Graduation Information

Earning a diploma from Franklin University is a significant achievement. While earning their degrees, most Franklin students managed many responsibilities – full-time work, busy family, community commitments – all while enriching their minds and expanding their career options through their studies.

To honor the graduates’ academic success by the awarding of diplomas, the University conducts commencement ceremonies three times a year.

The commencement schedules for 2008 and 2009 are as follows:

2008
Sunday, Aug. 17, 2008

2009
Sunday, Jan. 4, 2009
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Sunday, Aug. 16, 2009

A joyful occasion, the commencement draws family and friends from all across the country – and even beyond! – to celebrate with the graduates. Therefore, in order to make plans far enough in advance, the following links will answer questions for those who will take part in or attend a ceremony.

Choose a category by selecting the appropriate header.

Graduation Application

• Apply for graduation. Every Franklin student must complete a graduation application to receive a diploma, even if you do not plan to participate in the commencement ceremony. Request an application from either your Student Services Associate or the Registrar’s Office, as this will not happen automatically.
• Complete application accurately. Please complete your application thoroughly; type or legibly print the requested information in blue or black ink. Make sure you sign and date the application.
• Drop off or mail application. Return the completed application packet to Student Services (1st Floor, Paul J. Otte Center for Student Services) or to the Registrar’s Office (Room 006- lower level, Paul J. Otte Center for Student Services). Applications can also be mailed to Franklin University, 201 S. Grant Ave., Columbus, OH 43215.
• Due date. Graduation applications for the Summer 2008 term are due no later than 6 p.m. on May 20, 2008. A late application fee will apply after this date. Faxed copies will not be accepted.
• Undergraduate student fee. There is a $55 fee due with your application. If you apply for more than one degree (i.e., A.S./B.S.) in the same trimester, you will be charged an additional $20 fee. Make checks payable to Franklin University.
• Graduate student fee. There is a $75 fee due with your application. Make checks payable to Franklin University.
• Late fees. Applications received late will be assessed fees, as follows:

o $50 late fee for applications received from May 21 - June 3
o $100 late fee for applications received from June 4 - 17
o $150 late fee for applications received from June 18 - July 1
o $200 late fee will be assessed and must be approved by the Registrar for all applications received after July 2.

• Outstanding balances. All outstanding balances must be paid in full in order to pick up your regalia and participate in the graduation ceremony.

Students with Deferred Tuition
• If you are on the Deferred Tuition Payment Plan, any outstanding tuition balance is due in the term you intend to graduate, in advance of the normal deferred payment date.
• All check payments must be submitted no later than July 9, 2008.
• All payments by cash or credit cards must be submitted by July 23, 2008.
• Franklin will not issue diplomas or transcripts to students with unpaid balances.

Graduation Announcements

For information on purchasing graduation announcements, class rings and other graduation mementos, visit Jostens or call one of the following numbers:

• Official Franklin University signet ring: 1.800.424.1492.
• Personalized announcements, engraved with your name, degree and major: 1.800.353.5299.

On-campus visit. Jostens representatives will also be in the Frasch Hall lobby (Main Campus, downtown) on March 4 and March 5 from 5 – 7 p.m.

Delivery. Normal delivery time is approximately two weeks.

Cap and Gown

Attending commencement. If you indicated on your graduation application that you will be attending commencement, your cap and gown will be available for pick up from July 21 - July 31 in the lobby of Frasch Hall from 5 – 6:30 p.m. You will need a photo ID.

Mailing cap and gown. If you are taking online classes or not currently enrolled in classes and would like your cap and gown mailed to you, please contact Connie Duffey. Cap and gowns will be mailed to the home address on file at the University after August 1.

• Signature confirmation receipt required for mailed package. You will need to sign for delivery on a signature confirmation receipt. If you are not available, the post office will leave a notice for you in your mailbox indicating how long the package will be held at the post office before being returned to the University.

If you have any questions concerning your cap and gown, please contact Connie Duffey at 614.947.6741

Please note:
• Master’s degree hoods will be presented during the commencement ceremony.
• Caps and gowns are yours to keep.

Pre-Ceremony Activities

No rehearsal. There will be no rehearsal for the commencement ceremony.

When to arrive. Graduates attending commencement should plan to arrive at Veterans Memorial Auditorium, 300 W. Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio no later than 12:45 p.m. Assemble in the West Hall.

Registration. Upon arrival, register and retrieve your information card, which will include your procession number.

Processional line. At 1:15 p.m., you will take your place in line for the processional. At 1:55 p.m. you will proceed to the auditorium in one of two single-file lines.

Commencement start. Commencement will begin promptly at 2 p.m. on August 17, 2008 at Veterans Memorial Auditorium.

