Category Archives: Graduation

GRADUATION: The Year-end Awards & Grading

Awards/Grants, FAQ, Graduation, Greatest Hits, M.S. Program

GRADUATION: The Year-end Awards & Grading

This information is for M.S. Students primarily.

We received the following question from a student:

Today in REPORTING, we had a guest speaker whose bio mentioned that she received the “Pulitzer Traveling Fellowship, won for graduating first in her class…”

Since we don’t receive grades, I’m wondering how this designation of “first in class” is decided.

Good question. Here’s the answer:

The Journalism School has a Pass-Fail system of formal grading. It aims at encouraging students to perform as well as they can, without competing with classmates. In most courses, students receive written evaluations of their work from the instructors. Copies of these evaluations are kept in the DOS Office. 

M.S. and M.S. Data Journalism Instructors have the option to pick one honors-in-class designation for every eight students or portion thereof enrolled in a given class. This means that for a standard 16-person class, two honors-in-class designations can be awarded for exemplary performance. This is not a grade and will not appear on a student’s transcript. Students are notified of the designation by the professor who awarded it via the written evaluation.  

The cumulative number of honors-in-class designations is used to determine who graduates with honors.  This will be noted on the graduate’s final transcript.

Honors are weighted according to the credit value of the class.  For a six-credit class, honors-in-class equals six honors credits.  For a three-credit class, it equals three honors credits, and so forth.

Master of Science in Journalism students who received 15 or more honors credits will graduate with honors.  Master of Science in Data Journalism students – who must take more classes – receiving 18 or more honors credits will graduate with honors.

Except for a few prizes for which students can submit stories to be judged, the rest of the prizes are decided by faculty, without input from the students.

We hold briefing sessions close to Graduation to explain the procedures.

Part-time students are eligible for the awards and are tracked during their entire academic career here (though the prizes are typically given out the year they graduate).

Please direct all questions to Dean Huff – mgh2@columbia.edu.

Countdown to Graduation 2019!

Action Item, Checklists, FAQ, Graduation, Graduation Awards, Information Session, M.A. Program, M.S. Program, Major memos

Graduation Checklist

Here are the key things you need to do for graduation! If you have done them all, you are ready to go!

1. Diploma Application. Not sure you have done this? You can check on SSOL to see! If not, complete and submit this form ASAP!
2. University Commencement Registration. You must register to attend and get tickets (up to 2) for the University ceremony – – Deadline: Friday, May 3.
3. Journalism Graduation Registration. You must complete this form to register and get tickets (up to 3) for the Journalism ceremony – Deadline: Sunday, April 14.

Other items that must be completed before you can participate in graduation

  1. Awards. Submit any suitable assignments for year-end awards consideration – Deadline: Monday, April 29, noon.
  2. Assessment. All M.S. and M.A. students must have submitted all the required assignments to the Assessment System– Deadline: Friday, May 17.
  3. Equipment fines & returns. All fines must be paid by May 8. All equipment must be returned by Monday, May 6.
  4. Empty locker. Lockers must be emptied out by Friday, May 17.
  1. Federal Loan Exit Interview. All students whose financial aid packages include federal loans are required to complete an exit interview with Student Financial Services via SSOL – Deadline: May 10.
  2. Account Holds. Please check SSOL to see if you have any HOLDS that will prevent you from receiving a diploma – Deadline: May 10.
  3. Cap & Gown. Academic regalia are worn only for University Commencement, not the Journalism School ceremony. Get yours at the Columbia Bookstore–  – Deadline: May 10.

Things to think about

  1. Does your family have a place to stay? If not, check out these ideas!
  2. Do any of your family members need a disability accommodation? For University Commencement, please contact access@columbia.edu. For the Journalism School, please contact Julie Pozo-Cepeda at jp3907@columbia.edu  –Deadline: May 3.
  3. Are you a veteran? Those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces are invited to wear a red/white/blue cord to their graduation ceremonies. To request your cord, please send an email to veterans@columbia.edu – Deadline: Friday, May 3.
  4. ColumbiaYou is the human story of Columbia University in the City of New York, told by the heart of Columbia – its people. It’s Columbia seen through You. Join the story by joining and submitting what Columbia means to You.

