Degrees are conferred by Rutgers University on the
recommendation of the faculty of the School of Environmental and Biological
Sciences only at the annual commencement in May. Students completing degree
requirements in August or January may obtain a letter from the
Office of
Academic Programs or ask the university registrar for a certificate attesting
to their completion of degree requirements, provided they have filed a Diploma
Information Card.
Degrees are conferred in absentia when the candidate has
advised the school's Office of Academic Programs in advance of his or her
inability to attend the University Commencement ceremony.
Students who complete courses at other institutions or
return to Rutgers to complete degree deficiencies must notify the school's
Office of Academic Programs of their intent to graduate and arrange to have an
official transcript forwarded to the School of Environmental and Biological
Sciences, Office of Academic Programs, Rutgers, The State University of New
Jersey, 88 Lipman Drive, New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8525. Deadlines for this
notification are February 1 for May graduation, August 1 for an August degree
date, and November 1 for a January degree date.
Diplomas will be withheld from all students whose financial
accounts are not clear.
Graduation with Honors. Academic excellence is recognized by the school faculty's recommendation
that the bachelor's degree be conferred with summa cum laude to students whose
cumulative grade-point average is 3.850 or higher; magna cum laude to those
whose cumulative grade-point average is 3.700 to 3.849; and cum laude to those
whose cumulative grade-point average is 3.500 to 3.699.
Phi Beta Kappa. Each
spring semester, the Phi Beta Kappa Society invites to membership outstanding
students of the junior and senior classes. Election to the society is based on
high academic achievement, a record of coursework that involves the pursuit of
a liberal arts major, proficiency in a foreign language through the
intermediate level, a minimum of two years equivalent of full-time coursework
at Rutgers University, and breadth of scholarship. Phi Beta Kappa, established
in 1776, is the oldest and most widely recognized liberal arts honorary society
in the United States.
Prizes and Honors.
The School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, its individual
academic departments, and other units of the university offer a variety of
prizes and awards for students with excellent academic records or special
eligibility. Students should consult with their academic departments for
additional information.
Post-Obitum Award of Degree. In the unfortunate event of the death of a student who was enrolled in
the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences as a senior in good
standing, requests will be considered for the awarding of the degree that was
being earned. The request may be submitted in writing to the school's
Admissions and Scholastic Standing Committee.