What time and where should graduates report?
Graduates should report to the Track and Field area by 7:00am.
When should my guests arrive?
Guests should plan on arriving to campus one to two prior to commencement ceremony start time. Allow up to one hour to park and arrive at the commencement site.
Where is everyone supposed to park?
Seniors and their guests may enter UCSD from three locations. Those coming from the South may enter via Muir College Drive or Pangea Drive. Guests from the North may enter via North Point Drive. Please follow signage and parking attendant's directions when you arrive. Disabled placard parking will be available, please follow signage in North Campus parking lots. Allow up to one hour to park and arrive at the graduation site. Map of parking during Commencement. (pdf) For more information call the Parking Office (858.534.4223) or check this website http://parking.ucsd.edu
How bad will parking be?
We are expecting up to 8,000 guests so parking may be challenging. If at all possible carpool with other graduates and/or your guests. Also, encourage your guests to carpool as well.
Just how many guests may I invite?
Ah, the beauty of a small college. There are no tickets, no guests charges and no black market. You may have unlimited guests attend: your aunts, uncles, fourth cousins...as long as you can park them, you can bring 'em!
Will somebody feed me?
Of course! Light refreshments will be available for Graduating Seniors courtesy of the Muir College Council and the Muir Parents Fund. Sorry but we will be unable to feed all 8,000 guests.
How exactly will graduates be recognized?
Glad you asked! Graduates will line up, march in and cross the stage by department in reverse alpha order. For example, if you are a Visual Arts major, you will walk first and if you are an Anthropology major, you'll be walking last. When you get to the stage you will hand in a card (which is not crunched)on which you will have neatly printed your name - and have also spelled it out fo-net-ick-lee . If you are still worried your name will be mangled (a legitimate concern) just whisper the proper pronunciation in the Dean's ear as you hand in your card. If you are really worried, just visit the Student Affairs Dean in the office prior to graduation (H&SS 2126).
Provost Susan Smith will confer the degrees after everyone has crossed the stage. It may sound chaotic, but rest assured, it works out!
Can my parents run to the stage and snap a picture or film me crossing the stage?
Absolutely NOT! PLEASE encourage your guests to use a powerful zoom lens to memorialize your special day. But even better, let your guests know that the UCSD Bookstore is already arranging to take your photo on Saturday as you cross the stage and shake Provost Smith's hand. You will receive a proof photo in a few weeks, and you may decide then whether or not to order prints and enlargements. You may also elect to have a professional Senior Portrait snapped in advance at the Bookstore.
What if I am a DOUBLE major?
Ah, the choices we make in life. While you may love them equally you will have to SELECT and walk with one of your two academic departments. Sit with your friends within your major and enjoy the show!
