Frequently Asked Questions

Deadline to apply for all graduate and undergraduate students is March 2, 2024. Deadline to apply for all Doctoral students is May 1, 2024.

There will be one ceremony for ALL Undergraduate Degrees and another ceremony for ALL Master and Doctoral Degrees.  Your degree that you are earning will dictate which ceremony you will attend.

Please see list on the commencement page for details.

You must apply for graduation and your academic advisor will clear you to participate in commencement.

Once you are cleared, you will receive information from the Commencement Office. You will need to purchase your regalia (cap, gown, hood and tassel), fill out the commencement participation/RSVP form,  You will only be able to claim your guest tickets after you fill out the participation/RSVP form.

If you do not fill out the participation form, you will not receive your guest tickets or any other important information about commencement. 

We will give up to 8 guest tickets to each graduating student.  If you need additional guest tickets, you may request through the participation/RSVP form.

Tickets will be limited and will be given on a first come first serve basis.

Grad Finale is an optional fair like event taking place on Saturday, March 2, 20234 from 10:00am to 4:00pm in the SSAP Gym at the La Verne campus. Graduates will be able to shop for regalia, diploma frames, class rings, announcements, take photos with a backdrop and professional portraits, as well as speak with a variety of university departments to get information about commencement and career paths. Raffle tickets will be given to all students that check in for an opportunity to win a prize.

The Commencement webpage will post a cleared listed with all students that are cleared for each commencement ceremony. This will be updated every Friday starting March 1, 2024 until the end of May 25, 2024.

You may purchase on-line from Jostens. We will also have two dates that we will sell regalia on the La Verne Campus for last minute: April 24, 2024 and May 1, 2024 from 12:00-7:00pm in Leo’s Den in the Abraham Campus Center.

Please email the Commencement Office and inform them that you have yet to receive any information.

Only students that have been cleared to participate in the commencement will be receiving email communications from the Commencement Office and will only be sent to your La Verne student email account.

Your degree will be posted after completion of all degree work and you will receive an email stating that your degree has been posted. Your tassel will represent the class you are graduating from which would be 2024.

Sashes, cap and gowns are available for purchase online through Jostens. Please keep in mind that the last day to purchase regalia online is April 6, 2024. Regalia delivery can take up to six weeks, so it is recommended that you purchase as soon as possible.

You may also purchase additional alumni related items through the University of La Verne’s Campus Store.

Official ULV regalia colors are as follows: Bachelor student regalia includes a black gown and mortarboard, a green tassel, and a hood with white velvet lining. Master student regalia includes a black gown and mortarboard, a black tassel, and a hood with the color of the velvet lining varying by degree.

Please contact Jostens representative Jackie Springer.

Please contact Jostens representative Jackie Springer.

Commencement Ceremonies on La Verne Campus in the Ortmayer Football Stadium:

• ALL Undergraduate Degrees – Saturday, May 25, 2024 at 10am
• ALL Master and Doctoral Degrees – Saturday, May 25, 2024 at 4pm

Each ceremony may last up to 2½ to 3 hours.

For doctoral regalia, please contact the head of your department for more information on the ordering process or contact Jostens representative Jackie Springer.

Being cleared for graduation is done by your advisor, Academic Advising and Graduate Academic Services. Please contact them directly, instead of the Commencement Office. A cleared list of students will be posted on the Commencement website starting March 2, 2024 and updated every Friday until Commencement.

If you have made a customized stole, please send a picture of it to commencement@laverne.edu to receive approval first. The Commencement office will not approve stoles or sashes with vulgar language, offensive or obscene images.

You may now purchase a custom-made stole on the Jostens website.

Up to 8 different sections can be customized with your College, ULV, University of La Verne, Campus, Logo etc.

Please contact Veronica Ashcroft.

No permits will be required to park in our various University lots and parking structure. Do not park on residential streets and restricted parking areas. Surrounding streets may be available for parking, however, we recommend that you follow all street signs and restrictions. La Verne Police department will issue tickets if time limits are not followed.

Graduating students should arrive at least 90 minutes before the ceremony starts. Gates for the stadium will open at least 60 minutes before the start of the ceremony for guests.

Yes, there is a Baccalaureate scheduled on Friday, May 24, 2024 at 4pm at the Church of the Brethren.  For more information and to sign up, please contact Zandra Wagoner at zwagoner@laverne.edu

Masks may be highly encouraged to be worn, but the event will take place outdoors and no vaccinations or a negative COVID test will be needed to attend the commencement ceremonies. As a reminder that commencement is a highly populated gathering and COVID-19 is an extremely contagious disease that can lead to severe illness. All should advise.

Please contact the appropriate department regarding your question:

• Registrar’s Office
• Graduate Academic Services
• Office of Academic Advising (main campus traditional undergraduate students)
• Regional and Online Campuses Director and Academic Advisor:
  • CAPA
  • Bakersfield
  • Burbank
  • Irvine
  • La Verne Online
  • Ontario
  • Oxnard
  • Naval Base Ventura County
  • Vandenberg Space Force Base
  • Victorville
• Office of Commencement

Accessibility parking is available in university parking lots and the parking structure on a first-come, first-serve basis. If parking in an accessibility parking location, be sure to have your DMV-issued placard displayed in your vehicle. Individuals who have special needs may unload their vehicles in front of Miller Hall on C Street and park in another area.

Yes. There will be two tented areas on the field for ADA-compliant guest seating, where one extra person may sit.

The University of La Verne is following the Los Angeles County COVID-19 health guidelines. Masks are highly encouraged. If you feel sick, please stay home.

All guests arriving in-person must have a ticket for entry. Children three years of age and younger do not need a ticket to attend and must sit on an adults lap.

No heels are allowed on the Ortmayer Stadium football field. Please arrive with appropriate footwear.

Water bottles are permitted. Filtered water refill stations will be available for guests.

No. Strollers, balloons, posters, or anything that may obstruct the view of any audience members will not be allowed inside Ortmayer Stadium.

Yes. Commencement vendors will be on site to sell flowers, leis, and other goodies. Debit and credit cards will be accepted. No cash will be accepted for purchases.

Yes. The university bookstore will be open from 9:00am to 7:00pm on Saturday, May 25, 2024. Visit the store online.

Our photography vendor, Grad Images, will take photos of each graduate on stage and they will contact you through your student email regarding purchasing options.

If you have not purchased your regalia (cap, gown, hood and tassel) you may purchase it the day of commencement at the Information Booth for $150 for bachelor bundle and $180 for master bundle.  There will be doctoral regalia available day of commencement.

ALL ULV graduates must wear the appropriate ULV regalia which consists of a gown, hood, cap and tassel.

Yes, you may decorate your cap.  Please make sure it is appropriate and does not block the view of anyone sitting behind you.