Wearing cap and gown

The cap should be placed on the head so that the mortar board is level, with the long point of the crown to the back. The front point should be well down on the forehead with no hair showing in front. Put the tassel on the right side. The gown should be removed from the package as soon as received and placed on a hanger, to allow the folds acquired from packing to fall out. The hook at the back of the yoke is for use only in attaching collar for females. Collar should be hooked on the back of the yoke and fastened on each side in front with small safety pins, which are in the collar envelope. Dress The suggested dress for men is black or solid dark pants, white shirt, black or solid ties and black or dark shoes. Comfortable dress shoes are recommended due to the distance involved in the processional. The suggested dress for women is a white or light solid dress and black or dark shoes. Honor Cords (students receiving Associate's and Bachelor's degrees) Students graduating with honors will receive gold cords in recognition of their academic achievement. Honor cords will be distributed inside Gate 4 at Tropicana Field at 9:00 am Saturday, May 9, 2009. Students who are members of Phi Theta Kappa may order their graduation stoles through their chapter sponsor. Your overall GPA (A.A., A.S. and A.A.S. recipients) for honor cords must be 3.30 - 3.79 for one cord and 3.80 or above for two cords (high honors). Your overall GPA for a bachelor's degree must be 3.50 for one cord and 3.80 or above for two cords. NOTE: the GPA used to compute honor cord eligibility is based on the prior term cumulative GPA.

Your diploma will not be in the cover you will receive at graduation. Diplomas will be mailed within six weeks after the ceremony to those who met the application deadline. Final responsibility for meeting graduation requirements rests with the student. A "graduation check" should be requested from the Counseling Office for verification of degree(s). Subsequent to the graduation check, there will not be time to compute final grades prior to the commencement ceremony. Students who fail to meet graduation requirements must reapply for graduation for the next term. Graduation applications are not carried forward to the next term automatically. SPC does not issue duplicate diplomas. If your diploma is damaged, a replacement can be made available to you for $15, along with an explanation for the request. The original diploma must be returned, regardless of condition. NOTE: Honors designation on your diploma will be based on your final cumulative GPA. Leader Frames now offers SPC personalized degree frames for distinctive display of your diploma and graduation portrait. Visit their site at www.degreeframes.com and look for St. Petersburg College's page.

Important information

1. If you are a student with a disability who is planning to attend graduation and requires accommodations, please call Peg Connell, (727) 341-3398 to make arrangements. Our staff can provide accessible seating, interpreters for the deaf or hard-of-hearing, and other accommodations as needed.


2. You will receive your name card in the mail before May 9, 2009. Please bring it with you. It is used to call your name as you walk forward to receive your diploma cover. If there is an error in the spelling of your name, please call Don Harris, (727) 341-3125. If you do not receive a name card, it does not mean that you are not graduating or that you cannot participate in the graduation ceremony. You can participate in the ceremony. We will have cards available at graduation for students who did not receive them in the mail.


3. Tropicana Field will charge $5 for parking. Parking is primarily in lots 1-5.


4. Disabled parking is available in lots 1, 6, and 7. Additionally, a drop-off circle is available by Gate 4 along 16th St. S.
   Note: Do not enter Tropicana Field carrying personal items. Leave all personal belongings at home or with family members.