commencement traveling tips
DESCRIPTION
All of your MSW@USC Graduation InformationTRANSCRIPT
Preparing for Graduation and Commencement:
Graduation Checklist:
Take photo for the yearbook .
Order a copy of the El Rodeo yearbook .
Check with Degree Progress to confirm that you are on track to graduate. Visit the Degree Progress website.
Review the wording of your diploma (including the spelling of your name) and verify shipping and handling instructions to receive your diploma.
Order your stole, class ring, diploma frame, yearbook, invitations for family and friends, and other commencement related items.
Check the graduation events and timelines below.
For more information about the USC Graduate To Do List please visit University Commencement website.
Instructions for Renting or Purchasing Regalia
For students that can travel to USC, come to Grad Fair and pre-pay for your cap and gown rental, and you can pick yours up a day before everyone else, on Wednesday, April 25
Graduates will be able rent academic regalia (caps, gowns and hoods) in the Pertusati University Bookstore, 3rd floor from Thursday, April 26 through Friday, May 11. The hours are:
Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.Saturday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.Sunday, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.Friday, May 11, 7:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Master’s degree (black cap, gown and hood): $69.99
Off-campus and out-of-state students may call in their cap and gown order (with a credit card) to put their regalia on reserve or have it mailed to them. Please contact the USC Bookstore at (213) 740-8998.
The rental comes with a tassel for the cap that can be removed and kept as a souvenir. To speed up the rental process, it’s best to have your height and cap size ready. If you don’t know those, though, the staff will be happy to measure you.
Please be very clear when telling the staff what degree you are earning, to make sure you get the right color trim on your hood. If you have any doubts about the color hood you should be receiving, please check the list posted here.
Caps, gowns and hoods should be returned to the drop-off area outside the Bookstore immediately following your satellite ceremony. Returns after commencement day should be made inside the Bookstore’s first floor.
Full regalia information.
*Important Regalia Note* Caps should be worn at all times, except during the invocation, benediction, and National Anthem, when gentlemen should remove their caps. The tassel is worn over the right temple. When the President salutes the graduates, it is appropriate for the graduates to respond by tipping their caps. Graduates may then move their tassels over to the left side.
Commencement Activities Timeline:
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Phi Kappa Phi Initiation Ceremony1:30 p.m., Bing TheaterJuniors with a 3.9 or higher GPA; seniors with a 3.85 or higher GPA, and graduate students in the top percentage of their classes are invited for initiation to the Society. Faculty and staff are also initiated into membership at this event.
Grad Night7:00 p.m., Cicada Restaurant617 S. Olive StreetLos Angeles, CA 90014Grad Night is the end of the year celebration in which ALL social work graduating students are welcomed to attend. It is a Dinner and Dance where we all come together as a Trojan Family and celebrate our accomplishments. Tickets will be for sale in late March. This year we will have a full program with a speaker and entertainment. This event has limited seating. Semi Formal Attire.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Virtual Academic Center School of Social Work Graduation Party7:00 p.m., Mas Malo Restaurant515 W. 7th StreetLos Angeles, CA 90014All Virtual Academic Center students, and their family and friends, are invited to celebrate their upcoming graduation with faculty and administration from the USC School of Social Work. The event will include light refreshment and complimentary valet.
African-American Cultural Celebration8:00 p.m., Bovard AuditoriumThe African-American Cultural Celebration serves as a traditional rite of passage that
recognizes and affirms students of African descent who have completed a rigorous journey through academia at USC. http://sait.usc.edu/cbcsa/black_graduation_info.as
Chicano/Latino Graduation Celebration8:00 p.m., Howard Jones FieldContinuing the tradition since its inception in 1980, the Chicano/Latino Graduate Celebration formerly known as the Chicano/Latino Graduation takes place the night before USC Commencement. The bilingual ceremony celebrates graduating students’ personal and academic achievements in the spirit and traditions of Latino culture. http://sait.usc.edu/elcentro/programs/chicanolatino-graduate-celebration.aspx
Asian Pacific Cultural Celebration8:00 p.m., Ronald Tutor Campus Center, Grand BallroomThe Asian Pacific Graduate Celebration aims to recognize and celebrate the strength of the Asian Pacific community at USC and to inspire the Asian Pacific community about their limitless opportunities post-graduation.
Friday, May 11, 2012
Commencement CeremoniesGraduates can attend one or both ceremonies. The university ceremony is open to all USC graduates and their guests. There is no registration required for students to march in the university ceremony, and guest seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. The social work ceremony is where social work graduates' names are called and they walk across the stage to receive their diploma cover. Tickets are required for the social work ceremony.
