Details and Resources

Guest Policy

During the registration process, each eligible graduate can claim up to five guest tickets per event. Children under the age of 5 do not need a ticket to enter the venue. Students can email or print their guest tickets to provide them to their guests.

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Accessibility Accommodations

UC Santa Cruz is 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, the student must include this information when registering to participate. 

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Tickets

Don’t forget your tickets! You can bring them printed or on your smartphone.

Graduates will have a student ticket (Stage Pass), which can be added to Apple or Google Wallet!

Guests will have guest tickets for each person in the party.*

* Children under the age of 5 do not need a ticket.

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Transportation and Parking

Parking for commencement will be limited, and we encourage graduates and their guests to carpool or use alternative transportation. 

Visit the TAPS Commencement website for detailed parking & transportation information.

Commencement ceremonies and celebrations will have virtual parking permits available for purchase beginning in late May.

• All graduates will be eligible to purchase two parking permits per ceremony.
• The first permit will cost $10, and the second will cost $40*.
• All permits must be purchased in advance online.
• You must be a graduate and sign in using your CruzID and Gold password to see the permit options.
• You must enter the vehicle’s license plate number when purchasing the permit. 
• Only ONE vehicle will be allowed per permit. 
• Virtual commencement permits are only valid in the East Remote Parking Lot (104). 
• Virtual commencement permits are only valid from 90 minutes before the designated ceremony or celebration until one hour after the designated ceremony or celebration. 
• Vehicles parked in other lots or outside the specified time frame for their ceremony or celebration will be subject to citation.

*Proceeds from additional permit sales will be used to offset commencement operation costs.

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Check-In

Graduates and guests are encouraged to arrive one hour before the event start time. The processional will begin 15 minutes before the event start time, and the event will start promptly on the hour.

Students will check in inside the gates of the East Athletics and Recreation Facility between the tennis courts and swimming pool, adjacent to the Upper East Field.

Guests can check in at the venue’s main entrance on the Upper East Field and proceed to the seating area.

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Prohibited Items

Weapons of any kind, signs and banners, flags, umbrellas, pets (ADA service animals are allowed), drones, confetti, noisemakers, balloons, alcohol, and drugs. Smoking is prohibited.

This list is not exhaustive and is subject to change.

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Sustainability

UC Santa Cruz is deeply committed to sustainability, and the campus strives to reduce the waste it generates. We compost and recycle materials instead of sending them to landfills. Commencement 2025 is aligned with campus sustainability and zero-waste goals.