Policy Statement: A class marshal from each undergraduate college at graduation ceremonies will be the   student with the highest retention grade point average.   Each student selected must be a candidate for a fall or spring/summer undergraduate degree.  The student must be graduating with at least 45 hours from UCO, including courses in progress during the semester of graduation.  Undergraduate students must apply by March 15 for a spring or summer degree or by October 15 for a fall degree to be considered for class marshal status. (The recommended dates for application for graduation are in August for the fall and in December for the spring and summer.  These timelines provide students opportunity to confirm graduation eligibility.) 

Background: Selection of undergraduate class marshals previously required a minimum of two students with the highest GPAs for each commencement term (fall and spring) regardless of college represented.    When students tied for the highest GPA, all students with that same GPA were selected.   Some years, as many as ten class marshals were named.   College of graduation was not a selection factor, only retention GPA and number of credit hours at UCO. 

Purpose: Ensure that for each undergraduate college graduation ceremony, a student class marshal is selected who represents the highest grade point average achievement within the college consistent with minimum graduation honors standards. 

Implementation Date: Fall 2001 

Related Procedures: In the event of a tie, the undergraduate student with the highest number of earned credit hours will be selected.   In the event more than one student has the same GPA and same number of credit hours earned, the number of hours completed at UCO will be used as the tie breaker. 

Coordinating Offices: Graduation Support Services within Enrollment Management. 

Academic Affairs Point-of-Contact: Assistant VP for Enrollment Management/Registrar 

Policy approved by the Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs on October 29, 2001. 
Policy revision approved by the Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs on February 17, 2003.

Keywords: Class Marshals, Graduation, Commencement, Graduation Honors

Policy Revised 2-17-03                                                                                                                                   The University of Central Oklahoma
Supercedes policy of 9/19/2001                                                                                                                                                                     9-19-01
                                                                                                                                                                                                                     2-17-03