A7: Graduation and Commencement

Responsibility for Maintenance: Registration and Records; Events Management; Academic Affairs 

Date of most recent changes: July 13, 2026 

I. Policy Statement 

Onondaga Community College degrees shall be awarded, and annual commencement ceremonies (December and May) shall be planned and conducted, in accordance with this policy.   

II. Reason for Policy 

The policy is designed to ensure that degrees will be awarded in accordance with applicable law, and that commencement ceremonies will be conducted in accordance with applicable law and in a manner designed to reflect favorably upon the College.   

III. Applicability of the Policy 

All members of the College community involved in planning and conducting graduation and commencement ceremonies should be familiar with this policy.   

IV. Related Documents 

V. Contacts 

VI. Procedures 

See Academic Rule X. Graduation Requirements, sections B and C, in the College Catalog (also copied below). 

B. Graduation and Commencement

Students who are expected to complete their final program requirements will be invited to a Commencement ceremony in either May or December, whichever is closest to their expected completion date.

• Students must be registered for all the classes remaining in their program requirements to receive an invitation to Commencement.
• Commencement typically occurs before final grades are submitted. This means that participation in a Commencement ceremony does not guarantee that a student will graduate or receive a diploma. Graduation occurs when a student’s degree or certificate is awarded, after all final grades are submitted and all requirements are satisfied.
• Graduation is processed three times per year, in May, August, and December. Graduation will not be processed early if a student completes their final requirements before the official end of the semester.
• Any student who was expected to graduate but does not graduate due to failed classes, drops or withdrawals, low GPA, “I” grades, etc. will be notified by the Office of Registration & Records.

C. Graduation Honors

Graduation Honors include Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, and Summa Cum Laude.

• Graduation Honors may differ between the student’s Commencement ceremony and graduation.
  • At Commencement ceremonies, Graduation Honors will be recognized based on the student’s most recent cumulative GPA.
  • At graduation, Graduation Honors will be designated on the student’s final transcript and diploma based on their final cumulative GPA.
• Graduation Honors are determined as follows:

The President is authorized to approve for graduation those students so recommended. The Board of Trustees shall certify the list of approved graduates, as well as any additions, deletions or modifications to the list. The President or his/her designee is authorized to award diplomas and certificates and to confer degrees, in the name and on behalf of the College, to the candidates certified by the Board of Trustees.   

Other Honors 

Graduates of Onondaga Community College wear an associate gown and mortarboard, with special accessories to signify achievements. Any attire requests need prior approval from Executive Council.