1 Policy Statement

A student shall be deemed to be a graduate of the University if:

1. the student is eligible for an award; and

2. the Council has conferred that award on the student.

2 Procedures

2.1 Regulations

2.1.1 Award Eligibility

To be eligible for an award of the University:

1. for students completing an undergraduate program of eight units or more, at least eight of the units required must fulfil one or more of the following conditions:

   • be in Faculty approved courses offered by the University and passed while the students are completing that academic program;

   • be by transfer of credit from an incomplete academic program of the University;

   • be obtained through completion by the students of an academic program of the University accredited to allow the transfer of credit from the completed program to the program in which the students are enrolled.

2. for students completing a postgraduate program, at least half of the units required must fulfil one or more of the following conditions:

   • be in Faculty approved courses offered by the University and passed while the students are completing that academic program;

   • be by transfer of credit from an incomplete academic program of the University;

   • be obtained through completion by the students of an academic program of the University accredited to allow the transfer of credit from the completed program to the program in which the students are enrolled.

3. students completing an undergraduate program of less than eight units must successfully pass all required courses either by study while completing the program or by course transfer.

4. students must have a status of satisfactory academic standing in a program. Section 5.9 of the Academic Regulations refers.

5. students who have been admitted to and partially completed a program and who have completed all the requirements of a second program, may, subject to any specific Faculty or program restrictions, transfer to and graduate from the second program without undertaking any further study.

2.1.2 Length of Time to Complete a Program

1. Students completing an academic program must satisfy all the requirements for the award within the maximum time allowable, if any, as specified in program accreditation documentation and/or the current Handbook. The time taken to complete these requirements will be counted from the date of the commencement of study in the program.

2. Students who have a break in their study such that they must apply for readmission must, if they are readmitted, resume study under such program rules and regulations as are in place at the time they are readmitted.

3. In exceptional circumstances, the Dean of the Faculty offering the program may extend the time to complete the program beyond that specified in the program accreditation documents.

2.2 Graduation

1. By the end of March, July and December in each calendar year, the PVC Student Management shall certify the graduation of students whom a Dean has certified as having completed the requirements to graduate, and who elect to graduate.

2. Students who have completed the requirements of a program shall apply to the PVC Student Management by the prescribed date to attend the relevant graduation ceremony. No student shall be permitted to graduate who has a debt to the University.

3. Graduands unable to attend a graduation ceremony, shall have the appropriate award conferred by Council “in absentia”.

4. On request, a testamur of the Darling Downs Institute of Advanced Education or the University College of Southern Queensland may be replaced by a University of Southern Queensland testamur. Such a replacement testamur must be sealed and must bear a notice with the words “The original of this Award was issued by the Darling Downs Institute of Advanced Education/University College of Southern Queensland (insert whichever is correct) on (insert the date) of which the University of Southern Queensland, pursuant to the University of Southern Queensland Act 1989 is the legal successor”.

5. Academic dress shall be worn by graduands at graduation ceremonies.

6. Graduates of the University are entitled to become members of the Alumni Association, display the University award conferred, and wear the academic dress of the University to signify the award conferred upon them by Council.

