Commencement FAQ's

• Day / date:  Saturday June 15, 2024
• Time:  9am - 10:30 am Ceremony
  • Procession of Graduates begins at 8:45 am
• Location:  OPERS East Field
  • Guest parking will be in the East Remote lot
  • Parking information will be released as soon as it is available.

Is registeration required for the ceremony?

• YES, registration is required.Registration will open on April 1
• All elliigable students will be sent the commencement registation link on April 1. 
  • Registration link will be sent to your @ucsc.edu email address.
    

Who May Participate?

• All Porter College affiliated students who have senior standing may participate in the Commencement ceremony.
• Non-affiliated students who are members of the Transfer Community at Porter College (assigned housing at Porter College at least their first year at UCSC, and student leaders w/in the college commmunity, e.g. RAs, PAs, College senate members.
• Other non-affiliated students are welcome to particpate as well, but 

Are Tickets required for guests?

• Yes
  
• Each registered graduate may claim up to five (5) guest tickets

Is this “Commencement” or “Graduation”?

• Graduation is official confirmation that academic work is complete.  Please remember to check in with your academic advisers to make sure your graduation requirements have been met.
• Apply to graduate (and to receive the official University Diploma) with the Registrar’s Office via your Student Portal.
• We use the terms “Commencement” and “Graduation” to define two different things.  You have to sign up for both, separately, and one is not dependent upon the other.  E.g.  You can participate in the June 15th commencement ceremony but not graduate until Fall. 
• “Commencement” is the celebration & ceremony.  Your family and friends get to see your degree conferred by the University.

Do I have to wear a Cap & Gown?

• Porter College does not require “Cap and Gown” to participate.
• If you choose not to wear Cap & Gown, it is the College’s expectation that you dress appropriately for the ceremony - bearing in mind that we have a very diverse community and it's important we respect that this ceremony may have much greater importance for some than others. We also suggest you check in with who are most important to you before "opting out" of cap & gown.
• If you do choose to wear "Cap & Gown", ordering is availble now!
  
  • Deadline for ordering cap & gown is May 15, please allow 21 days for shipping.
• Commencement attire and Commencement announcements will be available online through (link to be provided when available).
  • The undergraduate Cap & Gown will be cobalt blue w/ the UC Seal emblazoned in gold on the left sleeve.
  • Cap & Gown are purchase only, these are not "rent & return" Cap &  Gown that have been used in previous years.
  • All regalia orders processed are non-refundable.
  • Please keep the registration deadlines in mind if you are depending on shipping to get receive your cap & gown in time to be in your grad photo when you register!

Grad Fair, Apr. 10 & 11, Stevenson Event Center

• Wed. Apr. 10, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
• Thurs. Apr. 11, 8:00 am - 3:00 pm
• Schedule your Senior Portrait
• Order your regalia
• Order your announements
• Pickup your Porter Graduate pin!

Commencement fees & costs

• There are no direct fees for particpation in commencement, however please be aware of any fees associated with the Registrars Office (late filing, etc.) and the (optional) purchase of regalia, grad photos, grad announcements, etc.
  

(This FAQ page was updated:  3/15/24)