Grads: Here Are Some Things to Know

Graduation will be held on Saturday, June 27 – beginning at 9 a.m. on the De Anza College campus. See below for parking information.

smiling young woman in grad regalia There are no tickets and you don't need to sign up for the event itself, but you must apply for your degree and purchase your cap and gown before the deadlines listed below. See below for some tips on how to make the most of this important celebration:

Be sure to check the main Graduation webpage for updates as the big day approaches.


Graduation Day

Arrival

  • Grad leaning against the wallGraduates should arrive early — between 7 and 8 a.m. — on campus on Saturday, June 27. The event begins at 9 a.m. and you'll want to allow plenty of time to get parked, fix your hair or makeup and find other members of your Village so you can march in together.
  • Grads should head toward the Planetarium and look for volunteers.
    • Family members and other guests should go ahead and find seats in in the bleachers or on the field.
    • Grads will line up near the Planetarium and march into the stadium with other members of their Village.
  • If you're not sure which Village you're in, check the list of Villages and degrees. Grads will be lining up and marching into the stadium by Village.
  • The graduation ceremony starts at 9 a.m. sharp.

Parking

  • Parking is free, in any open lot on the De Anza College campus. 

Name Cards

  • Smiling gradVolunteers will be handing out name cards for each grad:
    • Fill in your name card by printing your name as you would like it to be announced during the ceremony.
    • Make sure you print clearly and if necessary write your name phonetically to help us with pronunciation.
  • Your name will be called when it's time to walk across the stage. There will be no rehearsal, so be prepared.

Photos After the Ceremony

  • After the ceremony ends, you and your guests are welcome to take photos in Lot C with Roary the Mountain Lion and fun backdrops.

Prohibited and Personal Items

  • Please don't bring balloons, large posters or other large items. They can pose a safety risk and might block the view of others sitting near you.
  • Please arrange for your family or friends to look after your personal items during the ceremony. You may not be returning to the same seat after receiving your degree, so you should not carry anything with you during the ceremony.

Enjoy your graduation!


Family Members and Guests

Arrival

  • The graduation ceremony starts at 9 a.m. sharp. The doors will open at 7 a.m., and we recommend that you arrive early, especially if you have a large group, so you can find seats together.
  • The ceremony will be held outdoors in the De Anza College Stadium and Track. 

Parking

  • FREE parking is available in any open lot on campus.

Seating

  • Seating is open. No tickets or reservations are required. But you should plan to arrive early to be sure you have time to park and find your seats. The doors will open at 7 a.m.
  • Family members and other guests can find seats in the bleachers or on the field.

Prohibited Items

  • Please don't bring balloons, large posters or other large items. They can pose a safety risk and might block the view of others sitting near you.

Livestream

  • Relatives or friends who aren't able to attend can plan to watch the livestream, with captions, on the main Graduation webpage or on De Anza's YouTube channel.

Disability Accommodations


Event Information

Restrooms

  • Grad high fivingRestrooms are located all around the outside of the stadium, either in adjacent buildings or in restroom trailers.
  • Accessible restrooms can be found in one of the nearby buildings. 

Programs and Water

  • Pick up a commencement program and complimentary bottled water at the information tables located at the entrances on either side of the stadium.

Food Trucks

  • Food and beverages will be available for purchase beginning at 7 a.m. at food trucks located in Parking Lot C. 

Remember to File for Your Degree!

Important:
  • You must apply for your degree by Friday, June 26, to receive your degree for spring quarter, but your name won't appear in the printed program if you applied after June 15.


Caps, Gowns and Stoles

Purchase from the Bookstore — Open Extra Hours on Friday, June 26

  • Decorated grad capYou can purchase graduation caps, gowns and other regalia from the campus Bookstore, located on the first floor of the Registration and Student Services (RSS) Building.
    • Note: The deadline has passed to order online and be sure your items will arrive in time.
    • You can still buy in person at the Bookstore through Friday, June 26 — the Bookstore is normally closed on Fridays, but it will be open on Friday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Shop while supplies last; some items or sizes may not be in stock or available.

Diploma Covers

  • If you bought a Grad Pack, which includes a cap, gown, tassel and diploma cover, the diploma cover will be held for you and distributed during the graduation ceremony. Diploma covers and frames are also available for purchase separately.

Honors

  • Graduates completing their studies at De Anza College with honors are eligible to wear the gold "Honors" stole during the ceremony, based on their GPA as of the most recent quarter available: 
    • Summa Cum Laude: highest honors, 4.0 GPA
    • Magna Cum Laude: high honors, 3.5 to 3.99 GPA
    • Cum Laude: honors, 3.3 to 3.49 GPA


Before Graduation Day

  • Please hang up your gown to remove the wrinkles. You may wish to iron out any remaining wrinkles, but please take care and use the lowest possible setting on your iron.
  • If you need disability accommodations for the event, please send an email to chapmanstacy@fhda.edu.


Disability Accommodations

Back to Top