Dean’s Memo
OFFICE OF THE DEAN OF STUDENTS
Graduating Students
George G. Mills, Jr. DPA, Dean of Students SPRING 2024 GRADUATION INFORMATION
Friday, May 17, 2024
Congratulations! I have been informed by the Admissions and Records Office that you will be participating in the graduation ceremonies scheduled for Friday, May 17, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. Please read the following memo, which contains important information about the ceremony and your student responsibilities.
VENUE:Graduation will be held at the Richmond Memorial Auditorium. Parking is first come, first served.
Parking for graduates and attendees will be available in the parking lots located in the lot on Barrett Ave between 24th and 25th Street.
TICKETS: We will issue four (4) guest tickets per graduate. Tickets are required of all guests and will be collected at the gate. Please provide one ticket to each person over the age of three. Children three years of age and under will be allowed to sit on an adult’s lap. There are no additional tickets.
Tickets will be available for pick up in the CCC Bookstore beginning Monday, May 6th, and available to pick up Monday through Thursday, 9 am – 4 pm until Thursday, May 16th. Each graduating student will receive 4 tickets.
If you are unable to pick up your tickets during this time, they will be provided to you during rehearsal. For additional questions, please reach out to Angela Loera at aloera@contracosta.edu
CAPS AND GOWNS: Caps and Gowns are available for purchase at the bookstore online at: www.ContraCostaBooks.com. The last day to order online for home delivery is Thursday, May 11th (510-215-4958).
REHEARSAL:Graduation rehearsal is scheduled for Friday, May 17th, from 10:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. at the Richmond Memorial Auditorium. Arrive early and no later than 9:45 am so that you can familiarize yourself with the spaces. Participation in rehearsal is mandatory.Tassels will be distributed at rehearsal.
COMMENCEMENT:Commencement is a dignified ceremony that celebrates you and your accomplishments. It is important that we treat this event as such and respect the right of passage it celebrates for you and your fellow graduates. With that in mind, we ask that you and your guests follow the guidelines outlined below:
- • Please, no eating or drinking during the ceremony. No food or drinks will be allowed once you enter the Auditorium (only water provided at your seat);
- • You must remain seated at all times unless an usher has asked your row to stand.
- • Family and friends must remain outside of the graduate seating area atalltimes. They are not permitted to hand you any items during the ceremony; please inform your friends and family that noise makers, balloons, beach balls, Frisbees, and any other item that will create a distraction of any kind are notpermitted at the ceremony. Attendees who disregard this policy may be asked to leave.
This event is expected to conclude at approximately 6:15 p.m.
Graduating students who do not attend the rehearsal (the rehearsal is mandatory) must report to the Richmond Memorial Auditorium no later than 3:00 p.m. on Friday, May 17, dressed in your cap and gown. Children, parents, or other relatives may not enter the auditorium until it opens at 3:15 pm. Once you are in the building, you will not be allowed to leave so please bring everything you need. There is no storage for your purses, phones, etc.
PLACEMENT OF TASSEL: Graduating students place their tassels on the left side of the cap when getting dressed. During the ceremony, upon direction from the college president, the entire class will stand and move their tassels to the right side of the cap.
SEATING AND PROCESSION:
ONLY ONE MAJOR will be read at graduation. We will begin to organize students for the procession at 3:30 PM You will be able to sit next to your classmates, we will not have assigned seating; therefore, it will be important that you have your name card with you when you walk the stage so that we can announce your name.
At 3:45 P.M. you will see our President, administrators, and faculty line up for the procession into the Auditorium. At
3:55 P.M. The procession will begin. The graduation program will begin promptly at 4:00 P.M.
As you enter the Richmond Memorial Auditorium, ushers will assist with seating. GRADUATES SHOULD REMAIN STANDING INTHEIR ROWS UNTIL ALL GRADUATES HAVE ENTERED. USHERS WILL DIRECT YOU TO BE SEATED AFTERCOLLEGE ADMINISTRATORS TAKE THEIR SEATS ON THE STAGE.Please fill the front rows first and work your way back.
CONFERRING OF DEGREES/CERTIFICATES: After all speakers have finished, the college president will present the graduating class. The president will direct graduates to stand. After recognizing the class, all rows except for the first two rows will be seated. The first two rows will proceed to the stage entry area.
You will be asked to give your name card to the reader who will announce your name and one of your degrees or certificates. You will then proceed to the table where you will be presented with a diploma cover (summer and fall graduates should have already received their diplomas. Spring candidates will receive a notification when their diplomas will be mailed.
After receiving your diploma cover, please exit the stage to the photo area where your picture will be taken by a professional photographer. You will then return to your seat and be seated. Please walk and be seated as rapidly as possible, paying close attention to queues from your usher. Make sure to return to the same seat that you had before walking up to the stage.
PHOTOGRAPHS: A professional photographer will be available during graduation to take photographs of students as they exit the stage. If you wish to purchase a graduation photograph, PLEASE BE SURE TO SIGNTHE PHOTO CARDyou will receive during the graduation rehearsal. Please note that your request for a photograph cannot be honored unless this card contains your signature authorizing the release of your address to the photographer.
RECESSIONAL: College administrators will exit FIRST from the stage followed by faculty and classified.
Graduates will exit the field starting with the back row, in the reverse order of entrance. Please request
your family and friends meet you outside the Auditorium.
PARTICIPANTS AND GUESTS WITH DISABILITIES: If you need special accommodations, submit your request at least five business days in advance of the event to graduation@contracosta.edu. Once received you will be contacted by our DSPS office to confirm your request has been approved. For our participates and guests who require special accommodations the doors will open at 2:45pm. Please be advised that any special seat accommodation will only be reserved until 4:30pm.
It is our pleasure to provide an evening ceremony which reflects the importance of your accomplishment.
Congratulations!