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Graduation & Commencement Ceremony

Graduation Information

State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota has graduation ceremonies in December for summer and fall graduates and in May for spring graduates. Information regarding these ceremonies, including the online graduation attendance form, information meeting dates and times, tickets, etc. will be posted on this Web page as it is available.

Winter Commencement - December 18, 2009

Neel Performing Arts Center, SCF - Bradenton Campus

Graduation Application Deadlines

Fall 2009 - September 11, 2009

Spring 2010 - January 29, 2010

Summer 2010 - June 29, 2010

All students who applied to graduate by Fall 2009 deadline above, and are approved will be listed in the commencement program. Those students are eligible to march provided they submit the online graduation attendance form by Wednesday, October 14,  2009.

Online attendance form deadline for winter commencement is October 14, 2009.

Ticket Information

• All guests must present tickets to enter.
• Each graduate receives two (2) guest tickets.
• Guest tickets must be picked up at one of the information meetings noted below.

Students who are unable to attend an information meeting must pickup the information packet and guest tickets in the Educational Records, on either campus. 

Photo/Video

SCF's office of public affairs and marketing has arranged for professional photographs to be taken of each graduate. Two photos will be taken: one before the ceremony and one receiving the diploma cover from the president. Graduates must complete the photographer's cards to receive one free proof and a price list.

NOTE: Personal cameras and camcorders may be used only from attendees' seats.

Manatee Educational Television (METV) will videotape the entire graduation ceremony. Copies of the videotape may be purchased from METV. Order forms will be available at rehearsals and the evening of graduation.

Diplomas/Transcripts

The official degree is awarded when all gradua­tion requirements are completed including:

• A cumulative and overall grade point average of 2.0 or higher is earned.
• All financial obligations to SCF have been fulfilled.

• Transcripts may be requested by the graduate online.
• The fee for each transcript is $7.
• Final transcripts include degree(s) awarded and the date.

Fall Graduate Candidates:

Official transcripts ordered and marked "Hold until degree/certificate is posted on transcript" and will be mailed within three business days after grades are posted to the student's transcripts, and include degree(s) awarded and the date for those eligible. Date diplomas will be mailed by Feburary 28, 2010.

Cap & Gown are required to participate in the ceremony.

Price approximately: $35

Cap, gown and tassel may be purchased from the bookstore on either campus beginning November 1.

BOOKSTORE:

SCF Bradenton....... (941) 752-5211

SCF Venice........... (941) 408-1466 

Commencement Information Meetings

Graduate candidates are strongly encouraged to attend one of these important meetings. Guest tickets will be available after the information meetings. 

 Phi Theta Kappa Members

May purchase honor card, stole and tassel from Recognitions catalog or go to www.ptk.org. Cost including shipping, about $42.  These items are not availabe at the S.C.F. bookstores.

 Commencement

• Guest are not permitted to enter the graduate check-in area.
• Guests will be seated beginning one hour prior to the ceremony.  Doors will close at ten minutes before the ceremony begins to allow the processional to begin promply.  No one will be seated during the processional so please instruct your quests to arrive on time.
• The commencement ceremony is a dignified event.  Decorum and courtesy are very important to graduates, their guests and the college.
• No strollers, balloons, air horns, bubbles, beach balls, or similar items are allowed in the auditorium. The use of noisemakers may be intended to show one person's pride in a graduate, but can ruin the chance of another family to hear the name of their graduate announced.
• Personal items should be left with family members or friends before arriving at graduate check-in.

Graduate Check List

• Submit the Graduation Attendance form, above, by October 14, 2009 to reserve a seat for you and guest tickets.
• Purchase cap, gown and tassel during regular bookstore hours.
• Attend an information meeting, dates, times and places listed above.

If you have any questions, please call the Educational Records Office at

(941) 752-5384, (941) 752-5050 or (941) 408-1300, ext. 65050.

Disabled individuals and/or guests needing accomodations, please notify the Disability Resource Center at least two weeks in advance of the ceremony in Bradenton: (941) 752-5295, Venice: (941) 408-1300, ext. 65295 or either campus: TTY (941) 751-8179, fax information to: (41) 727-6381.

Limited wheelchair seating available.