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College CommitteesCommencement Information
Southwest Commencement 2013 Information
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The Los Angeles Southwest College Graduation ceremony will be held on Wednesday June 5, 2013 at 4 p.m.
Please read this information carefully as it contains important information about what you need to do before and during the commencement ceremony.
Meet our Commencement Speaker!
Dr. William Franklin, Associate Vice President of Student Success at California State University, Dominguez Hills
Dr. Franklin holds a Ph.D. in Psychological Studies in Education with an emphasis in Child and Adolescent Development from Stanford University. Dr. Franklin currently serves as the Associate Vice President of Student Success at California State University, Dominguez Hills and is the former Director of the Educational Opportunity Program and TRIO Programs. While at CSU Dominguez Hills, Dr. Franklin has been instrumental in securing close to fifteen million dollars in federal, corporate and private grants to design and implement several student success initiatives for low-income, first generation students.
Conferring of Degrees
Los Angeles Southwest College awards the Associate of Arts and the Associate of Science degrees in selected curricula to indicate the satisfactory completion of 60 or more units of course credits. The Counseling Office and the Office of Admissions & Records will evaluate all petitions for graduation to determine eligibility for the Associate of Arts degree or the Associate of Science degree.
Certificates of Completion are granted by the College to indicate satisfactory completion of 16 to 45 units in a program of occupational or vocational study. Units earned toward a certificate in a selected major may be applied toward an Associate of Arts or an Associate of Science degree in the same major.
Graduates and candidates for graduation will receive a commemorative scroll at the Commencement Ceremony to symbolize the conferring of a degree and/or certificate. Once final grades have been reviewed and applied to transcripts, the Office of Admissions & Records will send a letter to students indicating that degrees and/or certificates are ready and may be picked up at LASC. Degrees and certificates will not be mailed to students.
Students and Guests with Disabilities
Students with verifiable disabilities should inform the Office of Disabled Students Programs and Services (DSPS) in the Student Services Building, Room 117 if they intend to participate in the ceremony and need accommodations. Special arrangements may also be made for guests with disabilities by contacting DSPS or call (323) 241-5480.
Purchasing Graduation Announcements
Information regarding the purchase of graduation announcements in the LASC Bookstore will be available soon.
Class Rings
If you plan on purchasing a class ring, representatives will be available at the Bookstore. Dates for 2013 are TBD. Please check this page periodically for updates.
Academic Attire
Students participating in the graduation ceremony will wear different colored gowns based on whether they are receiving an AA/AS Degree, Certificate of Completion, or Nursing Degree. The Bookstore will have a list containing names of graduates and candidates for graduation as well as what color robe they should purchase.
| Associate of Arts/Science Degree | Black gown |
| Certificate of Completion | Blue gown |
| Nursing Degree | White gown |
Caps and gowns will be available for purchase soon in the Bookstore for $36.55 ($33.75 + tax) and are sold on a first come, first-served basis. Popular sizes sell out first. To avoid disappointment and a last minute rush, please make your purchases early!
IMPORTANT! The bookstore will not accept personal checks for purchases. Only cash or credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover Card) may be used for purchases.
Please do not airbrush your gown or your cap. If you deface your gown or cap you will not be allowed to participate in the Commencement Ceremony.
Commencement Honors
- Academic Honors are determined through the fall 2012 cumulative grade point average.
- Summer 2012 and fall 2012 graduates are eligible for Commencement Honors. (Academic Honors for spring 2012 graduates will be represented on student transcripts as well as on degrees and certificates once final grades are posted.)
The College is governed by the National Honors Society to issue Academic Honors at the Commencement Ceremony in the following manner:
| 3.30 - 3.59 | Cum Laude |
| 3.60 - 3.79 | Magna Cum Laude |
| 3.80 - 4.00 | Summa Cum Laude |
Valedictorian and Salutatorian
Summer 2012 and Fall 2012 graduates with the highest grade point average in their graduating class are categorized as follows (final grades through the fall 2012 term are used to determine the grade point average):
Valedictorian –Graduate with the highest grade point average
Salutatorian – Graduate with the second-highest grade point average
Guests at Commencement
Southwest graduates are encouraged to invite family members and friends to attend the Commencement Ceremony. Remember, the ceremony will be at the Los Angeles Southwest College Stadium, and seating is limited so we encourage guests to arrive early.
Parking
Due to campus construction, several parking lots are closed and walking paths to the stadium may be altered. Please arrive early and allow enough time for parking and travel to the stadium. All available parking lots will be open for graduate and guest parking on graduation day. There will be no reserved parking. We will provide limited shuttle service to assist guests with disabilities.
Commencement Rehearsal
All 2013 graduation participants MUST attend a Commencement Rehearsal to become familiar with procedures and etiquette for the ceremony.
The Commencement Rehearsal dates are as follows:
| Friday, May 31, 2013 | 1 p.m. | Student Services Building Foyer |
| Monday, June 3, 2013 | 5 p.m. | Student Services Building Foyer |
Important! All graduates and candidates for graduation must attend at least one of the rehearsal sessions to be eligible for participation in the Commencement Ceremony.
Robing of Graduates
All graduates and candidates for graduation must report to the south side of the Student Services Building at 2:30 p.m. on graduation day. Roll call will begin promptly at 2:50 p.m. Please report to the Student Services Building in Academic Attire (cap and gown) for roll call.
Graduation gowns should be neatly pressed. Please remove your gown from the package a few days before the ceremony and make sure it is ironed or pressed. Again, please do not airbrush your gown or your cap. If you alter your gown or cap you will not be allowed to participate in the Commencement Ceremony.
Prior to the processional, please arrange for your belongings to be stored. No personal belongings, purses, coats, etc. may be left in the Student Services Building.
Commencement Processional
The student Processional Assembly will begin at the south side of the Student Services Building. College staff will be on hand to help arrange students in two lines. The graduating class will be led to the graduation site wearing their caps and gowns and carrying only their name cards. Before the procession there will be a short, final briefing on commencement protocol (e.g. where to stand, what to do, etc.).
If you have any questions or concerns, please call the Office of Student Services at (323) 241-5298.