2020-2021 Catalog 
    
    Apr 18, 2024  
2020-2021 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Graduation



Applying for Graduation

Students should apply for graduation during the Fall semester for the Spring semester graduation date.  Students should register for their final semester and consult with their advisor prior to submitting the graduation application to the Office of Admissions and Records. Graduation applications may be obtained from the Office of Admissions and Records or online at https://sw.edu/graduation. No fees are required for the graduation apparel or diplomas.

Graduation Eligibility

In order to determine eligibility for graduation or the specific courses needed to meet graduation requirements, students should consult with their advisor or check with the Office of Admissions and Records.

Commencement Exercises

Commencement exercises are conducted only at the end of the spring semester. Students completing degree requirements during the spring semester are urged to attend commencement unless extenuating circumstances justify their absence. Diplomas will be mailed to students after confirmation that their degree requirements have been completed.

Participation in Commencement

Southwest Virginia Community College restricts participation in commencement to those students who will complete their degree requirements by the spring semester commencement date or who can complete the requirements during the immediately following summer term. Those who wish to participate in commencement ceremonies who will not have met all requirements at the time of commencement must submit a letter of intent to participate along with the application for graduation.

Posthumous Award Policy

A deceased student who did not complete all requirements for his/her degree, diploma, certificate or other Southwest Virginia Community College-conferred award at the time of death may be thus awarded posthumously provided the following conditions are met:

  1. The student was enrolled and in good academic and disciplinary standing at the time of death.
  2. The student had completed a minimum of 50% of the program requirements for his/her degree.
  3. The academic division dean of the deceased student’s primary program of study will initiate a written request for the posthumous award within 12 months of the student’s death. The request shall be submitted to the Office of Admissions & Records after ascertaining that Conditions 1 and 2 have been met. Admissions will then submit the request to the president for final approval.
  4. This policy is in effect for students enrolled in Fall of 2018 and all subsequent terms.