Commencement
Frequently Asked Questions
The College of Letters and Science Fall 2009 commencement ceremony will be held on Saturday, December 12, 2009, at 2:00 PM, at the UC Davis ARC Pavilion.
We urge you to read the information on UC Davis' Commencement website (http://commencement.ucdavis.edu) for answers to many of your questions.
You must submit your intention to participate by Registering Online. You must register online by Friday, October 23, 2009, if you plan to participate.
Commencement Caps and Gowns can be rented at the UC Davis Bookstore (http://bookstore.ucdavis.edu/graduation/).
Any student who has completed 150 units by the beginning of the Fall 2009 quarter. Students who participated in any previous commencement are NOT eligible to participate in the this ceremony.
Note: The commencement registration system is not actively linked with Banner, so sometimes the site won’t recognize newly-eligible students. In this case, please e-mail the L&S Commencement Coordinator your full name, student ID number, mailing address, phone number, and requested number of tickets (between 0-10). Once eligibility is confirmed, you will be manually registered
If you are within 5 units of the required minimum and it is before the on-line registration deadline, you will automatically be directed to an on-line petition form. If you are below the required minimum and/or the on-line registration deadline has passed, you will need to fill out a hard-copy of the petition form (available at the L&S Undergraduate Education Advising Office, 200 Social Science and Humanities Building).
Petitions received on-line and via hard-copy before the on-line application deadline of Friday, October 23 will be reviewed between Monday, October 26 and Friday, October 30. Hard-copy Petitions received after October 23 will be reviewed on a first-come, first-serve basis. Approval of petitions is based on capacity, units completed, and reasoning. Please note that we cannot guarantee the number of tickets you request. Decisions will be sent via e-mail.
Ticket allocation is based upon the actual number of students participating in the ceremony. For December 2009, we anticipate 10 tickets per student. For June ceremonies only: A limited number of extra tickets, as well as tickets for the live broadcast in the ARC Ballroom, will be made available (continue to check the General Information page for updated information.)
Children under the age of 2 do not need a ticket for admission. Students needing fewer than the number of tickets sent to them are strongly urged to return the extra tickets to the Deans' Office as soon as possible. University policy prohibits the selling of commencement tickets for money or for any commercial value. Violation will result in referral to Student Judicial Affairs.
Tickets will be distributed at the ARC Pavilion Ticket Office on the following dates and times:
Tickets that were not picked up during the designated distribution times are now at the L&S Deans’ Office front desk (street level) and can be picked up anytime 8-12 and 1-5, Monday thru Friday. (Tickets not picked up after December 9 will be considered forfeited.
Note: The College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences, the College of Biological Sciences, and the College of Engineering will be distributing their own respective commencement tickets and information.
You must bring your UCD identification card with you in order to receive your tickets and information packet. Should you not be able to come during the assigned times, a friend or family member may pick up your packet if he/she shows your identification card. You may also contact the commencement coordinator to make special arrangements.
Your name will appear in the Commencement Ceremony Program if:
1. You graduated in September 2009 or will graduate in December 2009, OR
2. You have registered to participate on-line with the L&S Deans' Office by the deadlines listed above.
Diplomas are not distributed at the ceremony. However, you will receive a certificate of participation. You may pick up your diploma at the Registrar's Office approximately 4 months after the end of the quarter in which you completed your degree requirements. If you would like your diploma mailed, you must fill out a form at the Registrar's Office and pay the required mailing fee.
You must indicate on the online registration form with which major you will walk and be seated.
GradTrak will be photographing all graduates at the upcoming graduation ceremony. Receive a $5 discount on photo orders over $25 by registering prior to the ceremony.
Photos taken by family or friends will be permitted from their seats or from the designated photo area available during the ceremony. Tripods will NOT be allowed into the Pavilion.
Please contact the L&S Commencement Coordinator.
We strongly advise those guests to arrive early (at least one hour before the ceremony begins) to allow plenty of time to park, to get inside and to find convenient seating. The University does not provide wheelchairs. If an individual has a state disabled parking permit, parking is available in Lot 25A (closest to the diabled entrance). For those with mobility problems and no state placard, please contact the L&S Commencement Coordinator for a special parking permit. Wheelchair seating and limited mobility seating is located at the four concourse 'C' corners. All seating is first-come first-serve. (Note: For June ceremonies, once seating areas are full, guests may be redirected to the live broadcast in the ARC Ballroom.) ONE person may accompany the wheelchair/limited mobility guest.
Parking is free during commencement weekend. Golf carts will be patrolling the lots for those needing assistance. Doors open one hour prior to the ceremony time. All seating (including disabled seating) is first-come, first-serve. Bottled water, snacks, film, flowers, UC Davis merchandise will be available at nearby locations. Balloons and noisemakers are not allowed inside the venue. All guests and students are subject to search.
The Stage Party is comprised of the Chancellor, executive members of the administration, Deans, Faculty Marshal, ceremony awardees, and student speaker. Faculty members from each of the majors are asked to participate as it is important and meaningful to the students. Stage party and faculty members need to report at least 45 minutes before the ceremony with their cap and gown to the Special Events Room and will be directed by staff. General instructions and parking permits will be sent to participating faculty and administration. Cue books will be sent to Stage party members.
For gowns, caps, tassels, and hoods: http://capsandgowns.ucdavis.edu/
The ceremony is shown live and can be seen afterwards on demand at: http://commencementvideo.ucdavis.edu/.
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For questions or additional information, please contact the L&S Commencement Coordinator