FULAFIA Notice on Policy Guiding Sign-out Celebration

Policy on Signing-Out Ceremony for Graduating Students at Federal University of Lafia

Students in Tertiary Institutions like to celebrate after writing their final paper in the final year examination. They refer to this celebration as a signing-out occasion. The conduct of students during this signing-out occasion is not usually pleasant. There is need to work on the minds of the students to enable them showcase good conduct during the signing-out ceremony. Students always disagree with banning of signing-out ceremony. It can be modified to make it an avenue to add more value to the university and graduating students. It should be seen as an opportunity for students to give gratitude to God that kept them alive and made it possible for them to witness their final examination, and to pray for more blessings in future to come. This can make students believe that the sign-out occasion is a turning point to develop their minds for better opportunities outside school. This is because speeches will also be given by colleagues and their mentors or any guest speaker invited to talk to them.

In Federal University of Lafia, a policy has been developed to guide the conduct of students during the sign-out occasion.

2. Objectives
a. To maintain order, discipline, and safety during the celebration.
b. To ensure the celebration reflects positively on the institution.
c. To minimize risks of accidents, violence, vandalism, and misconduct.
d. To protect the rights of students, staff, and the host community.
e. To institutionalize a safe and constructive culture of celebrating academic milestones.

3. Scope
This policy applies to all final-year students of the University engaging in “Signing Out” celebrations within and outside campus. It also binds student unions, departmental associations, and staff members supervising students.

Guidelines
i. There shall be a ceremony to be called signing-out occasion for graduating students after their final paper in the final year examination.
ii. The occasion shall be conducted at departmental level and to be monitored by the Head of Department or his representative.
iii. The event shall run for 60 to 90 minutes.
iv. There shall be four sessions for the occasion as follows:
a. Prayer session
b. Speech session
c. Signing-out session
d. Refreshment session
v. There shall be a register for the students to provide information about themselves following the template below:
S/N | Name | Matric No. | State of Origin | Home Address | Phone No. & Email | Date of Birth | Remark | Signature
vi. Head of Departments may (optional) have a typed farewell message for the students, to be attached to the completed register.
vii. Each student who is a member of that graduating team shall have a photocopy of the signed register.
viii. The original of the register shall be deposited in the Alumni Relations Office of the University for record purposes.
ix. During the signing-out occasion, the following shall not be allowed:
a. Signing on a shirt
b. Drinking of alcohol
c. Smoking, of any kind
d. Playing of music
e. Driving cars or riding motorcycle/bicycle around the campus
x. Taking of pictures and eating food shall be allowed during the refreshment session.
xi. There shall be further improvement on this policy where necessary for more value addition to the university and graduating students.
xii. There shall be room for Student Union Government to suggest officially further improvement on this policy where necessary.
xiii. Any violation of this policy shall attract disciplinary sanctions as contained in the institution’s Student Handbook.

NOTE: This policy has been approved by me, (Professor Shehu Abdul Rahman), the Vice Chancellor, and is to be ratified by the Senate of Federal University of Lafia.

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