Commencement Checklist

3. COMMENCEMENT REGISTRATION

Commencement registration has closed. If you registered, you can access your GradPass, guest tickets, and commencement-specific parking permits via your Marching Order Registration Homepage.

SLUG CROSSING 

Slug Crossing consists of 13 ceremonies and celebrations (10 Colleges, Graduate Division, Chicanx/Latinx Celebration, and Baskin School of Engineering Celebration) on the Upper East Field. Graduates will be able to select a 15-minute timeslot for the event they would like to participate in and that is when they should arrive at the venue entrance with their guests. 

GUEST POLICY: Each graduate will be admitted to the event with up to 6 guests. Guest tickets will be distributed through the Marching Order registration system. Please do not share tickets with other graduates as we will only allow 6 guests into the venue per graduate. Children under the age of 5 do not require a ticket. 

PARKING: Graduates will need to register for commencement-specific parking permits in Marching Order. Each graduate will receive up to two parking permits. These permits are valid for the East Remote (104) parking lot only. The parking permit needs to be printed and displayed on the vehicle dashboard and is valid for 75 minutes on the day of the graduate's Slug Crossing. Shuttles and DVS vans will be available from the East Remote lot to the venue entrance for all guests. If you have general parking or transportation questions, please visit the TAPS website.

Fare-free METRO campus routes are available June 15th - 18th.

WHAT TO EXPECT: Graduates and guests will park in the East Remote Lot and should plan to arrive together at the Upper East Field at their scheduled Slug Crossing time. Upon check-in, graduates will show their GradPass and all guests will have their tickets scanned. Inside the venue, graduates will cross the stage and have three staged pictures taken by professional photographers. Guests will have front-row access and be able to cheer on their graduates as they cross the stage. Before exiting, graduates and guests can take a picture together with the professional photographer. Outside of the venue, there will be additional photo opportunities and complimentary refreshments.

What to Expect at Slug Crossing Video - Click Here! 

We highly suggest graduates and guests check weather predictions and dress accordingly. Most importantly, comfortable shoes, rather than heels, are recommended due to the soft lawns upon which the event is held and the terrain of campus.

Portable restrooms will be located in the East Remote Lot and the Upper East Field. 

PROHIBITED ITEMS: Pets (ADA service animals are allowed), Drones, Confetti, Noise-Makers, Balloons, Alcohol, Smoking, or Other Drugs. 

ACCESSIBILITY ACCOMMODATIONS: UCSC is strongly committed to making all of its programs and services accessible to students, campus employees, and members of the public. If students or guests need accommodations, it is the student’s responsibility to include this information in their Marching Order registration portal. 

SUSTAINABILITY: UC Santa Cruz is deeply committed to sustainability and is striving to both reduce the amount of waste we generate, but also compost and recycle materials instead of sending them to landfills. For Commencement 2023, we're guiding to help support campus sustainability and zero waste goals. 

GRADUATE SLIDE

Class of 2023 graduates will be able to create a personalized slide, including their preferred name, major, photograph, and a special message they would like to share! 

• An example of a virtual ceremony, the graduate slides are located at the bottom of the page.
  

• Please note, that all images and messages uploaded to the registration system will be reviewed by administrators and need to adhere to the Student Conduct & Community Standards.  

ONCE A SLUG, ALWAYS A SLUG