Summer Commencement Policy
The summer ceremony, which has relatively few graduates compared to the fall and spring ceremonies, is being discontinued. The Institute will continue to award degrees for spring, summer and fall terms, but will only conduct spring and fall commencement exercises. Georgia Tech students who complete their degree requirements in the summer will be invited to participate in the Institute’s fall commencement ceremony.The change follows a thorough review of Tech’s commencement activities and reflects the Institute’s intention to be fiscally responsible in all phases of its operations.
Active summer degree candidates who complete all the necessary requirements will graduate during the summer term and receive their diplomas six to eight weeks after the term’s completion. All summer graduates, regardless of which ceremony they participate in, will be listed in the respective fall commencement program, with a special symbol denoting their summer graduation status.
Summer candidates will have the opportunity to provide their primary email address during the semester to receive information on the fall ceremony. Students wishing to participate in the fall ceremony are required to complete the summer registration form to ensure they receive timely messages from commencement organizers. Summer graduates will still be required to RSVP to the fall ceremony to confirm their participation.
Summer 2013 Early Walk Policy
Summer 2013 degree candidates will have the option to participate in Spring 2013 Commencement. View the new policy and requirements here. Request forms to walk during spring commencement are due March 11.
Summer candidates who elect to walk early will be listed in the Fall 2013 Commencement program.
For additional information, please visit the FAQ section below. To submit a comment or question, please contact comments@registrar.gatech.edu.
Summer Commencement Discontinuation Frequently Asked Questions
- Why is Georgia Tech's summer commencement being discontinued?
- Will students still be able to graduate in the summer?
- If I graduate during the summer, when can I participate in a commencement ceremony?
- I would prefer to participate in the spring - can I do that?
- Will my name appear in the fall commencement program?
- I am planning to graduate in summer of 2013. How will I get information about fall commencement after I leave school?
- I have some additional questions or feedback about the summer cancelation. Whom may I contact?
Q: Why is Georgia Tech’s summer commencement being discontinued?
A: Three major factors contributed to the decision to discontinue the summer commencement ceremony. First, the number of students who participate in summer commencement (approx. 450 each year) is quite small in comparison to the number of students who participate in fall commencement (approx. 1,500) or spring commencement (approx. 2,300). Second, the cost of producing summer commencement (i.e. renting a venue, designing and printing programs, paying for security, etc.) is nearly the same as the cost of producing one of the larger ceremonies. By discontinuing Summer Commencement, we anticipate a cost savings up to $70,000 per year depending on the venue used. Third, summer graduates can be accommodated during the fall ceremony, allowing the university to be even more fiscally responsible.
Q: Will students still be able to graduate in the summer?
A: Yes. The Institute will continue to award degrees for spring, summer, and fall semesters. The only difference is that Georgia Tech will produce its commencement ceremony following spring and fall semesters.
Active summer degree candidates who complete all the necessary requirements to graduate during the summer term will receive their diplomas six to eight weeks after the term’s completion.
Q: If I graduate during the summer, when can I participate in a commencement ceremony?
A: Students who graduate in the summer will have the opportunity to walk in the fall commencement ceremony immediately following their graduation term (i.e. Summer 2013 graduates may participate in the Fall 2013 Commencement ceremony.)
Those students expected to have less than two classes will have the opportunity to participate in the Spring 2013 Commencement. View the new policy and requirements here. Request forms to walk during spring commencement are due March 11.
Q: I would prefer to participate in the spring - can I do that?
A: Those students expected to have less than two classes will have the opportunity to participate in the Spring 2013 Commencement. View the new policy and requirements here. Request forms to walk during spring commencement are due March 11. Those students will be notified of the opportunity.
Q: Will my name appear in the fall commencement program?
A: Yes. Summer graduates will be listed in the respective fall commencement program, with a special symbol denoting their summer graduation status.
A: Summer candidates will have the opportunity to provide their primary email address during the semester to receive information on the fall ceremony. Students wishing to participate in the fall ceremony are required to complete the summer registration form to ensure they receive timely messages regarding the fall ceremony from commencement organizers. Summer graduates will still be required to RSVP to the fall ceremony to confirm their participation.
Please note Fall Commencement will be a ticketed event. Students must refer to the Commencement website, www.gatech.edu/commencement, to ensure they are aware of the respective ceremony’s ticketing process.
Q: I have some additional questions or feedback about the summer cancelation. Whom may I contact?
A: Please direct all questions or comments to comments@registrar.gatech.edu. A member of the Registrar’s Office will contact you shortly regarding your inquiry.