Thurgood Marshall College Commencement Ceremony

Commencement Video 2012

All TMC students with 135 units or above are eligible to participate in the commencement ceremony on Saturday, June 15, 2013.
Exceptions to this policy must be petitioned with no guarantee of approval.  Information can be found at Commencement Exception Requests.
•    Commencement is the annual ceremony in which eligible students participate. Participation in the commencement ceremony does not constitute official graduation from the University.
•    Graduation occurs only when a student has completed all requirements and the degree has been officially posted to the academic record. 

To participate in the commencement ceremony, students must do the following:
1. Submit name for inclusion in the commencement program by Wednesday, May 1st
2. Pick up commencement ceremony ticket and rent commencement attire from the UCSD Bookstore.

To file for graduation from the university (separate from commencement), students must do the following:
1. Submit a Degree and Diploma Application (DDA) for the quarter in which you will complete all coursework and requirements via www.degree.ucsd.edu

Students begin the process at here;
•    Log onto site and indicate "yes or no” regarding inclusion of name in commencement booklet.
•    File a Degree and Diploma application (DDA) for intended quarter of graduation. If DDA is unavailable, return to the website at a later date when applicable filing period is open.

Submissions for student speaker auditions due: Spring quarter week 3

Deadline to submit student award nominations: Spring quarter week 3

Grad Nite at UCSD Bookstore: April 23nd 6:30-9:30pm

Grad Fair at UCSD Bookstore: Wednesday, April 24 and Thursday, April 25

Deadline to have name in printed commencement program: Wednesday, May 1

All Campus Grad Celebration– Friday, June 14 5:30pm-8pm

Commencement – Saturday, June 15 8:00am

Ceremony & Arrival

• Graduates MUST arrive and check into Spanos Field (back of RIMAC Field) by 6:30a.m. Please follow the signs and directions given by the Thurgood Marshall College Commencement Staff.
• All grads and guests will need to park off campus and shuttle in. Please, plan enough time.
• Guests should arrive and begin finding their seating 1-1.5 hours prior to the Commencement start time.
• The ceremony is scheduled to take two hours, from 8:00a.m. to 10:00 a.m. We suggest making your post-Commencement plans after 12pm. This will allow everyone ample time to take pictures after the ceremony and safely exit our parking areas.
• 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.
• Graduates will be walking a great deal during the day so we recommend sensible shoes.

Recognition of Graduates

Thurgood Marshall College Commencement Staff will direct graduates to form two lines, one on the left side of the stage and another on the right side of the stage. Graduates will be arranged in the order in which they are lined up.

When graduates step onto the stage, they will give their ticket to one of the Deans to announce their name. (Note that on the backside of the graduate's ticket, the graduate must neatly print the information requested prior to the Commencement ceremony, including the phonetic spelling of his/her name).

After the graduate's name is announced, the graduate will proceed across the stage to receive a congratulatory handshake from the Provost or faculty while being photographed by a professional photographer.

After crossing the stage, Thurgood Marshall College Commencement Staff will direct graduates back to their seat. Once seated, graduates are expected to stay in their seats for the duration of the ceremony out of respect for all graduates.

Commencement is a very important occasion for all graduates, their families and friends. We strive to make the ceremony memorable and special. We ask that all graduates and guests cooperate and follow all directions given by Thurgood Marshall College Commencement Staff and Security. Remember, we are there to ensure your safety and enjoyment on this special day.

As a common courtesy to everyone, please refrain from using your cell phone during the ceremony.

The first graduate to cross the stage is just as important as the last graduate to cross the stage. Be respectful of all graduates and remain seated until every name has been read and the ceremony has officially ended.

Marshall College, in partnership with a number of UC San Diego departments and organizations, presents several awards to students who show dedication to their studies and a commitment to the activities and mission of Marshall College. 

Outstanding Faculty Award
Provost’s Academic Excellence Award
Academic Advising Leadership Award
Outstanding Senior Award
Dean's Outstanding Service Award
Alumni Outstanding Senior Award
Oceanid's Award
Transfer Student Outstanding Leadership Award
Distinguished Senior Awards

Each year the graduating class honors one of its own senior members and one Thurgood Marshall College Faculty member by awarding the Outstanding Senior Award and the Outstanding Faculty Award. Every graduating senior is encouraged to vote online for these two outstanding awards (deadline week 3 spring quarter.)

Outstanding Faculty Nominations

The Outstanding Faculty nominees listed are selected by the Administration and Graduation Committee members, faculty, and staff based on their College involvement and CAPE Evaluations. As you are voting for these nominees, please take into account, from your particular vantage point, their teaching ability, enthusiasm for and mastery of the subject area, commitment to undergraduate education, and contribution to the college.

Outstanding Senior Nomination

Candidacy for the Outstanding Senior Award is based on a combination of scholastic and service achievements. Criteria for selection are a minimum 3.25 GPA (minimum 80 graded UCSD units) and appropriate service and leadership accomplishments. These eligible candidates' resumes will be included for you to read and use in making decisions in your voting.

Please visit the UC San Diego bookstore website for commencement information.

