USC Gould School of Law Commencement
Friday, May 11, 2012 at 3:30pm in McCarthy Quad 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
Academic regalia should be rented from the USC Bookstore beginning Thursday, April 26th. Be sure to order early, as they may run out of red doctoral (J.D.) gowns. Please make sure you receive a dark purple (not lavender) hood and a yellow (not black) tassel.
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 ($69.99). 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. Please follow the procedures below to ensure that your rental fee is covered by the law school.
- Beginning April 26th 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, and that the school is paying for your regalia. Note: they will not be able to take your order until April 26th.
- 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 need to 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 McCarthy Quad. This venue is located on the University Park Campus near the law school. Click here for campus map.
Arrival
Students must report to McCarthy Quad no later than 2:30pm on May 11th. 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 3:00pm so commencement can begin promptly at 3:30pm. We ask that you take only the seats you will use so that we are able to provide seating for everyone.
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 in the shade under the giant canopy which covers the entire seating area.
Attire
Commencement is held outdoors in McCarthy Quad. The entire area is shaded by a large canopy. A few of the seats on the perimeter will be in the sun. The reception will be partially shaded. We recommend sunscreen, sunglasses, hats, cool clothes and water. Umbrellas and balloons will not be permitted inside the tent as 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 Tuesday, May 1st 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 McCarthy Quad.
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 are located in the Von Klein Schmidt building and Leavey Library. Signs will be posted to direct guests. Please note: the restrooms in Leavey Library will close at 5:00pm.
Commencement Speaker
This year's commencement speaker will be announced soon.
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.
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 Events Office at 213.740.3841.
Hotel Accomodations
STA Travel is the official travel agency for commencement and can be reached by calling 213.743.4782. 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.
Post-Ceremony Reception
Immediately following the ceremony in McCarthy Quad, 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 6:30pm.
USC's Main Commencement Ceremony
The USC 129th Commencement Ceremony will take place on the same day, Friday, May 11, 2012 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 Commencement Handbook in late February which will provide more detailed information. This handbook will also be posted on the law school's commencement website. For specific questions, contact the USC Law Events Office.