ColumbiaYou

Alumni, Fun Stuff, Graduation, Greatest Hits, Knight Bagehot, M.A. Program, M.S. Program, Part-time Students, PhD, University Life

ColumbiaYou.Logo

ColumbiaYou is the human story of Columbia University in the City of New York, told by the heart of Columbia – its people. It’s Columbia seen through You.

ColumbiaYou serves as a collective memoir: how Columbia has changed lives, introduced mentors, sparked ideas, launched careers. It reveals Columbia’s impact today: the people behind groundbreaking research, activist movements, and how love and friendship can endure. And it’s the story of Columbia’s future: the promise of collaborations, innovations, and individuals that will shape the world in years to come.

Through ColumbiaYou, you can share your stories in the way that you choose: your words, images, and voice.

You can also discover stories and people, curated by topic, geography, and more. Plug learn about related opportunities to make a difference today, through Columbia.

ColumbiaYou is open to anyone with a Columbia story: students, alumni, faculty, staff, family and friends. Sign up to add yours, and help write the story of Columbia.

EXCITING ACTION ITEMS: Graduation 2017

Action Item, Checklists, FAQ, Graduation, Graduation Awards, M.A. Program, M.S. Program, Major memos

grads_cute

Dear Graduating Students,

Graduation is just two months away!

To get you ready, we have prepared a Graduation Handbook with everything you need to know!

In addition, we will be holding four information sessions at which you can ask any questions you still have:

•Wednesday, April 5, 1-2 p.m. – Stabile Student Center
•Tuesday, April 11, 4-5 p.m. – Stabile Student Center
•Thursday, April 20, 1-2 p.m. – Stabile Student Center
•Tuesday, April 25, 6-7 p.m. – Stabile Student Center

And finally here is a checklist of items you need to do or think about before graduation!

 

Graduation – Final Instructions

Graduation

GRADUATION DAY

Wednesday, May 21

University Commencement

Schedule:

8:30 a.m. General admission gates open (West 114th Street and Broadway)
9:00 a.m. Degree Candidates line up (enter campus 117th & Broadway)
9:30 a.m. Degree Candidate Procession begins
10:15 a.m. Ceremony begins with the Academic Procession
12:00 p.m. Ceremony concludes

Webcast: http://bit.ly/CUcommencement16

Guest Seating: Tickets allow entrance into Morningside Campus on Commencement Day however they do not guarantee a seat. Seats are on a first come first served basis, they are unassigned, and cannot be reserved. University Commencement is a highly popular event and therefore space is very limited.

General admission gates are located at West 114th Street and Broadway

All guests with disabilities should enter Morningside Campus at the following gates:
116th Street and Amsterdam Avenue
115th Street and Amsterdam Avenue (between Wallach and Hartley Halls)
The Levien Gymnasium of the Dodge Fitness Center will also serve as an indoor, weather-friendly, accessible viewing location for any guest with a general admission ticket.
Gates open to Commencement ticket holders at 8:30 a.m.

Graduates will be sitting in the bleachers, left staircase, on the Dodge/Lewisohn side of Low. Wear sensible shoes, especially if it is raining.

The best place for parents to sit to see you in the bleachers is on the Amsterdam side of the campus. Don’t forget to remind them to bring their Commencement tickets, a camera and/or cell phone. Many students call their parents so they can wave to them at the appropriate moment. The University Commencement ceremony is an outdoor event which is held rain or shine. Prepare yourself appropriately for the weather conditions. Please bring sunscreen and a hat as well as an umbrella, raincoat, towel, and plastic bags should there be inclement weather.

After the ceremony it will be very difficult getting around so please pick an obvious place to meet your loved ones. Off campus is best, for example, in front of “Morton Williams.” The campus will be a mass of confusion with the graduates and families all trying to find each other. Patience is the word for the day as well as the use of cell phones.

