that time.The attendance at the Commencement rehearsal is mandatory. Prospective graduates who fail to attend will not be allowed to participate in the 2008 Commencement. University officials will then run through the order of the commencement ceremony and provide all other pertinent information. No high-heeled shoes are allowed on the field at anytime—including during Rehearsal and on Commencement Day.DSU wants your Commencement to be a memorable one, and graduation candidates play a major role by attending the rehearsal to find out all that will take place.Nurses Pinning CeremonyThe Department of Nursing will hold its annual Nurses Pinning Ceremony for its graduating seniors at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 17 in the Education and Humanities Theatre. Nursing seniors can get more information about the rehearsal and the ceremony from Dr. Yvonne Stringfield, department chair, at (302) 857-6750.Honors ProgramAn Honors Program Ceremony will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday, May 17. This ceremony will recognize all Class of 2008 members whose academic excellence qualifies them to graduate as Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude or Summa Cum Laude. All participants should attend the Honors Program rehearsal on Friday, May 18in the Education and Humanities Theatre (immediately after the Commencement Rehearsal that morning). Attendance at the Honors Program rehearsal is mandatory. Prospective honors graduates who fail to attend will not be allowed to participate in the 2008Honors Program.All participants will be required to wear cap and gown regalia. During the ceremony, honor graduates will be presented with their gold honor cords/sash to be worn during Commencement – one cord for Cum Laude, two cords for Magna Cum Laude, and a sash for Summa Cum Laude.Commencement & Graduation InformationCommencement Start Times & Line-Up Locations The Commencement Ceremony for the DSU Class of 2008 will begin promptly at 10 a.m. Sunday, May 18, 2008 at Alumni Stadium. The Commencement will take place rain or shine; however if adverse weather conditions exist, the ceremony may be shortened. Graduates should arrive at 8 a.m.for assembly in the following areas:College of Arts,Humanities & Social Sciences undergraduates will line-up in the grassy area between the east side of the Education and Humanities Building and parking lot #15. The line-up should begin at the sidewalk along Old College Road.College of Health and Public Policy undergraduates will line-up along the sidewalk that parallels the west side of the Education and Humanities Building. The line-up should begin at the sidewalk along Old College Road.College of Mathematics,Natural Sciences & Technology undergraduates will line-up on the east side of the MBNA America Building (next to the Health and Public Policy grads). The line-up should begin at the sidewalk along Old College Road.College of Business undergraduates will line-up in the driveway in front of the MBNA America Building.The line-up should begin at the east end of the driveway.College of Education undergraduates will line-up along the Old College Road sidewalk next to the south end of the Mishoe Science Center. The line-up should begin at the sidewalk intersection near the northwest corner of the Mishoe Science Center.College of Agriculture and Related Sciences undergraduates will line-up along the curved sidewalk leading to the bench circle area in between the Library and the Mishoe Science Center. The line-up should begin where the sidewalk meets the circle bench area.Master’s Degree graduates will line-up along the sidewalk that extends from Old College Road along the front of the Mishoe Science Center that leads to the front entrance of that newer side. The line-up should begin just before the Mishoe front entrance.Faculty will line-up on the sidewalk leading from the Mishoe Science Center front door (new side) to the circular bench area. The line-up should begin in the area where the sidewalk meets the circular bench area. Graduation Dates to RememberOct 15: Graduation application deadlineApril 18: Exit interview deadline dateApril 18: Presidential Leadership Award application submission deadline dateApril 24: Mandatory Meeting for all graduates, 11 a.m., Education and Humanities TheatreMay 1: Last day of classesMay 5–9: Finals weekMay 9: Deadline date for all financial obligations to be paidApril 28–May 3: Cap and Gown Pickup at the Buyback Room of the DSU BookstoreMay 15: Senior Banquet,Modern Maturity Center, DoverMay 16: Commencement Rehearsal, 9 a.m.at Alumni StadiumMay 16: Honors Program rehearsal immediately after the Commencement Rehearsal in the Education and Humanities Theatre.May 17: Nurse Pinning Ceremony to begin at 1 p.m.in the Education and Humanities TheatreMay 17: Honors Program to begin at 6 p.m.in the Education and Humanities TheatreMay 18: Commissioning of ROTC Cadets, 8 