Commencement 2024

Apr 30, 2024
Students in caps and gowns celebrating in a collage of photos

Commencement 2024
Friday, June 7
Landis Performing Arts Center 

WATCH ON YOUTUBE  WATCH ON MEDIASITE

We are excited to celebrate the class of 2024 with four commencement ceremonies INDOORS in Landis Theater. Graduates, check back for updates and important information about Commencement 2024. Congratulations to our Tigers and Tiger families!

Ceremonies will be held at Noon, 2:30 pm, 4:30 pm, and 6:30 pm. Students will check in one hour prior to their assigned ceremony start time.. Guest seating will begin 30 minutes prior to the ceremony. Please note that when the ceremony begins, no additional guests will be permitted, even if they have wristbands! Due to the indoor venue space limitations, guests will be limited-please see details below.

Students MUST RSVP by May 10 in order to participate in commencement. Due to space constraints, there are no exceptions to this policy. Check your RCCD email. 

Ceremony Start

Student Check-in

Guest Seating

LIveStream

Noon

11 AM

11:30 AM

Watch

2:30 PM

1:30 PM

2 PM

Watch

4:30 PM

3:30 PM

4 PM

Watch

6:30 PM

5:30 PM

6 PM

Watch

BEFORE THE CEREMONY


Order Cap and Gown
If you desire to purchase academic regalia (cap and gown), this will be available for purchase through the RCC Book Store or online on the bookstore website. Sales for regalia begin on May 6th. Information will be available on the RCC Book Store website soon. Appropriate regalia (cap and gown) is required to participate in Commencement.

RSVP
Students MUST RSVP by May 10th in order to participate in commencement. Due to space constraints, there are no exceptions to this policy. Check your RCCD email. 

Name Card
Name cards will be mailed to students who RSVP to the mailing address we have on file. You can also elect that you would like to pick up your name card in Admissions & Records. You must select this on the RSVP form. Log into MyPortal to check your mailing address to ensure it is accurate. You will need to bring your name card to Commencement. This is what you will hand to the faculty name readers who will announce you as you cross the stage. If you have a chosen name that you use, you may write it on the card, and that is the name that will be announced. Please ensure that you write your name out phonetically (how it sounds) so that the name readers can announce your name correctly. You will also receive a wristband for yourself and wristbands for your guests along with your name card.

Wristbands/Guests
Due to space constraints, guests will be limited. Each student will be assigned 3 wristbands for guests. If you would like to participate in commencement, you MUST RSVP in order to receive a name card and wristbands. No graduate or guest will be permitted without the appropriate wristband that corresponds to their assigned ceremony time. Small children who will sit on a lap during the ceremony are the exception. More details on children are below.

Graduation Photos
GradImages® will be photographing all graduates at the upcoming graduation ceremony. Visit GradImages® Preregistration to preregister for photos. After graduation you may order online or call (800) 261-2576.

Accommodations
Riverside Community College District is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations to all District programs and activities. For students, accommodations for persons with disabilities may be requested by contacting the Disability Resource Center at drc@rcc.edu, (951) 222-8060, or you may complete the following DRC Commencement 2024 Accommodations request no later than five days before the event. Requests received after this date will be honored whenever possible.

For guests, there will be accessible seating and parking available, as well as ASL interpreters and captioning throughout the ceremony and on the Livestream. For other accommodation requests, please contact Amy DeArcos at Amy.DeArcos@rcc.edu or 951-328-3728.

THE CEREMONY DAY


Four Ceremonies!
Ceremonies will be held at Noon, 2:30 pm, 4:30, and 6:30 pm. Students will check in one hour prior to the ceremony start time. Guest seating will begin 30 minutes prior to the ceremony. Please note that when the ceremony begins, no additional guests will be permitted, even if they have wristbands! Due to the indoor venue space limitations, guests will be limited- please see details below. 

Programs of Study*

Start

Student Check-in

Guest Seating

Social & Behavioral Sciences

Noon

11 AM

11:30 AM

Languages & Humanities, Visual, Performing & Creative Arts, Sociology for Transfer, Cosmetology & Esthetician, Film & TV

2:30 PM

1:30 PM

2 PM

Advanced Technical Arts and Trades, Business, Law, & Computer Info Systems

4:30 PM

3:30 PM

4 PM

STEM, Health-Related Sciences, Education

6:30 PM

5:30 PM

6 PM

*Tentative programs of study based on historical RSVP data from previous years. Please note that to maintain an equitable number of guests per ceremony, assigned ceremony times are subject to change based on number of actual RSVP’s received this year.

Commencement Student Speakers
We are excited to announce that this year's commencement will feature four outstanding and diverse student speakers from all over RCC. Learn more about Laura, Genaveve, Stephanie, Cristian, and ASRCC President Clarissa.

Guests
Guests will not be permitted into Landis without a wristband for the appropriate ceremony. Fortunately, we will have a livestream option available to share with your friends and families so that they can celebrate from the comfort of their home.

