Commencement Ceremony

To view the campus map for commencement, please see Commencement Map (PDF).

GRADUATE CHECK-IN (5:00 pm start, will close at 6:00 pm sharp): 

After you park please walk towards the Starbucks on campus (there will be a welcome tent to guide you). Please arrive dressed in your regalia. You will see four green pop-up tents alphabetically ordered by last name beside the Redwood Grove. Get in line at the pop-up tent that corresponds with the first letter of your last name. You will receive your reader card (the card you will hand to the announcers on stage) and a ticket for a gift you will pick up at the Reception. Once you have checked in you’ll proceed to the Campus Quad. We will have a photographer from the Marketing Department taking photos of your special day (so remember to smile at them!). Once in the Quad, you will then be directed to line up to proceed to the Football Field (Memorial Stadium) when it’s time. Do not lose your reader card – this is how your name will be called during the ceremony!

ARRIVAL & PARKING (5:00 pm):

Please arrive between 5:00 and 5:30 pm on May 19, 2023. Graduates will enter campus at the MAIN/SOUTH ENTRANCE and use the RIGHT lane to enter campus, and proceed to the East/Sycamore parking lot, the one with the solar arrays over the parking spaces (see PDF map at the beginning of the FAQ section).

Please Note: If you are being dropped off by a guest, they will do the following: (1) Enter through the graduate entrance lane (right side of the main entrance). (2) Drop you off at the East lot, turn around and proceed back toward the main entrance, and park in the North/Pine Parking lot.

Graduate Check-In will be located near Starbucks on campus beside the Redwood Grove. Additional details will be sent via email.

GUEST PARKING & SEATING:

Guests can enter at either the MAIN/South ENTRANCE or North entrance and make their way to the North Parking Lot (see PDF map here). There will be specially designated spaces for handicapped parking. Note that guest seating at the stadium is first-come, first-served. Accommodation seating is sectioned off and will be reserved for those who need accessible seating, but also is first-come, first-served. If your guest has pre-arranged accommodations, please have the guest check in at the tent located in the North Parking Lot if needed

PROCESSIONAL (entering the field) & RECESSIONAL (leaving the field):

Event staff will announce when all graduates should line up in the Quad to get ready to proceed to the stadium. As you enter the field, volunteers will guide you to your seat. Please remain standing for the National Anthem.

Graduates will be given a signal on when to stand up to walk on stage by row, entering the stage from the side they are seated on – Volunteers will be in Regalia on the field and direct you, please watch for their cues. You must have your Reader Card (the card with your name and degree on it) to present to the faculty at the microphone when you go onto the stage. The faculty will announce your name from the card just before you cross the stage to receive your diploma cover. You will shake hands with the college president, Dr. Joe Wyse, turn towards our photographer (remember to smile) and exit the stage from the front.

Please remain seated for the duration of the ceremony to show respect to your fellow graduates, reduce any disruption during the ceremony, and to increase the safety for everyone on the field.

For the Recessional, you will be instructed to rise and exit the field in the same manner as you entered. Immediately after exiting the field, you can make your way to the Reception in the Quad (or back to the East/Sycamore Parking Lot to leave).

More information and a link to the application can be found here: https://www.shastacollege.edu/current-students/apply-for-degree/ If you indicate that you wish to participate in the graduation ceremony additional information will be e-mailed to you (please make sure your accurate email address is on file with Admissions and Records).

In the event of unsafe weather conditions, Student Services will make the call by 9:00 am on the day of graduation day to move the event inside Gymnasium. Students will be informed via email and a notice will be posted on the website.

Please Note: Rain does not guarantee that the event will be moved inside, as there would not be space for guests, so please watch the weather and prepare accordingly.

You may invite as many guests as you wish HOWEVER, we encourage students to limit guests to six (6) per graduate. This is a courtesy request so that all graduates have space for their guests; seating will be in the bleachers of the stadium. Please note, the event will be livestreamed, so guests who are not able to attend in person will still be able to join virtually or watch after the fact.

If you or your guests require any special accommodations for the ceremony, please contact us directly. This would include any parking, transportation or interpreting services you may need. Email graduation@shastacollege.edu to let us know.

You must have a cap and gown to participate. No exceptions! Your tassel should be on the right side of the mortarboard (cap) before marching across the stage. You will then move the tassel to the left side of the mortar board after marching across the stage. The Bookstore still has a limited number of cap, gown, and tassels available for purchase.

Underneath your graduation gown, you may wear any appropriate clothing. We recommend comfortable shoes that you can walk through campus, on the field, up and down stage ramps, etc.

Yes. If you have questions on what designs are allowed (or not allowed) please reach out to graduation@shastacollege.edu

Students who qualify for honors at the time of graduation will be e-mailed directly. This email will include information on how to purchase the honor cord. Honors are based on a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or better in Shasta College coursework at the end of the Fall 2022 semester.

Our staff photographer will be taking candid photos throughout your graduation event, both in the quad and in the stadium. Those photos may be found later on our social media channels such as Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Flickr (we encourage you to like, share, and follow us).

In addition we’ve also contracted with an outside company, GradImages, who will take your “official” graduation photo as you receive your diploma from the President. Click here for more information from GradImages and to register ahead of time.

Yes, each graduate will receive a program. If you do not wish to have your name printed in the graduation program, please contact graduation@shastacollege.edu by April 1, 2023.

All graduates and their guests are invited to attend a reception in honor of the graduates to be held in the campus quad immediately following the commencement ceremony.

The reception will have light refreshments and a live band. You can pick up your graduation gift at the main reception table in the Quad. Please have your ticket (that you received at check-in) ready to trade for your gift!

You will not actually receive your diploma at the Commencement ceremony. You will receive a diploma cover. Diplomas are generally mailed approximately 2 to 3 months after the term has ended. We begin the process of evaluating and awarding degrees 2 to 4 weeks after the submission of semester grades. You will receive an email with a notification of your status once the evaluation of your degree application is completed. Official confirmation of your degree will be posted on your transcripts and will be available as soon as your degree is awarded.

We appreciate your patience and work to have diplomas ready as quickly as possible. Diplomas will be mailed to the mailing address listed on the graduate’s degree application. Please ensure that the address submitted on the degree application is valid at the time of mailing. Failure to provide the correct address will result in a delay or non-receipt of the diploma. Diplomas are mailed standard USPS.

Listed below are the diploma mailing schedules for each graduation term.

• Spring graduates, diplomas will be mailed by August 1 of the same year.
• Summer graduates, diplomas will be mailed by October 1 of the same year.
• Fall graduates, diplomas will be mailed by March 1 of the next year.

Phi Theta Kappa members can check out stoles, cords, and tassels from the chapter on the day of Commencement -- Friday, May 19, 2023.

• The check-out location will be a white SOS tent located near the North Parking lot and the 2300 Building (see Commencement map).
• Our president, Emma Verhey, will be available from 5-7pm for check-out and immediately following the ceremony to exchange items back. An item of value will need to be left with Emma while the items are checked out during the Commencement ceremony, i.e. driver license, car keys, etc.

Please refer any questions to the PTK Advisor, Onica Mello, at omello@shastacollege.edu.