GRADUATION & COMMENCEMENT

While a Commencement ceremony is sometimes referred to as Graduation, there is a noteworthy difference. The College’s Commencement ceremony is held once a year at the end of the spring semester as a celebration for students projected to successfully complete all their graduation requirements by the end of the spring or summer term. While Menlo students may graduate either at the end of the fall, spring or summer terms, there is only one Commencement ceremony held in May.

Menlo College, in contract with Herff Jones, maintains an inventory of commencement regalia for use of Menlo graduates. The cap, tassel and graduation hood are part of the regalia package, together with a robe to wear during the ceremony.

Commencement robes must be returned to inventory, but the cap, tassel and hood are provided to the graduates to keep, at no charge. Should the robe not be returned on a timely basis, a $50 late fee will be charged to the student’s account. This information is communicated to each graduating class. Should the robe not be returned at all, a charge of $168 will be charged to the student’s account. This represents the cost of replacing the robe in inventory. Diplomas will be held until all financial charges have been cleared.

Students do not receive a diploma at the Commencement ceremony. Confirmation of degree completion will not take place until official grades are posted by the Registrar. Students should meet with their Academic Advisor prior to their last semester to review their academic file to guarantee all their graduation requirements will be met in a timely fashion.

Graduation indicates the student has officially completed all their graduation requirements. In preparation for graduation, students must file a Graduation Petition in the term just prior to their expected graduation year/ term (fall semester for May 31 and August 31 graduates or spring semester for December 31 graduates). The deadlines for submitting Graduation Petitions are:

November 5, 2021 for end of spring or summer 2022

March 28, 2022 for end of fall 2022 All candidates should submit their graduation petitions on MyMenlo for processing.

COMMENCEMENT ELIGIBILITY

To be eligible to participate in Commencement and listed in the Commencement Program, candidates must have completed all of their degree requirements or be within six units of completing them by August 31.

HONORS AT GRADUATION Valedictorian and Salutatorian Selection Criteria

The students selected as valedictorian and salutatorian of the senior class embody the highest level of academic achievement, scholarship, personal integrity, and ethical character in the tradition of Menlo College. The valedictorian and salutatorian are selected on the basis of these criteria. While GPA is the primary selection criteria, the depth and breadth of achievement, as exemplified by high performance in a variety of courses taken outside the major field of study, are also important selection criteria. In addition, the Dean of Students Affairs is consulted to ensure that the students chosen as valedictorian and salutatorian have no Honor Code or significant disciplinary violations. Candidates must have earned a minimum of 60 semester credits for which letter grades were earned from Menlo College and must have petitioned to graduate by the deadline for doing so.

The selection process occurs during the spring semester on the basis of the graduating students’ college record at that point in time. The following criteria will be used to identify students who will be considered for these honors, and any one of these criteria may be used

to differentiate among candidates for valedictorian or salutatorian: 1. GPA earned at Menlo College; 2. Availability to participate in commencement activities; 3. Number of Menlo credits with a letter grade (note that a student with double major or a major that requires additional units, e.g. accounting, should not be advantaged); 4. Number of A+ grades received per semester at Menlo College; 5. Amount and quality of transfer credits; 6. Depth and breadth of educational experience. The Valedictorian and Salutatorian honor appears in the Commencement brochure but not on official transcripts. Students who petition to graduate late, may not be considered for this honor.

Other Honors

Honors appear on the student’s diploma and their official Menlo College transcript. Honors are awarded to bachelor’s degree graduates who earned a cumulative grade point average in their Menlo College courses as follows: cum laude

3.500 to 3.699 magna cum laude

3.700 to 3.899

summa cum laude

3.900 to 4.000

DIPLOMA DISTRIBUTION & DEGREE VERIFICATION

Graduation candidates whose graduation petition was received by the deadline indicated above, and who do not have any encumbrances, will receive their diplomas by mail approximately twelve weeks after the end of the semester in which they successfully completed their degree requirements. Graduation candidates whose applications were received after the deadlines indicated above and/or who have encumbrances should anticipate a delay in receiving their diplomas. It is important that candidates inform the Academic Advising Center and the Office of the Registrar of any changes of mailing address.

Graduates can obtain a degree verification by requesting a degree verification or transcript through the National Student Clearinghouse; or by a written letter from the Office of the Registrar with applicable fees. To request an official transcript, see the section on “Transcripts” for the required fees.

GRADUATION & COMMENCEMENT INQUIRIES

Inquiries regarding graduation application status and diplomas should be addressed to: Academic Advising Center, Menlo College, 1000 El Camino Real, Atherton, CA 94027-4301 or phone (650) 543-3917 or fax (650) 543-4120.

Inquiries regarding the Commencement ceremony, regalia and rehearsals should be directed to Linda Teutschel, Menlo College, 1000 El Camino Real, Atherton, CA 94027-4301 or phone (650) 543-3744.