Students should be aware that graduation isn’t a simple process.
By Marie Sullins
sac-ranger@alamo.edu
Students planning to walk the stage May 10 must submit graduation applications by March 15 to admissions and records in Room 216 of Fletcher Administration Center.
Graduation is scheduled at 10 a.m. May 10 at Freeman Coliseum.
It is important for students to meet the deadline to ensure a smooth process, Joe Jacques, assistant director of student success, said.
“If students miss the deadline, it causes the college to have to try and order more caps and gowns, which are supposed to be requested 45 days in advance,” Jacques said.
The college celebrates only one commencement ceremony each year in the spring semester for graduates from the previous fall to the upcoming summer.
If students miss the deadline and still want to walk the stage, they have to wait until the following spring.
Jacques said students who do not intend to walk the stage can wait until the first week of May to turn in applications.
Before applying, students must sit down with a department adviser to complete a degree audit and the adviser will determine if the student is ready to graduate.
“It’s important for students to know what course catalog they are listed as and the degree plan. One of the biggest problems is not seeking proper advisement,” he said.
Upon the confirmation of an adviser, graduation approval notice will be posted to the student’s ACES ACCOUNT along with a copy of the degree they will be receiving.
Students’ transcripts will reflect the earned degree.
To begin the process, log into ACES and click on the Web Services link under the Student tab. Then, click on THE link Student Records.
Graduation requirements can be found on alamo.edu/sac/graduation.
Students can track their degree completion progress using Banner or GPS.
ACES account will note the degree has been achieved, but it will not list the actual degree. The degree will appear on students’ transcripts.
Not everyone who applies to graduate gets approved, Jacques said.
Some students may not pass a course or not have all of the courses they need, Jacques said. It is vital for students to check emails constantly.
This college sponsors all graduation expenses allowing students to strut the stage free of charge. “It warms my heart to see people who have come through and say we made it,” Jacques said.
For more information, call admissions office 210-486-0200.
