STUDENTS REGISTERING FOR MAY OR AUGUST GRADUATION MUST MEET WITH ACADEMIC ADVISER BY NOV. 12

A letter from the registrar's office is being mailed to students notifying them of the deadlines to apply for May and August 2000 graduation.

The letter also advises students of a new procedure whereby they must schedule an appointment with their academic adviser prior to the Nov. 12 deadline for submitting their application for graduation.

The adviser will evaluate students' records for completion of major and other requirements. The spring 2000 schedule of classes book will be available at www.leoonline.odu.edu by Oct. 1 to assist in this process. Registration for spring 2000 begins Nov. 15 and continues through the drop/add deadline in January.

Previously, students applied for graduation directly to the registrar's office. The new procedure is being implemented to ensure that students (and their advisers) know before their final semester of school what academic requirements remain.

"The idea is to let students know what's expected. Previously, some students might not have found out that they still needed a certain class during what they thought was their final semester and by then it was too late," said Sandra Waters, coordinator of academic continuance.

According to the letter, sent by Mary K. Swartz, associate university registrar, students who plan to graduate in May or August 2000 must return an enclosed postcard indicating this, postmarked by Sept. 30, to the registrar's office. The actual application for graduation is due Nov. 12, after the student has met with his or her academic adviser.

Students who have minors also must contact a representative for the minor department to ensure that requirements for the minor are being met, Swartz said.