Frequently Asked Questions

The Warren College Commencement Ceremony is
Sunday, June 22, 2008 at 8:00 AM on RIMAC Field.

When will I get a mailing from the college regarding commencement?

All commencement information is provided on the college web page. Students are advised to check the commencement web page periodically to find the most current information as circumstances may change. If you have further questions, please contact the Warren College Student Affairs Office at 858-534-4731 or wardean@ucsd.edu.

How soon do I need to fill out an Electronic Degree and Diploma Application form (EDDA form)?

The deadline is Friday of week 8 of the quarter prior to graduation. Special note: Early filing is recommended for those who plan to graduate in the summer to in order to meet the May 9 deadline to have your name to printed in the commencement program. Learn more.

I filed my EDDA form, now what do I have to do? Do I need to sign-up anywhere to participate in the Ceremony?

NO, you do not have to sign up anywhere to participate in the ceremony. When you rent your cap and gown from the UCSD Bookstore, you will be given a ticket that will admit you to the Earl Warren College ceremony – and ONLY the Warren College ceremony. Please refer to the Commencement Ticketing Procedure for Graduates for specific details.

I'm not going to complete all my units by the end of summer quarter. Can I still walk in the ceremony? What if I don’t complete my units until Fall?

Yes, you may participate in the commencement ceremony, if you plan to file your EDDA for the summer. It is important to note that if you wait too long to file, your name may not appear in the printed graduation program. In order to have your name included in the program, you must file your EDDA by May 9, 2008.

I'm not a Warren student but I have friends at Warren and I want to walk with them - what can I do?

You will NOT be able to walk in the Warren ceremony. Each UCSD college is requiring that graduates walk in their own college ceremony. Only Warren College graduates with the appropriate ticket will be let into the graduate area.

How many tickets do I receive for my family and friends for graduation?

There are NO tickets needed for guests to attend the Warren College Commencement ceremony. However, because seating is limited, we ask that students have no more than 6 seated guests. It is suggested that students inform family and friends to be courteous to those who may need seating.

How do I know if I'm listed in the printed program?

The only way to be placed in the printed program is to have filed an EDDA with the Warren College Academic Advising Office. If you file an EDDA before May 9, your name will appear in the printed Commencement Program as it appears on your student record.

Where do I get my cap and gown? Announcements?

Bachelor caps and gowns will be available at the UCSD Bookstore beginning June 2. They will remain on sale until the day before the Commencement ceremony to accomodate students who are currently studying abroad, participating in the UCDC program, etc. Students who are currently residing in San Diego are STRONGLY encouraged not to wait until the last minute to get your cap and gown.

The rental fee is $45. This fee includes only ONE tassel and cap that you can keep; additional tassels will be available for purchase at $4.95 plus tax. All fittings must be done in person. Please note that gowns must be returned to the Bookstore staff following the commencement ceremony, so wear appropriate clothing underneath. Bookstore staff will be located at the commencement site for gown returns.

Announcements

Commencement announcements are available. Personalized announcements can be ordered directly from the vendor by calling 1-800-433-0296 or visiting their website at http://cbgrad.com/. The cost will be:

• 25 for $44.95 plus tax and $7 for shipping; 5 additional announcements for $9.00
• Various packages that include thank you notes, envelope seals, return address labels, and an announcement cover are also available.
• Open stock announcements (that are NOT personalized) are available at the UCSD Bookstore at the cost of $10.50 plus tax for a pack of 10. Single announcements are available for $1.50 each.

Senior Portraits and Other Items

The UCSD Bookstore also has other items that you may be interested in acquiring for your graduation, such as UCSD Class Rings, diploma laminating and framing, and thank you and note cards. Items include the UCSD Stole of Gratitude, Honor cords, extra tassels, etc. Visit the UCSD Bookstore's online Graduation Shop for more information.

The UCSD Bookstore will hold a Gradfair April 21-23 from 10am-3pm daily. California Candids will be avaliable in the Bookstore for those interested in senior portraits.

How do I know if I’m graduating with Latin Honors?

Students must have completed at least 80 graded units at UCSD to be eligible to receive Honors. The UCSD University Latin Honors breakdown for students graduating between Fall 2007 and Summer 2008 is listed below:

When will I get my diploma?

