Number of Guests to Bring to the Ceremony
Due to the capacity of the gym and the number of graduates that participate in the ceremony, this year graduates will only be allowed to bring 6 guests to the ceremony. Graduates will be issued 6 admission tickets per graduate. Tickets will be distributed to each graduate participating in the ceremony after the rehearsal.
Any graduate that cannot attend the rehearsal will be able to pick up their tickets starting at 6:00 p.m. on the evening of May 31 at the Graduate Check-in Table near the Quad.
No Admission Tickets = No Entrance
IMPORTANT: Many graduates are asking if there is a way to get or purchase extra tickets for the ceremony. Unfortunately, we cannot give more than 6 tickets to each graduate. The only option graduates have is to ask other fellow graduates if they will not be needing all their 6 tickets and if they have 1-2 to spare. We will make an announcement during the morning rehearsal in case any graduate has tickets to give away. We are limited by the capacity of the gym, so unfortunately we cannot give more tickets.
· Reason for issuing only 6 tickets per graduate: the capacity of the gym is 1700. If we have 250 students participating (which we expect) x 6 tickets, this equals 1500 seats; then we also have to account for the actual 200-250 grads plus the 100-110 faculty members and administrators including the BOT members that participate; 80-90 spots are assigned to other NVC staff that also attend the ceremony and the graduation volunteers that work during the ceremony.
Honors Graduates
If your cumulative GPA was 3.5 or higher, you should have received an email inviting you to apply to be the Valedictory Speaker at commencement. A committee will choose the valedictory speaker after interviewing all applicants on Friday, April 26 between 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. If you believe you qualify to audition and did not received the Honors email invitation on April 4, 2013, please contact the Office of Student Services at (707) 256-7363.
Academic Regalia for PTK Members
As honor society members, it is your right to demonstrate your academic achievement by wearing the official Phi Theta Kappa gold stole, cord, pin, and/or tassel. To purchase these items, immediately call International at (800) 946-9996 or go to Jostens. Our chapter name is Beta Beta Sigma. If you are a spring inductee, tell them your membership information was recently sent via PAM. Some programs (SSS, EOPS, etc.) on campus will pay for your honors regalia, so check with these programs first.
Academic Regalia (General)
Academic Regalia is not required to participate in commencement but only about 2 or 3 students out of 250 don't wear it. The Bookstore will begin selling the green cap, gown and tassel packet in mid April. The cost is $33 including tax. They also sell individual tassels and announcements. Respiratory students wishing to wear the blue cap and gown must order them in advance from the Bookstore. Please contact the Bookstore at 253-3320 for their exact hours of operation as they are not open on Fridays this semester.
Graduation Rehearsal
Each year the Office of Student Services holds a graduation rehearsal on the morning of commencement. Graduates will learn how they will line up in the evening and will practice the processional into the gym including walking across the stage to receive their diploma cover or certificate letter. We STRONGLY encourage all graduates who are participating in the ceremony to attend the rehearsal.
Graduates who attend the rehearsal must bring with them their white "Graduate Information Card" already completed with their name and degree(s) or certificate(s). We will use this card to practice reading your name as you walk across the stage.
This year the graduation rehearsal will take place at 10:00 a.m. in the Quad (next to the Bookstore). The rehearsal usually takes about an hour.
IMPORTANT for those who are unable to attend the Graduation Rehearsal:
If you have to work or are taking a final exam and cannot attend the rehearsal, you can still participate in the ceremony.
All graduates MUST stop at the Graduate Check-In Table near the Bear Fountain starting at 6:00 p.m. Please have your cap and gown on by the time you reach this table.
Don’t forget to have your white “Graduate Information Card” with you because you will need to have it in your hand when you walk up the stage. If you loose your information card, you will be able to pick up one at the check-in table.
Graduate Check-in Table (Assembly Time and Place)
Before graduates can start assembling in the sunken part of the Quad, they must stop at the Graduate Check-in Table starting at 6:00 p.m. for the following:
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Pick up your graduate information card if you attended rehearsal OR
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If you did not attend the rehearsal, bring your card with you and have it checked for accuracy and legibility
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If applicable, pick up an "I'm Transferring" button if you are transferring to a university.
Graduates will be asked to line up as they practiced in rehearsal. See layout of Quad for Line-up of Graduates. The earlier you arrive, the better seats you will get because graduates line up as they arrive and there is no holding of spots once the rows start forming at around 6:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.
Make sure not to have any personal items on hand (i.e. purses, gown hanger, etc). Any items you carry will need to be placed under your seat or on your lap during the ceremony. To prevent loss/misplacement of your items, make sure to give them to a family member before you line up.
Graduate Information Card
All graduates will get a “graduate information card” which you will hand to the name reader as you begin to walk across the stage. This card will be handed out to graduates at the beginning of the morning rehearsal. Your name will be read from this card—not from the program. Please fill the card out completely (both sides), printing your name legibly (see samples). Include the exact name of the degree(s) or certificate program(s) (see the list of 2012-13 Approved Participants). Do not include honors or other information as they will not be announced; honors are only printed on the program.
Students who cannot attend the rehearsal must arrive early in the evening to fill out a card at the Check-In Table before going to line up.
Disabilities Accommodations for Graduates Participating in the Ceremony
Any graduate needing special accommodations due to a physical or mobile disability must inform the Office of Student Services at 256-7363 two weeks prior to the event, so that arrangements can be made to accommodate your request and/or reserve seating in the front rows to allow easier access to the stage. The rehearsal on Friday morning is highly recommended for any graduate needing special accommodations.
Procession of Graduates to and from the Gymnasium
Graduates will process/march out of the Quad and walk toward the Gymnasium to enter through the north entrance. Two faculty members and the valedictory speaker(s) will lead the march.
After the ceremony, graduates will march out down the middle of the aisle following the Board of Trustees and faculty who will line up outside of the gym to greet all graduates as they come out.
Guests must remain seated until all graduates have exited the gym. The aisles on the north side of the gym are temporary blocked to make room for the procession of graduates. It is easier and quicker for guests to exit the gym and join the graduates if they exit from the south entrance closest to the stage.
Commencement Photographer
A professional photographer will be onsite to take pictures during the ceremony. Each graduate will be photographed as they receive their diploma from the President and individually after exiting the stage. Graduates are not required to purchase these pictures; these are optional.
Your graduate will be emailed proofs of their photos within 3 days. Within 5 days they will receive a hard copy in the mail. If you would like a link to these pictures please email: grads@ultimateexposures.com and indicate your graduate's name and school.
Be sure to fill out the back of the Commencement Information Card with your full name and current mailing address if you would like to receive information on your proofs from the photographer.
Contact Information for Photographer:
Ultimate Exposures
7011 Hayvenhurst Ave., Suite C
Van Nuys, CA 91406
Phone 877-ULT-EXPO
Fax 818-781-9531
www.ultimateexposures.com
Pictures can be ordered by mail, phone, fax or through their website.
Diplomas
AA/AS recipients will receive a diploma cover at the ceremony that contains a congratulatory note. The actual diploma is mailed to you upon verification of completion of all requirements. Spring graduates should expect their degree(s) posted on their transcript by July 31, 2013. Diplomas for spring will most likely be mailed in August 2013.
If your address changes before August, please update your mailing address in the Admissions and Records Office by submitting a Change of Name, Address and Phone Number form. If you have any questions regarding your diploma, please call the Admissions and Records Office at (707) 256-7207 or email Dixie Larson at dlarson@napavalley.edu.
No official or personalized document is handed out to graduates during the ceremony.