Part VI, Section V: Graduation Policies

Updated: March 7, 2025

Contents

  1. Application for Graduation
  2. Faculty Marshals
  3. Mace Bearer

I. Application for Graduation

Advisers should remind students that an application for graduation must be submitted to the Registrar’s Office not later than two semesters before the completion of the requirements for an undergraduate degree or one semester for a graduate degree. See How to Apply to Graduate for more information. (FS Resolution #11-17, February 2011)

II. Faculty Marshals

Faculty Marshals are ten faculty and two alternates appointed from the full-time faculty to serve at graduations and other such ceremonial occasions as requested by the chancellor. Those appointed should be individuals readily recognized as outstanding members of the academic community. The Chief Faculty Marshal shall be the faculty marshal in the second or later year of appointment as a faculty marshal and who is of greatest faculty seniority among the faculty marshals. The Chief Faculty Marshal shall serve as ex-officio on the Administrative Commencement Committee. A Faculty Marshal’s appointment is a one-term, four year appointment beginning August 1. The Chair of the Faculty will make recommendations in May of each year to the Chancellor, who will appoint the individuals no later than July 31.

III. Mace Bearer

The mace bearer is a faculty member who leads University ceremonial events such as graduation and Founder’s Day processions. The eligibility requirements to be appointed East Carolina University’s mace bearer include:

  • Senior faculty member in terms of years of service,
  • Holds a full-time faculty position with East Carolina University, and
  • Is not a unit administrator or an individual with one half or more of their load assigned to administrative duties.

The Senior Associate Vice Chancellor and Chief People Officer prepares a list of the most senior faculty members in terms of years of service to the University and notifies the Chancellor and Chair of the Faculty. The Chancellor makes the appointment. If there is more than one qualified individual, the responsibility of the position should rotate annually among them. (FS Resolution #10-14, February 2010; FS Resolution #15-101, December 2015)

Faculty members have the following options for ordering academic apparel:

  1. A quality, tailor-made outfit may be purchased through the Student Store. Samples of materials and information concerning the styles of academic apparel are available. The cost of an outfit depends on the type of materials selected.
  2. Academic apparel may also be rented through the Student Store. If an order is placed with the Student Store, faculty members are responsible for the rental fee whether or not the gown is picked up. The rental fee is based on the degree held by the faculty member. (FS Resolution #10-16, February 2010)