This past year has presented a unique challenge to schools worldwide, and nonetheless for SFCC. Despite the difficulties, the graduation rate remained fairly steady, even going up almost a full percentage point for the class of 2020.
“The completion rate is usually reported at 150% time, so the percentage of students who complete a two-year degree within three years, for example,” said Sally Jackson, the Director of Planning, Institutional effectiveness, and Research. “So for full-time degree seeking students who started in 2015, 25.4% earned a completion in 150% time, for those who started in 2016, 29.3% did, and for those who started in 2017, 30.1% did.”
This is keeping in mind, of course, that those who started in 2018 will not be counted until the summer of 2021. They must be allowed three years to complete their degree. Those who started in 2019 will not be counted until the summer of 2022, and so on.
Due to Covid-19, there was no official graduation ceremony for the 2020 graduating class. As for the 2021 commencement ceremony, the decision to hold it in-person is still up in the air.
“The college is currently working with SCC to determine if we will host a face-to-face commencement ceremony this year,” said Keith Sayles, the Vice President of Student Affairs. “At the time the decision is made we will begin to plan commencement in the manner that is selected.”
The decision should come on Feb. 12th, 2021. In the meantime, here are some things students can do to ensure they are ready for their next steps and graduate on time.
Firstly, to any student who is planning to transfer, get any applications sent off now. Most schools’ application period for the fall semester ends in March,so it’s important to apply as soon as possible. Furthermore, if you have been accepted into a program, hooray! Now make sure that you’re in contact with your SFCC counselor and the counselor at your transfer school so you can stay on top of your credits, and work on any extra requirements your transfer school might ask of you.
Secondly, if you’re simply planning to graduate and that’s it, make sure that you have applied for graduation through the ctcLink. Remember to check in with your counselor and take care of any leftover credit requirements. For students in their first year, now is the time to start preparing. Try to check in with counselor’s consistently, ask questions, and start planning for what comes after SFCC. This will save plenty of stress in the long run.
Further information on the commencement ceremony or transfer options can be found on the SFCC website under the For Our Students tab.