After the Registrar’s Office has received a student’s completed application for graduation, an administrator in that office will conduct a graduation audit of the student’s progress toward graduation and will notify the student of their anticipated time to completion. Since the College has a single Commencement ceremony each year, students may participate in Commencement ceremonies if they meet the following conditions: 

All students must be cleared to attend Commencement by the Graduation Auditor. 

Appeals will be decided by the Academic Dean’s Office. Appeals may be considered up to fourteen (14) calendar days before the end of the spring semester (see Academic Calendar). 

Students are cleared to attend the first Commencement ceremony for which they meet eligibility requirements. Students who have an anticipated graduation date of August or December can opt to attend the following year’s ceremony, but the student will need to notify the Graduation Auditor of that decision in writing if cleared to attend the current year’s ceremony. 

Students may not participate in commencement more than once for the same degree. Exceptions will only be granted by the President’s Cabinet under extraordinary circumstances. 

Participation in Commencement does not constitute conferral of a degree. The requirements for a student’s degree must be completed before a degree is awarded and a diploma is issued. Final audits to verify degree requirements have been met are completed in the weeks following the Commencement Ceremony. All diplomas are mailed. 

About this Policy 

Commencement Policy 

Ownership: Registrar's Office, kscregistrar@keene.edu 

Last Modified: November 7,2024 – kgagne@keene.edu 

Categories: ACADEMIC 

For questions regarding this policy, please contact the policy owner.