Regular Bookstore ordering begins on June 3, 2013 for graduates.  Graduates may pick-up their cap, gown, and ticket at the UCSD Bookstore between June 3 - 14 during regular Bookstore business hours (no pre-pickups)

2013 Grad Nite at the UCSD Bookstore will be on April 23^th 6:30pm - 9:30pm

Please keep your tassel in a safe location as we will not have any extra tassels on commencement day.

After the ceremony, boxes for gown drop off will be available at RIMAC field. Remember to take your cap and tassel; they are your souvenirs of the day!

Rings and Announcements

Graduation announcements can be ordered online here.

Class rings can be ordered online here.

Additional graduation items are available for purchase at the UCSD Bookstore Graduation Shop.

You may also place orders at the UC San Diego Bookstore during April 24-25.

“None of us got where we are solely by pulling ourselves up by our bootstraps. We got here because somebody - a parent, a teacher, an Ivy League crony or a few nuns - bent down and helped us pick up our boots.” - Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall

In 2009, to honor TMC's tradition of celebrating those individuals who had supported students in their journey, a small group of graduating seniors from the TMC Class of 2009 created the tradition of wearing a Marshall Stole of Gratitude as they walked across the Commencement stage. Many of these students then gave their "MarStoles” to special supporter(s) whom they felt had been key contributors in the achievement of college graduation.

*The Pre-Order closed on Tuesday, May 28, 2013. Open throughout May, the pre-order procedure was to help ensure that all students who wanted a MarStole had an opportunity to order one. 

**Beginning Thursday, June 6, 2013, a VERY limited number of MarStoles will be available for purchase online through the TMC Shop, at the regular $20 cost, while supplies last. 

 

Ceremony

Guests are not allowed to cross any barricade or disrupt the flow of the ceremony to take pictures. Only our professional photographers are allowed on stage to take pictures.

Professional photographers will be present at the ceremony taking pictures of the graduate and before they step onto the stage and as they cross the stage. The graduate will receive photo proofs via email.

Senior Portraits

Graduates may also elect to have a professional Senior Portrait taken in advance at the UCSD Bookstore by California Candids. Photo sessions are available at Grad Nite and during Grad Fair.  Please contact the UCSD Bookstore for more information at (858) 534-7323 or vist their website.

Parking and Shuttles

Parking will be FREE on Saturday 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. More than 11,000 people are expected to attend the Commencement ceremony.

All guests will need to park in the East Campus lots 702, 703, 704, 705 on the east edge of campus. Shuttle service will be provided starting at 6:30am to and from lots East Parking P704 & P702 the shuttles will drop guests off at the RIMAC North  Point Information Booth at the end of RIMAC (near the Village.)

Parking Information...

UCSD Campus Map

Detailed map of East parking lots

UCSD Campus Parking Office

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.
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 8:00am and traffic starts to get busy at least 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.

Disability Parking

Those with accessible parking needs attending the ceremony should enter via North Point Drive and follow the signs to the Hopkins Parking Structure. You must have a government issued Disabled Person Parking Placard to park here. Please, make sure you have your placard visible for the parking attendants.

Hopkins Parking Map

For more information call the Parking Office (858) 534-4223 or visit this website.

There are NO tickets needed for guests to attend the Marshall College Commencement ceremony. However, because seating is limited, we ask that students have no more than 6 seated guests.

We will be web streaming the Commencement Ceremony live on the Marshall website

Seats are available only on a "first-come, first-served" basis. Guests are not permitted to save seats for others arriving later.

Accredited Guide Dogs and/or Service animals for people with disabilities are permitted (with Service License) but must be on leash at all times. No other animals are permitted.

There will be limited shade / tents for guests at a "first-come" basis

Water will be provided for TMC graduates only; therefore, family members should bring their own water with them.

Please review the parking, shuttle and etiquette information carefully and plan to arrive early.

Once your graduate is checked in to the graduate arena, you will be unable to contact them until the end of the ceremony.  Please, keep all aisles open during procession and recession. 

Parents and families may order leis and flowers through Commencement Flowers. Order Here...

UCSD Parent and Family Resources - Visitor information for families and guests

Marshall College is dedicated to meeting the requirements of our students and guests with special needs. In order to make sure that you are taken care of, please contact the Provosts Office at 858-534-4004 or tmcprovost@ucsd.edu well in advance of the June 15, 2013 Ceremony.

• We will be web streaming the Commencement Ceremony live on the Marshall website for loved ones unable to attend.
• Disabled parking for those with handicap placards will be available in the Hopkins Parking Structure. Please, follow the parking attendants' directions and have your placard easily viewable. You must have a valid California handicap placard to park in the disabled areas. Violators will receive the standard parking ticket.
• The Commencement site is approximately one mile from the East Campus parking lots and 1/4 mile from Hopkins Parking Structure. Shuttle services will be available to all guests. The RIMAC turf is a grass field with uneven areas.
• We regret the university is not able to provide wheelchairs for guests. The first/last chair of each row may be removed to accommodate wheelchairs.
• There will be limited canopy/shade seating on a "first-come" basis

 

Grant Berger-White

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