USC Gould School of Law Commencement
Friday, May 17, 2013 at 3:00pm in Founders Park on the USC Campus
Click here to see the commencement live.
Announcements/Invitations
Students will receive ten (10) complimentary commencement announcements for the law school ceremony in late March. A sign-up sheet will be available for those requesting additional announcements. Extra announcements are limited.
Additional announcements can also be ordered online through the USC Bookstore. Note: The bookstore announcements are slightly different from the ones the law school will provide.
Caps and Gowns
We are pleased to announce that, in recognition of the high cost of education and the many fees each of you has already paid to USC, the law school will pay the rental fee for your regalia ($74.99). To ensure that your rental fee is covered you should NOT pay the rental for your regalia. If you pay the rental fee you will NOT be reimbursed. The law school's Registrar and Director of Student Records, Kyle Jones, will provide more detailed information about how to obtain your cap and gown soon.
- Beginning May 6 go to the 3rd floor “supply desk” at the USC bookstore and inform the staff member at the desk that you are a law graduate. Note: they will not be able to take your order until May 6.
- We have provided the bookstore with a list of our graduating students. The list is organized by degree. If you are a dual degree student your name will appear at the end of the list after all of the JD students. You will, however, receive the same regalia.
- After you are checked off the list you will complete the appropriate paperwork at the 3rd floor “supply desk” to receive your regalia.
- A bookstore staff member will take your measurements (height, weight and cap size) before giving you your regalia.
- Please make sure that you receive the red doctoral gown, a dark purple (not lavender) hood and a yellow (not black) tassel.
Location
The ceremony and reception will take place in Founders Park. This venue is located on the University Park Campus near Bovard Auditorium and Taper Hall. Click here for campus map.
Arrival
Students must report to Founders Park no later than 2:00pm on May 17th. It is important that you arrive on time as it takes a considerable amount of time to line up all of the graduates.
Family and friends should be seated by 2:30pm so commencement can begin promptly at 3:00pm. We ask that you take only the seats you will use so that we are able to provide seating for everyone.
Water
Guests: Bottled water will be available for purchase at nearby USC managed commencement booths. Typically, commencement is a hot day. We recommend that you bring extra bottles of water.
Graduates: Bottles of water will be placed under each graduate's chair at the ceremony.
Tickets
We do NOT require tickets for the law school's ceremony or reception. There is usually sufficient seating available for all family and friends.
Attire
Commencement is held outdoors in Founders Park. Some of the area will be shaded by trees, but please be prepared to sit in a non-shaded area. We recommend sunscreen, sunglasses, hats, cool clothes and water. Umbrellas used for shade will not be permitted in the audience because they block the view for others.
We strongly advise all graduates to wear flat, comfortable shoes in order to navigate the rough grass and the steps leading up to the stage.
Balloons
Balloons will not be permitted in the audience because they block the view for others.
Parking
Parking will be FREE of charge on Commencement Day. Click here for driving directions and map.
Guests with Disabilities
If someone in your party will require disabled seating, please contact the law school Events Office in Room 475 no later than 12:00noon on Monday, May 6th or call 213.740.3841 or email events@law.usc.edu. Disabled seating must be reserved through this office in advance and is limited to (2) people per graduate in an effort to accommodate all requests.
Disabled guests with blue, handicapped placards can park in designated handicapped parking spaces in any of the campus parking structures or lots. Disabled guests can also be dropped off at Gate 3 which is located at Figueroa and McCarthy Way (the entrance for Parking Structure X) which will be the closest drop off point to the law school's ceremony in Founders Park.
Campus Facilities available on Commencement Day
The law school will be open from 7:00am to 9:00pm. Food, flowers and restrooms will be available at several locations across the campus, and the bookstore will be open from 7:45am to 8:00pm. The closest restrooms will be located in the Bovard Auditorium building, Taper Hall, and the Von Klein Schmidt building. In addition, a portable restroom will be set up near our ceremony in Founders Park.
Commencement Speaker
The keynote speaker for this year's Gould School of Law Commencmenet Ceremony will be California Supreme Court Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye.
Photographer
Professional commencement photographer, Grad Images, will take individual pictures of each graduate as they receive their diploma and cross the stage. These pictures will be available for purchase directly from Grad Images. Grad Images will contact each graduate after the ceremony for picture orders.
GradImages™
Customer Service # 1-800-261-2576
Customer Service Email
service@gradimages.com
Website www.gradimages.com
Rain
The ceremony will take place outside rain or shine. Please check the forecast and come prepared. If you have questions regarding inclement weather prior to event day, please contact the law school's Events Office at 213.740.3841.
Hotel Accommodations
STA Travel is the official travel agency for commencement and can be reached by calling 213.254.2662. They have negotiated discounted rates with airlines, hotels and rental cars. We recommend that you contact them early to arrange your travel needs.
Webcast
Those who are unable to attend the ceremony can watch the live webcast here.
Video
The law school will send a complimentary DVD of the ceremony to each graduate over the summer. Please make sure we have your mailing address on file before the last day of class.
Post-Ceremony Reception
Immediately following the ceremony in Founders Park, graduates and their guests are invited to attend a reception with light refreshments. Graduates will turn in their caps and gowns, pick up their diplomas and receive a gift from the law school. If you wish to make dinner reservations, we suggest making them for 6:00pm.
USC's Main Commencement Ceremony
The USC 130th Commencement Ceremony will take place on the same day, Friday, May 17, 2013 in Alumni Park. The procession will begin at 8:30am and the ceremony will begin at 9:00am Click here to go to USC's Commencement Ceremony site.
More Information
Students will receive a Gould School of Law Commencement Handbook in late February which will provide more detailed information about our ceremony. This handbook will also be posted on the law school's commencement website. For specific questions, contact the law school's Events Office.