Graduate Seating: Journalism graduates must enter the Earl Hall gate on Broadway at 117th street (east side of Broadway, opposite the Barnard gates) wearing your cap and gown (please have CUID too). Please note access to the Journalism building from that side of campus will be impossible. If you need anything from the building, get it before lining up. Also, bathroom breaks are difficult once the event begins.
Weather: The University Commencement ceremony is an outdoor event which is held rain or shine. Prepare yourself appropriately for the weather conditions. Please bring sunscreen and a hat as well as an umbrella or raincoat, should there be inclement weather. There is also an indoor, weather-friendly viewing location in the Levien Gymnasium of the Dodge Fitness Center, which can be accessed with general Commencement admission tickets.

Street Closures: For those planning to drive or park near campus during Commencement Week, please note that many streets surrounding Morningside Campus will be closed (to both traffic and parking) by the NYPD.

After the ceremony: The ceremony will end shortly after noon. We recommend that graduates and their families choose a designated area off campus to meet after the ceremony. With more than 30,000 people on campus, it can be very difficult to find someone — even with a cell phone — without planning ahead.

Bags: For security reasons and to save time, we ask that everyone refrain from bringing bags to campus on Commencement Day. Any bags or packages brought to the ceremony will be subject to search and must be kept in the owner’s possession at all times. Bringing bags will slow down entry and cause delay.

Graduating Student Instructions: For those who have purchased academic attire to walk in the University Commencement, we will congregate next to Low Library on the Broadway side just north of the flag pole (see map) at 9:00 am. Don’t be late. Look for the sign and Dean Huff and our student marshals Lora Moftah, Astha Rajvanshi, and Kevin Stawicki.

Meet Dean Huff and your student marshals at Section 11 per this map:
http://www.columbia.edu/files/columbia/content/degree_candidate_line_up_map.pdf

J-School Graduation

3 pm-5 pm (seating begins for guests at 2:15 pm)

Lerner Hall, entrance at 115th street. Roone Arledge Auditorium; CUIDS are
required for faculty, staff and graduates. Non-graduating students may not attend.

Doors for seating open at 2:15p.m. Your guests must present Journalism School Graduation ceremony tickets at the entrance. Guest seating is general admission.

Guests who would like a seat in the auditorium should arrive early as Arledge auditorium will be at maximum capacity this year.

Strollers are not allowed in the auditorium and children have to be removed from strollers prior to entry. Strollers will have to be left in the foyer.

Student seating will be assigned by your program and core course (PhD, Knight Bagehot, Spencer, M.S. Reporting or M.A. Seminar in Discipline). A numbered chart will be given to you as you enter the event.

This event will be webcast live by Columbia University for the audience in all corners of world at this link: bit.ly/cjslive

At the appointed moment, you will directed to the stage with your fellow
classmates where your name will be read and you will receive handshakes,
congratulations and your diploma placeholder envelope (diplomas will arrive in the mail in early June) from the deans and your primary instructor. Dress is afternoon wedding or business attire.

Graduates will be photographed with their diploma envelopes as they exit the stage, and will have options to purchase these photographs (custserv@islandphoto.com or 516-767-1234). Personal cameras are OK but please caution anyone who will be taking pictures to stay in their specific seating section.

A reception immediately follows on Furnald Lawn between Lerner Hall and the Journalism School. In the event of steady rain, it will be held at the Journalism School. We recommend all guests exit the Auditorium and meet their guests at the reception.

gradface

MAJOR MEMO: Graduation Tickets

Getting Things Done, Graduation, M.A. Program, M.S. Program, Part-time Students, PhD

To receive your tickets you MUST complete the graduation survey at

http://bit.ly/CJS16survey

The survey is used to create a class directory, employment statistics and a database of employment information indicating the types of position openings in which you are interested. This is very important in determining how we can better help graduates find the best jobs as quickly as possible, and how the school can help make that happen by also collecting feedback on career services. You willingness to allow career services to circulate your resume is also indicated on the survey.