a.m., room 205, Mishoe Science CenterMay 18: The 116th DSU Commencement, 10 a.m.at Alumni StadiumParking for Students, Family & FriendsOn Saturday, May 19 and Sunday, May 20, prospective graduates as well as their family and friends can park in any parking lot with the exception of reserved spaces and fire lanes. Handicapped spaces will continue to be reserved for only handicapped designated cars. Handicapped parking and the wheelchair drop-off points for Commencement will be located in Parking Lot 1.Parking on the grass anywhere on campus is prohibited.Processional & RecessionalProcessional – At approximately 9:30 a.m., the procession will move as directed by the Chief Marshal for Commencement. Keep the space in the line proportionate. The distance between you and the person in front of you should be kept at approximately arm’s length. When you reach the row to which you are directed, move into it promptly. See that there are no vacant seats in the row. Upon reaching your seat, please remain standing until the signal to sit down is given by the Marshal, who will be on the platform stage.Recessional – The faculty and students will stand on a signal from the Chief Marshal. On the second signal from the Chief Marshal, the platform party will lead the recession followed by the Class of 2008 and faculty.Commencement AwardsTwo student achievement awards will be presented by the president of the University during the Commencement – the Presidential Academic Award and the Presidential Leadership Award.The Presidential Academic Award – This award is presented to the graduate(s) that have the highest GPA in the Class of 2008. The awarded graduate must have earned at least 90 credit hours from DSU. In case of a tie, the award will go to the graduate with the most DSU credit hours. In case of a tie in GPA and credit hours, co-awards will be presented. The Office of Records and Registration will determine the eligible recipients.The Presidential Leadership Award – This award is based on the judging of submitted nominations. Candidates for this award complete an application, and submit a resume, and essay outlining leadership activities at DSU, three letters of recommendation, as well as a portfolio that includes copies of certificates, awards, and other supporting documentation.Distribution of Actual DegreesThe distribution of actual degrees will take place immediately after the Commencement Ceremony until 1:30 p.m. Bachelor’s Degree graduates from the College of Business (formerly the School of Management) and all Master’s Degree graduates will receive their degrees in the first floor lobby of the MBNA America Building. All other graduates will receive their degrees in the main lobby of the Education and Humanities Building. Graduates who missed the after-Commencement degree distribution can pick up their degree on the following Monday in the Office of Records and Registration.Special Commencement InstructionsBecause of the “astro turf” on the stadium’s field, absolutely no high-heeled shoes will be allowed. All graduates must wear flat shoes. If you arrive at the field with high heels on, you will be directed to take them off and will be issued a pair of flip-flop sandals.Absolutely no cellular phone usage will be allowed on the field during the Commencement program.Absolutely no disruption of the any kind will be allowed during the Commencement. Any individual causing a disruption will be escorted from the field by a police officer. Important DSU Contacts for Questions or More InformationOffice of Public Relations (302) 857-6060 Office of Records and Registration (302) 857-6375 Office of Student Accounts (302) 857-6240 Office of the President (302) 857-6001 Thompson Hospitality (302) 857-7208 Veteran Affairs (302) 857-6376 Office of Public Safety (302) 857-6290 Hotels and Motels in Dover/Kent CountyComfort Suites Dover (800) 424 6423, (302) 736 1204 Sheraton Dover Hotel (800) 325 3535, (302) 678 8500 Hampton Inn (302) 736 3500 Dover Budget Inn (302) 734 4433 Howard Johnson Express Inn (302) 678 8900 Dover Inn (302) 674 4011 Ramada Inn (302) 734 5701 Days Inn (302) 674 8002 SuperLodge (302) 678 0160 Comfort Inn (800) 228 5150, (302) 674 3300 Relax Inn (302) 734 8120 Best Western Galaxy Inn (302) 735 4700 Holiday Inn Express (888) HOLIDAY, (302) 678 0600 Dover Downs Hotel and Conference Center (800) 711 5882, (302) 857 2140 Fairfield Inn (302) 677 0900 BusesGreyhound (800) 231 2222, (302) 655 6111 Greyhound station, please call Fleet Services at 302.857.6274 between 8:00 a.m.and 4:30 p.m.,Monday through Friday. The bus terminal is not a scheduled stop unless there is a request for drop off or pick up. Therefore, it is advisable for students to schedule their arrival in Doverafter 7:30 a.m.and no later than 3:00 p.m. After normal operating hours, students need to make their own arrangements to get to campus.DART First State (800) 553 3278 Taxi ServiceCity Cab (302) 734 5968