Grads: Here Are Some Things to Know

excited young woman in grad cap, giving high five

Graduation will be held on a Sunday this year – Sunday, June 29 – beginning at 3 p.m. at the Santa Clara Convention Center, 5001 Great America Parkway, Santa Clara.

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.

Remember to File for Your Degree!

Important:
  • You must apply for your degree by Friday, June 13, to have your name listed in the printed grad program.
  • You must apply by Friday, June 27, to receive your degree for spring quarter.


Caps, Gowns and Stoles

  • You will be able to purchase graduation caps, gowns and other regalia from the campus Bookstore or through the Bookstore's online site.
  • If you buy 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.
  • Graduates completing their studies at De Anza College with honors are eligible to wear the gold "Honors" stole during the ceremony.


Before Graduation Day

  • If you need disability accommodations for the event, please send an email to dss@deanza.edu
  • 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're not sure which Village you're in, check the list of Villages and degrees. Grads will be lining up and marching into the main hall by Village.
  • 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.
  • There will be open seating for family members and guests. No tickets or reservations are required. But your guests should plan to arrive early, especially if you have a large group, so they will have time to park and find seats together. The doors will open at 1 p.m.
  • 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.

Find Your Village: List of Villages and Majors


Graduation Day

  • smiling gradGraduates should arrive early – between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. – at the Convention Center on Sunday, June 29. The event begins at 3 p.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.
  • The Convention Center is located at 5001 Great America Parkway in Santa Clara. 
    • FREE parking is available in the garage behind the Convention Center: Enter the driveway from Great America Parkway, across from Bunker Hill Lane.
    • Park on the second or third floor of the garage and follow signs to enter the Convention Center on the third floor. Once you're inside, take the stairs or escalator (or elevator) down to the lobby.
    • You can also park free in the Tasman Garage at 2525 Tasman Drive, Santa Clara, and walk a short distance to the Convention Center.
  • Grads should go to Hall A and look for volunteers holding signs for your Village. 
    • Family members and other guests should go ahead and find seats in Halls B and D. (See below)
    • Grads will line up in Hall A and march into the main hall with other members of your Village.
  • Volunteers 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.
  • grad with RoaryThe graduation ceremony starts at 3 p.m. sharp.
  • Your name will be called when it's time to walk across the stage. There will be no rehearsal, so be prepared.
  • After the ceremony ends, you and your guests are welcome to take photos in the Red Carpet area with Roary the Mountain Lion and other fun props
  • Enjoy your graduation!


Family Members and Guests

  • The graduation ceremony starts at 3 p.m. sharp. The doors will open at 1 p.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 indoors at the Santa Clara Convention Center – 5001 Great America Parkway in Santa Clara. 
    • FREE parking is available in the garage behind the Convention Center: Enter the driveway where Bunker Hill Lane runs into Great America Parkway.
    • Park on the second or third floor of the garage and follow signs to walk into the Convention Center, then down the escalator to the lobby.
    • You can also park free in the Tasman Garage at 2525 Tasman Drive, Santa Clara, and walk a short distance to the Convention Center.
    • From the lobby, family members and guests should walk down the corridor to Halls B and D.
  • 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 1 p.m.
  • Grads should meet in Hall A, while families and guests can find seats in Halls B and D.
  • If you need disability accommodations, please send an email to dss@deanza.edu


Disability Accommodations

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