Skip Ribbon Commands Skip to main content
Commencement Ceremony:

What you need to know

IVC Commencement 2019 Information

The deadline to apply for Spring 2019 degrees and certificates is February 1, 2019. Students who plan to complete a Degree/Certificate of Achievement in spring must submit their online application for graduation by February 1 to participate in Commencement 2019. . Students completing a Certificate of Proficiency or a Certificate of Competency are not eligible to participate in Commencement.

Update: Eligible Degree and Certificate of Achievement students will be notified about Commencement in mid-April.

Who Participates

You are eligible to participate in Commencement if you meet any of the following conditions during the 2018-2019 academic year:

  • Completed or will complete an Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, Associate of Arts for Transfer or Associate of Science for Transfer degree program
  • Completed or will complete a Certificate of Achievement program
  • Completed or will complete a full IGETC or CSU Certification program for a Certificate of Achievement

Students completing a Certificate of Proficiency or a Certificate of Competency are not eligible to participate in Commencement.

When

Commencement 2019 will take place on Friday, May 24 at 5:00pm.

Where

The ceremony is held outdoors, at the Live Oak Terraces next to the Performing Arts Center. You will be seated in chairs on grass and will be in direct sunlight so please dress accordingly.

Guests

You may invite as many guests as you wish. To ensure adequate seating for the ceremony and refreshments for the reception, please make your reservation to let us know if you plan to attend and approximately how many guests will join you.

Reservations

If you're invited to participate in Commencement, you will be asked to make your reservation online to confirm your attendance and the expected number of guests you plan to bring. Our online reservation service is available from April 19 to May 17.

Announcements

You may purchase announcements through the IVC Bookstore. Pricing is $4 plus tax for 2 announcements and $20 plus tax for a package of 10 announcements.

Caps and Gowns

Plan ahead! Order your cap and gown through the IVC Bookstore. They can be reached at 949-451-5258. Certificate of achievement recipients/candidates will wear a white tassel and degree graduates/candidates will wear the blue tassel. Make sure you purchase the right set. You may purchase the set or individual items as needed. Pricing is $37 plus tax for a regalia package (cap, gown, tassel). Contact the bookstore for more information.

Honor Cords and Tassels

Specific regalia for Phi Theta Kappa (cord), Psi Beta (cord), Honors Program (medallion) or other clubs/organizations are issued by those organizations and are not available at check-in on Commencement Day. Contact your advisor for more information. If you've earned academic honors (cum laude, magna cum laude, summa cum laude), you will be issued the appropriate tassel and/or cord at check-in.

Check-In for Commencement:

Check-In will be in the Student Success Center, Business Sciences and Technology (BSTIC) Bldg., First Floor.

Graduate/Candidate Check-In

Check-In for participants begins at 3:00 pm.

Lineup for Commencement is at 4:30 p.m. If you are late you will not be allowed to participate in the processional at the start of the program, so please arrive early.

Tassels should be worn on your right side. You will be asked during the ceremony to switch your tassel to the left. So keep it on the right until then. At check-in, you'll receive a card with your legal name on it. Make sure it is spelled correctly. This is your official name on record with IVC. If necessary, we will write how your name should be pronounced correctly. Keep this card with you. You will present it to the representative announcing names as you cross the stage to receive your diploma cover.

Honors are recognized for students completing degrees. If you have an honors notation on your card, this will also be announced. Remember, IVC uses a cumulative GPA from all units taken at IVC and all work transferred to the college except basic skills courses. Time will not allow for questioning or changing any honors for commencement. An evaluator will be available at check-in. You may ask her to review your GPA after the commencement weekend.

Please note the following categories for honors and GPA level:

  • Cum Laude = 3.50 to 3.74
  • Magna Cum Laude = 3.75 to 3.99
  • Summa Cum Laude = 4.00

Parking

Guest parking is in Lot 5 which is located next to the Performing Arts Center at the Irvine Valley entrance from Jeffrey Road to the campus. See our campus map for more information. Guest parking is also available in Lots 4, 3, and 2. All Graduates/Candidates should park in Lot 10. All Faculty/Staff should park in Lots 1 & 9. This will help keep Lot 5 available for Guest parking.

Special Services/Accommodations

To best accommodate disabled student participants, you may indicate special needs when you make your reservation online once it's available in mid-April.

Ceremony

At 4:30 p.m. sharp, student participants will be asked to form two lines for the processional. The ceremony begins at 5:00 p.m. sharp and is typically 90 minutes to 2 hours in length.

At the beginning of the ceremony you will be led in the processional to the ceremony area at the Live Oak Terraces next to the Performing Arts Center. Do not stop to talk to guests or to take photos. Keep moving until you are directed to your seat. At the end of the ceremony, or recessional, you will exit your seat in the same two-line formation and will be led away from the lawn area. Your may meet your guests for our reception at that time.

Guest Courtesy

As a courtesy to all guests, we ask that attendees do not bring air horns or noisemakers of any kind. We also ask that attendees not obstruct the view of others with large balloons, streamers or other large objects. Guest cooperation is appreciated.

Reception

The reception that follows the ceremony is for you as well as your parents and friends, faculty, staff and administration. It will be held at the Student Services Center Patio outside of the cafeteria.

Personal Belongings

Please try to leave your personal belongings with your guests. You may also leave them in the Student Success Center as it will be secured during the ceremony. However, we ask that you retrieve these items immediately after the ceremony.

Photographs

GradImages will be photographing all participants in Commencement. Participants will also be contacted after the ceremony with information on viewing and ordering photos. Participants may also do Pre-Event Email Registration (optional) before Commencement at www.gradimages.com.

Diplomas/Certificates

Your name will appear on your diploma/certificate as it is on file at IVC. If you are a candidate, your diploma/certificate will be mailed to you. So please ensure that we have your current address. Diplomas that are returned will be held for an additional 90 days. After that time, students must request to have a duplicate diploma printed at an additional cost.

If you would prefer not to have your diploma mailed to you, please email your request to Gillian Patella. Be sure to include your name and student ID number on all communications to us. You may contact our evaluations unit at 949-451-5743 if you have any additional questions.