Policies and Procedures
FLORIDA COASTAL SCHOOL of LAW
COMMENCEMENT PROCEDURES AND POLICIES
ELIGIBILITY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SPRING CEREMONY
Commencement Exercises: ceremony takes place in May of each year on the first Saturday following final exams.
¨ Students completing graduation requirements for the juris doctorate degree during the Spring semester are eligible to participate in the commencement exercises scheduled in May of that semester.
¨ Students who are within 8 credit hours of completing the requirements for the juris doctorate degree during the Spring semester and who will complete those requirements during the Summer session immediately following the Spring semester are eligible to participate in the commencement exercises scheduled in May of that semester.
¨ Students completing graduation requirements for the juris doctorate degree during the Fall semester are eligible to participate in the commencement exercises scheduled in the May following completion of those requirements.
¨ Students who completed the requirements for the juris doctorate degree during the Fall intersession are eligible to participate in commencement exercises scheduled in the May following completion of those requirements.
GRADUATION CEREMONY
HONORS
Florida Coastal School of Law awards Latin Honors for students
completing degree as follows:
Cum Laude: Grade Point Average (GPA) = 3.25-3.49
Magna Cum Laude: Grade Point Average (GPA) = 3.50-3.74
Summa Cum Laude: Grade Point Average (GPA) = 3.75 and above
HONORS ORGANIZATIONS & PRO BONO ACHIEVEMENT
Florida Coastal School of Law recognizes the following organizations as Honors Organizations:
Law Review
Mock Trial Team
Moot Court
Pro-Bono*
For Pro Bono Achievement recognition, students must have completed 125 hours or more of volunteer service to the community.
CAP, GOWN AND CORDS
Academic regalia (cap or tam, tassel, and gown) is ordered through our designated vendor each year. There will be two on-site ordering days, one in the morning and one in the evening on a date to be determined. You will see notices posted around the school and also an email will be sent. Students will be required to remit payment to the bookstore. Also, you may order online from Herff Jones. Orders placed after the deadline will be charged an additional late fee. ALL REGALIA ORDERS ARE RENTALS AND MUST BE RETURNED IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE CEREMONY.
The deadline for ordering is March 27, 2010.
Distribution of orders will begin on a date to be announced. Check those emails!
All orders, including online orders, will be shipped to FCSL for pick-up from the bookstore. You may pick up your regalia from the FCSL Bookstore. You will need to complete the Bob Knight information card completely before you receive your regalia. (The bookstore will provide the card)
Juris Doctorate Degree Graduates
The FCSL juris doctorate candidate has a black soft tam and a black gown trimmed with three velvet purple stripes on the sleeves and purple velvet front facing. A purple tassel is attached to the tam. During the ceremony, a doctoral hood bearing the colors of FCSL will be placed over your head signifying the conferral of the juris doctorate degree. All regalia must be returned after the ceremony but you may keep your tassel.
Honor Cords
In addition to the gown and tam, FCSL permits the wearing of cords at graduation. Those students who have achieved Latin (academic) honors, are members of an Honors Organization or have achieved Pro Bono recognition status are eligible to wear FCSL cords. All cords at FCSL are silver. A single cord may be worn for each honor.
Latin Honors: Candidates who have earned Latin Honors through the prior semester are eligible to wear honor cords at graduation.
Honors Organizations and Pro Bono Recognition: Candidates who are members of any honors organization or have achieved Pro Bono recognition may wear honor cords at graduation. Each honors organization and the faculty/staff advisor for Pro Bono is responsible for reporting the names of all graduating and eligible members to the Vice Dean of Student Affairs.
Cords will be distributed during check-in the day of the ceremony.
Cords are to be worn only by those eligible. Only FCSL approved silver honor cords are to be worn with your tam and gown. NO OTHER STOLES OR CORDS MAY BE WORN WITH FCSL REGALIA.
ATTIRE AND DECORUM
Commencement celebrates significant academic achievement and is a joyous ceremony rich in tradition. All graduates should be attentive and respectful as each graduate
commences. While we recognize the joyous nature of this occasion, understand that
we expect celebrations to be reasonable.
