Graduation

Guest Seating and Parking

Main seating for guests will be on the lower Engineering Courtyard for the Baskin School of Engineering Graduation Ceremony; however seating is limited. Additional seating is available inside the Baskin Auditorium where the event will be shown on video simulcast. Seating and standing will also be available on the Upper Courtyard.

On campus parking will require a special graduation day parking permit, including vehicles with handicapped placards. Vehicles not displaying parking permits may be cited.

Guest parking is available in the Core West Parking Structure. Graduates may pickup parking permits from Undergraduate Advising Office (BE-227) after they have registered on the School of Engineering 2008 Graduation Registration Page. Parking accommodation for guests with disabilities will be available and will require a special parking permit issued by the School of Engineering.

Please note: each Graduating student may receive up to two parking permits (student plus one additional permit). Please encourage guests and fellow students to carpool or use alternative transportation. There is no parking or waiting area for large vehicles near Baskin Engineering. Students and/or guests arriving in large vehicles such as buses, motor homes or limos must park at the Barn Theatre Lot and take a campus shuttle to Baskin Engineering.

Please indicate any special needs in the "Special Accommodation" comments box of the registration form or .

Maps & Directions

Please enter campus via the West Entrance (Empire Grade Road) and follow the WEST signage as indicated on your parking permit. Once on campus, follow signage for School of Engineering (SOE) Ceremony.

Lodging & Accommodations

Guests who are planning to spend graduation weekend in Santa Cruz should consider making hotel/motel reservations early. June is the beginning of tourist season in Santa Cruz and graduation weekend is extremely busy.

The UCSC Community Rentals Office has compiled a list of Places to Stay while visiting Santa Cruz. *Please note that the Baskin School of Engineering is not responsible for the accuracy of information contained on the UCSC Community Rentals website.

For information on local restaurants and things to do while visiting Santa Cruz, please visit the Santa Cruz County Conference and Visitors Council.

Suggestions for Guests

The weather on graduation day may vary. Prepare for hot or cold weather. Please plan accordingly.

Use sunscreen!
Wear light colored clothing
Wear comfortable, flat shoes
Wear a sun hat
Drink plenty of water!
Bring a coat, sweater and/or blanket
Make dinner and/or lunch plans in advance with the understanding that campus eateries may not be open or may be overwhelmed. Light refreshments will be available after the ceremony.
Arrive on campus with plently of time to search for parking. There are a number of graduation events taking place on Sunday June 15th. Drop guests at Engineering and try using the North Remote lot if you are running late. Shuttle service from North Remote lot will be available.

Handheld battery operated video cameras are suggested for use during the ceremony. Tripods are not allowed as they tend to block walkways and interfere with the view of other guests.

Onsite Services

Drinking water is available from dispensers located on lower and upper courtyards.

Engineering student organizations will be selling merchandise, bottled water, sodas and other items.

Origin

The SOE's graduation ceremony (commencement celebration) is independent of the college's and graduate division's commencement celebrations, and is arranged for a day and time that won't interfere with those ceremonies.

The first organized CE/CS graduation ceremony, proposed during the 1994-1995 academic year, was arranged by and for computer science and computer engineering students who realized the bond between CE/CS students. Having shared so many experiences together, they also wanted to share the memorable occasion of graduation with their peers and colleagues.

As one codes a program or builds that project one also builds friendships. It is these friendships that add more meaning to your goal as an undergraduate. - CE/CS Graduation Committee, Class of 1995

Questions

Please with any questions or concerns.