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11 Steps Brochure | College Commedation Form | Faculty/TA Invite form

The Kresge College Commencement Ceremony
will be held:

SATURDAY JUNE 14, 2008
UCSC East Field @ 5:00PM

 

The deadline for Kresge College Registration to participate in the June Ceremony was:

April 25, 2008

If you missed this date, you can still be a part of Kresge's 2008 Commencement Ceremony.

You must come into the College Programs Office to sign-up.

Commencement Parking Passes
Parking Passes are now available in the Programs Office next to the Owl’s Nest Café at Town Hall. Office hours are 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. weekdays. Each registered graduate is issued 2 passes only for the Kresge College Commencement. (There is no limit on the number of guests.) Please note: Regular campus parking passes will not be honored on Commencement weekend.

Ceremony Rehearsal
Kresge Rehearsal is Thursday, June 12 – 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. on the East Field under the audience tents. We will go through the ceremony procedures and answer any last minute questions. Anyone with extra parking passes is encouraged to bring them to the rehearsal for use by other fellow graduates.

Ceremony Regalia
Regalia for the ceremony may be rented at the bookstore (http://slugstore.ucsc.edu) in person or on line through Friday, June 6th. Regalia pick up is at Bay Tree Bookstore Monday, June 9 – Sunday, June 15. There will also be a professional photographer available for free sittings - June 9-13, 10:00 - 4:00 p.m. The regalia is traditional black with a gold and blue 2008 tassel. The undergraduate cap and tassel are yours to keep, gowns must be returned either at the ceremony or to the bookstore by Monday, June 16.

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is there a limit on the number of guests? - NO
UC Santa Cruz recognizes that our students reach commencement day because of the support of many individuals. Therefore, we do not limit how many people each graduate can invite to the ceremony. However, there is a limit on how many cars can come to campus; each graduate will receive 2 parking passes for commencement day.

Is there a limit for parking? - YES
UC Santa Cruz hosts 10 commencement ceremonies on campus over the 2-day commencement weekend. We appreciate the efforts of all of our guests in following parking rules and restrictions so we can continue to accommodate so many visitors in such a short space of time. Each graduating senior is allocated 2 parking passes for commencement day. Kresege seniors who are registered to participate in Kresge's ceremony may pick up their parking passes at the Kresge Programs Office beginning April 25. All guests must have a UCSC Commencement parking pass; read below for information about disabled parking. Guests are encouraged to carpool or use public transit to get to campus. Shuttling guests to campus works well too; free campus shuttles from the base of campus will be available all weekend.
Oversized Vehicles - Some people choose to rent limos or busses to transport family members to the ceremony. Oversize vehicles maybe used for dropping guests off at the East Remote Parking Lot but will be required to park in the Barn Theatre Lot at the base of campus.

Is the ceremony site accessible for those with disabilities? - YES
Commencement parking is in the East Remote Parking Lot. This lot will be served by campus shuttles for those who cannot or do not wish to make the short walk to the ceremony. These shuttles are not wheelchair lift equipped but are suggested for everyone else, regardless of physical ability. All shuttles drop off at the same place on the East Field. The only benefit of a disabled parking pass is a wheelchair-lift-equipped shuttle. The ceremony site on the East Field is flat and grassy. Students will be available to assist guests across the field if necessary.
Persons requiring a wheelchair-lift-equipped shuttle should request a commencement day disabled parking pass and park in the East Filed House Lot. (Follow signs for the disabled parking area which is past the East Remote Lot.) Graduates must request a disabled commencement parking pass for this lot when picking up their parking passes. Kresge College has a limited number of parking passes for this lot; they are not in addition to the 2 passes per graduate mentioned above.
Please do not try to enter the handicapped lot on Commencement day unless you have a disability parking pass.
There is shaded seating for those with sun or heat sensitivities.

How long is the ceremony? – 90 minutes
The ceremony is scheduled to begin promptly at 5:00 p.m. and last one and one-half hours. If you are considering dinner afterwards, it is never too soon to make your reservations for this popular weekend.

Will I be able to get close to the stage to take a picture as my student walks across? - NO
As in past years, Chappell Studios, a professional commercial photographer, has been contracted to take individual photographs of the graduates as each receives a commemorative scroll. Within 10 days after commencement, students will receive a "proof," at no cost or obligation to buy. The photographer has also been hired to take a posed picture of each graduate in their cap and gown before they walk on to the stage.