The survey is also used to gather feedback on other aspects of your Journalism School experience that cannot be captured through course evaluations.

You may pick up your tickets from Chanel Roche or Evelyn Corchado in room 207A once you have completed your online graduation survey and are in compliance with the Sexual Respect Initiative.

They will verify receipt of the survey (and SRI compliance) and have you sign for your ticket envelope containing both sets of tickets.

Only those who registered that they are attending graduation and requested tickets receive tickets.

The survey can done 24/7, but the office is open for ticket pick-up on weekdays from 10 am-5 pm only.

If you are a part-time student and it is impossible for you to come in, you may contact Chanel Roche about having tickets mailed. Survey receipt verification is still required.

REMINDER: You must be in compliance with the Assessment System requirements to graduate.  Those who do not submit their materials by the May 13 deadline will be removed from the list of graduating students.

DEADLINE TO PICK UP TICKETS: MAY 17, 5 P.M.

 

MAJOR MEMO: Year-End Manual 2016

Alumni, Graduation, Major memos, Useful Websites

Dear Graduating Students:

Please carefully read this End-of-Year Manual for information about building access, locker clean out, equipment use, alumni services and more.

Use of Journalism Building Facilities After May 18.

Use of Building:

Members of the Class of 2016 will have access to the building and its facilities through June 30, 2016.

Exceptions include: any area under construction, and any classrooms and computer rooms being used for summer classes or special programs. If you are in one of these rooms when a class is scheduled to begin, please leave immediately. Refusal to cooperate may result in the termination of your access to the building.

Equipment

All current fines must be paid by Monday, May 9 or a hold will be placed on your student account. All equipment must be returned to the Equipment Room (405) by Monday, May 16th. Action will be taken to repossess equipment from outstanding checkouts after May 16. After graduation, students will be allowed to check out equipment (if all bills paid), as available, until Friday, June 10th. Please remember that scheduled summer school classes and master’s project students, as well as necessary equipment maintenance upgrades, have priority for equipment and editing rooms. The equipment room will be operating on summer hours starting Thursday, May 19th from 10am-6pm and will be closed on Graduation Day. 

Please be aware that individual computer rooms will be closed at different times for maintenance and upgrading. Though it is likely, it is not guaranteed that there will always be a computer room or terminal available. Due to maintenance schedules, summer class schedules and the master’s projects, it is possible that you will be unable to use a computer at a specific time.

Student Lockers:

All May graduates must empty their lockers by noon, Friday, May 13.

Continuing part-time students and documentary students may keep their lockers. Graduates who will be working on a demo tape or other approved projects during the month of June may also keep their lockers. To request such a locker extension, please send e-mail to Derek Gano at dg2382@columbia.edu with your name and the reason for your request.

Graduates’ lockers that have not been vacated by noon on Friday, May 13, will be have their locks removed and contents moved to a storage bin and eventually discarded. YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE GRADUATION CEREMONIES UNTIL YOUR LOCKER IS EMPTIED. All locker questions should be directed to Derek Gano at JSchool-Building@lists.columbia.edu

Student Mail Folders:

The mail folders of graduating students may be used until noon, Friday, May 20. All items remaining in boxes after that date will be discarded.

Computer Account and Class Shares:

Access to J-School computer accounts for all graduating students will remain active until June 30, 2016.

All personal server space and class shares (posted below) will be deleted on May 30. Please be sure to backup all of your files to external media or cloud services (external hard Drives, DropBox, Amazon S3 etc.) before your account is deactivated. These shares will no longer be available to you and the data will be unrecoverable. Even if you are not graduating this May please also note these shares will be deleted as they are for class work only, so do not continue to use them. New shares will be provisioned for summer courses.

Shares:

Photo

City News Room

CNS

DigitalMedia

Radio

OnAir

Video Newsroom

Magazine

Masters

Nightly

Broadcast

TVReporting

August

University Services After May 18

Health Services

You have access to Health Services and are insured through August 15.

