Students who will earn a degree during the 2007-2008 academic year (Summer ’07, Fall ’07, Winter ’08, Spring ’08), or who expect to complete their degree requirement during Summer ’08, are eligible and welcome to participate in the commencement ceremonies.

If you are unsure of your eligibility, check with your academic advising office. Students must complete an Application to Graduate, online at StudentAccess by the deadline set by your school.

Cap and gown purchase is available from the UCI Alumni Association. Online orders and other information are available at the UCI Alumni Association website.

ORDER EARLY, from January 29 to February 1, 2008, at a special rate! Cap and gown orders will be available for pick-up at the Phineas Banning Alumni House during Senior Send-off Week, June 2-6.

Online orders will be accepted until April 11, 2008.

CAPS AND GOWNS ARE NOT AVAILABLE ON COMMENCEMENT DAY.

For more information regarding caps and gowns, call (949) 824-2586.

To participate in the ceremonies, all graduates must wear appropriate academic regalia. Members of religious orders or commissioned U.S. military officers may suitably wear their customary habit or dress uniform, respectively.

Sashes and Stoles: University of California, Irvine, graduation sashes as well as stoles representing UCI organizations or to proclaim a vocational aspiration, may be worn with cap and gown. The wearing of multiple stoles is permitted.

Recognitions of Achievement and Affiliation: Recognition cords, pins and medals awarded by UCI organizations and academic departments may be worn with cap and gown.

Ticket reservation information is available under Tickets in the left menu.

The graduating UCI student participating in a commencement ceremony does not need a ticket; however, they must bring their pre-printed name card (available through the ticket reservation process) to lineup.

The names of all qualified students who applied on time for graduation will be printed in the Commencement Program. From April 14 through May 9, check StudentAccess to see if your electronic Graduation Application has been received by your academic counseling office. If your electronic application has not been marked “pending” or “received,” contact your academic counselor. Please check the spelling of your name for your diploma and for the Commencement Program. If your diploma name needs to be changed, correct it using the Online Graduation Application on StudentAccess by May 9, 2008.

A coupon for one complimentary copy of the Commencement Program is included in each student’s cap and gown packet (picked-up during Senior Send-off Week). Programs will be available at the Supply Information Counter in the UCI Bookstore beginning June 10. The coupon must be presented to receive the complimentary copy. Additional copies may be purchased at the UCI Bookstore or at the commencement ceremonies.

Graduates are required to line-up in their appropriate location one-hour prior to the start of their commencement ceremony. This allows time to find friends to sit next to, to make final checks of your graduation regalia, and to line up for the processional. Be sure to give tickets to your family/guests PRIOR to your ceremony lineup time. After the processional, graduates will be seated, speeches will be given and the chancellor will confer the degrees. Each graduate will be called forward to be recognized and congratulated by the dean of their school. There will be a recessional after which you will be able to greet family and friends. It is generally a good idea to designate a post-ceremony meeting place prior to your arrival at the lineup area. Graduates will not be allowed to leave early from the ceremonies. The ceremonies will be 1 1/2 to 2 hours depending on the number of graduates.

The Bren Events Center does not allow balloons within the building and requests that guests leave them in their vehicles.

When you reserve your tickets online, a name card will be generated for you to print. The name card allows you to:
1) Pick up your guest tickets and cap and gown at the Senior Send-off Week.
2) Walk in your graduation ceremony – you must have the pre-printed name card with you when you line-up. Once on stage, give the namecard to the announcer, who will read your name as you are congratulated and your photograph is taken.

Pofessional photography will be provided at all commencement ceremonies. You will be photographed as you shake the hand of your respective dean. Proofs will be mailed to the address on the name card within one week after the ceremony.

Diplomas will be available three to four months after you complete degree requirements. Please make sure your permanent address remains up to date after you graduate by logging into StudentAccess. You will be notified via postcard when diplomas can be picked-up at the Registrar’s Office. Arrangements may also be made with the Registrar’s Office to receive your diploma by mail. Diploma frames and other display options are available through the UCI Bookstore.

Please contact the Office of the Registrar for all further questions regarding transcripts and other records information.

Photo proofs will be mailed to the address on the name card within one week after the ceremony. Photographs may be ordered directly from the photographer, Chappell Graduation Images, either by mail, phone or through their website: www.gradimages.com. All questions regarding the photography of graduates as they cross the stage should be directed to Chappell Studio Inc., at (800) 424-3686.

Network & Academic Computing Services will terminate access to student email accounts within three months of the commencement ceremonies. All files, email and address books left on the server will be deleted. Incoming email will not be forwarded. The UCI Alumni Association offers mail forwarding services. see “Staying in Touch” below.