General Information for All Degree Candidates
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The Colleges of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Biological Sciences, and Engineering will hold their ceremony at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 12, 2009, and the College of Letters and Science will hold its ceremony at 2:00 p.m. in the UC Davis Pavilion.
If you participated in a June 2009 commencement ceremony, you are not eligible to participate in the Fall (Dec.) ceremony.
If you register to participate in the Fall (Dec.) ceremony, you will not be eligible to participate in the June 2010 commencements.
Eligibility
Any student who will receive a degree in March 2009, June 2009 or September 2009, or who expects to receive a degree in December 2009, and who has not already participated in the June 2009 commencement ceremony, is eligible and welcome to participate in the fall commencement ceremony. Your graduation application will ensure that your name appears in the commencement program.
If you have completed the units required by your college or school by the end of summer quarter, you need to file on-line to participate in the ceremonies through your college. You still must file a graduation application on-line for the term in which you will graduate during the appropriate filing periods.
While students graduating in September may participate in the June commencement, you are encouraged to participate in the Fall (December) undergraduate commencement, closer to the completion of your studies. Typically a smaller ceremony, the Fall commencement allows for students to invite more guests.
All students in the Colleges of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Biological Sciences, Engineering, and Letters and Science must also register online to participate in commencement ceremonies. See Registering to Participate.
Top of pageAcademic Dress
Cap and Gown Rental
Graduates must wear appropriate apparel in order to participate in commencement ceremonies. Academic apparel may be rented from the UC Davis Bookstore. Gown rental includes the cap and tassel, and is free with purchase of a Grad Pack. Gowns and Packs may be pre-ordered in advance either online or during the Grad Faire. Rental pricing is based on date of order, with prices increasing as the ceremony date draws closer.
Online Pre-order:
- Online Pre-Order is available from October 1, 2009 through December 8, 2009. All gowns must be picked up on the dates designated below to avoid additional fees. A late fee will be charged for all pre-orders picked up after the pickup event. Please visit the UC Davis Bookstore Web site for more details and to access the Online Pre-Order System.
Grad Faire:
- October 20, 2009 — Freeborn Plaza (or King Lounge if cold or rainy)
- 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Gown and Pack Pickup:
- December 9th: King Lounge, 2nd floor MU
- 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Gown Rental Fees:
| Gown Rental Fees: | Online orders thru Grad Faire Oct. 1 – 20 |
Online orders after Grad Faire Oct. 21 – Dec. 8 |
If paid during Gown Pickup Dec. 9 |
Late Rental/Pickup at the Bookstore After Dec. 9 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor Cap, Gown and Tassel | $30.00 | $35.00 | 40.00 | 50.00 |
| Ceremony Tassel alone | Cap and Tassel available for purchase separately during Gown Pickup. Pre-order is not necessary. | $5.00 | ||
| Ceremony Cap alone | $10.00 | |||
| Late Pickup Fee for all reserved orders: | $10.00 | |||
NOTE: Gown Rental is free with purchase of a Souvenir Grad Pack.
See the UC Davis Bookstore Web site for details and pack pricing.
Returning Caps and Gowns
The collection station for all ceremonies held at the ARC/Pavilion will be located in the ARC plaza in front of the lobby, or inside the lobby in the case of inclement weather.
Late Return Fee: Gowns not returned immediately following the ceremony or to the UC Davis Bookstore by the first Monday following the ceremony will be assessed a daily late charge beginning the following Tuesday.
Wearing Academic Dress
The cap is worn with the long point of the shell to the rear. Undergraduates who have not yet received a degree wear the tassel forward and to the right. After the degree is awarded, the tassel is shifted to the left.
It is customary for those wishing to demonstrate respect for their country to remove their caps during the national anthem or when the U.S. flag is passing.
Lightweight clothing is usually worn under the gown. Coats are not necessary for men, but a shirt and tie improve the appearance of the gown.
Alcoholic Beverages
Possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages at commencement ceremonies is prohibited by university policy.
Awards
University and College awards will be presented at the June commencement ceremonies held by the individual colleges or division.
Ceremonies
There will be two ceremonies held on December 12, 2009: The Colleges of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Biological Sciences, and Engineering will hold their ceremony at 10:00 a.m., and the College of Letters and Science will hold its ceremony at 2:00 p.m. The ceremonies will last approximately two hours and will include short addresses by distinguished speakers, the conferring of degrees and the recessional.
