Graduation 101: A Guide to the 2016 Commencement USC Cultural Relations and University Events

Welcome, Trojan Family! Leigh Anne Martorana, Senior Event Producer, Academic Events and Global Conferencing

How can I get Commencement information? APP- USC Grad (#USCGrad) Website (commencement.usc.edu) Commencement Info Packet –Coming around March to graduates’ permanent addresses Grad Fest –Information, Bookstore package deals (cap/gown, ring, frame, announcements) –Tuesday - Wednesday, February 9-10, 2015 (10 a.m.- 6 p.m.) –Tutor Ballroom

What do students need to do before graduation? Make sure they meet with their academic advisor early to know that they are in the system as a graduating senior, and to check their name is correct in the system Check name on diploma –(an from Degree Progress will come in the spring) Check name in program – (an from Degree Progress) Most importantly: check their addresses online –(through MyUSC) Attend Grad Fest Order Regalia in the Bookstore (return it in the bins after your satellite ceremony on Commencement day)

Planning for the Day Hotels –Plan EARLY! They book very early! Some up to a year in advance! –STA Travel is the official travel agency for Commencement and can be reached at (213) They have negotiated discounted rates with airlines, hotels and rental cars. We recommend that you contact them early to arrange for your travel needs. (statravel.com) –USC Parent Programs is a great resource! * affairs/parents/parentresourcesVisiting.html*

Planning for the Day Stoles (Sash) Sold at the bookstore Can be customized Can purchase from bookstore and have customized elsewhere Many students get them, but not all

Sash Examples Class year School name Sorority or Fraternity Slogan Nicknames Important Saying Whatever you want!

Prior to Commencement on Friday Thursday –Baccalaureate Ceremony- 5:00 pm –Baccalaureate Dinner- follows ceremony (~6:30 p.m.) ( tickets, reservations open on February 15) –Cultural Celebrations (Asian Pacific, Chicano/Latino, African American) (usually start at 8 a.m.) –Special award ceremonies on Wednesday and Thursday Your student will know if they are invited to these

Planning for the Day Transportation for the day: –Parking Tips – park at their apartment nearby and walk –Plan on leaving super early to avoid traffic on the way to campus and around campus –Metro – don’t park at all –Uber or Lyft – don’t park at all

Planning for the Day Where to park: –All parking in USC structures and the Coliseum parking lot on Menlo Ave. is free for Commencement activities on Thursday, May 12th and Friday, May 13th. –Attendees should make sure to tell the guard that they are here for Commencement and ask for a day pass. They cannot leave their car overnight in the structure for free; it is only a pass for the day.

Planning for the Day Wheelchair Drop-off and Seating Wheelchair Drop-off –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 –On Trousdale, near the flower hedges that say USC

Disability Drop-off and Parking

Planning for the Day Wheelchair Check Out There are a limited number of wheelchairs available for checkout, free of charge behind Leavey Library on West 34th Street for those in need of this service. Checkout begins at 6:00 a.m., and all wheelchairs must be returned by 5:00 p.m.

Commencement Structure Main ceremony (no names called, honorary degrees, officially become grads) –No tickets required –No check in or registration School ceremonies starting at 10:45 and throughout the day –Much better photo ops –This is where they walk across the stage –Various locations

Planning for the Day When to arrive –Discuss together. Plan around your schedule for the day. If planning on going to the Main ceremony arrive earlier than 7:00am –Students need to be at their designated assembly place by 8:00am. They march in at 8:30am and the ceremony starts at 9:00am. Parents should get to campus around 6:30am if they hope to get a free parking spot in a USC parking structure and a seat for the main ceremony. Campus parking and most seating is usually filled by 7:00am.

Planning for the Day Where to sit –Some like to sit on the side where the next event takes place. You can’t cross over 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 other’s to get seats at the second ceremony Some parents say, best advice they got - Some say, stay and enjoy yourself, there will be plenty of room

Planning for the Day Where to sit: –Parents shouldn’t be worried about sitting near their student during the main ceremony because they will most likely not be able to see their student through the crowds. We recommend that they find a seat near a Jumbotron or under the shade instead.

Planning for the Day REMEMBER: –Hat –Sun Screen –Water –Snacks –Comfortable Shoes/ Clothes

Planning for the Day Flower Lei’s Sold on campus Commencement Day

Tips Lunch –Almost every program will offer a reception; some are just light refreshments, while some are more substantial. If your grad wants to see their friends one last time, you may spend some time at the reception and have a late lunch. If not, you may be able to make it a bit earlier, but traffic will still be slow leaving the campus right after the school ceremonies begin to let out. –Lunch options: Around Campus, light refreshments at receptions, back home, etc. –Many schools offer a reception after the main ceremony, but some families still want to enjoy lunch together –Near USC or back home? Consider traffic and other grads/families. You may need reservations ahead of time, give yourself enough time to get there with heavy traffic.

Tips Making Memories –Get there early the day before and take pictures throughout campus with and without caps and gowns. –Go with the flow and enjoy yourself! –Go back to campus at the end when it is quiet and take final shots of campus.

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 8am 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. More information can be found on the Commencement website closer to Commencement.

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. The band plays and different schools stand up to cheer as they are announced.

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 ceremony, or 2) 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.