Graduation and Commencement Ceremony 2024
Starting 7/8/2024 graduates who participated in the 5/24/2024 Commencement Ceremony will receive a message via email with instructions on how to view pictures from the Ceremony.
The email will be sent to the address provided upon registering to participate in the Commencement Ceremony.
You may download the images you want at no cost!!
NOTE: The email with directions will only be sent to those students who registered to attended the ceremony.
If you participated in the 5/24/2024 ceremony and have not received an email by 7/30/2024, please contact Grace Cardinalli at gcardinalli@gavilan.edu.
Click on the YouTube link above to view the May 24th Ceremony!
Welcome Video
Counseling Information
Invitations
Signing Day
Last Video Commence
Voice Recordings!
Graduates, there is still time to record your voice!
Please contact Grace Cardinalli at gcardinalli@gavilan.edu to schedule an appointment.
(Days and times are limited)
Important Dates
We cannot stress this enough:
Submitting your petition to graduate is NOT the same as registering to participate in the Commencement Ceremony!! These are two different things!
You MUST have completed your petition to graduate AND have it approved BEFORE you can register to participate in the Commencement Ceremony.
Graduation Petitions are due by April 12, 2024 in order for your name to appear in the Commencement Program
Petitions can be submitted after April 12 th and you may still be approved to graduate. However, your name will not appear in the Program.
Make an appointment to meet with your counselor and get your Petition in right away!
Ceremony Registration
If you are planning on participating in the Commencement Ceremony, you must register your intent by completing the online Commencement Ceremony Invitation/Registration form.
An Event Brite invitation/registration will be sent to your personal email addresses (as it appears in our system so double check it's correct!) to all individuals whose Graduation Petitions were approved.
The last day to submit your Graduation Petition AND participate in the May 24th Ceremony is May 13th, 2024.
Your registration MUST be submitted no later than May 19, 2024.
You will not be allowed to participate if you are not registered.
For more information please contact:
Michele Castro at mcastro@gavilan.edu or Grace Cardinalli at gcardinalli@gavilan.edu
Please allow up to 24 hours for a response.
The last day to submit your Graduation Petition and participate in the May 24th Ceremony is Monday, May 13th.
Visit https://www.gavilan.edu/counseling/ .
Students who graduated in Fall/Winter 2023 do not need to submit another petition.
Your petition was approved in 2023.
Gilroy Gavilan Campus
Additional Information
Commencement Attire - Cap and Gown
All individuals participating in the graduation ceremony must wear the appropriate attire: the traditional cap with tassel and graduation gown. Caps, tassels, and gowns are NOW AVAILABLE at the Gavilan bookstore until 2:00p on Commencement Day, Friday May 24th.
Graduation Regalia Prices:
Graduate Set (cap, gown, and tassel) + tax = $53.47
Cap + tax = $8.73
Gown + tax = $37.10
Tassel = tax = $7.64
The Bookstore also carries a variety of stoles! Prices and styles vary.
You may purchase your graduation attire at the Bookstore on the Gilroy Gavilan site AND online as well.
Click here to shop online.
GAVILAN IS COMMITTED TO ENSURING THE COST OF ATTIRE IS NOT A BARRIER TO PARTICIPATION
If you need help with purchasing your graduation attire, please contact Grace Cardinalli at gcardinalli@gavilan.edu.
We will do our best to ensure you are a part of the Ceremony!
For 2024, each graduate participating in the commencement ceremony will be issued eight (8) tickets.
Extra tickets are not available.
On your EventBrite reservation page you will have an option to choose E-Tickets or hardcopy...please ensure you've indicated your preference.
Hard copy tickets WILL NOT be available at the venue.
Each graduate will be provided with three (3) graduation parking permits.
Extra permits are not available.
Picking Up Ceremony Tickets and Parking Permits
Beginning Monday, May 6th, Student Packets containing tickets (if hard copy tickets were requested), parking permits, and an information sheet at Gavilan College bookstore.
Only those individuals who have registered to participate will be provided tickets and permits.
If you requested hard copy tickets, make certain your guests have their tickets and parking permits BEFORE to the commencement ceremony!!
Don't wait until Commencement Day!!!
If you requested E-tickets, make sure you share the information!!
Guests without a parking permit will not be allowed to park on the Gavilan campus.Guests without a ticket will not be allowed into the venue.Note: children two (2) years old and under able to sit in a ticket holder’s lap do not need a ticket.
Vehicles parked in the field across the campus risk being towed!
Vehicles with more than two (2) axles (ex: recreational vehicles) will not be allowed.
Due to the high volume of guests, we strongly recommend that you advise your guest to arrive at least 90 minutes before the start of the ceremony.
This event is the start of a holiday weekend. Please be aware of heavy traffic and plan accordingly.
Commencement Day Traffic Flow and Parking
Please review or direct your guests to look at the map prior to arrival.
Entrance
Parking will start at 12:30P. GUESTS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO PARK OR ENTER THE VENUE BEFORE 12:30P.
Guest may enter through either the South Gate (close to the fields) or the North Gate.
Once lots C and H are full, parking will be directed to lots A, and if needed, E.
Exit
Guest may leave through either the South Gate or the North Gate, whichever is closest.
