Commencement

Ceremonia de Graduación

9 a.m. | May 25, 2024 | Sherbeck Field

Graduation

Graduation is the completion of all degree requirements. Deadline to apply for spring graduation was Feb. 15, 2024.

Commencement

Commencement is the ceremony that celebrates the completion of a degree. The deadline for students to register for the commencement ceremony was May 3, 2024.

Contact

For any questions, please contact Student Life and Leadership.
Phone: 714-992-7095
Email: commencement@fullcoll.edu

Important Dates

Feb. 15, 2024
Deadline to apply for spring graduation

May 3, 2024
Deadline for graduates to register for participation in commencement

May 13-24, 2024
Graduates may purchase and pick up their cap, gown and tassel from the Fullerton College Bookstore

May 24, 2024
Graduate rehearsal starts at 10 a.m. on Sherbeck Field

May 25, 2024
Commencement ceremony at 9 a.m. on Sherbeck Field
Reception on the quad at noon

Graduates

Eligibility

Spring 2024

Students who applied for spring graduation by Feb. 15, 2024.

Fall 2023

Students who completed all degree requirements for fall 2023 and applied for spring graduation by Feb. 15, 2024.

Summer 2023

Students who completed all degree requirements for summer 2023 and applied for spring graduation by Feb. 15, 2024.

Special Considerations

PLEASE NOTE: The deadline for a special consideration has passed.

For students who did not apply for spring graduation by the Feb. 15, 2024, deadline may request a special consideration process with their counselor before April 26, 2024. The process allows students to participate in the commencement ceremony under the following conditions:

  • Students who will complete graduation requirements for the spring 2024 semester, but missed the Feb. 15 graduation application deadline, and will be submitting a summer 2024 application OR
  • Students who will complete graduation requirements in summer 2024 and will be submitting a summer 2024 graduation application

Students will need to work with a counselor to verify that they have met all graduation requirements for either the spring 2024 or summer 2024 semesters. The counselor will then need to fill out and submit the special consideration form by April 26, 2024. For those applying for summer graduation, the application must be submitted between April 15 and June 13. This application is available on the Admissions and Records website.

Students who are graduating under “Special Considerations” will not be evaluated for Honors or High Honors and the designation will not appear in the commencement program. If you have any additional questions, contact the counseling department.

Diplomas

Diploma Information

A student does not need to attend the commencement ceremony to receive their degree or diploma nor are diplomas distributed at the ceremony. Diplomas for spring 2024 graduates are mailed to the mailing address on file about 12 weeks after the term ends. If you change your mailing address after applying for graduation, you must update your address and email through MyGateway.

Diploma Name Verification

For more information regarding timelines, name changes, diploma delivery and duplicate diploma requests visit Admissions and Records.

Participation

What you need to participate

Graduates should complete three main things to participate in the commencement ceremony:

  1. You must register to participate in the commencement ceremony by the deadline of May 3, 2024.
  2. You will need to wear a Fullerton College cap and gown which you can purchase from the Fullerton College Bookstore from May 13-24, 2024.
  3. You will need the name/reader card that you will receive when you pick up your cap and gown. This serves as your ticket to participate in commencement and is what you will hand to the speaker as you enter the stage so they can read your name during the ceremony.

Rehearsal

Graduates can participate in rehearsal at 10 a.m. on May 24, 2024, on Sherbeck Field.

Day of Commencement

Check-in and line-up for graduates is from 7:30 to 8:45 a.m. on May 25, 2024. Look for the high flying balloons to direct you to two main lines between Building 1400 and the baseball field. The lines will continue down to Building 2400.

If the graduate has their name/reader card, they will line up in one of two graduate processional lines between Building 1400 and the baseball field. If the graduate has lost their name/reader card, they should visit the help desk located between Building 1400 and Building 2400 and bring a physical valid ID.

The ceremony will begin with a processional line of graduates. You will hand your name/reader card to the person who is announcing names of graduates and then you will walk across the stage to receive a certificate of participation. At the end, you’ll move your tassel to the side to show you’ve graduated.

Restrooms

Restrooms are available in Building 1700 and Building 1400.

Your Guests

At this time, guests do not need tickets to enter but graduates are limited to six guests in total. Please note that guest seating is on a first come, first served basis. Reserving seats at commencement is prohibited.

Parking

Parking will be free for graduates and guests on rehearsal day and commencement day. Graduates and guest parking for the commencement ceremony will be available in all student parking lots.

View the Campus Map

Accessibility

If you require disability support services, please contact Dr. Eddie Roth, Director of Disability Support Services at 714-992-7099 or email  eroth@fullcoll.edu, and let us know how we may properly accommodate you. Requests must be made two weeks in advance of commencement.

The stage will have ramps to accommodate students with mobility challenges, such as those using wheelchairs or crutches.

Your guests with mobility challenges (e.g., wheelchair users) may utilize an accessible seating area on a first come first served basis. Signs and staff will provide directions to this seating area.

What if I Lost my Name/Reader Card?

If you have misplaced your name/reader card, please bring a physical valid ID card (e.g. driver’s license, state ID, passport, etc.) with you to commencement.

You can visit the help desk located between Building 1400 and Building 2400 where students will be able to receive a substitute name/reader card. Please note that a photo of your ID card, such as an image on a phone, is not accepted.