Latin Honors

Latin honors for Undergraduate academic achievement will be determined after all final grades are processed for the term. Qualified graduates will receive honor cords at commencement. All undergraduate students must meet the residency requirement and are awarded Latin honors based on the following grade point average (GPA):

• Summa Cum Laude for achieving a cumulative GPA of 3.90 or higher
• Magna Cum Laude for achieving a cumulative GPA of 3.70-3.89
• Cum Laude for achieving a cumulative GPA of 3.50-3.69

Processional

At 1:55 p.m., graduates will proceed to the auditorium in two single-file lines, according to assigned procession numbers. Please stay in line and follow the person in front of you. Failure to do so can result in your receiving someone else’s diploma.

At 2 p.m., the procession will enter the auditorium. Floor Marshals will direct you to the proper row. Graduates will remain standing until those on stage are seated. During the ceremony, please take your cue from the speaker on stage and the Floor Marshals as to when you should stand or be seated.

Secure personal items. Franklin University does not guarantee the security of any personal items left unattended in the West Hall or in the auditorium during commencement. Please either take personal items (purses, cellular phones, pagers, etc.) with you to the auditorium or leave them with a family member or guest.

All cellular phones and pagers must be turned off during the ceremony.

Degree Presentation

Announcement of degrees. Gregory S. Lashutka, Chairman of the Franklin University Board of Trustees, will announce the awarding of degrees. With caps on, graduates will rise together and remain standing.

Bestowing of degrees. Dr. David Decker, University President, will verbally bestow the appropriate degrees and then ask graduates to be seated. The Floor Marshals will guide individual rows of graduates to the stage, one row at a time. You will stand along the east wall to avoid blocking the view of guests.

On the stage. When you reach the stage, give your information card (which you received at the time of registration) to the attendant. When your name is called, walk across the stage. Master’s degree hoods will be presented at this time. Each graduate will shake hands with Dr. Decker, receive your diploma from your Program Chair, then return to the appropriate row and be seated.

Tassels are to remain on the left side of your cap throughout the ceremony.

Please remain seated until all graduates have received their diplomas. This demonstrates support for your fellow graduates and helps avoid disruption. You will then rise for the benediction and remain standing for the recessional.

Recessional

When the recessional music begins, exit the auditorium, following those on stage. Floor Marshals will assist you in exiting one row at a time. You will exit in the same order you entered (i.e., first in, last out). Please exit via the same aisle by which you entered the auditorium.

Reception

Following the commencement ceremony an informal reception for graduates and guests will be held in the West Hall. The reception should conclude by approximately 4:30 p.m.

Photographs

Guests may take photographs from their seats during the graduation ceremony. USA Foto, Inc. will photograph you as you shake hands with Franklin University President Dr. David Decker. You will receive one free proof approximately two weeks following the ceremony, along with details and information regarding purchase.

Hotel Information

For a listing of available hotels in the area, use Citysearch. ZIP code 43215.

Directions

Get directions to Veterans Memorial Auditorium.

Guests

There is no limit to the number of guests you may invite to commencement! We encourage you to invite your family and friends to share in this important occasion. All seating is on a first-come, first-serve basis, and no tickets are necessary.

Please inform your guests that all cellular phones and pagers must be turned off during the ceremony.

Parking

Veterans Memorial provides ample parking for graduates and guests at a charge of $4 per vehicle. Overflow parking is available across the street in the COSI parking lot.

Services for the Physically Disadvantaged

If you are a mobility-impaired, hearing-impaired or visually-impaired graduate or have a guest in need of additional assistance, call 614.947.6727 or toll free 1.877.341.6300, or email the Registrar’s Office to make arrangements for access to the stage or to address other needs.

Interpreting services will be provided. Ushers will direct hearing-impaired guests to reserved seating near the stage. Guests needing mobility-impaired access to the auditorium may use the elevator located in the Rotunda entrance.

Not Attending Commencement?

• Diploma. If you do not plan to attend Commencement, the Registrar’s Office will forward your diploma by mail within one week following the ceremony.
• Latin Honors. If you have earned Latin honors and would like an honor cord mailed to you, please contact the Registrar’s Office at 614.341.6242.
• Cap and gown. If you are not attending Commencement, but would still like to receive a cap and gown, please fill out the Virtual Graduation page in your Graduation Application Packet.
• Virtual Commencement. If you indicated that you would like to attend the Virtual Commencement, you will receive information regarding the details via your Franklin University
e-mail address approximately one week after the graduation ceremony.

For more information, contact the Registrar’s Office at 614.797.4700 or 1.877.341.6300 (toll free).