Students who will earn a degree during the 2008-2009 academic year (Summer ’08, Fall ’08, Winter ’09, Spring ’09) or who expect to complete their degree requirement during Summer ’09, 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 for Graduation, 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 February 3 to February 6, 2009, 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 1-5.

Online orders will be accepted until April 10, 2009.

CAPS AND GOWNS ARE NOT AVAILABLE ON COMMENCEMENT DAY.

For more information regarding caps and gowns, call (949) 824-4092.

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 13 through May 8, 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 8, 2009.

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 8. The coupon must be presented to receive the complimentary copy. Additional copies may be purchased at the UCI Bookstore or at the commencement ceremonies.

Do you have a story to tell? We're looking for story ideas about UCI’s Class of 2009. Are you part of a family affair of graduates, e.g., a mother/daughter combo or assorted Anteater siblings? Are you a first-generation college graduate? Did you create a one-of-a-kind major? Are you getting your dream job after graduation? Perhaps you overcame difficult odds getting to college and plan to make your life’s work helping others who need a hand?

E-mail us at commencement@uci.edu your story and let us know the best times and ways to reach you. We can’t guarantee 15 minutes of fame or that we’ll be able to use every suggestion, but we’ll do our best to follow up as many as possible. Stories may be used in UCI publications or other campus news media.

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.

Professional photography will be provided at all commencement ceremonies. You will be photographed as you shake the hand of your respective Dean.  Picture proofs are mailed within a week after the ceremony to the address on the Name Recognition Card. Please direct orders and questions to: Chappell Studio, Inc., 800-424-3686.

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.