Cowell College Commencement
Saturday, June 16, 2012
1:30-3pm (procession arrives at 1:20pm)
UCSC East Field
Keynote address by Jonathan Franzen
Reception follows at 3pm at the Cowell Courtyard

The Cowell Commencement ceremony is one of the finest of Cowell traditions and a joyful community celebration. Faculty, staff and students are led in a procession by a bagpiper. The ceremony includes keynote and student speakers prior to the presentation of the graduates and the awarding of scrolls. The ceremony is followed by an outdoor reception for graduates and their guests at the nearby Cowell College Courtyard.

INFORMATION FOR GRADUATES

Read our comprehensive Information for Graduates pages, noting the important deadlines.

Please start early; there are a number of steps to complete:

• confirm that your academic requirements will be fulfilled  (ASAP)

• apply to graduate from UCSC (this is done during quarter you plan to graduate)

• register to be in the Cowell Commencement ceremony (ASAP, but by May 21)

INFORMATION FOR GUESTS

Admission Tickets

Tickets are not issued to attend the Commencement ceremony and there is no limit on the number of guests. However, each student participant will be issued only two (2) Commencement parking passes for the day. With 5 ceremonies on Saturday, parking on campus is very limited and we can not issue more than two passes per student. Cars displaying a Cowell Commencement parking pass will be directed to the East Remote parking lot. Guests may shuttle (or walk) to the ceremony site. Student participants pick up these parking passes beginning Monday, June 4. Disability related accommodation for grads or guests, if it involves sign language interpretation, should be requested by the student no later than Thursday, May 17. Any student may exchange one or both of their standard commencement parking passes with ones for the disability parking lot, as needed (details found at Step 6 on the Information for Graduates page).

Guest Seating

Seating at the East Field ceremony site begins at 12:30pm (we ask that you not arrive earlier, as another college's ceremony precedes ours). To fully enjoy the procession please be in your seat by 1:20pm, when the procession fo students and faculty arrives. The program begins promptly at 1:30pm, once graduates are seated.

Event Site

The ceremony is held on a grass playing field that overlooks the Monterey Bay. The stage is flanked by two sections of graduate seating, on bleachers that face the audience. Guests sit in folding chairs and there are no steps in the audience section. There is limited shade seating at the rear of the audience that is intended for the elderly and sun-sensitive on a first-come, first-served basis. Guests should bring sun protection, including hats and sunscreen.

Print Program

To reduce waste, one program will be provided to each party of five or fewer. If your party would like more for keepsake, please note that many programs are left at the ceremony site following the event.

Resources and Amenities

Located to one side of the audience will be a Programs & Information tent, a Disability Support tent and a First Aid tent. All campus shuttles and vans drop passengers at the edge of the grass field (no private cars are allowed access to this area). Drinking water is provided free of charge. UCSC Catering will provide light refreshments for purchase (cash preferred), and the campus BayTree Bookstore will have memorabilia, sunscreen, and flowers for purchase. Restrooms are available about 50 yards from the shuttle drop. You may review this picture of the event site.

Consider making your hotel or dinner reservations now! For a list of Santa Cruz County lodging, click here.

Suggestions for Your Comfort

• wear light-colored clothing, but layers may be appreciated
• wear comfortable, flat shoes
• wear a hat with a brim that will provide shade
• drink plenty of water 
• use sunscreen

And just in case...bring an umbrella! The ceremony happens rain or shine. Because of visibility issues, umbrellas may not be used for shade during the ceremony unless you stand at the back of the audience.

UCSC's "No Pet" Policy

Please note that UCSC has a "no pet" policy that is strictly enforced. (Animals utilized for disability accommodation as defined by the Americans with Disabilitlies Act are allowed.) If you enter campus with a pet, you will be asked to leave. There are several "pet hotels" in Santa Cruz County equipped to board your pets; please check local listings. Thank you!

Directions to UC Santa Cruz

From Hwy. 17/ Hwy. 1 Northbound
Follow signs for "Hwy. 1 North/Half Moon Bay". This section of Hwy. 1 becomes Mission St., a city street. Turn right on Bay Street (there is a directional sign and a traffic signal), up the hill to UCSC.

From Hwy. 1 Southbound
Hwy. 1 becomes Mission St. as you enter town. Turn left on Bay Street at the signal, up the hill to UCSC.

At the UCSC entrance, follow the signs to EAST and COWELL. Parking attendants will direct you to the correct lot based on the parking pass displayed on your dashboard (there are 5 ceremonies on campus on Saturday). Shuttles will take you to and from the Cowell ceremony and reception, or you may choose to walk.

A directional map to campus or detailed and interactive UCSC map are available online.

We look forward to you joining us for the ceremony! For more information, contact the Cowell Programs Office at (831) 459-2255.