Deadline nears to file petitions for graduation
by Carlos Raigosa, editor-in-chief

     The deadline to petition for Fall graduation is Friday, Nov. 10, and eligible students must file at the registrar’s office on their campus.
     An updated degree plan must be filed at the counseling office prior to filing at the registrar’s office, Brenda Dean, senior office assistant in the counseling center, said.
     At least 64-semester hours credit, including a minimum of 15 semester hours of sophomore-level courses, must be completed prior to graduation, according to the college catalog.
     “Students must have a clear degree plan with no missing electives or core subjects,” Dean said. “They must have at least a 2.0 grade point average and at least 15 hours of sophomore credits.”
     Although a majority of the students who petition ultimately graduate, about 1 percent fails to meet all the requirements after petitioning, Dr. Van Parker, NE dean of student of development, said.
     “Students sometimes fail to finish the course or end up dropping prior to completion,” he said.
     The Associate in Arts degree is the most common throughout the district, records indicate, although degrees in applied science and certificates are also available.
     Tina Frost, administrative assistant in the NE Campus registrar’s office, explained that the fee for the cap and gown is included in the records fee charged when tuition is paid.
     “The district used to charge a $15 fee, but it was done away with a couple years ago,” she said.
     For those planning on transferring to a four-year university, the AA degree is what they need, David Raykovitz, a South Campus senior office assistant, said.
     Also, all debts must be satisfactorily settled prior to graduation.
     District records show that 1,072 Associate in Arts degrees were awarded last year, with 396 of those given at SE, 319 at NE, 199 at South and 158 at NW.
      The district awarded a total of 744 Associate in Applied Sciences degrees with 303 at South, 250 at NE, 101 at NW and 90 at SE.
     TCC also offers certificates in multiple disciplines. Records show that 393 were given last year with 136 on South, 111 on NE, 99 on SE and 47 on NW.
     Graduation ceremonies will be Wednesday, May 16, at the Tarrant County Convention Center. For more information, contact the campus registrar‘s office.