Graduation Frequently Asked Questions

What is the date and time for the graduation ceremony?
What is the schedule for the graduate program's hooding ceremonies?
Is there a limit to the number of guests I can invite?
How long does the ceremony typically take?
Is there a reception afterward?
Is there a charge for parking on graduation day?
Will there be a graduation rehearsal?
What time and where should I arrive for graduation?
Who is eligible to participate in the ceremony?
How can I pick up my REQUIRED graduation check in card?
What should I do if I am graduating and need special accommodation for the procession as well as the ceremony?
Will my name be in the Graduation Program? 
Who will be the speakers at this year's ceremony?
What time should my guests arrive for the ceremony?
Is there special seating for elderly and/or disabled?
Where can my guests go if it is raining or too hot?
Will my diploma be available to me on graduation day?
Am I graduated if I walk in the ceremony?
Am I required to wear a cap and gown?
Where do I order and pick up a cap and gown?
Where do I get graduation announcements?
Where can I purchase a graduation t-shirt?
Does the college have a photographer available?
Where can I purchase and pick up graduation leis. 
Will Food Service be available on Graduation Day?
Will the college have a DVD available of the ceremony?
Who can I contact with any further questions?

What is the date and time for the graduation ceremony?
Graduation will be held on Friday, June 11, 2010 at 1pm on Red Square – rain or shine.

What is the schedule for the graduate program's hooding ceremonies?
MIT, MPA and MES - to be determined. Please check back.


Is there a limit to the number of guests I can invite?
No, there is no limit to the number of guests you can invite.

How long does the ceremony typically take?
Approximately 3 hours.

Is there a reception afterward?
Yes – in the 2nd floor Lobby of the Daniel J. Evans Library.

Is there a charge for parking on graduation day?
No – parking is free but be prepared for high traffic.  The roundabout will become highly congested.  Van service will be provided to transport people who must park at a distance

Will there be a graduation rehearsal?
No, but you will get the information you need from the check in process, this list of Frequently Asked Questions and the graduation web site.

What time and where should I arrive for graduation?
Candidates should meet at the Lab I/Lecture Hall Courtyard at 12:30pm to begin the procession by 1pm.

Who is eligible to participate in the ceremony?
Any student who has applied to graduate for the academic year 2009-2010, fall, winter, spring and summer quarters. 

How can I pick up my REQUIRED graduation check in card?
You will have opportunities to pick up your check in card:
•    Wednesday, June 9th at 11am to 5pm in the Bookstore
•    Thursday, June 10th from 9-5pm in the Bookstore
•    Friday, June 11th at 11am at the Library entrance overhang

Grad Students will pick up their check in cards at their Hooding Ceremony

Tacoma campus students will pick up their check in cards in the CAB before the ceremony beginning at 10am. 

You can pick up a friend’s card with a signed consent statement. 

What should I do if I am graduating and need special accommodation for the procession as well as the ceremony?
Please see Michele Elhardt in Enrollment Services, Lib 1245 by Thursday, June 10th to discuss your needs so that we may assist you.

Will my name be in the Graduation Program? 
Only if you applied to graduate no later than May 28th.

Who will be the speakers at this year's ceremony?
Please check back for this information.


What time should my guests arrive for the ceremony?
Seating is first come, first served.  It is not unusual to see people arrive at noon or earlier since parking is challenging.

Is there special seating for elderly and/or disabled?
Yes and there will be program ushers that can direct people to this area.  Seating is limited.  It is recommended that the elderly or disabled guests are dropped off at the Library Loop at the top of Red Square.  There is expanded disabled parking area in both Parking Lots B and C.

Where can my guests go if it is raining or too hot?
The ceremony will be broadcast in all of the Lecture Halls as well as Seminar II Building Rooms 2107 and 2109.

Will my diploma be available to me on graduation day?
Diplomas will not be available on graduation day.  Students who have applied to graduate for fall and winter quarters may have already received their diplomas.
Spring diplomas will be mailed beginning in August once we receive them from the printer as well as after all credit is posted.  If all credit is posted, Registration can provide students with a graduation certificate prior to the diploma being mailed. 

Am I graduated if I walk in the ceremony?
Graduation is confirmed once all credit is awarded and degree requirements are met.   The ceremony is simply a celebration.

Am I required to wear a cap and gown?
No – but many do.

Where do I order and pick up a cap and gown?
If you placed an order online it will be arriving the week of June 7th in the Bookstore. If you didn’t order, it’s too late to order online. A limited number of cap and gowns will be available the day of graduation for CASH ONLY; there will be a table under the library eaves where the Bookstore will be selling them.

Information about caps and gowns for Tacoma campus students will be coming in early spring.

Where do I get graduation announcements?
 The Bookstore will have generic announcements later in the year.

Where can I purchase a graduation t-shirt?
At the Bookstore - details to come.

Does the college have a photographer available?
Yes – put your email address on the graduation check in card so that the photographer can email you a copy of the proof for purchase.  Everyone has their picture taken three times – approaching the stage, shaking hands with the President and as they exit the stage.  You can log in at www.gradimages.com for Pre-Event Registration.  There is no obligation to purchase pictures

Where can I purchase and pick up graduation leis. 
Admissions staff will be selling fresh purple dendrobium orchid leis from Hawaii available on graduation day. Leis are $10 or $9 each if you buy 5 or more. 
Although they will have leis available at graduation, they strongly suggest that you pre-pay, quantities are limited. Graduation Day sales and pre paid lei pick up will be at the top of the bus loop/Red Square between 10am and 1:30pm

Will Food Service be available on Graduation Day?
Food and drink will be available on campus.  The Market will be open – 1st Floor Library and the Flaming Eggplant will be open until 12:30.

Will the college have a DVD available of the ceremony?
Yes – the Bookstore will be selling DVDs of the graduation ceremony.   

Who can I contact with any further questions?
Email us anytime!