Is there a different location if it is raining? - NO
UCSC does not have indoor facilities to accommodate students and their guests (even if guest attendance were very limited). Therefore, all ceremonies scheduled for the East Field will happen RAIN OR SHINE. Graduates and guests should be prepared for any weather we may have the evening of commencement.

Is there a reception afterwards? - No
The 2008 student Commencement Committee voted to not host a reception on the East Field after the ceremony because the majority of attendees are eager to get off campus and downtown for dinner reservations and private gatherings. Water is available at the ceremony site.

 

For a better idea of what the ceremony will look like:

 

Contact Information
If you have any additional questions please contact the Kresge College Programs Office at 831-459-3925. Office hours are 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. weekdays.

Pam Ackerman – College Programs Coordinator – pjack@ucsc.edu
Chris Yang – Assistant College Programs Coordinator – cyang@ucsc.edu

We look forward to celebrating with you on Saturday, June 14th!

To participate in the commencement ceremony as a graduating senior, the following 11 steps of Commencement must first be completed.

The 11 Steps of Commencement:
Any updates or important notices will be sent to you via email and will also be posted here on this web site.

Step 1   Check Your Degree Completion Requirements

Check in with your department adviser to make sure you have fulfilled your major requirements.

Check your Student Portal or meet with a Kresge Academic Adviser* to make sure you have satisfied all degree requirements. (General Education, Entry-Level Writing, and American History and Institutions requirements satisfied, completion of at least 180 credits, no more than 25% of your UCSC credits taken for P/NP, minimum 2.0 GPA, and 35 of last 45 credits taken at UCSC.) If you are not satisfying all degree requirements in the spring term, you will need to apply for your OFFICIAL degree in a later quarter. You may still participate in ceremonies as long as you complete all degree requirements by the end of fall 2008.

NOTE: Bachelor Degree Requirements can be found at http://reg.ucsc.edu/Navigator

* To make an appointment with a Kresge Academic Advisor, call 831-459-2071

Step 2   Declare your intentions; Apply to Graduate from UCSC

If you are planning to complete requirements and graduate in 2008, you must :

  • Apply to graduate online through the Student Portal (MyUCSC)

We are pleased to announce that undergraduates are no longer required to apply to graduate in person at the Office of the Registrar. If you are currently enrolled and you have not previously applied, you may apply on-line via MyUCSC

You may apply for graduation online beginning on the first day of the quarter in which you plan to complete all requirements.

The deadlines for announcing candidacy are as follows:
            Spring 2008                 April 25
            Summer 2008              July 31                  

If you miss these deadlines but apply for graduation before the end of the term, you will be required to pay a late fee and your record might not be reviewed for honors at your College Commencement. You may also choose to apply for graduation for the following term. If you have questions, talk with a Kresge Academic Adviser.

Note: Announcing your candidacy DOES NOT SIGN YOU UP to participate in the Commencement Ceremony (see step 3) .

Step 3   Fill out our Commencement Participation Form to Kresge

To participate in the 2008 Kresge College Commencement Ceremony you must:

Note: If you are listed as NRI (Non-Release of Information), your name will not be listed in the Kresge Graduation Program, in accordance with federal and state regulations.
To change your NRI listing place do so on your online portal.

Step 4   Is There Anything We Need to Know About Your Guests?

If you, your parents, relatives, or friends are hearing impaired and can benefit from an American Sign Language interpreter, or are physically challenged and have special accessibility needs you must:

  • Indicate this on your registration form and contact the Kresge College Programs Office (or call 831.459.3925 ) by Friday, April 25, 2008 to discuss your needs.
  • You need to confirm your request with an explanation of specific accommodations.   Though we will make every effort, we cannot guarantee assistance if a request is made after the April 25 th deadline.
Step 5   Be a vital member of the 2008 Commencement Committee

Wondering whom the keynote speaker will be?   Have some ideas of students who would be good senior speakers?   Do you have artistic ideas / phoptographs for the cover of the graduation program?  If you answered yes to any of these questions or are simply intrigued, join the Commencement Committee and actually organize your Kresge ceremony!  

The committee consists of Provost Juan Poblete, College Programs Coordinator Pam Ackerman, and any interested graduating senior.   The first meeting will be in the Kresge Student Lounge on Tuesday, February 12, 2008 at 6:00pm.   Just show up!

If you miss the Feb. 12th meeting, you may also contact the College Programs Office and sign up to be on the committee and get our emails.