If you have filed your EDDA to graduate at the end of the spring quarter, your diploma will be mailed to your permanent address within 30-90 days after the degree has been posted. Find out more about diplomas on TritonLink.

Is there a rehearsal for commencement?

No, there is no rehearsal for the Warren Graduation Ceremony. Just show up at the student area with your cap and gown and ticket. Please fill out all of the information on the ticket in advance. A Warren College Staff member will give you instructions from there. It’s that easy!

How long is the ceremony?

The Warren College ceremony is approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes so please plan your post-graduation activities accordingly. Also allow approximately an hour to return to your car and leave campus. There will be additional traffic congestion with others coming to attend later ceremonies. Out of RESPECT for ALL GRADUATES, graduates will not be allowed to leave the graduate area until the recessional of the program.

Where can I park?

Parking will be FREE on Sunday for the commencement ceremony. However, there will be a significant amount of traffic on campus that day, so please give yourself ample time to secure parking and plan your post-Commencement plans accordingly.

Parking attendants will initially direct all Warren College Commencement ceremony traffic to the Hopkins Parking Structure and north campus lots (P355, P356, P357 & P351) that are the closest parking lots to the Warren College Commencement Ceremony site. However, these spaces will fill up quickly with more than 9,000 people expected. Please follow the signage and directions from the parking attendants. As these spaces fill, attendants will direct traffic to the Pangea Parking Structure and additional campus lots.

See map.

Those with accessible parking needs attending the ceremony should park in lot P357. Please make sure you have your disabled placard visible for the parking attendants.

Parking Page Link

Here are a few tips to help with parking:

1. CARPOOL – Please come with as many people in your party in as few cars as possible. Graduating students, this means please come with your family and do not drive by yourself.
2. Have more than one parking option available ahead of time. As parking lots fill up they will be closed, so have an alternative parking spot in mind.
3. Please listen to the parking attendants. They are only doing their job to make sure traffic is moving. Getting upset with them will not help move cars any faster.
4. Plan ahead to get there early and get out late. It takes time to get cars in and out of each of the parking lots, so expect delays. The ceremony starts at 8:00 AM and traffic starts to get busy an hour before the ceremony. Once the ceremony has concluded expect that it will take about an hour to get off campus. Please, if you are making restaurant reservations, plan accordingly.

Can I reserve seats?

No, seats are available only on a first come first serve basis. In the graduate seating area, graduates may sit with their friends from different majors. However, you are not permitted to save seats for graduates that arrive later than you. Guests are not permitted to save seats for others arriving later than them as well.

Where do I go the day of Graduation?

• Wake up EARLY
• Show up at RIMAC 1 hour before the start of the ceremony - that means being on campus at 7 AM!
• Bring your cap and gown with you (if you are not already wearing it), along with the Warren College graduation ticket, and proceed to the North Campus Recreational Field (also known as RIMAC Field). Follow the signs to stairs that will take you down to the graduate area, taking the stairs adjacent to RIMAC arena and the softball field. Note: your family and friends need to proceed direclty onto the RIMAC Field. ONLY GRADUATES WITH TICKETS WILL BE ALLOWED IN THE GRADUATE AREA.
• When you arrive, you will be reminded to completely and clearly fill in the requested information on the graduation ticket. Please be advised that inappropriate nicknames will be screened prior to your crossing of the stage. Those who write inappropriate nicknames or have illegible handwriting will be asked to rewrite the information on the card.
• PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, listen for and comply with instructions of the commencement staff that will be there to assist you.
• "Pomp and Circumstance" will begin and the platform party will process down the center isle. You should be at your seat at this time!!!!
• The Provost will proceed with the ceremony: speeches (by the Chancellor and others), recognition of students and faculty receiving awards, recognition of Phi Beta Kappa inductees and Latin Honors awardees, and then the reading of graduates' names and crossing the stage.
• The ceremony will conclude with the traditional turning of the tassel (from right to left) and then a recessional of the platform party.

It is recommended that graduating students arrive 1 hour prior to the start of the ceremony. This will allow you time to find parking, your family and friends time to find seating, and for you to get into the graduate area. The ceremony will start promptly at 8 AM, with or without you. The more time you allow, the more enjoyable your day!

Setup of RIMAC Field