Children
Small children/toddlers/infants will be permitted to attend without a wristband but they must be able to comfortably sit on a lap for the entire ceremony. No seats will be given to children without a wristband. Additionally, no strollers, wagons, etc will be permitted into the auditorium. There is no stroller check available-please leave strollers, wagons, etc in your vehicle or at home. Baby carriers (ring slings, wraps, soft-structured carriers) are all permitted. Structured/framed large hiking style backpack carriers are not permitted. Diaper bags are permitted, however all bags will be searched upon entry.

Watch LiveStream
The ceremony will be live streamed and will be available on the RCC website for guests who are unable to attend the ceremony. Updates and information will be coming shortly.

AFTER THE CEREMONY


Guests

Please coordinate where you will meet with your guests after the ceremony. The quad courtyard will be a great place to reunite with your family and friends and take photos. It is important to exit Landis Auditorium after the ceremony is over so that we can reset for the next group of graduates.

Graduation Survey 2024

As you prepare to embark on the next phase of your lives, we invite you to participate in the Graduation Survey. Your valuable insights and feedback are crucial to improving RCC's programs and services for current and future students. By taking a few moments to complete this survey, you will have the opportunity to make a lasting impact on the educational experiences of those who follow in your footsteps. The Graduation Survey covers various aspects of your time at RCC, including academics, student support services, campus facilities, extracurricular activities, and more. Your responses will provide us with invaluable information to better understand your needs and expectations, allowing us to enhance our offerings and ensure an exceptional educational environment.

Complete Survey

Should you have any questions or comments regarding the survey or its content, please don't hesitate to reach out to Wendy McEwen, Dean of Institutional Effectiveness, at Wendy.McEwen@rcc.edu. Wendy and her team are available to address any inquiries and provide assistance throughout the survey process.

Gradfest Photos

Get ready to celebrate your achievements in style at Gradfest 2024! We're planning an unforgettable event just for you. Stay tuned for more details coming soon! Make sure to follow us on social media @RiversideCityCollege to stay updated. Let's make this Gradfest one to remember!

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Each student who RSVPs to commencement will receive three wristbands for guests and one for themselves. Both guests and graduates are required to wear wristbands to enter Landis. Additional wristbands may be requested at the time of RSVP, subject to availability. However, it's important to note that there is no guarantee of extra wristbands, even if requested.

Students are assigned ceremony times based on their program of study and are unable to change them. The only exception is if a student has a final scheduled during their assigned ceremony time. In such cases, they should complete the RSVP form and indicate their final time for consideration.

Certainly! The entire commencement ceremony will be livestreamed, providing the opportunity for remote viewing. Additionally, the ceremony will be available for viewing on YouTube after its conclusion.

Yes, a family member is welcome to bring their baby. However, please note that strollers or car seat carriers are not allowed. Babies do not require wristbands, but they must be held throughout the event. Alternatively, your family member can utilize the livestream option to watch from home.

Absolutely! Accessible seating is provided in the auditorium, conveniently located near the entrance.

Certainly! We encourage graduates to express their creativity by decorating their caps. However, decorations should be tasteful, avoiding any content that could potentially offend others. Additionally, ensure that decorations do not obstruct the view of fellow graduates.

Due to the nature of the venue, we ask that you return to your seat and remain seated until the end of the ceremony to be respectful of your fellow grads. If you have an emergency and need to leave the auditorium, you will not be able to return.

Free parking is available on campus in white-lined spaces. Guests are advised against parking in nearby neighborhoods to avoid potential fines. Due to limited parking availability, carpooling is encouraged.

No, there is no mandatory rehearsal. However, a rehearsal video will be provided for viewing prior to commencement. On the day of commencement, please follow directions from RCC staff and security personnel for a smooth experience.

No, such items are prohibited to ensure an enjoyable experience for all attendees. Guests will not be permitted to enter the auditorium with prohibited items, including weapons of any kind.

Name cards will be mailed prior to commencement. Please ensure your address is up to date on MyPortal to receive them accordingly.

In such cases, we recommend selecting the pick-up option for your name card and wristbands on the RSVP form to prevent any potential theft.

Unfortunately, lost or damaged wristbands will not be replaced due to limited availability. Please ensure the safekeeping of your wristbands as you would any important document.

Only service animals are permitted inside the auditorium as required by law. However, your furry friend can enjoy the ceremony via livestream from the comfort of home.

Each graduate will receive one diploma cover at commencement. Additional covers may be obtained from Admissions and Records the week following commencement, subject to availability.

No, each graduate is permitted to walk at only one commencement. Please indicate your preferred program of study on the RSVP form.

Graduates will receive a diploma cover during commencement. Actual diplomas will be mailed to the address on file approximately 12 weeks after the semester ends.

After your degree is awarded, your degrees and state certificates will be listed on your official RCCD transcript. Transcripts can be requested via the RCC website.

For visa-related inquiries, please direct your questions to the Center for International Students and Programs. Livestream options will be available for family members unable to travel.

Yes! ASL interpretation will be available for both students and guests. Additionally, close captioning will be provided on the screen throughout the ceremony.

Contact Us

Information regarding commencement day will be sent via RCCD email to students who RSVP. Check your email regularly!

If you have any questions, please contact us at Evaluations@rcc.edu.

Commencement Archives

2023 Commencement

2022 Commencement

2021