The following policy has been approved and will enable our staff to certify and distribute diplomas, with appropriate honors, to as many degree candidates as possible at commencement.

Only those degree candidates who pass the final degree audit on the first attempt (Thursday, December 17, 2009) will receive diplomas at commencement. Grades for all degree candidates and graduation clearance checks for undergraduate students will be available Thursday, December 17, after 10 p.m. This information may be accessed at http://howdy.tamu.edu on the "MyRecord" tab. A list of master’s and doctoral degree candidates cleared for graduation will be available Friday, December 18, 2009 at the Office of Graduate Studies, Jack K. Williams Administration Building, Suite 302 or by calling (979) 845-3631.

1. All degree candidates who were enrolled in all remaining degree requirements during the semester, in which the graduation is being held, will be allowed to participate in commencement regardless of whether they pass the final audit on December 17. Candidates who are not certified for graduation will not receive a diploma at commencement.
2. Due to the short time remaining on Friday to finalize honors and stack diplomas, no one will be available to assist with graduation problems until Monday, December 21. Students may go to the General Services Complex, 750 Agronomy Road, Suite 1501, to discuss problems or telephone inquiries may be made by calling (979) 845-1089 after 8 a.m. December 21. Diplomas will be available to degree candidates immediately after problems are solved and certification is accomplished.
3. Degree candidates not clearing for graduation on December 18 will have until 5 p.m. the first Friday of the spring semester (January 22, 2010) to clear all problems. Candidates not cleared must reapply for Spring 2010 graduation and pay the $40 fee again.

1. TAMU transcript orders may be made in person at the General Services Complex, Suite 1501, by written request, or online at https://howdy.tamu.edu. Call (979) 845-1066 for additional information.
2. Transcripts will be available for pick-up on Tuesday, December 22, for those completing the audit on the first attempt and requesting this service by Friday, December 18.

In addition to diplomas being withheld at commencement for candidates who do not pass the final degree audit, diplomas are also withheld from graduates who have failed to settle all financial obligations with the University in accordance with University and State rules. Students may review their account balance online to determine if there are any unsettled obligations that may prevent receiving their diplomas in the commencement ceremonies.