The appropriate diploma or degree is conferred upon a student under the following conditions:
19.1.1 A candidate for graduation must file with the Registrar’s Office the duly accomplished application form on or before the deadline.
19.1.2 Transferees to be granted a graduate degree by the University, must satisfy the residency requirement in section 2.1.6.
19.1.3 A candidate for graduation is allowed to participate in the commencement exercises only if upon submission of a fully-accomplished clearance and upon attendance in all schedules of graduation rehearsals.
19.1.4 All graduation requirements, including INC, INR, etc. must be complied/completed before the date set for deliberation of graduating students.
19.1.5 Only candidates who have complied with the requirements for graduation will be allowed to participate in the Commencement Exercises. No waiver will be accepted.
19.2.1 Application
19.2.1.1 All candidates for graduation must apply on or before the deadline set by the Registrar. The applicant should accomplish this form in two (2) copies, one for the Registrar and the other for the Dean.
19.2.2 Rehearsals
19.2.2.1 Candidates for graduation are required to participate in the rehearsals so that they will know exactly what to do during the Commencement Exercises. THOSE WHO FAIL TO JOIN THE REHEARSALS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES. To avoid embarrassment, candidates for graduation who did not rehearse are advised not to participate in the Commencement Exercises.
19.2.2.2 They must report promptly for rehearsals.
19.2.2.3 Those who misbehave during the rehearsals will be excluded from rehearsing further and consequently will not be allowed to join the Commencement Exercises. Misbehavior includes disrespect for and disobedience to the Committee members, improper behavior during the singing of the National Anthem and SWU Hymn, not following instructions, making vulgar, rude and obscene remarks, screaming, whistling and making catcalls, frequently leaving seats and other actions unbecoming of supposedly dignified graduates.
19.2.3 Clearance
19.2.3.1 Clearance must be complied on or before the date of rehearsal. The original and photocopy should be submitted to the College Marshal, who in turn will submit these to the Chairman of the Commencement Exercises on the first day of the rehearsal.
19.2.3.2 A candidate who cannot submit a fully accomplished clearance will not be allowed to join the rehearsals.
19.2.4 Date of Graduation
19.2.4.1 The date of graduation is set by the Registrar and is announced to the students through the Dean and College Marshal.
19.2.4.2 Graduation Exercises will start on time. Therefore, candidates for graduation must be at the graduation venue before the start of the processional.
19.2.5 Candidates for Graduation
Only the names of the candidates for graduation, which meet the requirements on the deadline set by the Graduation Committee will be printed on the program. However, in some cases, candidates whose names are not in the program will still be allowed to participate in the graduation and their names will be read by the Dean.
19.2.6 Honors
Candidates for honors should file, as early as possible, their application. The said application is submitted to the Dean, who will forward the same to the Registrar. The Honors Committee will review and approve the candidates for honors.
19.2.7 Academic Habiliments
19.2.7.1 The gown for the masters degree has sleeves as long as the hemline of the gown. The rear part of its sleeves is square cut, and have horizontal slits at elbow level for the arms to come out. The gown for the Doctoral Degree has bell-shaped sleeves. The length of the gowns must be 6 inches below the knee.
These academic habiliments are available for rent in the University Store.
19.2.7.2 All candidates for graduation are required to follow strictly the design and color of the academic gown appropriate to their discipline. A candidate who deviates from these requirements will not be allowed to participate in the Graduation Exercises.
19.2.8 Picture Taking
Picture-taking is prohibited during the entire graduation proceeding. Only the University photographers with official IDs issued by the Chairman of the Commencement Committee can take pictures. Photos will be available at the Center for Information and Publication a day after graduation.
19.2.9 Leis and corsages
Graduation sponsors are not allowed to pin corsages or put on leis on the graduates during the graduation ceremony. These should be pinned or given to the graduates after the graduation ceremony.
19.2.10 Dress Code for Male
19.2.10.1 Male candidates for graduation should wear dark slacks. Denims, short and colored pants, earrings, slippers and long hair are NOT allowed.
19.2.10.2 Male candidates should wear long sleeves polo shirt. Necktie is optional.
19.2.10.3 Smoking and chewing of gums are not allowed during the rehearsal and graduation exercises.
19.2.11 Dress Code for Female
19.2.11.1 Female candidates for graduation must wear a skirt longer than their academic gowns.
19.2.11.2 Pants of any kind, sandals, rubber shoes, step-ins and colored shoes are NOT allowed, only black closed shoes.
19.2.11.3 Heavy make-up and huge jewelry are NOT acceptable.
19.2.11.4 Smoking and chewing of gums are not allowed during the graduation exercises.
