Checklist for Graduates
Eligible 2024-25 graduates will be invited in early April to join a Commencement 2025 Canvas course to receive notifications and instructions on the ceremony.
Summer 2024 and Fall 2024 graduates will receive this invite by mid-February.
Eligible graduates should have received this invite by now to their NVC student email address. If you didn't, please call the Office of Student Affairs for assistance.
- Graduates wishing to participate in the ceremony will need to RSVP online by May 9. The online RSVP form will be made available in April.
- Regalia is required to participate in the ceremony and can be purchased from the NVC Bookstore, (707) 256-7480. For more details, see the Cap and Gown (Academic Regalia) page.
- Graduates are allowed to decorate their cap. Get creative! No restrictions but must not be offensive or inappropriate.
- It can last about 1.5-2 hours depending on how many graduates participate.
- Attendance at rehearsal is highly recommended but not required if you are taking a final.
- You will receive your Graduate Information Card at the rehearsal
- Write your full name as you want it to be read; spell it out phonetically, if necessary.
- Write down ONLY one of your degrees or certificates. Only one will be read during the ceremony. See how to write the name of your degree on your card.
- You will leave your card at the podium during the rehearsal and will need to pick it up in the evening again.
- If you cannot attend the rehearsal, don't worry. Just plan to arrive early by 4:30
p.m. prior to the ceremony to receive a semi-filled card and further instructions
prior to lining up.
- Graduates line-up in no specific order; first to arrive, get front rows; last to arrive, get back rows.
- No saving of spots for other classmates once countdown begins
- See how to fill out your Graduate Information Card.
- Your name and one degree will be read form this card as you walk the stage.
- Line up is NOT in alphabetical order or by major. It's first come, first seated. See map of where graduates will line up.
Review the line up and seating instructions to determine if you will line up on the left row or right row under the bleachers.