FAQs
This page addresses frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the UCLA Samueli ceremonies.
Please check regularly for updates as we continue to add information!
For Questions about general commencement parking, accessibility and accommodations, etc, please see review the UCLA Campus FAQ
GENERAL INFORMATION
Is there a general UCLA Commencement?
No. Many people confuse the “Main” Commencement for The College of Letters and Science (aka The College) as a UCLA general commencement. This is not a UCLA general ceremony but a general ceremony for undergraduate students who have majors in The College of Letters and Science.
Samueli Engineering only hosts two ceremonies: one for undergraduates (BS) and one for graduates (PHD, MS/MENG).
How long is the ceremony?
Undergraduates (BS) – Saturday, June 15, 2024 12:30PM – 3:30PM (estimated ~ 2.5 hours subject to # of degree candidates in attendance)
All students participating will have their names read, will cross the stage, and have photos taken by Grad Images (the official campus photo team)
Graduates (MS/MENG/PHD) – Sunday, June 16, 2024 1:00PM – 3:30PM (estimated 2.5 hours subject to # of degree candidates in attendance)
All students participating will have their names read, will cross the stage, and have photos taken by Grad Images (the official campus photo team) Additionally, PHD students will be hooded on stage!
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
Students who elect to participate in commencement agree to remain for the full length of the ceremony out of respect for your fellow students and their families.
Will the ceremony be live streamed?
Commencement Parking
UCLA Transportation utilizes the Bruin ePermit System, where your license plate serves as your parking permit. Information about when and how to purchase parking permits for Commencement 2024 weekend can be found at the General UCLA Commencement page, see Commencement Parking:
https://transportation.ucla.edu/campus-parking/commencement-parking
What are the COVID-19 protocols?
What are the current COVID health protocols for UCLA Commencement?
There is currently no plan to check for vaccination status or negative COVID test results at commencement events. Facial coverings are encouraged but not required.
Samueli Engineering is adhering to the UCLA COVID-19 website(link is external) guidelines for our commencement ceremonies, which continues to recommend masking for indoor venues.
For more information on UCLA’s current COVID protocols please visit the UCLA COVID-19 website(link is external) and continue to monitor the official campus commencement Covid guidelines posted at Campus Commencement FAQs.
What if I have COVID-19 symptoms?
A complete list of all current campus protocols addressing COVID-19 testing, exposure management and isolation/quarantine guidelines and protocols can be viewed on the UCLA COVID-19 website(link is external)
What if I am traveling to UCLA from out of state?
Those who plan to attend should stay informed about the California Department of Public Health’s and LA County Department of Public Health’s most recent guidelines.
GUEST INFORMATION
When and where do guests enter? Do guests need tickets?
WHERE: PAULEY PAVILION
- Guests should enter primarily through the Southeast corner Entrance (by the Westwood Blvd turnaround). Guests can also use the North Entrance, but due to high volume traffic due to multiple ceremonies we recommend the southeast entrance.
- There will be an ADA Guest Entrance on the Northeast corner (across the Morgan Center).
WHEN: We expect doors to Pauley to open at least one hour prior. Please allow yourself enough time to account for traffic, park your cars, get to the location AND to get through security check-in at Pauley.
- 11:30 AM for the BS Ceremony on Saturday, June 15
- 12:00 PM for the PhD, MEng, MS Ceremony on Sunday, June 16
WHAT: Please review security check-in protocols for 2024
- All guests will go through security check-in with metal detectors.
- Pauley Pavilion will be enforcing a clear bag policy for ALL guests.
TICKETS:
- All guests will need a ticket to gain entry into Pauley Pavilion
- Children Age 2 and under do not need need tickets.
- Please refer to the UCLA Campus Commencement FAQ for additional information.
What NOT to bring?
- Please review the list of all prohibited items and clear bag policy.
STUDENT INFORMATION
Do students need tickets?
- All students and their guests are required to have tickets. Please review the TICKETS page for additional information.
When and where do the graduates arrive?
Graduates participating in the ceremony should arrive to the student line-up to prepare to process into Pauley Pavilion. Please arrive promptly and please allow yourself enough time for parking AND security check-in.
