Commencement

No tickets are needed for our ceremony, and there is no limit on the number of guests, so come one, come all. Aside from a roped-off section for our VIP guests, grads and dignitaries, all seating is general admission and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Saving seats will be allowed as space permits.

No. However, all guests are asked to complete a Daily Symptom Monitoring and Surveillance Survey before arriving at UCLA. When using the app, please select “Non-UCLA community member.

Guests 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/.

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. 

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.

There’s no dress code for this event, although we suggest that guests dress for comfort and for weather changes. Please do not wear any large hats or bring any umbrellas. We want everyone to be able to see the ceremony.

You can count on it, so we ask that you allot extra time to travel to campus.

The closest parking structure to Annenberg Stadium and 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 tickets in advance via Bruin ePermit System.

There will be house staff on-site who can assist with seating needs for any wheelchair-bound guest.

We ask that guests be seated no later than 3:30 p.m. The processional of our graduates will start shortly thereafter, with the ceremony itself beginning at 4:00 p.m. and concluding by 6:00 p.m.

Sorry, but there is no shade at Wilson Plaza. Guests should dress accordingly. Bring sunscreen, but please do not wear any giant hats or bring any umbrellas. We would like everyone to be able to see the ceremony.

Aside from a roped-off section for our VIP guests, grads and dignitaries, all seating is general admission and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Saving seats will be allowed as space permits. 

We understand that balloons are festive and celebratory, but guests sitting behind you may not think so. 

Sorry, but pets are not allowed at the ceremony. They can, however, watch it live from the comfort of their beds via our livestream.

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.

We want our guests to be comfortable, so there will be water dispensers and cups available at no charge at Wilson Plaza. 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. 

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.

Through the miracle of electronic media, there will be two giant screens (one on either side of the stage) broadcasting the ceremony for all to enjoy.

Yes to both! Guests can watch the ceremony live from the comfort of their homes. The live ceremony will be broadcasted here on the day of the event.

We estimate that the ceremony should take approximately 90 to 120  minutes.

Guests will be able to toast to their grad’s success with prosecco and non-alcoholic beverages, and nibble on an assortment of light appetizers.

There is no formal structure to the reception, so guests may leave when they wish, though many start making their way to their cars around 7:00 or 7:30 p.m. to continue their celebrations elsewhere.