Visual Arts - Optional Graduation Timelines for Students

OPTION 1: May Graduation

• Degrees conferred: May 20, 2020
• Last semester registered: Spring 2020
• CU Housing Lease expires: May 31, 2020
• Health insurance terminates: August 14, 2020
• Deadline to notify Visual Arts program of intent to graduate in May 2020: May 4, 2020
• Deadline for thesis submission: May 4, 2020 (information to follow from department)
• International Students:
  • OPT application dates, approximately February 20 – July 19 (90 days before through 60 days after)
  • OPT period maximum: May 20, 2020 – May 19, 2021 (confirm with ISSO)
• Access to studio ends: July 7 or as soon as safe to return to retrieve belongings and vacate.
• Participate in the Class of 2020 Exhibition either in person or remotely

OPTION 2: October Graduation Option Selected in Advance

• Degrees conferred: October 21, 2020
• Last semester registered: Spring 2020
• CU Housing Lease expires: May 31, 2020
  • October Grads can stay until Aug. 15 but MUST let Columbia Residential know by April 30 (extended date I worked out with them)
• Health insurance terminates: August 14, 2020
• Deadline to notify Visual Arts program of intent to graduate in October 2020: TBD
• Deadline for thesis submission: TBD
• International Students:
  • End of semester for OPT purposes is August 31, 2020
  • Recommend students apply for OPT approximately June 1, 2020 – August 31, 2020
  • Note: Students for whom their I-20 expires in May 2020 do NOT need to request an extension of their program for the Oct grad option
• Access to studio ends: July 7, or as soon as safe to return to retrieve belongings and vacate.
• Participate in the Class of 2020 Exhibition either in person or remotely

OPTION 3: February Graduation IF POSSIBLE (UNIVERSITY MUST DETERMINE IT’S SAFE TO RETURN:

• Degrees conferred: February 10, 2021 (International students, for OPT purposes the last day of the semester is December 20, 2020)
• Last semester registered: Fall 2020
  • Registration periods for Fall 2020 are as follows:
    • July 27 (Mon) – July 31, 2020 (Early Registration II)
    • Sept. 1 (Tues) – Sept. 4, 2020 (Registration)
    • Sept. 8 (Tues), First day of Classes
    • Sept. 8 (Tues) – Sept. 18 (Fri) – (Change of program period).
  • Withdrawal - September 18: Deadline to withdraw with 100% refund of tuition and fees minus $75 withdrawal fee and $100 document fee.
• CU Housing Lease expires: December 31, 2020
  • Pending approval from Columbia Residential and SOA.
• Health insurance terminates: December 31, 2020
• Deadline to notify Visual Arts program of intent to graduate February 2021: TBD
• Deadline for thesis submission: TBD
• International Students:
  • End of semester for OPT purposes is December 20, 2020
  • Recommend students apply for OPT approximately Sept. 23, 2020 – December 20, 2020
  • Note: Students for whom their I-20 expired in May 2020 MUST have requested an extension of their program
• Access to studio ends: TBD.
• Thesis show dates: TBD during Fall 2020, will be held in Lenfest
• Teaching Assistantships and Service Positions through the Visual Arts program would not be available
• Research Arts tuition and School of the Arts fees will be covered by the School of the Arts.
• Students are expected to cover University-wide fees and required health insurance costs. Below are the current Spring 2020 fees for your reference. Note that some of these fees historically increase every year. This list may not be exhaustive.
  • University Facilities Fee: $513
  • Health Services Fee: $584
  • Medical Insurance: $1,30 (request for waiver can be submitted to Columbia Health’s insurance office. Must provide proof of comparable insurance).
  • International Student Fee: $100
  • Late Payment fees

NOTE: The above option will be available only if the university determines that classes will resume in person as currently scheduled on September 8, 2020. However, if the University determines that in-person classes for the Fall 2020 semester will be delayed or cancelled, registering for Research Arts in Fall 2020 will not be an option and a February 11, 2021 graduation will not be possible. All students who elected Research Arts for Fall 2020 will then be required to graduate in October 2020. See below for details.

OPTION 4: October Graduation in the event that Fall Research Arts 2020 is not possible

• Degrees conferred: October 21, 2020 (International students, for OPT purposes is August 31,2020)
• Last semester registered:
  • Though would have registered for Fall 2020, Spring 2020 will retroactively be the last semester registered.
  • Registration periods for Fall 2020 are as follows:
    • July 27 (Mon) – July 31, 2020 (Early Registration II)
    • Sept. 1 (Tues) – Sept. 4, 2020 (Registration)
    • Sept. 8 (Tues), First day of Classes
    • Sept. 8 (Tues) – Sept. 18 (Fri) – (Change of program period).
  • Withdrawal - September 18: Deadline to withdraw with 100% refund minus $75 withdrawal fee and $100 document fee
• CU Housing Lease expires:
  • In this case, grads would have let Columbia Residential know they are extending through Fall 2020. At the point where it is determined they will not remain for Research Arts Fall 2020, the should inform the housing office immediately. Columbia Residential will also be informed through the withdrawal process.
• Health insurance: If student registers, would run through the end of the month in which student withdraws. Remainder fees would be refunded pro rata. Note that does not become active until student registers for Research Arts. Would be retroactive until August 15, 2020.
• Deadline for thesis submission: TBD
• International Students: Should have applied for OPT already.
  • Note: Students for whom their I-20 expired in May would have already requested and received an extension of their program.
• Access to studio ends: Two weeks after date which Visual Arts + Sound Art program determines that Fall Research Arts semester is not possible. Due to potential future uncertainty, the timeframe to vacate might need to be adjusted.
• Participate in the Class of 2020 Exhibition either in person or remotely

For Information and links to university-wide resources, see the COVID-19 Guide for the School of the Arts Community.