Commencement

All the details you need to have a great experience at Commencement 2009.

Seating and Protocol

Tickets and Seating

To ensure adequate seating, all guests, including infants, must have a ticket for entry. The actual number of tickets available will depend upon the number of graduates attending. Seating will be on a first-come, first-served basis. See the ticketing page for more information.

Provisions for Guests with Disabilities

Parking for those with a disabled person plate or placard will be available. If you are an individual with a disability, or you are inviting a guest who needs special assistance, and have questions about Commencement, please call the Office of Event Management and Protocol at (951) 827-3144.

Guests who are sensitive to heat and sun may view the ceremony in an indoor, climate-controlled location with a live video-feed of the ceremony shown on a large screen. No tickets are required for entrance into this location.

Audience Courtesy

UCR is very proud of the accomplishments of each and every student, so we want the ceremony to be a pleasant experience for everyone. This time-honored ritual includes traditional academic regalia and requires proper decorum. We ask you to respect the rights and feelings of other participants and guests by remaining in your seat until all of the graduates have been recognized and the ceremony has concluded. In consideration of the speakers, no beach balls or other distracting objects will be allowed in the venue. Pagers and cell phones should be turned off or to silent mode during the ceremony.

Accommodations

Many Riverside area hotels offer special rates to UCR visitors. Please inquire about receiving a UCR rate when you make your reservations. Visit the Riverside Convention Bureau web site for a list of area hotels at http://www.riversidecb.com/.

Directions and Parking

Directions

UC Riverside is located near the convergence of the 91-60-215 freeways in the city of Riverside.
Directions to the UCR Campus .

Parking

Commencement parking is complimentary, and all parking lots except lot 6, 19 and residence hall lots 14, 15, 21 and 22 will be open. Handicapped parking in all lots will be strictly enforced. Parking for disabled persons is available in Lot 6. 

For Your Safety

Although UC Riverside does not anticipate any security problems during Commencement, we will be taking special measures to ensure the safety of everyone who attends Commencement.

The following items are prohibited on campus:

• alcohol
• illegal drugs/paraphernalia
• weapons of any kind including firearms and knives
• animals except for registered guide dogs

The following items will not be allowed at the venue:

• strollers
• balloons
• air horns

Security will be screening at the venue.

Smoking is not permitted inside the Commencement venue.

These policies are subject to change without notice.

On-Campus Dining Opportunities

The Arroyo Vista Café is offering sumptuous buffet brunches and buffet lunches during Commencement Weekend for UCR graduates and their guests in the new Alumni & Visitors Center, 3701 Canyon Crest Drive. Our central location is very convenient to the entire UCR campus and a pleasant stroll to or from the Commencement site. The contemporary restaurant features floor-to-ceiling windows that offer picturesque arroyo views for our guests.

Join us for delicious buffets featuring a carving station, assorted entrees, salads, desserts and hot and cold beverages. Avoid parking challenges and long wait-times at crowded restaurants before or after your ceremony.

• Saturday, June 13th, 2009 ‑ Reservations available from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
• Sunday, June 14th, 2009 ‑ Reservations available from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Please call Arroyo Vista Café Guest Services at (951) 827-5147 to make your reservation.

The Arroyo Vista Café accepts Visa or MasterCard credit cards.

• $22.95 per person — UCR Alumni Assn. members and their guests
• $26.95 per person —  Non-UCR Alumni Association members
• $18.95 per child — 4-11 years old
• No charge — children 3 years old and younger

Commencement Program Book

A souvenir program book, listing the names of all of the graduates, may be purchased for $5.00 at each of the ceremonies.  Participating graduates will receive one complimentary program book when they check-in for their ceremony.