71st Annual Commencement

COMMENCEMENT

Friday, May 24, 2019 @ 5:30 P.M.

Location: Pacific Amphitheater 

100 Fair Dr, Costa Mesa, CA 92626

*This event is estimated to last a few hours 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm - Please Plan Accordingly*

Check-in (Approx. 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm)

• Check-in (Lot F).  Graduates must arrive BEFORE 4:45 p.m. Proceed to the “Graduates” line-up area near Lot F, to check-in and pick up your name card prior to joining the graduates’ processional line-up. Please do not be late – this is your night to shine! The ceremony will take place inside of the Pacific Amphitheater.
• Line-up: After check-in move to (Lot F) where colored flags will be hung on poles. Please choose a line and wait. You will receive a colored wristband to designate your group and row.
• Staging: You will begin to move to a staging area towards the Amphitheatre.

Commencement (Approx. 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm)

• Processional: You will begin to process (walk down the stairs) into the theater and into your assigned row.
• Ceremony: The opening speech will begin, followed by the National Anthem, Pledge of Allegiance, and various speakers.
• Receiving your Degree: You will be prompted to stand and move to the stage to accept your degree or certificate. Accept with your LEFT hand; as your RIGHT hand should be free for a handshake.
• Photography: Your photograph will be taken by professional photographers (1^st) behind the stage and (2^nd) onstage after receiving your degree. PLEASE DO NOT TAKE SELFIES ONSTAGE- this lengthens the ceremony. 
• Ceremony Etiquette: Graduates are expected to silence their phones and remain in their seats for the duration of the ceremony.
• Towards the end of the ceremony, graduates will be instructed to “Move your Tassel”.
• At the completion of the ceremony, Graduates will exit the Amphitheater following Faculty and the Platform Party towards the Reception area for refreshments.

Grads & Guests Reception (Approx. 7:30 pm - 8:00 pm):

• Immediately following the ceremony, you can arrange to meet your guests and favorite professors at the reception.

• Take lots of photos and tag us. #COASTGRAD

PARKING

• Student Parking ONLY (Gate #4/ Lot E): Enter Gate #4 on Arlington, across Fairview from OCC.
• Student Drop-off (Gate #4): Enter Gate #4 on Arlington, across Fairview from OCC.
• Guest Parking (Gate #2+3/ Lot B): Enter through Gate #2 at Fair Dr. and Vanguard or Gate (#3) at Merrimac and Fairview Rd.

Accessibility/ Accommodations

• Students: If you will be requiring accommodations due to a disability, please contact the DSPS office at least 2-weeks prior to the event to make arrangements. Accommodations include designated seating for graduates using a wheelchair, ASL Interpreters for hard of hearing students, guides for blind students, etc. With advanced notice, we will try to accommodate you. Please contact the DSPS Office at disabledstudents@occ.cccd.edu or (714) 432-5807.

• Guests: If you have family or friends that require physical assistance or accommodations in seating, please have them arrive early (45 minutes to one hour). Identify themselves to an OCC staff member and we will make every effort to assist them with appropriate seating arrangements.

• Strollers: are not permitted in the seating areas or aisles of the Pacific Amphitheatre.