MEMBERS OF THE CLASS OF 2008, congratulations on your candidacy for a degree from one of the most distinguished universities in the United States. Graduation from the University of California, Santa Barbara signifies high achievement for the Class of 2008.

• Commencement Dates
  Commencement will be held on Sunday, June 8 at 11:00 am (College of Creative Studies); Friday, June 13 at 10:00 am (Donald Bren School of Environmental Science & Management); and Saturday and Sunday,
  June 14 & 15, 2008. Please see the Commencement Schedule for a detailed list of ceremony times.
   
• Cap and Gown
  All graduates must wear regalia (cap and gown) at the June 13, 14 and 15 commencement ceremonies. Regalia should be rented from the UCSB Bookstore June 9 through June 13, Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm, and Saturday and Sunday, 8 am to 4 pm.
   
• After the Ceremony: Returning Student Gowns
  Pre-arrange a specific site to meet your family and friends. Immediately after the ceremony, return gowns and hoods (master's and doctoral). On June 14 and 15, signs designating the collection site near the Student Resource Building will be clearly visible. Graduates may keep their caps and tassels. Look for "Gown Return" signs.
   
• Stage Passes
  Bachelor’s degree candidates participating on June 14 or 15 should pick up stage passes outside the UCSB Bookstore, June 9 through June 13, 8 am to 5 pm. On June 14 and 15, stage passes will be available at the Events Center. Show your UCSB student identification card to receive your pass. Passes will be specific to the ceremony for which you have a reservation and must be presented at the Events Center (student robing area) to gain entrance. Master’s and doctoral degree candidates register for their stage pass at the Graduate Division web site at www.graddiv.ucsb.edu, which also contains all other information regarding the Graduate Student Commencement Ceremony. Your stage pass is also your photography slip. Please be sure to sign the card and include your permanent home address where your commencement ceremony photo proofs can be sent.
   
• Student Processional
  The commencement processional line will form in the Events Center and proceed 1/4 mile to The Faculty Club Green. Students should note that the walk from the Events Center to The Faculty Club Green includes walking on uneven pavement, and through grass and mud, therefore high-heeled shoes are not recommended. Plan to arrive at the Events Center with your stage pass and cap and gown one hour prior to the beginning of the ceremony. Bachelor’s Degree Candidates will need a stage pass to be admitted to the robing area and to participate in the ceremony. Family of graduates will not be admitted to the Event Center. Commencement staff will be available to assist you in the Events Center. The processional will leave the Events Center 20 minutes prior to the ceremony. Please be prompt. As you reach the ceremony platform, you will hand your stage pass to the reader on the platform at the time you are to be introduced and congratulated by the Chancellor. Each ceremony will last approximately 2 – 2 ½ hours. To accommodate a disability, please call the Office of Public Events at (805) 893-7382.
   
• Recessional
  Pre-arrange a specific site to meet your family and friends after the ceremony. When the ceremony ends, follow the recessional line up the Faculty Club Green, return your gown to the collection site near the Student Resource Building and meet your family and friends at your pre-selected meeting place.
   
• Food and Beverages
  Water, light food, coffee and soft drinks will be available for purchase and consumption at the Faculty Club Terrace adjacent to the commencement site from 7:30 am until 5:00 pm Drinking water will be available at the Events Center student staging area. Food and beverages, regardless of container, are not permitted within the commencement site. All food or beverages (cups, cans, plastic or glass bottles, flasks, coolers) except water must be disposed of in appropriate trash/recycle containers. Alcoholic beverages, including celebratory champagne, are not permitted at Commencement and will be confiscated and discarded.
   
• Photography and Video
  Guests are welcome to bring cameras. An official commencement photographer, Chappell Studio, will record all graduates receiving congratulations from the Chancellor. To receive your proofs, you must sign your stage pass and provide your permanent home addressor provide preprinted name and major card for master’s and doctoral degree candidates. The ceremonies will also be professionally videotaped. See enclosed form for information about ordering a DVD video. Visit the Chappell Studio web site at www.gradimages.comor call (800) 424-3686. Only official photographers will be permitted in the stage area.
  
  Graduation Photography Preregistration Email Link is Available Today!Graduates can preregister their email, friends and family email addresses and Graduation Images will contact them just as soon as their photos are available for online viewing and ordering.
   
• Parking
  There are no parking fees collected during commencement weekend. Due to the impact on parking during Commencement weekend, we ask you to follow the signs and park in designated parking areas as directed by parking staff.
  
  

  Saturday 9:00 am - Mesa Lot 18	Sunday 9:00 am - Lot 22
  Saturday 1:00 pm - Lot 22	Sunday 1:00 pm - Mesa Lot 18
  Saturday 4:00 pm - Mesa Lot 18	Sunday 4:00 pm - Lot 22

  
  For planning purposes please allow 30 minutes to exit campus once you get to your vehicle. Shuttles will be available to transport guests to the commencement site from specified parking areas. For Santa Barbara MTD bus schedule to campus, contact (805) 683-3702. Guests displaying a disabled placard should follow the blue signs to accessible parking in Lot 23 reserved for disabled. Please see the UCSB Commencement 2008 campus map.
   
• Guest Seating (suggested limit: six guests per undergraduate)
  Seating is limited due to the large number of graduates and guests. NO tickets are needed. Guests should arrive at least one hour before the ceremony begins to allow time to reach the commencement site and secure seating. To ensure that families and guests hear graduates’ names and see each graduate receive his or her degree, please remain in your seat and maintain silence until all graduates have been introduced. Your cooperation will be sincerely appreciated by the Class of 2008, their families and friends.
   
• Site Access (Elderly and Guests with Disabilities)
  Access to the commencement site may be challenging to guests who may have difficulty walking up and down a hill. Guests should ask a UCSB parking attendant for instructions regarding access. Please note that the commencement site is located down a slight incline. Guests who may have difficulty walking up and down hill should consider bringing a wheelchair. Limited covered seating is available for elderly and sun-sensitive guests on a first-come, first-served basis.
   
• Commencement Souvenir Book
  The 2008 Commencement Souvenir Book, with a list of all graduates and their degree, and award recipients, will be sold for $8.00 at the commencement site. Look for "Commencement Book Sales" signs.
   
• Graduation Announcements
  Please visit www.bookstore.ucsb.edu/graduation/grad_home.html for information.
   
• Diplomas
  Undergraduate diplomas are mailed approximately 3-4 months after the date of graduation. Please see information on diplomas at the Registrar’s web site www.registrar.ucsb.edu/diploma.htm.
   
• Weather
  Summer days in Santa Barbara can be foggy and cool or sunny and hot. Guests should prepare for varied weather conditions by bringing a jacket or light sweater and sun protection.  

• Pets
  For the health of your dog and for safety and sanitary reasons, only certified service dogs wearing their service apparel will be allowed within the commencement site.

Commencement provides an occasion to celebrate achievements and successes. To ensure that families and guests hear graduates' names and see each graduate receive his or her degree, please remain in your seat and maintain silence until all graduates have been introduced. Your cooperation will be sincerely appreciated by the Class of 2008, their families, and friends.