Here is how to go about graduating (and doing the walk of fame) from start to finish.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
2) Three steps to begin the Graduation process 7) How are the disabled accommodated during Graduation Ceremonies?
3) Seven steps to follow on the day of Graduation 9) What happens on stage during the Graduation Ceremony?
5) What do my guests need to know? 11) What happens if I miss the Graduation Ceremony?
THREE STEPS TO BEGIN THE GRADUATION PROCESS
01 Pay all your outstanding fees
02
Pay all fees, fines, interest and dues no less than 30 days prior to graduation. Only local students owing R15 000 or less can sign an Acknowledgement of Debt at the Fees Office.
Once all your fees have been paid, check with your faculty office that your name has been added to a graduation list, on www.wits.ac.za/graduations/ Check your graduation status with your faculty office
STEP 03 Check your faculty ceremony date
Faculty allocates students to a ceremony date. A final list of graduands will appear on the website three weeks prior to the graduation.
SHOULD YOU BE UNABLE TO ATTEND YOUR GRADUATION, PLEASE INFORM YOUR FACULTY TWO MONTHS IN ADVANCE, AND OBTAIN A NEW GRADUATION DATE.
SEVEN STEPS TO FOLLOW ON THE DAY OF THE GRADUATION
GOWN, NAME CARD & GUEST TICKETS
This is a dignified event. Therefore as a sign of respect, conservative formal dress is a requirement.
Three hours before the start of the ceremony, go to Robert Sobukwe, Room RS228, and
1) hire your gown/hood (see below)
2) collect your name card
3) collect two guest tickets per graduand.
HIRE YOUR GRADUATION ATTIRE
Guests may park in allocated areas on campus. Signposts will direct you to the Great Hall.
Arrive at the Great Hall 90 minutes before the start of the Graduation ceremony.
1) ONLINE , IN ADVANCE OF THE CEREMONY –fill in the House of Graduates online order form on www.wits.ac.za/graduations/
2) ON THE DAY OF THE CEREMONY –bring a filled in copy of the House of Graduates order form with you together with physical proof of online payment, or payment can be made on the day in cash or by debit/credit card. Prices can be found on the House of Graduates online order form.
3) HIRE YOUR GOWN FROM Room RS228, Robert Sobukwe Building, Braamfontein Campus East.
SEVEN STEPS TO FOLLOW ON THE DAY OF THE GRADUATION
PHOTOS 5.
Have photos taken by the officially appointed photographer, Gordon Harris, in the Exams Hall, Robert Sobukwe Building, Braamfontein Campus East.
Remember to wear your gown for the photos.
6.
VENUE
Proceed to the Great Hall, Braamfontein Campus East.
GRADUATION CEREMONY TIMES
March Graduation Times:
• 09:30 Graduation Ceremony
• 13:30 Graduation Ceremony
• 17:00 Graduation Ceremony
(No PhD Graduation Ceremonies)
7.
SEATING
1) Find your allocated seat number on the seating plan in the foyer of the Great Hall
2) Wear your gown
3) Keep your name card with you at all times
4) Enter the Great Hall 30 minutes before the start of the ceremony
5) Be seated in your allocated seat
Get your timing right on the day of graduation
Three hours before the ceremony, hire your graduation attire (see step 4).
One and a half hours before the ceremony, arrive at the Great Hall. Thirty minutes before the start of the ceremony, be seated in the Great Hall.
July and December Graduation Times:
• 09:30 Graduation Ceremony
• 14:30 Graduation Ceremony
(PhD Graduation Ceremonies take place during July and December)
Graduation ceremonies last approximately 2½ hours
WHAT DO MY GUESTS NEED TO KNOW?
THE DO’S
PARKING
Open visitors parking will be available at Braamfontein Campuses East and West. Once parked, follow the signs to the Great Hall.
Only two guests are allowed per graduand GUESTS
GUESTS TICKETS
Guests to keep their tickets with them at all times
Guest seats are not reserved in the Great Hall GUEST SEATING
TIME
Guests to be seated in the Great Hall, 30 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony
WHAT DO MY GUESTS NEED TO KNOW?
& THE DON’TS
CHILDREN (<7 yrs)
Children under the age of seven are not permitted into the Great Hall to attend the ceremony
LATECOMERS
Latecomers and additional guests may watch the ceremony on live-stream or in the overflow venue
NOISE
Whistles, vuvuzelas and noise emitting items will be confiscated
FLASH PHOTOS
Flash photography is not allowed during the ceremony
Rudeness will not tolerated BEHAVIOUR
HOW ARE THE DISABLED ACCOMMODATED?
Disabled Parking and Wheelchair access
Sign-Language Interpreting
The Great Hall is fitted with an induction loop system for the direct transmission of announcements over the public address system.
Persons with hearing aids with a T-switch fitted need to switch to the Telecoil system prior to the ceremony.
Telecoil System
with the Examinations and Graduation Office (EGO)
Elizabeth King (011 717 1281)
Elizabeth Mogotsi (011 717 1272)
elizabeth.king@wits.ac.za
elizabeth.mogotsi@wits.ac.za
DURING THE GRADUATION
WHAT HAPPENS IF I MISS GRADUATION?
Collect your certificate within 12 months of graduating
Collect your certificate from the Examinations and Graduation Office (EGO) within twelve months of graduating. Health Sciences certificates are issued from the PV Tobias Building, Wits Faculty of Health Sciences, Parktown.
Certificates not collected are destroyed A nominee may collect your certificate on your behalf
Certificates not collected within twelve months of graduating will be destroyed. You will be liable for the cost of a new certificate.
Certificates are no longer posted
You may nominate someone in writing to collect your certificate on your behalf, from the EGO Office after the Graduation Ceremony. Your written request must include: - your full name - your ID number.
The nominee must produce their ID when collecting the certificate.