Cap and Gown, Stoles, Cords

Graduates may purchase and pick up their cap, gown and tassel from the Fullerton College Bookstore during regular business hours from May 13-24, 2024.

Cost

The package for a Fullerton College cap, gown and tassel is $25 plus tax.

Stoles

Stoles are a decorative scarf-like garment worn over graduation attire to signify academic achievements or affiliations. All graduates will receive a complimentary Fullerton College with their cap and gown.

Program and society specific stoles are awarded to members of certain programs or clubs as special recognition. Please refer to your specific program for more information.

Graduates are allowed to bring and wear their own stoles to the commencement ceremony if it is not offensive or inappropriate.

Cords

An honors cord is a braided rope worn around the neck during graduation, symbolizing academic achievement. Graduates with Honors or High Honors will be given cords during the purchase and pickup of their cap and gown from the Fullerton College Bookstore from May 13-24, 2024.

Please note: Honors/High Honors is not the same as the Honors Program. Honors and High Honors is strictly based off a student’s grade point average. The Honors Program is based off a different set of requirements.

Can I Decorate my Cap and Gown?

Graduates are allowed to decorate their caps if it is not offensive or inappropriate. Graduates are not allowed to decorate their gowns.

What Should I Wear Under My Cap and Gown?

  • Pay close attention to the forecast as the commencement ceremony will be held outdoors in Sherbeck Field rain or shine.
  • Temperatures can be warm. We recommend you wear light comfortable clothing under your cap and gown.
  • You will be walking on grass turf to get to your seats, so high heels are not recommended; we recommend wearing comfortable shoes.

Special Consideration

PLEASE NOTE: The deadline for a special consideration has passed.

 

For students who did not apply for spring graduation by the Feb. 15, 2024, deadline may request a special consideration process with their counselor before April 26, 2024. The process allows students to participate in the commencement ceremony under the following conditions:

  • Students who will complete graduation requirements for the spring 2024 semester, but missed the Feb. 15 graduation application deadline, and will be submitting a summer 2024 application OR
  • Students who will complete graduation requirements in summer 2024 and will be submitting a summer 2024 graduation application

Students will need to work with a counselor to verify that they have met all graduation requirements for either the spring 2024 or summer 2024 semesters. The counselor will then need to fill out and submit the special consideration form by April 26, 2024. 

Students who are graduating under “Special Considerations” will not be evaluated for Honors or High Honors and the designation will not appear in the commencement program. If you have any additional questions, contact the counseling department.

Honors and High Honors

How are honors and high honors calculated?

  • Students who graduate with a cumulative GPA of 3.30 or higher will graduate with Honors status.
  • Students who graduate with a cumulative GPA of 3.75 or higher will graduate with High Honors status.

Please note:

  • The cumulative GPA does not include spring 2024 grades.
  • The cumulative GPA does not include non-degree credit courses (e.g. certification courses)
  • The cumulative GPA does include transfer credits from other accredited colleges.
  • Students who are graduating under “Special Considerations” will not be evaluated for Honors or High Honors and the designation will not appear in the commencement program.
  • If a student graduates with Honors or High Honors, it will be posted on their transcript.

Graduates with Honors or High Honors will be given cords during the purchase and pickup of their cap and gown from the Fullerton College Bookstore from May 13-24, 2024.

Guests

Plan Your Visit

Commencement will take place at 9 a.m. on May 25, 2024, on Sherbeck Field, located off Berkley Ave.

Accessibility

All ceremonies will be livestreamed on the web and closed captioned.

If you require disability support services, please contact Dr. Eddie Roth, Director of Disability Support Services at 714-992-7099 or email to eroth@fullcoll.edu, and let us know how we may properly accommodate you.

Requests must be made two weeks in advance of commencement.

Accessible Seating

Guests with mobility challenges (e.g., wheelchair users) may utilize an accessible seating area on a first come first served basis. Signs and staff will provide direction to this seating area.

Please note: Any person with a mobility challenge can have up to one person accompany them in the accessibility seating area and a folding chair will be available.

Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Services

American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters will be stationed near the front of the stage with seating directly in front of them. Staff members can direct you to this special seating area.

Attendance

Sherbeck Field will open approximately at 7:30 a.m. on May 25, 2024. Currently, guests do not need tickets to enter. Graduates are limited to six guests in total. Please note that guest seating is on a first come, first served basis. Reserving seats at commencement is prohibited.

Are children allowed?
Yes.

Are animals allowed?
Only service animals are allowed to be at the commencement ceremony.

Map

View the full campus map to navigate to and from your planned parking space, Sherbeck Field for the commencement ceremony and the reception on the quad.

Parking

Parking will be free for graduates and guests on rehearsal day and commencement day. Graduates and guest parking for the commencement ceremony will be available in all student parking lots.

View the Campus Map

Restrooms

Restrooms are available in Building 1700 and Building 1400.

Cultural Graduation Celebrations

In addition to the campus-wide commencement ceremony, Fullerton College will host cultural graduation celebrations for the graduating class of 2024. These ceremonies honor the academic achievements of graduating students and celebrate the communities to which they belong.

This year’s celebrations are listed below:

Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) Cultural Graduation

5-7 p.m. | May 17 | Cruz Reynoso Hall, Rooms 224-228
Contact: Rosie Kar, Marwin Luminarias, Naomi Abesamis, Albert Abutin

Register to the APIDA Cultural Graduation by May 1, 2024