The appropriate attire to be worn with your regalia is professional, business dress.
GRADUATION AWARDS AND STUDENT SPEAKER
Graduation awards and the student commencement speaker are selected by the student body. The Graduation Awards Committee is responsible for publishing the awards, determining eligibility, nominating and voting procedures. The executive committee of the SBA is responsible for selecting the members of the Graduation Awards Committee.
Graduation Awards Selection Procedure
Graduation Awards Committee:
¨ The Committee will be selected by the Executive Committee of the SBA and consist of four 3L students and one faculty member.
¨ All nominees will be asked to submit a resume and a statement by the nominee explaining the reasons they should be selected to receive the award.
¨ The Committee will then narrow the nominations to no more than 8 candidates for each award.
¨ The Committee may consider nominations of members of the Committee, if so nominated.
Nominations and eligibility: Nominations will be taken for each graduation award.
¨ Any 3L student may nominate up to one fellow 3L student, or faculty where appropriate, for each award.
¨ A 3L voting must be intending to graduate in that graduating class
¨ The nominations will be submitted to the Graduation Awards Committee
¨ Nomination may be by e-mail to the SBA or a person designated by the SBA to take nominations, or forms can be picked up in the SBA offices or the reception desk in the Dean’s Suite.
Selection of nominees and Voting:
¨ The Committee will review the resumes and statement of the nominees and select no more than 8 nominations to be voted on by the graduating class
¨ The Committee will present the list of selected nominees to be sent out to the graduation 3L Class for voting
¨ The Committee will notify the student body of the time, place and method of nomination and voting.
¨ At the Committee’s discretion, the notification and/or voting process may take place via email or in person.
¨ Votes will be tabulated and winners presented at the Law Week Banquet preceding graduation.
¨ Tie votes will not be broken, but awarded to all students receiving the tie vote
Student Speaker Responsibilities:
The selected Student Speaker will be responsible for giving a speech at his/her commencement exercises. The Student Speaker will process with the platform guests and will be required to assemble with them prior to the ceremony. Immediately following his/her speech, the student will return to his/her place in line with the graduating class. The Student Speaker will recess with his/her graduating class at the conclusion of the ceremony.
Graduation Awards (as of June 2007)
The following is a list of awards recognized at graduation to members of the faculty, staff and graduating class. The actual awards are given out at the Law Week Banquet prior to the ceremony in May:
- Barbara McCalla Memorial Award
This award recognizes one faculty member and one graduating student who have demonstrated compassion, commitment to both the community and Florida Coastal School of Law, and a strong interest in the support of justice for the less fortunate.
- Jerome Kermit Coble Award for Distinguished Public Service
This award is presented in memory of the late Jerome Kermit Coble, Jr., a member of the Florida Coastal School of Law charter class. The award recognizes a student participating in the commencement ceremony who has demonstrated a significant commitment to public service.
- Phyllis Stansell Ethics and Professionalism Award
This award is presented in the memory of the late Phyllis Stansell, a member of the Florida Coastal School of Law charter class and graduate of the Class of 1999. The award recognizes a student who has exemplified professionalism and ethical behavior while a student at Florida Coastal School of Law.
- The Florida Coastal School of Law Faculty Vision Award
This award is presented in recognition of a member of the faculty who has made particularly significant contributions to the law school and students. This award was established by Florida Coastal School of Law Class of 1999.
- The Florida Coastal School of Law Staff Vision Award
This award is presented in recognition of a member of the staff who has made particularly significant contributions to the law school and the students. This award was established by Florida Coastal School of Law Class of 2003.
- The Florida Coastal School of Law Student Recognition Award
This award is presented annually in recognition of a graduating student who has made significant contributions to the law school and demonstrated interest and commitment to Florida Coastal School of Law student life. The award was established by Florida Coastal School of Law Class of 1999.
- Founder=s Award
This award is presented to recognize a student who has made significant contributions to the ideals and objectives of Florida Coastal School of Law.
- James A. Richter Humanitarian Service Award
This award is presented to a student known for his/her devotion to the promotion of human welfare and the advancement of social reforms. The award was established by Mrs. James A. Richter in 2003.
