COMMENCEMENT INFORMATION

Graduation Eligibility and Policy
You are eligible for Winter (2010) Commencement if you have fulfilled all degree requirements prior to September 1, 2009 for September graduates and prior to January 21, 2010 for January graduates.

Diplomas
Diplomas may be picked up by graduates, whether or not you attend Commencement, upon notification by the Office of the Registrar (generally 2 – 3 months after the date of graduation). To receive your diploma, you must present some form of identification, such as a Hunter College ID card, a valid driver's license, teacher's license, or Social Security card. If a proxy requests the diploma, s/he must present his/her identification as well as the candidate's identification and a letter of authorization signed by the degree recipient.

Diplomas are awarded only to those who have completed the requirements for a degree. Attending the commencement ceremony and inclusion in the commencement program merely indicates that an individual is a candidate for graduation and may not be used as proof of completion of the degree requirements.

Honors
Graduation with General College Honors will be noted on your diploma and transcript.

A student who has completed 60 credits of traditional letter grades at Hunter College may be considered for graduation honors.

• Students with a cumulative GPA of 3.900 or higher will be graduated Summa Cum Laude
• Students with a cumulative GPA from 3.750 to 3.899 will be graduated Magna Cum Laude
• Students with a cumulative GPA from 3.500 to 3.749 will be graduated Cum Laude

Graduation with Departmental Honors will be noted on your transcript.

On recommendation of any department or interdepartmental field, students with at least 24 credits in the department or field may graduate "With Honors" in that department or field, provided they graduate in the term for which they file for honors. Of these credits, 21 - or in exceptional cases, 18 - must be taken at Hunter. Students who participate in the Study Abroad Program or the National Student Exchange Program within the United States may be considered for departmental honors even if they have earned fewer than 18 credits at Hunter in courses approved for the major. If you have questions, see your department.

Valedictorian
Valedictorian Criteria: 4.0 GPA and all credits completed at Hunter College.

(College credits completed in high school through AP, College Now, or similar programs do not affect eligibility for Valedictorian, even if those credits were earned at institutions other than Hunter College.)

The Valedictorian delivers brief remarks during the Commencement ceremony. If more than one student meets the criteria, co-Valedictorians are named. One is selected to deliver remarks at Commencement by the Vice President for Students Affairs; other(s) will be recognized during the ceremony.

Salutatorian(s) Criteria:

Either:

1. 3.900 - 3.999 GPA and all credits completed at Hunter College; or
2. Transfer students with 4.0 GPA and 60 or more credits completed at Hunter College.

(College credits completed in high school through AP, College Now or similar programs do not affect eligibility for Salutatorian, even if those credits were earned at institutions other than Hunter College.)

NOTE: For the purpose of designating Valedictorian and Salutatorians, course(s) taken "on permit" at other CUNY are included when calculating the GPA.

Name in Commencement Program
A student who wishes to ensure that her/his name is included in the commencement program must submit an online Commencement Attendance Response Form by 7:30 PM, November 18, 2009. You may link to the online Commencement Attendance Response Form by clicking here.

Procession
Students will process into the Hunter College Assembly Hall by school. Instructions for arrival time and meeting locations will be dispensed when you pick up your commencement tickets.

What to Expect
Graduates participating in the ceremony do not need a ticket. Each guest attending Commencement must bring his/her ticket. Seating space in the Hunter College Assembly Hall is limited. Guests will not be admitted unless they have commencement tickets. Once the academic procession begins, guests will be asked to wait until all the graduates have been seated before proceeding into the Hall. It is therefore advisable for guests to arrive one hour before the start of Commencement. (Guests should arrive at 2:00PM for the 3:00PM Commencement ceremony start time.)

Transportation and Parking
There are commercially-operated parking garages located in the area, but street parking is extremely limited. It is therefore recommended that you and your guests take public transportation to the Commencement ceremony.

The Hunter College Assembly Hall is located on 69th Street between Park and Lexington avenues.

Train: Take the 6 train to 68th Street-Hunter College.

Students and Guests with Disabilities
Graduates and guests for whom an interpreter for the hearing impaired is required should contact the Office for Access & Accommodations (212) 772-4857 so that they will be seated in the vicinity of the interpreter. Please call before January 15, 2010. Graduates and guests in wheelchairs and those who have difficulty with stairs and other obstructions should also call and register. They will enter the Hunter College Assembly Hall through the 68th Street entrance to the North Building outside the Kaye Playhouse.