Undergraduate students who will complete degree requirements one summer or fall semester after their matriculating class may request to participate in the annual commencement ceremony the May preceding their degree conferral date. If approved by the Dean of Undergraduates, the student will walk with their residential college and their name will be called, but they are not receiving a degree, their name will not appear in the commencement program, and a diploma will not be ordered for them.
Prior to submitting a request, students should review the policy carefully to ensure they meet all requirements. Qualified students must complete the Undergraduate Request to Participate in Commencement Form completely, and obtain appropriate signatures from the Major Advisor(s)*, the Office of Academic Advising, and the Office of the Registrar (in that order). The completed form must then be submitted to the Dean of Undergraduates no later than 5:00 pm, February 27, 2026.
*If a student has multiple majors, a separate Request to Participate in Commencement form must be submitted for each major.
Request forms are not required for minors or certificates.
Policy Governing Participation in Commencement by Undergraduate Students not on the Graduation List
Rice will consider a request from an undergraduate student to participate in commencement without appearing on the graduation list for that commencement under the following circumstances:
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By participating in that particular commencement ceremony, the student will be commencing with his/her matriculating class.
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The request must be made in writing to the Dean of Undergraduates not later than the end of the 7th week of classes (coincident with the university’s “drop” deadline in the Spring).
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The remaining degree requirements (i.e., requirements to be taken after the conclusion of the current semester) must include no more than 12 hours of credit. This must be documented on the student's degree audit (Degree Works) and confirmed by the Office of the Registrar's approval.
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The request must include a specific academic plan for completion of all degree requirements. The student must be able to and must plan to complete all remaining degree requirements in time for degree conferral in August or December of the following academic year. This must be documented by the student’s major academic advisor(s) and the Office of Academic Advising and confirmed by their approval. The remaining degree requirements must include no courses that can only be taken in a Spring semester.
- Courses remaining for the completion of degree requirements must be documented on the form (including subject code, course number, title, and number of credit hours). Students should be registered for these courses, and if the courses are taken at another institution, proof of enrollment must be provided.
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An Application for Degree must be on file in the Office of the Registrar for the following August or December degree conferral. Students who are planning to graduate in the December degree conferral should plan to apply to graduate at the beginning of the following fall semester. Students should ensure their expected graduation date is accurate and updated with the Office of the Registrar.
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The student must be in good academic standing and must not be on probation or suspension for any disciplinary or honor code violations.
A request from a student who missed a semester due to a prior suspension, whether academic, disciplinary, or honor code (including Article XII exceptions), will not be approved.
A committee appointed by the Dean of Undergraduates will consider requests and make recommendations to the Dean, who has authority for final approval. Requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis, including the individual student’s academic record, other records of accomplishment at Rice, and personal integrity. Consideration of the request will be determined by a careful analysis of the reasons why the student has not completed degree requirements with his/her matriculating class. Valid reasons for consideration include but are not limited to:
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leave of absence for internships, external academic experiences, civic engagement projects, illness, or family emergency;
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degree programs that require more than 120 hours of credit and therefore more than 8 semesters;
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varsity athletic participation.
If a student is approved by the Dean to participate in commencement prior to completing all degree requirements, the student’s name will not appear in the digital commencement program; however, their name will be read by their college magister, and they will receive a ceremonial tube per the usual traditions. (Please note: The student's name will appear in the appropriate future digital commencement program upon successful completion of their degree requirements.)
A student may only participate in a single commencement ceremony as an undergraduate. (i.e. they may only "walk" or cross the stage once).
In certain circumstances, late requests to participate in commencement are accepted. A student who is on the graduation list leading up to commencement, but who fails to complete and pass all courses required for degree completion, may petition the Dean of Undergraduates for permission to participate in commencement, consistent with the guidelines listed above, even though this will probably occur after the published deadline.