Los Banos Ceremony

Practice will last less than one hour. Do not bring your cap and gown to practice. If you are not able to attend practice, you will still be allowed to walk in the ceremony, but it is highly advised you participate in this practice.

• Graduates will check-in in A109, starting at 5:15 pm. You will be informed of which location to go to when you arrive. Entrance for guests opens at 5:15 pm. The ceremony will last approximately 2 hours. Tickets ARE NOT required. If you are not able to attend, you do not have to notify anyone.
• Please note that parking is limited. Although we do not require parking passes, we highly encourage ride sharing when possible.
• You will be given a name card at check-in before the ceremony as this is how they will announce your name. Be dressed in your cap and gown when you arrive (see Cap/Gown information below). Gowns must be fully zipped up during the ceremony. We do not provide any pins, needles, thread, bobby pins, or extra tassels and are unable to hold anything for you that night (i.e., purses, flowers, sweaters, children, etc.).
• Students who need assistance during the commencement line must identify themselves at/by practice if they have not. If physical assistance is needed, they may bring a guest to assist them in the process. This must be a family member or friend, since staff are not available to provide physical accommodation for the evening.

• Caps, gowns, and tassels are available for purchase from the Merced College Bookstore in Merced or online. You may also purchase diploma covers. The last day to order for home shipping is May 12, 2025. If you still need to purchase your cap and gown, please contact the Merced College Bookstore in Merced immediately.
• If you are unable to purchase a cap & gown, please contact Raul Alvarez for assistance via email at [email protected].

If you did not receive Honors and you feel you should have, please refer to the 2024-2025 Merced College catalog for exact honors calculation information. If you still feel you should be granted Honors, please see your Evaluator in the Admissions Office or email an evaluator: A&[email protected]

• PTK members pick up your honor society stole from Professor Caitlyn Serpa.
• AGS members pick up your honor society stole from Professor Jacqueline Alvarez.
• MILITARY PERSONNEL may pick up their stole which recognizes your military services. Estelina Munoz in the Veterans Resource Center.

[Note: Participatory membership in PTK, Lambda Nu, or AGS does not automatically entitle you to be awarded our institutional Honors or Superintendents Honors.]

• Campus Candids, a professional graduation photography company, will be at the ceremony to take a picture of each graduate as they receive their Certificate of Participation. The photographer will mail you a sample of the print and you can order directly from them. If you have questions regarding the purchase of Campus Candids photographs, please call 1-800-453-0335 or email [email protected] to release your email address to their company and express your interest in purchase.
• Your family and friends WILL NOT be allowed to take photographs during the ceremony.

This is an important ceremony; we encourage appropriate dress attire. Shoes are required to be worn by all graduates in the ceremony. We encourage flat heeled shoes as it is hard to walk on the grass or uneven ground in high heels.

• Do not bring air horns, lasers pointers or other devices to the ceremony. Do not bring balloons as they block visibility for attendees. Please make your guests aware of these rules.
• Police and paramedics are on site in an emergency.
• Parking permits are not required the night of graduation. However, parking is limited. We highly encourage ride sharing when possible.

• After the Spring 2025 grades are verified, degrees will be posted, and diplomas will be mailed out. If you owe fees, your degree and other official documents may be held until your balance is paid in full. Contact the Merced College Student Fees office (209-384-6212 or 209-384-6216) for payment information. All degrees and certificates will be mailed by July 15th.
• ADA/Handicap seating is available upon request. It will be marked as reserved if students have guests that need this accommodation and have requested it via email to Felicia Jones at [email protected] by May 21, 2025.
• General seating is limited and cannot be reserved.
• Campus Police will be onsite directing parking. Please ensure your guests abide by parking directives.