Graduation 101: A Guide to the 2017

CommencementAdam Rosen

Assistant Vice President of Cultural Relations and University Events

Commencement Structure• Main ceremony–When degrees are officially conferred– Honorary Degrees, Commencement Speaker,

valedictorian address– No registration required– Students process into Alumni Park at 8:30 a.m.,

ceremony begins at 9 a.m.• Satellite ceremonies (aka school

ceremonies)–Where students cross the stage– Various locations and times throughout the day

Thursday Events• Baccalaureate Ceremony, 5:00 p.m.• Baccalaureate Dinner, following at 6:30

p.m.– Reservations open in February

• Cultural Celebrations, 8:00 p.m.– Asian Pacific, Chicano/Latino, African

American• Award ceremonies– Students will know if they are invited to these

How can I get Commencement information?

• commencement.usc.edu• Information Booklet– Arrive in March to graduates’ permanent

addresses• Grad Fest: February 15-16, 2017– Information, memorabilia package deals– 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom

What do students need to do before graduation?

• Meet with their academic advisor early to ensure they are on track

• Check name on diploma and program – (an email from Degree Progress will come in the

spring)• Check their addresses online to ensure

where their diploma will be sent to– (through MyUSC)

• Attend Grad Fest• Order regalia

Planning for Commencement Day

Hotels• Plan early• STA Travel is the official travel

agency for Commencement. They have negotiated discounted rates with airlines, hotels and rental cars. – (213) 254-2662, statravel.com

• USC Parent Programs is a great resource

Transportation• Plan on leaving early to avoid traffic

on the way to and around campus• Park at your student’s nearby

apartment and walk• Don’t park at all!–Metro• Campus is easily accessible from downtown

via the Expo Line–Uber or Lyft

Parking• Where to park: – All parking in USC structures and the

Coliseum parking lot on Menlo Ave. is free for all Commencement activities on Thursday, May 11th and Friday, May 12th

–Make sure to tell the attendant that you are here for Commencement and ask for a pass. Cars cannot be left overnight; it is only a pass for the day.

Wheelchair Drop-off & Seating• Wheelchair Drop-off – Enter Gate #4, located on Jefferson Blvd. at the

Royal Street intersection, and drop off behind Leavey Library on West 34th Street

– Vehicles will then be directed to park at PS1• Wheelchair Seating– Space for one disabled guest in a wheelchair and

one escort• Not chair seating- wheelchair accessible platform space

only– Located on Trousdale, near the flower hedges that

say USC

Wheelchair Drop-off and Parking

Wheelchair Checkout

• A limited number of wheelchairs are available for complimentary checkout

• Located behind Leavey Library on West 34th Street

• Checkout begins at 6:00 a.m., and all wheelchairs must be returned by 5:00 p.m.

When to Arrive• Plan around your activities for the day• If attending the Main Ceremony, arrive by

7:00 a.m. to secure parking and seating– Students need to be at their designated

assembly place by 8:00 a.m. to march in at 8:30 a.m. The ceremony starts at 9:00 a.m.

• If only attending the satellite, please plan for extra time to find parking, etc. as structures may already be full due to the main ceremony

Seating• You cannot cross over seating areas

or Trousdale during the ceremony• Review your path to the second ceremony

and reception with your student, they will know the best route

• You may consider sending others to get seats at the second ceremony depending on the start time– Ceremonies directly after the Main Ceremony

will not begin without the dean

Seating• Please don’t be worried about sitting

near your student during the main ceremony– You will most likely not be able to see

your student through the crowds• We recommend that you find a seat

near a Jumbotron, under the shade, or in an area that will be convenient to get to your next event

General Planning• Please remember to bring: –Hat–Sun Screen–Water and/or snacks• Hospitality kiosks and restaurants located

around campus–Comfortable Shoes/Clothes

Pre-planning for Your Student

• Sashes (aka stoles)– Very popular memorabilia item, though not required– Sold at the Bookstore– Can be customized with any messaging

• Does take time for embroidery so don’t wait until the last minute

Sash Examples• Class year• School name• Greek letters• Nickname• Significant quote

Pre-planning for Your Student• Flower Leis– Another popular item that may be

pre-purchased through the Bookstore

– Also sold on Commencement Day in various locations throughout campus

Tips• Lunch– Almost every program will offer a reception

before or after their ceremony, though fare will vary• Some are just light refreshments, while others are

more substantial– On-campus options are available but will either

be very busy or have required reservations– If leaving campus, consider traffic in/out of

parking structures. Give yourself enough time to get off-campus and to your reservation

Tips• Making Memories– For photos, get to campus early at least

the day before Commencement Day to get desired shots throughout campus with and without caps and gowns• Students usually organize their own group

photo shoots in the two weeks leading up to Commencement

– Return to campus at the end of the day when it is quieter

FAQ’s• Do I need to register for

Commencement? – Students do NOT need to register for the

Main Ceremony and most satellite ceremonies. However, a few schools do require their students to register. Students should check the Commencement website for information about their respective schools.

FAQ’s • Are tickets required for the ceremonies?

– No tickets are required for the Main Ceremony but some satellite ceremonies may require tickets depending on location.

• Is there a rehearsal? – There is no rehearsal for the Main Ceremony. Students

should arrive no later than 8 a.m. on Commencement Day to line up before they march in.

– Certain satellite ceremonies, such as that of the School of Dramatic Arts, may have rehearsals. The students will receive an email from their individual schools regarding any rehearsal opportunities.

FAQ’s• Do I have to attend the main

ceremony? –While it is not required for students to

attend the Main Ceremony, the majority of students do listen to the Commencement speaker, the valedictorian, and President Nikias. Students will not be called onstage individually, but families do enjoy coming to this ceremony because it is a big, spirited celebration.

FAQ’s• What if I’m double majoring and the

ceremonies are at the same time? – Students with a double major have two options:1) pick which ceremony they will be attending and only walk across the stage at that ceremony2) reach out to each school’s ceremony coordinator about walking in both ceremonies. The coordinators will try to help them plan how to get their name called in the beginning of one and the end of the other. Family members should be cautioned that they will have to leave one and get to the other very quickly if their students chooses this option.

FAQ’s• Where do I get a program and are

they free? – Each student will have a program on his

or her seat during the main ceremony on Commencement Day. Parents can pick up programs for free at any of the numerous information booths across campus.

FAQ’s• When and where do graduates get

their diplomas?– Diplomas will be mailed to the

graduate’s permanent address four to six weeks after final grades are posted. Hence, why students should be checking their address listing under MyUSC in the spring.

Questions

commencement.usc.edu