Crown College
2012 Commencement Ceremony
Sunday June 17, 2012 at 9:00 a.m.
on the UCSC East Field

COMMENCEMENT BULLETIN
Be sure to read the Commencement Bulletin.  This important booklet, produced by the College Programs Office, answers all your questions and gives all the information you need to know to walk in the Crown ceremony.  Call the Crown Commencement voicemail if you have trouble downloading the bulletin – 831-459-2966.

Don’t miss these due dates
To have your name printed in the Crown Ceremony Program and participate in the ceremony, you need to register to walk.  Complete your Crown Commencement Ceremony Registration by Wednesday, May 2nd to be sure you’re included and can pick up your parking passes.

To receive your diploma you must apply to graduate with the Registrar’s Office.  Spring quarter candidacy deadline is Wednesday, May 2nd.

COLLEGE SERVICE AWARD NOMINATIONS
Nominate yourself or a friend for one of Crown’s two service awards.  Download criteria and nomination form here.  Nominations due Friday, May 11, 2012 to the Crown/Merrill Residential Life Office (cehind the Taqueria at Merrill).

GRADUATING EARLY?
If you are finishing at UCSC prior to February 1st, you can complete the Crown Ceremony Registration Form now. 

CROWN COMMENCEMENT COMMITTEE
This is YOUR ceremony – come help make the it what you want.  Committee activities include recommending a commencement speaker, screening student presentations, planning a graduates only reception and the post-ceremony reception.   The first committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 17th at 5:00 p.m. in the Crown Fireside Lounge  If you can’t make the meeting but want to participate, contact Serena Dionysus at sdionysu@ucsc.edu (we will be scheduling meetings to maximize the attendance of people who want to participate).

PROTECTING YOUR PRIVACY
When setting up your my.ucsc account, did you restrict release of your personal information?  If you have restricted your information and not released it for publication, we CANNOT print your name in the commencement ceremony program. If you don’t know, check the FAQ here and follow instructions to verify that we can publish your name.

HOTEL AND RESTAURANT RESERVATIONS
If you have family coming to the ceremony, start planning now!  Local hotels and motels fill up quick for graduation weekend and restaurants get very busy.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS FOR GRADUATING SENIORS AND GRADUATION GUESTS

Do I have to do something special to participate in the Crown Commencement?   YES
All students who want to walk in Crown’s Commencement Ceremony MUST go online and complete the Crown Ceremony Registration Form by Wednesday, May 2nd.  This is different than the online form students complete with the Registrar’s Office applying to graduate.

Do I have to do something special to get my diploma?  YES
In the quarter when you will be completing your classes and other degree requirements, you must apply to graduate via the Registrars Office.  The deadline to apply to graduate for spring 2012 is Wednesday, May 2nd.  If you do not apply to graduate you will not receive a diploma.  If you apply after May 2nd you will be charged a late fee and your diploma may indicate a later commencement quarter.  This is different than the online form students complete for participating in the Crown commencement ceremony.

Is there a limit on the number of guests who can come to commencement?  NO
UC Santa Cruz recognizes that our students reach commencement day because of the support of many individuals. Therefore, we do not limit how many people each participating student can invite to the ceremony. However, there is a limit on how many cars can come to campus; each participating student will receive 2 parking passes for commencement day.

I won’t actually finish by Spring.  Can I participate in the 2012 ceremony?   YES
Commencement is a celebration of achievement, not an indicator of completing your degree requirements and graduating. As such, we know the timing of the two do not always match up.  People completing degree requirements through winter 2013 can walk in Crown’s 2012 commencement.  When you fill out the online Crown Ceremony Registration Form, you need to select the same quarter in which you will be applying to graduate with the Registrar’s Office.

Is there a limit for parking?    YES
UC Santa Cruz hosts 10 commencement ceremonies on campus over the 2-day commencement weekend. We appreciate the efforts of all of our guests in following parking rules and restrictions so we can continue to accommodate so many visitors in such a short space of time.  Each participating senior is allocated 2 parking passes for commencement day.  Crown seniors who are registered to participate in Crown’s ceremony can pick up their parking passes at the Crown/Merrill Residential Life Office (behind the Taqueria at Merrill) beginning May 21st. ALL GUESTS MUST HAVE A UCSC COMMENCEMENT PARKING PASS; read below for information about disabled parking. Guests are encouraged to carpool or use public transit to get to campus. Shuttling guests to campus works well too; free campus shuttles from the base of campus will begin operating at 7:30 a.m.

RE: OVERSIZED VEHICLES - Some people choose to rent limos or busses to transport family members to the ceremony.  Oversize vehicles can be used for dropping guests off at the East Remote Parking Lot but will be required to park in the Barn Theatre Lot at the base of campus.

Is the ceremony site accessible for those with disabilities?      YES
Commencement parking is in the East Remote Parking Lot. This lot will be served by campus shuttles for those who cannot or do not wish to make the short walk to the ceremony. These shuttles are not wheelchair lift equipped but are suggested for everyone else, regardless of physical ability. All shuttles drop off at the same place on the East Field.  The only benefit of a disabled parking pass is a wheelchair-lift-equipped shuttle.  The ceremony site on the East Field and flat and grassy.  Students will be available to assist guests across the field if necessary.

Persons requiring a wheelchair-lift-equipped shuttle should have their graduating student request a commencement-day disabled parking pass.  Parking for these passes is in the East Field House Lot.  (Follow signs for the disabled parking area which is uphill past the East Remote Lot.)   Crown College has a limited number of parking passes for this lot and they are not in addition to the 2 passes per student mentioned above.  Each participating student still receives only 2 passes total.

Do not try to enter the handicapped lot on Commencement Day unless you have the right parking pass.

There is a limited amount of shaded seating for those with sun or heat sensitivity. Plan to arrive early if you will need to sit in the shade.

How long is the ceremony?     1 1/2 hours

Can families get close to the stage for pictures as students walk across?    NO
As in past years, Chappell Studios, a professional commercial photographer, has been contracted to take individual photographs of the students as each receives a commemorative scroll. Within 10 days after ceremony, students will receive a "proof," at no cost or obligation to buy. The photographer has also been hired to take a posed picture of each student in their cap and gown before they walk across the stage.

Can our family pet come to the ceremony?   NO
UCSC has a "no pet" policy that is strictly enforced.  Animals utilized for disability accommodation as defined by the Americans with Disabilitlies Act are allowed. If you enter campus with a pet, you will be asked to leave. If an animal is found in your car animal control will be notified and you may be ticketed.  There are several "pet hotels" in Santa Cruz County equipped to board your pets. Check local listings.

Is there a different location if it is raining?    NO
UCSC does not have indoor facilities large enough to accommodate students and their guests (even if guest attendance were very limited).  Therefore, all ceremonies scheduled for the East Field will happen as scheduled on the East Field RAIN OR SHINE.  Students and guests should be prepared for any weather we may have on the morning of the ceremony. 

Is there a reception afterwards?    YES
You and your family are welcome to walk or ride a shuttle up to the college for cake and punch after the ceremony.  Limited parking for those with disabled placards is available at the college.

Can my friend from another college participate in the Crown Commencement?   YES
However, there is an application process, $50 fee and due date.  Acceptance of non-Crown affiliated students is not guaranteed.  Non-affiliates must download the application form and turn it in by Friday, April 20th with their $50 fee to the Crown/Merrill Residential Life Office (behind the Taqueria at Merrill).

If you have further questions or concerns, please leave us a message at 831-459-2966.

Looking forward to seeing you on June 17th!

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