Chapman University - Visitors and Family

COMMENCEMENT > For Visitors and Family > Events Information

Events Information

Tickets
Student Check-in and Procession Lineup
Guest Seating
Baccalaureate
Parking
Photographs

Flowers and Balloons
Receptions
Finding Your Student
After-Ceremony Plans
Webcast
Ceremony DVD

Tickets

Tickets are not required for Commencement ceremonies.

Parking

Parking on the Orange Campus is free in the two parking structures and the underground structure off of Walnut Avenue, and permits are not required on Commencement Weekend.

Student Check-in and Procession Line-up

There is no rehearsal for Chapman Commencement, so it is vital that students check in on time. Food will not be available at check-in, and students should eat a sustaining meal before they come to lineup. Off-campus students should allow ample time to arrive, park, and walk to the check in location. Students must bring academic regalia. Students will part from their guests at check-in, as friends and family are not permitted at lineup.

Students should avoid bringing valuables such as purses or packs to the procession lineup, as they will be obliged to carry them around for the duration of the ceremony. Please take your student's valuables with you for safekeeping during the ceremony. Security for abandoned items is not provided in lineup locations or at the ceremony venues.

Students are required to sit within their major cohort. Departments march in alphabetical order by subject.

Guest Seating

Guest seating is first come, first served. Once the ceremony begins, empty seats must be made available to accommodate guests without seats.

Additional information for guests with disabilities

Baccalaureate

Baccalaureate is an interfaith religious worship service that has been a part of Chapman custom through the history of the institution. Students, staff, faculty and guests gather to offer gratitude for spiritual support throughout the year. The Chapman service includes readings, prayers and music from many religious traditions and is open to all faiths. Tickets are not required. Guests are warmly invited to attend. Attendance for graduates is optional.

Photographs

Chapman's professional graduation photographer, GradTrakGraduation Images, will take three photos of grads—two portraits and an onstage photo of each graduate as he or she shakes the hand of the President. Family and guests may not be near the stage during the ceremony to take photos. Guests are encouraged to remain in their seats, relax and enjoy the ceremony. We ask this cooperation from all guests.

The studio will e-mail photo proofs of both photos directly to graduates shortly after Commencement with ordering information. Packages will cost between $10 and $45.

Flowers and Balloons

It is permissible at Chapman for students to wear flowers with academic regalia. A professional florist will install booths across campus to sell corsages, bouquets and leis for grads. Flowers will range in price from $25 – $50. A portion of the sales from these flowers are donated back to Chapman.

Balloons are not allowed inside ceremony venues.

Receptions

All guests and grads are cordially invited to celebrate with faculty and administration at the post-Commencement reception held immediately after each ceremony. Light refreshments will be served.

Finding Your Student

Select a meeting place in advance to find each other after the ceremony. All venues will be crowded on Commencement Day.

After-Ceremony Plans

Chapman diligently strives to begin and end commencement ceremonies on time. Please refer to the schedule for the expected duration of the ceremony you will be attending. If you make celebration plans for a meal or party after the ceremony, it is suggested that you set your reservations or invitation time no earlier than one hour after the ceremony's end. This will allow your student and guests to arrive at your celebration venue on time. Please note that students are not permitted to leave ceremonies early and are required to remain present until the ceremony is completely over and they are dismissed.

Webcast

Commencement ceremonies will be broadcast in real time on the Internet. On Commencement Day, go to the Commencement Home Page and click on the webcast link to connect.

Ceremony DVD

Chapman will offer an edited DVD of each ceremony for approximately $45 each, including shipping. The videos will be available in August after May ceremonies. Convenient ordering is available online.