The ceremony will begin promptly with the entry of candidates and academic procession. Members of the official party will sit on stage; candidates and faculty will be seated in chairs on the main floor facing the stage.
Admission tickets are required for the December ceremony. Tickets will be distributed in November. Tickets are for general seating.
Each graduate will be presented on stage, receive a certificate and return to his or her seat. The stage party and faculty lead the recessional, followed by the graduates.
Specific directions for assembly will be mailed to each participant who has registered online for the commencement ceremony.
Class Rings
Class rings are available throughout the academic year at the UC Davis Bookstore. Please visit their Web site for information and sales dates.
Commencement Program
A commencement program will be printed for the December ceremony listing:
Names of students receiving a degree in September 2009 and December 2009.
October 23, 2009 is the absolute deadline to register for your name to appear in the program.
Candidates who cannot attend commencement may obtain copies of the commencement program by contacting their dean’s office.
Conduct During Commencement Ceremony
Commencement is a time to celebrate and enjoy your achievement. It is also a time to reflect on that achievement and to acknowledge the help and support provided by family, friends, faculty and staff. You are asked to honor the spirit of this important occasion by conducting yourself in a manner that is respectful of your guests and the guests of others, of your fellow graduates and of yourself. Violations of this policy will result in your being removed from the hall and denied permission to participate further in the ceremony. Thank you for your help in making this day meaningful to all.
Diplomas
You may have your diploma mailed to you when it is ready, four months after the end of the quarter in which you completed your degree requirements (about four months after commencement for those graduating in December). When you file to graduate online with the Office of the University Registrar, your account can be billed for the mailing fee of $5.50 within the U.S. or $14.00 outside the U.S. If you choose not to have it mailed, please contact the registrar's office in four months to see if it is ready to pick up.
A certificate commemorating the ceremony is presented to each participant at commencement.
Food and Refreshments
Starbucks at the ARC: Conveniently located next to the Pavilion, Starbucks is open before, during and after all commencement ceremonies for your convenience.
Graduation Announcements
Official UC Davis Graduation Announcements may be purchased online or by phone beginning early October via the UC Davis Bookstore. Please visit their web site for details, pricing, and ordering instructions. Shipping time is approximately 5 days.
Guests
Tickets are required for the December ceremony. Please refer to your College for specific information.
Information and Assistance
The Walter A. Buehler Alumni and Visitors Center will be open Saturday, Dec. 12, 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
To make special accommodations for graduates or guests at commencement ceremonies, see Special Accommodations.
Parking
Parking is free in designated areas for those attending the activities. Directional signs reading "Commencement Parking" are placed at all entrances to the campus. A portion of Lot #25 is reserved for vehicles displaying disabled person placards or plates. See the map for convenient parking areas.
Registering to Participate
To participate in commencement, students in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, the College of Biological Sciences, the College of Engineering, and the College of Letters and Science must register online no later than October 23, 2009. There are two registration Web sites: one for the College of Letters and Science and one for the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, the College of Biological Sciences and the College of Engineering. To register, visit the online registration Web site for your College. Students must have an active UC Davis e-mail password.
Photographs
Individual photographs of the candidates as they cross the stage will be taken by a professional photographer at the commencement ceremony. Family and friends wishing to take photographs of candidates are asked to do so either before or after ceremonies. This will help alleviate congestion around the stage during the ceremonies.
Commencement photograph order forms will be included in participant ticket packets and will be available at the ceremony.
Appointments for Senior Portraits may also be scheduled through the bookstore. Please visit the bookstore's commencement web site for more info.
Special Accommodations
Special seating can be arranged for candidates with mobility problems, and sign language interpretation is available for those with hearing impairments. Please write or call Jennifer Voight, 530-754-8477, for the College of Letters and Science or Gail Stroup, 530-752-2358, for the other colleges, as far in advance as possible to explain your needs.
Guests with mobility problems may use the shuttle service to and from parking lots for the Saturday ceremony. The elderly and guests with disabilities may use the special assistance entrance (Northeast) to the Pavilion. Disabled seating sections are available at the Pavilion for guests who use a wheelchair or have limited mobility. Those guests may be accompanied by one other member of their party.