Class of 2023 Commencement Ceremony
4:00 p.m.
Wilson Plaza
Reception to follow
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Caps and Gowns
How do I order my cap and gown?
Each graduate must order their cap, gown and hood online from Graduation, Etc. (website link: https://www.uclastore.com/students/students-graduation-resources/graduation-essentials?page=1). The website and ordering will open on April 1st and orders must be placed no later than May 19, 2023.
Cap & Gown Rentals
The rental fee for the master’s degree cap, gown and hood is $44.90 (tax included) and Ph.D. regalia rental fee is $47.09 (tax included). Online ordering begins April 1 and students must place their rental orders no later than May 19, 2023.
Cap & Gown Purchases
Purchase prices begin at $307.00 and orders must be placed by Friday, April 8.
Where do I pick up my cap and gown?
Orders may be picked up as early as May XX at the Student Cap & Gown distribution center at Ackerman Union (Level A) 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. M-F, 12:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m. on Saturday; closed Sundays. Please be sure to take your student ID with you for verification. For other questions, you may contact the UCLA Store at (310) 825-2587 or (310) 206-2884
Where do I return my rented gown and hood?
Immediately following the ceremony’s conclusion, a Graduation Etc. representative will be at the reception to proves gown and hood returns (you may keep your mortarboards and tassels). If you are unable to drop off your grown and hood that day, you have until June 17 by 5:00 p.m. to return them to the Graduation Etc. Store in Ackerman Union before a $50 late fee is applied.
Stage Instructions and Ceremony Photography
Doctoral Candidates
Each doctoral candidate and his/her dissertation will be announced by the director of the doctoral program on stage, and their photos will be taken. Doctoral candidates will return to their seats on stage after being hooded.
EMBA/FEMBA/MBA Candidates
Ushers will indicate to all graduates when to stand and when to walk towards the stage. Names will be called from both the left and right sides of the stage. Each graduate will first be photographed near the base of the steps leading to the stage.
After your initial photo has been taken, proceed to the stage and hand your reader card to the name reader on your side of the stage (please do not stop to shake the name reader’s hand). Your name will be announced as you walk towards center stage where you will accept a certificate commemorating the day from either Dean Bernardo or the commencement speaker (depending on which side of the stage you are located). Shake hands with the one who is stationed on your side of the stage and pause briefly for another photograph then descend the center stage staircase and return to your seat. To avoid a back-up of graduates on stage, continue walking as you are being photographed.
Parking & Directions
For Driving Directions to UCLA Anderson Please Click Here.
Pre-paid commencement parking permits will be available at Transportation & Parking Services lobby beginning April 24, 2023 between the hours of 7:45 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. or on commencement day for $14.00.
The UCL Central Ticket Office is also selling pre-paid permits after May 23, 2023 and is open Monday – Friday 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
By purchasing your permits in advance, you and your guests can avoid the expected long payment lines at parking kiosks the day of commencement. We recommend parking in Lots 3,4 and 7, the closest lots to the ceremony. Parking permits may be purchased on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Parking Permits
UCLA Transportation & Parking Services (main office)
555 Westwood Plaza, Suite 100
310-794-7433
Student FAQ for June 16, 2023 Commencement
Do I need to go through a COVID-19 verification process?
No. However, all grads are asked to complete the Daily Symptom Monitoring and Surveillance Survey before arriving at UCLA. When using the app, please select “Non-UCLA Community Member”.
Everyone must adhere to masking and COVID-19 vaccination verification protocols issued by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and UCLA. These protocols are subject to change without notice, so please visit their websites to familiarize yourself with current requirements: http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/ and https://covid-19.ucla.edu/information-for-visitors/.
Where do I park?
The closest parking structure to Wilson Plaza is Lot 4, which is located on Westwood Plaza just south of Sunset Blvd. All parking lots and structures on the UCLA campus will be open and staffed throughout commencement weekend. You can purchase a parking permit in advance via the Bruin ePermit system.
When do I need to be at the Anderson complex?
Graduates need to be at UCLA in their full regalia no later than 2:00 p.m. Do not arrive at the Anderson complex with your regalia still wrapped in the Graduation Etc. package. Take a steam iron to it at home, and then carefully get dressed in it when you exit your vehicle at campus.
Where should I return my gown and hood?
How can I view my graduation photos from GradImages?
GradImages will email you at the address you provide on your reader card, so make sure you print it. Log in to the GradImages website and enter your last name, followed by "UCLA" and "2020" in the lower sections, and you should see your photos.
Guest FAQ for June 16, 2023 Commencement
What will the weather be like?
June in Los Angeles is usually quite warm, with daytime highs in the upper 70s to mid-80s. Mornings can be chilly with the typical Southern California late-night and early-morning low clouds. The campus at UCLA is fairly large, and we recommend wearing comfortable shoes. You should dress in layers or wear a light jacket or wrap that can be easily removed as the temperature rises. Please visit www.atmos.ucla.edu for current weather conditions.
Are there any security concerns?
Although UCLA does not anticipate any security problems during the graduation celebration, we are constantly monitoring the events to protect the safety and security of our guests. Please observe the following restrictions for our graduation celebration activities:
- No large bags, backpacks, large purses or items larger than 12” X 12”
- No firearms, knives, explosives or other weapons
- No cans, coolers or other containers, except in cases of medical need, as certified by a physician
- No artificial noise-makers, air horns or megaphones
- No large signs, flags, poles, banners or laser pointers
- No promotional items with commercial slogans or identification
- No food or drink, except bottled water
- Inspections of small receptacles (e.g., bags) might be required as you enter event venues.
- These policies are subject to change without notice.
Where should I park?
The closest parking structure to Wilson Plaza is Lot 4, which is located on Westwood Plaza just south of Sunset Blvd. You can purchase tickets in advance via Bruin ePermit System.
Can I photograph and videotape the event?
Of course! All we ask, though, for fire and life safety reasons, is that you not bring tripods.
Professional photographers from GradImages will be photographing each graduate at the ceremony. They will email each graduate within a few days with links to their website, where pictures will be available for purchase. We think you’ll be impressed with the quality of these photographs.
Will there be anything to drink? Can I bring alcohol?
Bottled water (as well as soft drinks and snacks) may be purchased at one of the UCLA Store locations throughout campus.
And while we understand that the consumption of alcohol may help liven up the celebratory tone of the day; it is not allowed at our ceremony and is best left at home.
Are there restrooms at Wilson Plaza?
There will be no portable restrooms at Wilson Plaza. However, Kaufman Hall, which is just north of Wilson Plaza, will have restrooms available on the first floor of its main entrance (best for ADA accessibility), and restrooms will be available in the Student Activities Center on the opposite side of Wilson Plaza. The Anderson School restroom facilities will also be available, though they are a bit of a walk from Wilson Plaza.