April 20, 2021
Spring 2021 Graduation Updates
GEMS would like to share some new updates with GPAs and GPCs as you prepare for Spring graduation:
Master’s Degree Code Correction Process
In previous quarters, GEMS has instructed departments to contact GEMS if the master’s degree code is incorrect on the master’s request. GEMS has needed to hold these master’s requests for manual processing with the Registrar’s Graduation and Academic Records (GARS) unit at the end of the quarter.
CAIR has made improvements to the upload process into the student database (SDB), which means it is no longer necessary for GEMS to process the degree code correction at the end of the quarter. Departments simply need to enter a departmental comment on the Master’s Request before recommending the student for graduation, such as “ATTN GEMS: Update Degree code to MUSIC-20-25.” With this new process, GEMS can correct the code, then return to the record the next day to process and approve the graduation.
Sample Master’s Request Correction
Student Petition: Extend Time Limit
The two petition types related to time limits (six years for a Master’s; ten years for PhD) have been removed from MyGrad Student Petition Types. Programs will now process the time limit exception themselves if they are satisfied that the student is making good process towards their degree.
How to Process an Exception to Extend a Student’s Time Limit help file.
Degree Audit: New Help Files
GEMS’ Graduation Best Practices: Degree Audit instructs departments to “verify that all requirements appear OK by running the Degree Audit from the Student Detail Page in MGP.”
Here are some new help files if you need to troubleshoot NO flags on the degree audit.
How to Allow a Different Course
How to Override a Grade Requirement
How to Reject a Course and Substitute Another Course
ETD Extension
Spring 2021 Graduation: A two-week extension for the submission of electronic theses/dissertations (ETDs) will be allowed for Spring 2021. More information is on the Graduate Registration Waiver Fee page. This extended deadline is also posted on the Dates & Deadlines page.
New advisors may find our Graduation Training for Graduate Advisors (webinar & PDF) helpful.