University of Southern California's 2019 Commencement Guide

1. Graduation 101: A Guide to
the 2019 Commencement
Leigh Anne Martorana
Executive Event Producer, Academic Events
Cultural Relations and University Events

2. Commencement Structure
• Main ceremony, Friday, May 10th
– Honorary Degrees, Commencement Speaker,
Valedictorian address
– 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

3. 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 receive information if invited
– Take place in afternoon

4. How can I get Commencement
information?
• commencement.usc.edu
• Information Packet
– Arrives in March to the permanent address in
students’ records; student should confirm in
Oasis
• Grad Fest: 2019 – February 13 & 14
– Regalia rental, memorabilia package deals,
etc.
– 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. in the Tutor Campus Grand
Ballroom

5. What do students need to do
before graduation?
• Checklist available on
commencement.usc.edu under Graduates
tab
• Ensure on track with advisors
• Check name on diploma and program
– Degree Progress will send out link in late
Spring
• Check address online for diploma mailing
• Order regalia

6. Planning for
Commencement Day

7. Transportation
• Always add time to account for traffic to
and around campus
• Suggestions:
– Park at your student’s apartment and walk
– Use the Metro Expo Line
– Uber or Lyft
• be sure to use designated drop-off and pick-up
areas around campus

8. Parking
• All parking in USC structures and the
Coliseum parking lot on Menlo Ave. is free
for Commencement activities on Thursday
and Friday
• Tell the attendant you are here for
Commencement and ask for a pass
– Passes are only valid for a day; overnight
parking is not permitted

9. Wheelchair Drop-off & Seating
• Wheelchair Drop-off
– Enter at Royal Street Entrance, located on
Jefferson Blvd. Drop off is behind Leavey
Library on 34th Street
– Vehicles will then be directed to park at the
Flower Street Parking Structure
• Wheelchair Seating
– Space for one guest in a wheelchair and one
escort
– Located on Trousdale, near flowers that spell
USC

10. 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.

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

12. Seating
• Seats in Alumni Park are for students only;
do not move into Student Overflow seating
until directed to do so – staff will move you
• 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

13. Seating
• Crossing Trousdale during the
ceremony is not permitted; walk around
the back of Doheny Library or Bovard
Auditorium
• Review your path to the satellite ceremony
with your student; they will know the best
route
• Ceremonies directly after the Main
Ceremony will not begin without the dean

14. General Planning
• Please remember to bring:
–Hat
–Sun Screen
–Water and/or snacks
• Hospitality kiosks and restaurants located around
campus; Water $1
–Comfortable Shoes/Clothes

15. Celebrating Your Student
• Sashes
– Very popular memorabilia item sold at the
Bookstore, though not required
– Can be customized with any messaging
• Does take time for embroidery so don’t wait until the
last minute to order

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

17. Celebrating Your Student
• Flower Leis
– May be pre-purchased through the Bookstore
– Also sold on Commencement Day in various
locations throughout campus

18. 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 may 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

19. 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 begin to 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

20. FAQ
• Do I need to register for Commencement?
– Students do not need to register for the Main
Ceremony and most satellite ceremonies.
Students should check the Commencement
website for information about
registration/tickets for their respective
schools.

21. FAQ
• 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.
– Certain satellite ceremonies, like Dramatic
Arts, may have rehearsals. The students will
receive an email from their individual schools
regarding any rehearsal opportunities.

22. FAQ
• 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 choose to listen to the Commencement
speaker, the valedictorian, and President
Autin. Students will not be called onstage
individually, but families enjoy coming to this
ceremony because it is a big, spirited
celebration.

23. FAQ
• What if I’m double majoring and the
ceremonies are at the same time?
• Students with a double major have two
options:
1) pick one degree and only walk across the stage
at that satellite ceremony
2) reach out to each school’s commencement
coordinator about walking in both ceremonies.
Coordinators try their best to work with other
schools to call names 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 student chooses
this option.

24. FAQ
• 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 information
booths across campus.

25. FAQ
• 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.

26. Still Have Questions?
Refer to:
commencement.usc.edu
Email:
academicevents@usc.edu