7. The academic dress to be worn by graduands and members pf the University Council shall be as follows:

8. 	GOWN	HOOD OR STOLE	CAP
   HONORARY AWARDS ACADEMIC DRESS
   Doctor of the University (honoris causa)	A scarlet gown of the Cambridge doctoral style, faced in vitrix blue, edged with gold. Sleeves fully lined in vitrix blue, edged with gold	A scarlet Cambridge full hood, fully lined in vitrix blue, and edged to a depth of 2.5 cm with gold	A black velvet bonnet with a gold cord and tassel
   Other Doctorates (honoris causa) (eg D.Litt; D. Bus; D.Sc;D.Eng)	A scarlet gown of the Cambridge doctoral style, faced with field of study/Faculty/School colour, edged with gold. Sleeves fully lined in field of study/Faculty/School colour	A scarlet Cambridge full hood fully lined in field of study/Faculty/School colour and edged to a depth of 2.5 cm with gold	A black velvet bonnet with a gold cord and tassel
   Fellow of the University*	A black gown of the Cambridge BA style, faced in vitrix blue and edged with gold	None	A black cloth mortarboard with black tassel
   EARNED AWARDS ACADEMIC DRESS
   Doctor of Philosophy	A black gown of the Cambridge doctoral style, faced in cardinal red	A black Cambridge full hood fully lined in cardinal red	A black velvet bonnet with a red cord and tassel
   Other Research Doctorates	A black gown of Cambridge MA style	A black Cambridge full hood fully lined with of the the field of study/ Faculty/ School colour	A black velvet bonnet with a cord and tassel of the field of study/ Faculty/ School colour
   Other Doctorates	A black gown of Cambridge MA style	A black Cambridge full hood fully lined with of the the field of study/ Faculty/ School colour	A black velvet bonnet with a cord and tassel of the field of study/ Faculty/ School colour
   Master	A black gown of Cambridge MA style	A black Cambridge full hood fully lined with of the field of study/ Faculty/ School colour (except for the Master of Business Administration which is fully lined in grey with Indian yellow edging; and for the Master of Business Information Technology which is fully lined in grey with signal red edging; and for the Master of Philosophy which is fully lined in cardinal red)	A black cloth mortarboard with black tassel
   Graduate Diploma and Postgraduate Diploma	A black gown of Cambridge MA style	A black Cambridge full hood lined to 10cm with the field of study/ Faculty/ School colour	A black cloth mortarboard with black tassel
   Combined Degree – Bachelor and Bachelor (Honour) combinations	A black gown of Cambridge MA style	A black Cambridge full hood lined to 10cm with the field of study/ Faculty/ School colour, to be worn with recognition cord of the colour of the second faculty/ school (if applicable)	A black cloth mortarboard with black tassel
   Bachelor and Bachelor (Honour)	A black gown of Cambridge MA style	A black Cambridge full hood lined to 10cm with the field of study/ Faculty/ School colour	A black cloth mortarboard with black tassel
   Associate Degree, Diploma and Advanced Diploma	A black gown of Cambridge MA style	A black stole lined to 5cm with the field of stole lined to 5cm with the field of study/ Faculty/ School colour (except Associate Degree in Education which is a black stole fully lined with the field of study/ Faculty/ School colour)
   COUNCIL ACADEMIC DRESS
   VICE-CHANCELLOR	Black grosgrain gown, with facings down each side in front and a square collar at the back of the same material,, edged with gold lace and gold laced trim to sleeve openings	None	To reflect that worn by the Chancellor
   COUNCIL MEMBERS	Black gown with vitrix blue facing, embroidered with USQ logo on left facing, edged with gold	None	Black cloth mortarboard with black tassel
   DEPUTY CHANCELLOR	Black grosgrain gown with facings down each side in front and a square collar at the back of the same material, edged with gold lace (lace on sleeve at intervals of 11cms)	None	To reflect that worn by the Chancellor
   CHANCELLOR	Black grosgrain gown with facings down each side in front and a square collar at the back of the same material, edged with gold lace (lace on the sleeves at intervals of 4.5)	None	Black cloth mortarboard with gold braid, metallic dome button and full metallic tassel or velvet bonnet with gold braid and full metallic tassel

2.2.1 Academic Dress for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Graduands

In addition to the approved academic dress for the award being conferred, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander graduands may wear a distinguishing stole at graduation ceremonies. The stole must be worn under the academic colours.

2.2.1.1 For Aboriginal Graduands:

• A stole 230 cm long, made up of black, yellow and red stripes, each 2.5 cm wide, lined with black fabric and trimmed with yellow fringing.

2.2.1.2 For Torres Strait Islander Graduands:

• A stole 230 cm long, made up of blue, white and green stripes each 2.5 cm wide, lined with black fabric and trimmed with black fringing.

2.2.2 LIST OF USQ/FIELD OF STUDY/FACULTY/SCHOOL COLOURS

The standard colours shall correspond as nearly as possible with colours and numbers of the British Colour Council Dictionary of Colour Standards as follows:

USQ-wide

• Distinguishing colour of the university - Vitrix blue – BCC.47

• Cardinal red – BCC.186

• Transdisciplinary Studies – Burnt Orange BCC97

Faculty of Arts

• Pearl White - BCC.151

Faculty of Business and Law

• Business - French Grey - BCC.188

• Commerce - Indian Yellow - BCC.6

• Information Technology - Signal Red - BCC.208

Faculty of Education

• Lilac - BCC.176

Faculty of Engineering and Surveying

• Engineering - Claret - BCC.36

• Surveying - Maroon - BCC.39

• Faculty of Sciences

• Sciences (including Psychology) – Spectrum Blue - BCC.86

• Nursing – Peacock Green - BCC.123

• Information Technology - Signal Red – BC.208

3 Other Policy Information