Commencement and Diploma Policy
This policy is also published online at https://policies.catholic.edu/students/academicgrad/commencement.html
I. Commencement
Each candidate who has fulfilled all degree requirements and has been recommended to the Academic Senate by the faculty is required to attend the commencement exercises, unless excused by the Provost of the University. A student so excused must notify the dean and Registrar that he or she will not be in attendance. Arrangements must be made with the Registrar for forwarding the diploma.
The list of candidates for degrees approved by the Academic Senate and deposited in the Office of the Registrar is the official record of students who have graduated from the University.
II. Diploma
At the commencement exercises, the University awards a diploma to each student upon whom a degree is conferred provided a diploma application has been filed. The diploma is awarded under the student's name of record. The diploma is awarded under the name specified on the diploma application. Subsequent requests for issuance of replacement diplomas will be honored only upon submission by the student of a notarized statement that the original has been lost, stolen or destroyed and upon payment of the required fee.
A graduating student who has an outstanding obligation with any department of the University will not receive a diploma until such obligation is satisfied in full.
A student's name of record includes first name, middle initial or full middle name, and the family name. Nicknames may not be used. The University will change the name of a currently enrolled student on its official records upon receipt of a request in writing accompanied by evidence of the legal basis for the change. A record of the previous name will be maintained, but all official documents will be released under the new name.
The University is under no obligation to record a change of name for students who are not currently enrolled, including those who have graduated, and will not do so without a court order.