WHERE: The southeast walkway of Pauley Pavilion (where Luskin, Pauley, and Spaulding Field meet).
WHEN: No later than one (1) hour before your ceremony start. Please be prompt!
- 11:30 AM for the BS Ceremony on Saturday, June 15
- 12:00 PM for the PhD, MEng, MS Ceremony on Sunday, June 16
WHAT: Please review security check-in protocols for 2024
- All students will go through a security check-in.
- Please review the list of all prohibited items and clear bag policy.
- Please review the DAY OF CHECKLIST BELOW so you are prepared for the day of the ceremony.
Day of Checklist for graduates
- STUDENT TICKET (REQUIRED) – on your phone is perfect or PDF ready to scan to gain entry into the student line up!
- CAP AND GOWN ATTIRE (REQUIRED) – Make sure you are dressed in your cap and gown and that you are appropriately dressed beneath. Security will be checking each student! You will be asked to unzip your gown to make sure prohibited items are not on you.
- NAME CARD (it’s one card with two sides) – This is the card that will be read as you cross the stage! Make sure BOTH sides are filled out!! If you forget, we will have extras available for you, but it will save time if you bring it already filled out.
- PHOTO ID (OPTIONAL)- Make sure you bring your UCLA BRUIN CARD OR Government Issued Photo ID in case of emergency or ticket issues.
Bags, backpacks, umbrellas, and other large items are not allowed at the lineup. We ask that you abide by the security check-in and the list of all prohibited items.
Pauley Ushers, Security, and Staff will be on alert. Security has been advised to remove any prohibited items from students and guests. In order to ensure your safety and the safety of others, any individual whose behavior becomes potentially harmful or interferes with the Ceremony may be required to leave the Ceremony.
How can I make sure my name is called and pronounced correctly? (NAME CARD)
You will be filling out one card, the NAME CARD, which has two sides that you must fill out. This is the card that will be read by our name readers as you cross the stage. Use blue or black ink to fill out (no pencils, please!). Please bring the name card with you to the ceremony and to the stage.
- SIDE ONE is for your name
Line 1) PRINT your name (e.g JOE BRUIN)
Line 2) Write your name phonetically (how do we SAY your name; see Phonetic spelling instructions guidelines).
Tip: Have a stranger read it, did they pronounce your name correctly?
Tip: Please do NOT overthink this.
PHD STUDENTS ONLY – Your card will contain a third line so you can write out your Faculty Advisor who will HOOD you on stage. If your faculty advisor is not present the department chair or vice chair will hood you. - SIDE TWO is your information for Grad Images (the official photographer for commencement) so they can track your photo and position in the line. You are NOT obligated to purchase photos, but you MUST fill this side out as well so that your photo and name do not get mixed up! At minimum, please provide your name and e-mail so that you can be sent a copy of your photo.
Please bring the NAME CARD with you to the student line up on the day of your ceremony. Remember, it’s the card that will be used to read your name as you cross the stage! Again, ONE card with two sides that you will bring with you to the ceremony and to the stage.
BEGINNING WEEK 10 through FINALS WEEK please come to 6426 Boelter Hall to pick up the name cards.
OASA is open 8AM-5PM (closed for lunch 12PM-1PM)
How do I know if my name will be called at the ceremony?
ALL STUDENTS participating in the engineering commencement ceremony will have their names called as they cross the stage, including Fall 2024 students who have been approved by Special Request to “walk” this year.
Fall 2023, Winter 2024, Spring 2024 and Summer 2024 Graduating Students are included in the program brochure.
FALL 2024 students ARE NOT included in the program brochure as you have been approved to “walk” as a special request. You will be included in next year’s program brochure.
When will my name be called?
Students will be processing and walking across the stage by degree (PhD, MS, BS). This means two things.
- If you want to sit next to your friends from different engineering majors, you can! There will be multiple lines processing into Pauley Pavilion; just enter the same line together for your best chance at sitting together and crossing the stage at a similar time.
- You may need to give your guests a heads up when your turn is coming up. When staff (an usher or student marshal) gives you the signal, follow their directions to get into the line to cross the stage. Once there, that is the perfect time to signal your guests!