Step 6   Want to be a Senior Speaker

If you are interested in presenting a speech, poem, story, or performance at the Commencement Ceremony, you must:

  • Submit a typed draft of your speech or idea (if a performance piece) to the Kresge Programs College Office by Friday, April 25, 2008.  
  • Entries should be no more than 5 minutes long.
  • Senior Speaker(s) will be selected by the Commencement Committee.

Step 7   Invite Your Favorite Professor or Teaching Assistant

Invite a faculty member to attend the ceremony!   They can be shy, but there is no reason why they can't come and be a part of this celebration.   Please fill out the Yellow Favorite Faculty or Teaching Assistant Invitation Application (available online) by 4:00pm Friday April 4, 2008.

Step 8   Honor Those Individuals Who Make Kresge GREAT

College Commendations are awarded to individuals who have worked to improve the quality of community life at Kresge.   If you would like to nominate a graduating senior, staff or faculty member for the 2008 College Commendation Awards, you may:

Step 9   Visit the Graduation Center in the Bay Tree Bookstore

Items you may need: (optional)

  • Black Cap and Gown, including your 2008 blue and gold tassel
  • Kresge College Graduation Announcements
    • Shipping takes 10 days so order early enough to mail out before June 14th.
  • Diploma Frames and Alumni memorabilia

The Bookstore hosts a one-week Graduation Center Opening Sale from April 14-18. With the purchase of announcements; the diploma frames, licesne frames, and other graudation memorabilia are at a significant savings. There will also be a photographer on-site 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., no purchase necessary. You may also use the Bay Tree Bookstore website as these items are available online (no sale pricing online) at: http://slugstore.ucsc.edu (Graduation Tab)

Step 10   Pick Up Your Parking Passes

Each graduate will be given ONLY 2 parking passes for the day, so you will need to squeeze, carpool, take the bus, walk, or be creative.   Parking Passes will be available for pick-up starting on Monday, April 28, 2008 and everyday there after in the College Programs Office from 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Parking on Commencement Day will be in East Remote lot with shuttle service up to the East Field.   Regular parking passes are not valid over commencement weekend. PLEASE DO NOT ask for special parking on Commencement Day.

Step 11   Don't Forget the Kresge Rehearsal!

Due to the number of people involved, the complexity of the ceremony, and the need to start on time, a brief (45 min.) Commencement rehearsal will be held on Thursday June 12, 2008 at 4:00 p.m. at the UCSC East Field Commencement tent. We will walk through the ceremony procedures and answer any last minute questions.

 

OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

Parking

Parking will be very tight.   Parking officials will direct cars to East Remote where shuttles will be available to transport people from the parking lot to the East Field.   You and your guests may also walk up the hill to the East Field area.   (The East Field House parking lot is VIP and handicapped parking only.)   For graduates with large parties a tip is to park at the base of campus and shuttle up to the east field.   Please allow enough time for long traffic delays and one-way road traffic control.

Graduation Photos

Professional photographers have been contracted to take individual photographs of each graduate, one before they walk up on the stage and another as they receive their scrolls from the Provost.   Within a few weeks of commencement you will receive "proofs" at no cost or obligation to buy.   Only after seeing the proofs do you decide to place an order.   Prints will be mailed within 30 days after the order deadline.

Dinner Reservations for Local Restaurants

Restaurants are going to be very busy during commencement weekend.   BE PROACTIVE and make your reservations earlier rather than later.   Call your favorite restaurant and find out when they will begin accepting reservations for that weekend.   Commencement is scheduled for ninety minutes followed by a brief reception on the East Field.   Please make your reservation time late enough to account for the reception, getting back to your car, and heavy traffice.   A useful website is http://www.santacruz.org/lodg-dine/lodg-dine.shtml

Hotel Reservations for Family and Friends

Again, local hotels are going to be very packed.   Making your reservations in advance will help to guarantee that your guests will have a convenient place to rest their heads Saturday night.   It is not too early to start calling NOW!   A useful website is http://www.santacruz.org/lodg-dine/lodg-dine.shtml

Contact information

If you have any additional questions please check the Kresge Commencement website here.   All updates will be posted on the web and sent to you via email.   If you are still not finding the information you are looking for or have additional questions please call the Kresge College Programs Office 831.459.3925.   You may also send your questions via email to The College Programs Coordinator Pam Ackerman at pjack(at)ucsc.edu.