Information for Graduates

Our annual Commencement and Reception is scheduled for Saturday, June 27, 2009 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Outdoor Events Arena. De Anza Food Services will provide complimentary refreshments at the reception.

The ceremony is held in De Anza's Outdoor Events Arena to allow for unrestricted seating for you, your family and friends. Please come prepared with sunscreen, a hat or umbrella and water.

To ensure you have a pleasurable graduation experience, we have listed some key information to assist you.

Before Graduation Day

• You will line up with your division according to your degree major. If you are unsure which division you are under, please check before graduation day.
• Please hang up your gown to remove the wrinkles. You may wish to iron out any remaining wrinkles, but please take care and use the lowest possible setting on your iron.
• The commencement ceremony is being held on the athletics field. High heels are not recommended because they will sink into the grass.
• Do not carry anything with you during the ceremony. You will not be returning to the same seat after receiving your degree. Please arrange for your family or friends to look after your personal items until after the ceremony.
• There will be no shade, so don't forget to wear sunscreen and dress accordingly.

Graduation Day

• Graduates should assemble in the area between PE6 and the Planetarium from 7:30 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. on Saturday morning. Please line up with your division according to your degree major. Volunteers will have signs identifying the divisions.
• The graduation ceremony starts at 9:00 a.m. sharp.
• Fill in your name card by printing your name as you would like it to be announced. Make sure you print clearly and if necessary write your name phonetically to help us with pronunciation.
• There will be no rehearsal so be prepared. Allow time to find your division, find your friends, fix your gown, cap or hair, and to relax and enjoy yourself.

Disability-Related Questions

Volunteers will be available to help with disability-related questions. Accessible seating for mobility, vision, or hearing impaired guests and their companions will be reserved and clearly designated.

The program will be sign language interpreted and assisted listening devices will be available for loan to hard of hearing guests or graduates. If you require captioning please contact Disability Support Services.

For further information or assistance with special needs not specified here, please call Disability Support Services, 408.864.8959 (V) or 408.864.5650 (TDD). Suggested parking for those with California disability placards or plates is Parking Lot E. No parking fees will be required for commencement visitors.

Cap and Gown

Your cap and gown may be purchased at the De Anza Bookstore. The cost of the cap and gown is approximately $49.00 plus tax and includes an attractive diploma cover. Please have your gown pressed for the commencement. Graduates completing their studies at De Anza College with honors will be eligible to wear the De Anza gold sash during the ceremony.

Graduating with Honors
The Office of Admissions and Records has provided the Bookstore with a list of those students graduating with honors; only those on the list will be eligible to wear the honors sash. The honors sash can be purchased from the De Anza Bookstore for $15 plus tax. Pre-imprinted commencement announcements and invitations are also available for purchase in the Bookstore.

Photographs

Bob Knight Photo will provide digital pictures of you on graduation day. You'll be able to share your proofs with friends and family around the world and store your images in a stable format indefinitely. Details will be included in the information letter you will receive from De Anza College the first week of June. Visit the Bob Knight Photo Web site to find out more.