SIGNING DAY, GRADUATION PACKET-PICK-UP and VOICE RECORDING
On Wednesday May 1st, Gavilan will be hosting Signing Day (where you can indicate the 4-year school you'll be transferring).
At this time, graduates registered to participate in the Commencement Ceremony may pick-up their packets with information, parking permits, and tickets (if they've requested hard copy tickets...more on this under "Tickets")
If you're unable to make it to the college on May 1st, you can visit the Welcome Center starting Monday, May 6th to pick up your packet at the Gilroy campus. The last day to pick up Grad Packets will be Thursday, May 22nd at 5p.
Voice Recording
Would you like to give a shout out to your family as they wait for the Commencement Ceremony to start?
The Signing Day event also allows you to record YOU giving a message to your family/friends who will be attending the ceremony. Your message will be played the day of the Graduation/Commencement Ceremony before the Ceremony begins.
If you are unable to attend Signing Day and would like to record your message for your family/friends, please contact Grace Cardinalli at gcardinalli@gavilan.edu. to schedule a time to record your message.
The last day to schedule an appointment will be Friday, May 10th.
Graduates with Special Requirements
For our graduating students with special requirements, please contact either Grace Cardinalli at gcardinalli@gavilan.edu or Michele Castro at mcastrogavilan.edu.
Rehearsals
While not required, Gavilan College strongly urges all graduates who are participating in the ceremony to attend one of the two (2) ceremony rehearsals.
Two rehearsals have been scheduled for Thursday, May 23rd: the first at 10a the second at 3p. Please meet at the Student Center.
At this time, you will review the processional entrance, seating directions, and other information for yourself and your guests.
To our graduates requiring mobility assistance
Please be aware that the procession to the Commencement venue (parking Lot H) from the Student Center may be a long walk.
It's okay if you don't feel you can walk this far. You can meet us and the "stopping point" (where the walkway from the bridge meets Lot H) or at the venue itself (at the front of the stage).
Please do try to attend one of the two rehearsals so we can ensure you are able to participate comfortably.
GRADUATION DAY/COMMENCEMENT DAY: What You Need to Know
If you are riding in with your guests, ensure you give them their tickets (have provided them with their eTickets) BEFORE making your way to the ASGC Reception!!
Beginning at 12:45pm, as you are preparing for the commencement ceremony to start, ASGC will have a reception for you with a DJ, snacks and photo booth at the Student Center.
Arrival and Start Time
You must be at the Student Center by 1pm to receive your name card and be placed in line.
Please be on time!
Make sure you have your cap, tassel, and gown!
Things You May Want to Bring With You
- MEDICATION
Can't stress this one enough!!
If you've ever experienced acute symptoms (ex: asthma or diabetic light-headedness) PLEASE bring your meds with you!!!
- Safety pins
- Bobby pins (if you want to fasten your cap to your hair)
- Tissue
- A bottle of water/snack
- Comfortable shoes
- Sitting/back pillow
Guest Information
Gavilan Community College is committed to providing a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable experience for all guests. We are committed to exceeding our guests’ expectations and providing the highest level of customer service. To help us fulfill this commitment
We ask you to join us in making your graduate’s experience the happiest and memorable experience possible.
Conduct
Please understand that there is expected, appropriate behavior during the commencement ceremony.
Review the following information with your guests.
- As the Graduate Procession enters and the Recessional Procession exits the venue, guests are not to stand/jump in front of the processional line to take pictures/videos, etc. Doing so may result in removal from the venue.
- Guests shall be respectful of all other guests, College security and staff, and College property.
- Guests shall not act in a disruptive manner and shall not interfere with other guests’ enjoyment of the event.
- Accessible guest seating is available on a first-come basis.
- No saving of rows of seats is allowed.
- Late arrivals (as procession is occurring) must wait to enter the venue until the procession has completed and all graduates, faculty and stage members are seated.
- Guests are not permitted in the graduate seating area at any time.
- Guests are to remain seated during the ceremony –standing on chairs is not permitted at any time.
- Guests must remain seated while photographing and videotaping - tripods, monopods, standing at the stage is not permitted.
- Guests shall smoke only in designated areas.
- Guests shall refrain from using offensive language, making obscene gestures, throwing objects, and possessing prohibited or illegal items.
- Guests will keep children with them at all times. Security may be called for unattended children on campus.
- Guests shall comply with the directions of College security and staff.
Prohibited Items
The following items shall not be permitted into the venue.- Balloons/balloon bouquets
- Strollers, car seats, or baby carriers of any kind (a stroller parking area will be available at the entrance of the venue)
- Air horns and noisemakers
- Confetti
- Alcoholic beverages or narcotics
- Firearms/weapons of any kind
- Beach balls
- Non-service animals (Assistance Animals ARE NOT considered service animals)
- Umbrellas
Gavilan College reserves the right to prohibit or require removal of any items at their sole and absolute discretion. Conduct deemed by Gavilan College to be inappropriate to the peace and good order of events, or which may adversely affect the safety of persons or property, will be immediately addressed by our security and/or staff. Guests are responsible for their conduct in accordance with Gavilan College’s code of conduct.
Guests violating Gavilan College’s code of conduct will be subject to removal from the venue.
Information on this page will be updated bi-weekly beginning April 3rd so check back for updates. Please contact Grace Cardinalli at gcardinalli@gavilan.edu with any questions.