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Home Commencement Office Graduates Attendance & Non-Attendance Form

Step 4 (Final Graduation and Commencement Requirement: Attendance/Non-Attendance Form)


The Final Graduation and Commencement Requirement: Attendance/Non-Attendance Form (STEP 4) is required and should be completed by all graduating students (undergraduates, masters, specialists, doctoral and law. (Law only completes this form in December) within the semester they are graduating. Graduates attending and not attending the ceremony must complete the form. Attendance and non-attendance is collected by semester, so only the current semester graduating student fills out the form. Ceremony attendance information will be collected by the Commencement Office. Watch for an email to your UofM account during the semester you are graduating from our office.

Current semester graduates 

Check your Memphis email for the appropriate guidelines and deadlines to complete Step 4.  This form is REQUIRED whether you ARE attending or NOT attending the Commencement ceremony. 

Submit your Step 4 Form.  A confirmation email will be sent to your Memphis email account within seconds of submitting this form.  Bring this confirmation email with you to Cap and Gown distribution to receive your pronouncer card and cap/gown rental set, which are required for those attending the Commencement ceremony.

Details about Step 4 and Frequently Asked Questions

  • It is your responsibility to complete Step 4 by the deadline.
  • Enter your Username and Password.
  • Answer each question.
  • Submit the form before exiting. An email confirmation will be sent to your Memphis email immediately upon successful submission.
  • After submitting the form properly, check your Memphis email immediately for a confirmation message.
  • You know you have submitted the form correctly and we have your submission recorded when you receive a Confirmation Email to your Memphis Email Account.
  • Each weekday you do not complete the form, you will receive a reminder email. We do not send reminders on weekends, but you can submit the form on weekends by the deadline posted in this email.
  • If you find something wrong with your name, honors, etc., SUBMIT the form. Then, immediately email us at commencement@memphis.edu with the issue. We will respond to you as soon as possible.
  • The information on the TOP of Step 4 is identifiable information for our office use. It is not a full academic workup. If you are needing full academic information (including, minors, concentrations, etc.), you should review your UMDegree, MyMemphis Unofficial Transcript or contact your Advisor.
  • The program is hyperlinked in the form. You must click on the hyperlink to see how your name is listed in the Commencement program. This is where you will see if your name, degree, if qualify for honors distinction (summa, magna or cum laude) as well.
  • Only undergraduates qualify for honors distinction. Graduate Students do not qualify for honors distinction. To understand the Honors Distinction Policy, visit: https://catalog.memphis.edu/content.php?catoid=22&navoid=1128#graduation-with-distinction or https://www.memphis.edu/commencement/graduates/ug-honors.php.
  • We do NOT allow anyone to participate with the graduate. Only the graduate is allowed on the event level and on stage (no parents, guests, children, etc.). We do not allow proposals or the like at Commencement. Anyone in violation will be removed.
  • The top portion of Step 4 is identifiable information as it relates to the needs of this office. It is not a full academic makeup. You will not see concentrations, minors, additional majors, etc. In addition, Majors and Concentrations will not be listed on the diploma.
  • Step 4 is REQUIRED by all approved degree seeking students.
  • We are no longer accepting name changes. We sent you an email prior about the deadline and noting that we do not make name changes once Step 4 is live.
  • If you do not submit the form, NO, you cannot participate in commencement.
  • If you did not complete Step 3, NO, you cannot complete Step 4. Step 3 was due at the time you filed your application and those who have not completed it have been emailed numerous times prior to this email on how to submit Step 3.  
  • Those receiving the Certificate Only (Graduate or Undergraduate), do not participate in Commencement.
  • Those receiving Second Majors only, do not participate in Commencement.
     

This form requires you to

  • Register/Reserve or decline your seat at the commencement ceremony.
  • Confirm your name, degree, any academic honors designations, any prior degree information are displayed accurately in the Commencement Program.
  • Confirm your Diploma mailing address
  • Submit the form successfully  
  • Check Memphis Email immediately after submission to confirm you have received your confirmation email and hold on to this email for Cap and Gown Distribution in the day(s) before Commencement.
  • Failure to submit Step 4 will result in not allowing you to participate in the commencement ceremony. Step 4 is required by all graduating/degree-seeking students. Step 4 is how you register for a seat at the ceremony (or decline one), verify your name in the commencement program, diploma mailing address, etc. 
     

Important Information

  • As a participant, to ensure your diploma is not withheld and that you and your guests are not removed from the ceremony, you will Agree to the Commencement Guidelines within Step 4.
  • It is your responsibility to ensure you and your guests comply. https://www.memphis.edu/commencement/graduates/conduct_guidelines.php.
  • The form does not reflect double-majors, double-degrees, minors, or concentrations.
  • We do not announce double degrees, majors, minors, or the like at Commencement. The Step 4 form will only display your major (pulls out of the University system). If you have double-majors, minors, etc., please understand you should review your Unofficial Transcript or UMDegree for a full academic makeup of your record. Step 4 is used for Commencement purposes only and pulls the data that we need.
  • The information at the top of this form is for identifying purposes only and does not reflect a full academic makeup of your record. Refer to your Unofficial Transcript on MyMemphis, UMDegree or speak to your advisor.
  • It is your responsibility to complete Step 4 by the deadline. Failure to submit Step 4 will result in not allowing you to participate in the commencement ceremony. You are expected to review this email and submit the form properly and/or inform us via email if you have questions or concerns by or before the deadline. Step 4 is required by all graduating/degree-seeking students. In addition, anyone who wants to participate in the ceremony, must register for it. Step 4 is how you also register for a seat at the ceremony (or decline one) and verify your name in the commencement program, diploma mailing address, etc. No exceptions. 
     

Academic Information

  • Your college or school determines eligibility and approves or disapproves records. Our office does not. We do not update or change any academic information. For academic specific information: grades, approvals, ineligibility, GPAs, or the like, contact your college or school. https://www.memphis.edu/commencement/graduates/graduation-analyst.php.
  • We handle the Commencement ceremony and diploma mailing only. For academic related questions, please contact your Advisor and/or Graduation Analyst.
  • Diplomas are mailed 4 months after each Commencement. They are not available any earlier. For degree verification, forms for job prospects, car insurance, please visit your MyMemphis account for an Unofficial Transcript or contact the Registrar’s Office at 901-678-2810 for an official transcript and degree verification. Registrar is the Official Record keepers at the University. 

  • Following Step 4’s deadline, you will receive a required survey from the University of Memphis from the Office of Institutional Effectiveness and must be completed prior to cap and gown distribution each semester. The survey is required by all graduating students. For registered commencement ceremony participants, your account will be checked prior to releasing your cap and gown during distribution. For non-participants, your account will be checked prior to releasing your diploma.


     

When can I submit my form?

Time frame for the required Step 4 Form:

  • May graduates should submit the form in late February/1st week of March 
  • August graduates should submit the form in late June/July
  • December graduates should submit the form in late September/early October