University Libraries

Recent alumni will retain full library privileges, including borrowing privileges and access to licensed electronic databases, for a period of three months beyond the degree conferral date. Access information can be found at http://www.columbia.edu/cu/lweb/services/lio/access/. Library Services for alumni can be found at http://www.alumni.libraries.columbia.edu/

Dodge Physical Fitness Center (aka the Gym): You may use the gym over the summer with your current CUID. However, you will have to pay the $91 gym use fee. Beginning in September, you will be eligible for alumni gym use. Please see http://www.dodgefitnesscenter.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=9610&ATCLID=205330326

Alumni Benefits and Services

A variety of benefits and services are available to Journalism School graduates. This page answers most of your most questions and concerns, from auditing a class at Columbia to updating your address information, from obtaining a transcript of your time here to using Columbia’s recreational facilities – http://bit.ly/alumni_benefits

Please note that you will automatically be subscribed to your class listserv using the real world e-mail address supplied in your graduation survey (more details en route from Career Services). To update any of your contact information with us or sign up for a regional listserv, use this form:

http://bit.ly/cugsj_update

LionMail: You keep this account forever.

 

 

 

OPT Paperwork – Academic Adviser or Dean Signature

Getting Things Done, Graduation, Int'l Program

To our graduating international students,

Some of you have begun working on your Optional Practical Training paperwork for after graduation.

Please note that Journalism School students do not need to have an academic adviser signature.

Ordinarily I am the person to sign certifying that you are indeed graduating.  However instead of having me sign all of the forms, they have asked me to just provide a list of all the international folks graduating.

MH

—
Melanie Huff
Associate Dean of Students

 

Sexual Respect Initiative – Requirement

Graduation, Healthcare Issues, M.A. Program, M.S. Program, Part-time Students

REMINDER: You must complete the Sexual Respect Initiative participation requirements no later than March 20.  Participation is a graduation requirement.

 

How to get started:  Go to the Sexual Respect website to learn about and sign up for workshops, film screenings, online options, independent projects, and resources for healing and resilience.  Check the FAQ for details.

 

Why sexual respect? Sexual respect is a commitment to communicating and acting with integrity and respect for others. The Sexual Respect and Community Citizenship Initiative asks all Columbia students to act, in ways most meaningful to you, to create this ethic of care in our own University community even amidst our differences, and to challenge sexual and gender-based misconduct at Columbia and beyond.

 

Questions? Email sexualrespect@columbia.edu. And check out the Office of University Life website for more ways to get involved.

MAJOR MEMO: Journalism School Graduation Ticket Distribution

Graduation, M.A. Program, M.S. Program, Major memos, Part-time Students, PhD

Dear Graduating Students:

READ CAREFULLY – Graduation Tickets

Journalism School Graduation tickets are now available.

To receive your tickets you MUST complete the graduation survey at https://fs7.formsite.com/cu_jschool_careers/GradSurvey15/

The survey is used to create a class directory (both your class list serve and the alumni database), employment statistics and a database of employment information indicating the types of position openings in which you are interested. This is very important in determining how we can better help graduates find the best jobs as quickly as possible, and how the school can help make that happen by also collecting feedback on career services. You willingness to allow career services to circulate your resume is also indicated on the survey.

 The survey is also used to gather feedback on other aspects of your Journalism School experience that cannot be captured through course evaluations.

 You may pick up your tickets from Chanel Roche or Evelyn Corchado in room 207A once you have completed your online graduation survey

They will verify receipt of the survey and have you sign for your ticket envelope containing your tickets to the Journalism School Graduation.

Only those who registered that they are attending graduation and requested tickets receive tickets.

The survey can done 24/7, but the office is open for ticket pick-up on weekdays from 9 am-5 pm only.

If you are a part-time student and it is impossible for you to come in, you may contact Chanel Roche about having tickets mailed. Survey receipt verification is still required.

REMINDER: You must be in compliance with the Assessment System and Sexual Respect Initiative requirements to graduate.  Those who do not submit their materials by the May 15 deadline will be removed from the list of graduating students.

DEADLINE TO PICK UP TICKETS: MAY 19, 5 P.M.