IVC 2011 Commencement Information

Who Participates: You are eligible to participate in Commencement if you meet any of the following conditions during the 2010-2011 academic year:

• Completed or will complete an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree program
• Completed or will complete a Certificate of Achievement program
• Completed or will complete a full IGETC or CSU Certification program for a Certificate of Achievement

If you qualify to participate, you will receive a letter approximately one month prior to Commencement. If you do not receive your invitation, please contact the Office of Admissions and Records at (949) 451-5743.

When: Friday, May 20, 2011, 4:00 p.m.

Where: The actual event is held outdoors, in front of the Performing Arts Center.

Guests:  You may invite as many guests as you wish. To ensure adequate seating for the ceremony and refreshments for the reception, we simply ask that you let us know if you plan to attend and approximately how many guests will join you.

Reservations:  If you're invited to participate in Commencement, you will be asked to RSVP online  (unavailable before mid-April) or call the Office of Admissions and Records to confirm your attendance and the expected number of guests you plan to bring.

Invitations: You may purchase invitations through the IVC Bookstore at the cost of $20 for a package of ten or $4 for a package of two.

Caps and Gowns:  Plan ahead! Order your cap and gown through the IVC Bookstore. They can be reached at 949-451-5258. Certificate recipients will wear a white tassel and degree graduates/candidates will wear the blue tassel. Make sure you purchase the right set. The cost of a cap, gown and tassel set is $30. You may purchase the set or individual items as needed. Contact the bookstore for more information.

Honor Cords and Tassels:  Specific cords for Phi Theta Kappa, Psi Beta and Honors Program are issued by those organizations. If you've earned academic honors (cum laude, magna cum laude, summa cum laude), you will be issued the appropriate tassel and/or cord at check-in.

Check-In for Commencement: Student check-in on the day of Commencement is in the Resource Library on the 1st Floor of the BSTIC Building.

                 Graduate/Candidate Check - In                                      3:00pm

                 Early College Graduate/Candidate Check - In              2:00pm

Lineup for Commencement is at 3:45 p.m. If you are late you will not be allowed to participate in the processional at the start of the program, so please arrive early.

Tassels should be worn on your right side. You will be asked during the ceremony to switch your tassel to the left. So keep it on the right until then. At check-in, you'll receive a card with your name on it. Make sure it is spelled correctly. This is your official name on record with IVC. If necessary, we will write how your name should be pronounced correctly. Keep this card with you. You will present it to the representative announcing names as you cross the stage to receive your diploma cover.

If you have an honors notation on your card, this will also be announced. Remember, IVC uses a cumulative GPA from all units taken at IVC and from degree applicable units taken at other institutions. Time will not allow for questioning or changing any honors for commencement. An evaluator will be available at check-in. You may ask her to review your GPA after the commencement weekend.

Please note the following categories for honors and GPA level:

                                        Cum Laude = 3.50 to 3.74

                                        Magna Cum Laude = 3.75 to 3.99

                                        Summa Cum Laude = 4.00

Parking:  We recommend that you park in Lot 5 which is located next to the Performing Arts Center at the Jeffrey Road entrance to the campus.  See our campus map for more information.

Special Seating/Accommodations:  To best accommodate disabled students or guests, you may indicate special needs through our RSVP online service (unavailable before mid-April).

Ceremony:  At 3:45 p.m. sharp, student participants will be asked to form two lines in the BSTIC Building for the processional. The ceremony begins at 4:00 p.m. sharp and is typically 90 minutes to 2 hours in length.

At the beginning of the ceremony you will be led in the processional to the ceremony area in front of the Performing Arts Center. Do not stop to talk to guests or to take photos. Keep moving until you are directed to your seat. At the end of the ceremony, or recessional, you will exit your seat in the same two-line formation and will be led away from the lawn area. Your may meet your guests for our reception at that time.

2011 IVC Featured Commencement Speaker: Martin J. Smith

Reception:  The reception that follows the ceremony is for you as well as your parents and friends, faculty, staff and administration. It will be held at the Student Services Center Patio outside of the cafeteria.

Personal Belongings:  Please try to leave your personal belongings with your guests. You may also leave them in the Resource Library as it will be secured during the ceremony. However, we ask that you retrieve these items immediately after the recessional.

Photographs:  The college has contracted with Interstate Photography to provide a professional photographer for the event. Order information will be provided to you on the day of Commencement. They will also contact you soon after Commencement for your opportunity to purchase prints. Family photos should be taken after Commencement since guests will not be able to approach the stage area before or during the event.

DVD/VHS Copies: The college will have DVD and VHS copies of Commencement available for purchase. Ordering information will be available on the day of Commencement.

Diplomas

Your name will appear on your diploma as it is on file at IVC. Your diploma will be mailed to you. So please ensure that we have your current address. Diplomas that are returned will be held for an additional 90 days. After that time, students must request to have a duplicate diploma printed at an additional cost.

If you would prefer not to have your diploma mailed to you, please email your request to Shanna Moorhouse at smoorhouse@ivc.edu. Be sure to include your name and student ID number on all communications to us. You may contact our evaluations unit at (949) 451-5743 if you have any additional questions.