Commencement Ceremony Alvin Community College Saturday, May 12, 2018 10:00 A.M. & 1:30 P.M. ACC Gym
Logistics Graduates are expected to arrive at the ACC Theater, B130 by: 9:00 a.m. (Academic Programs) 12:30 p.m. (Technical Programs)
Alvin Community College Commencement Ceremony Etiquette
Cap and Gown Regalia Graduates participating in the commencement ceremony must wear a black cap and gown. Regalia can be purchased at the Alvin Community College Bookstore, and the cost is approximately $40
Cap and Gown Take cap and gown out of packaging several days before commencement. Steam gown or iron on very low heat to remove wrinkles.
Recommended Attire Participants and guests should dress comfortably. Women are encouraged to wear appropriate length dresses and dark shoes. Men are encouraged to wear dark slacks, light colored shirts and dark shoes.
Regalia Policy ACC graduates are expected to wear regalia without altering the appearance (minimum décor on mortarboard as described in the next slide). Academic regalia has a rich history of tradition and significance we wish to honor. Please -- no flowers (corsages), pins (except PTK or ADN) on stoles. The appropriate way to wear the mortarboard is flat on top of the head and not off to the side.
Mortarboard Policy Any excessive decoration on mortarboard caps and/or gowns are distracting and therefore inappropriate. ACC reserves the right to require you to remove any embellishment, deemed inappropriate by authorized ACC officials, before you are permitted to participate in the ceremony. Examples of inappropriate embellishment include, but are not limited to: Mortarboards with vulgar language, inappropriate verbiage or photos/graphic images; Mortarboards with lights, balloons and other items that could be pose a safety hazard; Decorations that obstruct the view of people seated behind the graduate; Designs with vertical structures or décor. Elements used in the design must lay as flat to the mortarboard as possible.
Examples of Unacceptable Mortarboards.
Examples of Acceptable Mortarboards
Honor Cords Graduates who have earned cords may wear the college approved cords. All others are asked to respect the time honored traditions of graduation by wearing regalia as issued. Examples of cords include: Gold Honor Cords (students walking with honors based upon their GPA from the previous semester) White Honor Cords (honors program completers) Red, White and Blue Honor Cords (military service) Green and Blue Honor Cords (Respiratory Care Program/top 25%)
Phi Theta Kappa Stole Graduates who are members of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society can purchase their stole and tassel from the ACC bookstore. Advisors: Keith Vyvial KVyvial@alvincollege.edu Brian Berger Bberger@alvincollege.edu
Ceremony Reminders Alvin Community College Commencement Ceremony is a time to celebrate your accomplishments. Celebration should be respectful of other members of the graduating class and those in attendance. Every graduate would like for family and friends to hear his or her name called when receiving a certificate or degree. Graduates and guests should keep talking and movement to a minimum during the ceremony. Remember to enjoy this moment as you take this very important step towards your personal and professional enrichment.
Announcements & Other Graduation Items Commencement announcements and other graduation items may be purchased from the ACC bookstore. Go to http://www.alvinccstore.com/ or call 281-756-3681. The bookstore is located in the Student Center/Café building, E112.
Admission to the Ceremony Commencement ceremonies are held at the ACC campus in the gym with guest admittance by ticket only. *Graduates will receive four tickets each. If you do not need four, please leave them for others. To request possible additional tickets for the 1:30 p.m. ceremony, email: CMcCollum@AlvinCollege.edu. The 10:00 a.m. ceremony is at capacity and no extra tickets will be available. Closed circuit viewing of the ceremony is provided to accommodate guests without tickets or those guests who arrive after the ceremony begins. Live web-streaming is available at www.alvincollege.edu. Guests with special seating requests must call 281-756-3533 or email ods@alvincollege.edu one week in advance to reserve seating or other accommodations.
Admission to the Ceremony There is no late seating in the gym once the ceremony begins and tickets do not guarantee a seat. Overflow and late seating will be provided in the ACC College Theater.
Guest Logistics 10:00 a.m. Ceremony: The ACC Gym will open at 9:20 a.m. for guests with special needs and 9:30 a.m. for other guests. 1:30 p.m. Ceremony: The ACC Gym will open at 12:50 p.m. for guests with special needs and 1:00 p.m. for other guests. Guests with special seating requests must call 281-756-3533 or email ods@alvincollege.edu one week in advance to reserve seating or other accommodations. Guests should arrive 40 minutes prior to the ceremony.
What to Leave At Home or With a Family Member Objects such as pocket knives, excessive noise makers, purses, backpacks and BALLOONS, will not be allowed. Guests will be asked to return to their vehicles with nonallowable items. ACC employees cannot hold items for you.
Concealed Carry Texas Penal Code section 37.07 prohibits the open carry of a handgun on the campus of an institution of higher education. Alvin Community College rules and regulations prohibit the carrying of a concealed handgun into any event that requires a ticket to enter. Therefore, open or conceal carrying of a handgun is prohibited during the Commencement Ceremony at Alvin Community College.
Cell phones must be placed on silent. Be in the moment; this is your day.
NO food or drinks are allowed into the facility.
ACC Policy prohibits the possession or use of tobacco products or e-cigarettes (including vapor products) on college property.
Student Processional There are no seating assignments for graduates. Each row consists of a different number of seats. A marshal will count off each graduate per row and guide you as the row is filled. You will need to move all the way down and stand in front of only one (1) seat. It is important to stand in front of only one seat to accommodate all graduates.
Filing into the Graduation Arena Stage guests will proceed first and occupy the stage. Participating faculty will follow next. Graduates will be led in and seated.
Recognition Generally the announcer will state your first and last name. You will be given an index card with your name on it when you arrive at the ACC theater on the day of commencement. If you want your name pronounced or stated differently than what is shown on your card, please make note of the change on the card.
Commencement Programs Commencement programs will be available for all guests and a program will be placed in each graduate s chair.
Professional Photography A professional photographer will be present and photos will be taken after the graduate proceeds off of the stage from receiving his/her diploma. Students are not obligated to purchase photos.
Frequently Asked Questions How long will the ceremony last? The ceremony should last about one hour. How do I wear my tassel? One tassel is placed on the right side of the mortarboard. At the end of the ceremony, graduates will be prompted to move their tassels to the left side.
Frequently Asked Questions Who will I be sitting with? There is no assigned seating at commencement. What is the meaning of the different colors, style of gowns, and other regalia that faculty and college staff wear? A detailed explanation of faculty regalia appears in the commencement program.
Diplomas Graduates will be notified via email when diplomas are ready to be picked up.
Need Information View the commencement information Web site at http://www.alvincollege.edu/commencement
Directions Alvin Community College 3110 Mustang Road Alvin, TX 77511 ACC is located 25 miles south of Houston and 30 miles north of Galveston on Highway 35 Bypass. From Houston: Take Highway 35 south or take I-45 south to Webster, then FM528 west and Highway 35 Bypass south. From Galveston: Take Highway 6 to Highway 35 Bypass south. From Angleton or other points south: Take Highway 35 north. Enter ACC at Highway 35 and Childress (FM1462)
ANY QUESTIONS??