Main USC CeremonyStudents line up: 8 a.m., column B (see map) Processional: 8:30 a.m. Ceremony: 9:00 a.m. Degree candidates line up for the main ceremony at 8:00 a.m. at column B (see map on the USC Commencement Web site). The processional will begin at 8:30 a.m. with the ceremony starting at 9:00 a.m. After the main ceremony is over, please head directly to McCarthy Quad or Argue Plaza — depending on your major. The flag/banner bearer will lead you into the tent and to your seats. http://www.usc.edu/dept/pubrel/specialevents/commencement/mainceremony.php
Commencement Day Welcome for New Grads10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.Widney Alumni HouseThe USC Alumni Association invites the university's newest alumni, the Class of 2012, and their families to visit the Widney Alumni House on Commencement Day 2012. Take a relaxing break, enjoy refreshments, and learn about the benefits of your complimentary Alumni Association membership.
School of Social Work of Social Work Satellite CeremonyThe satellite ceremony will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Shrine Auditorium. A pre-ceremony reception will be held at 4:00 p.m. on the North Leavey lawn. Tickets are required and will be distributed directly to graduates.More information available at: http://sowkweb.usc.edu/current-students/commencement.Contact: Hillary Chisum(213) [email protected]
Commencement Day Information:
Guests should plan on arriving on campus by 7:00 a.m. to secure parking (which is free), and to find a seat in or around Alumni Park. Please note, guests will only be allowed to save an additional two seats each.
Students will line up at their assembly points by 8:00 a.m. Commencement begins at 8:30 a.m. as 5,000 degree candidates march into Alumni Park from its four corners. Students process with their school, behind cardinal and gold banners listing the name of the school, and heraldic flags depicting the school's traditional academic icons.
The main ceremony begins at 9:00 a.m. This ceremony includes addresses from the president, the valedictorian, and the commencement speaker; honorary degrees are bestowed; and students are officially recognized (en masse) as graduates of the university.
The ceremony concludes by 10:15 a.m., and students march out of the park back to their assembly points.
Following the main ceremony, most students and families head to their schools' satellite ceremonies.
Click here to find more information on the commencement day schedule.
To view and/or download commencement day maps, click here.
Commencement Traveling Tips:
Booking Hotels and Flights:
STA Travel is the official travel agency for commencement and can be reached at (213) 254-2662. It has negotiated discounted rates with airlines, hotels and rental cars. It is recommended that you contact STA Travel early to arrange for your travel needs.
Suggested websites for securing travel and hotel accommodations:
Cheapflights.com
Expedia.com
Farecompare.com
Flights.com
Hipmunk.com
Kayak.com
Priceline.com
Orbitz.com
Travelocity.com
Tripadvisor.com
Hotels Near Campus:
Hilton Checkers Hotel, (213) 891-0529, www.hilton.com
Holiday Inn City Center, (213) 748-1291, www.hicitycenter.com
JW Marriott, 1 (800) 832-9136, http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/laxjw-jw-marriott-hotel-los-angeles-at-la-live/
Marriott Hotel Downtown Los Angeles, (213) 617-1133, www.losangelesmarriottdowntown.com/
Millennium Biltmore Hotel, (213) 624-1011, www.millenniumhotels.com
Radisson Plaza Hotel Midtown Los Angeles, (888) 201-1718, www.radisson.com
Sheraton Hotel Los Angeles, (213) 488-3500, www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton
Wilshire Grand, (213) 688-7777, www.wilshiregrand.com
Transportation Options:
Car Rentals
There are numerous car rental agencies in Los Angeles; many of which are located at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). For information about the available car rental agencies, please use this link: http://www.lawa.org/tenantLAXResult.aspx?airport=4&category=82&catname=CAR%20RENTAL&sindicator=fl .
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, www.mta.net
See website for details about hours of operation, rail and bus stop locations, and the costs for transportation.
The DASH, (213) 808-2273, www.ladottransit.com/dash
Route F runs between USC and downtown Los Angeles. Buses run every 10 minutes from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and every 20 minutes from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekends. Please see their website for additional routes. The cost is 35 cents each way.
Yellow Cab, (800) USC-TAXI, http://www.usc.edu/busaffairs/admin_serv/uscard_serv/yellowcab
USC has partnered with Yellow Cab to provide alternative transportation for USC students. Yellow Cab will accept USCard for payment, tip included, to destinations within its service area. For more information call (800) USC-TAXI or visit www.usc.edu/bus-affairs/admin_serv/uscard_serv/yellowcab.
Fares for all Los Angeles County-licensed taxi companies are $2.85 for first 1/9th mile; 30 cents for each additional 1/9th mile; 30 cents for each 37 seconds waiting time and/or traffic delay ($29.19 per hour). Trips originating from LAX may cost an additional $2.50. Charge for trips to/from LAX and downtown is $49. Visit www.taxicabsla.org for map of areas each company serves and to find out about additional City of Los Angeles Taxi Services.
Hot Spots in Los Angeles near USC
Within walking distance, the Dash shuttle, or a short drive: http://mapp.usc.edu/mastersprograms/prospectivestudents/documents/ThingstoDo_001.pdf Some of the recommended spots are below:
o California Science Center
o Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
o Chinatown
o L.A. Live
o Music Center
o Santa Monica Pier
o Venice Beach
Museums, theatres, shows, event venues, and local attractions: http://www.usc.edu/student-affairs/parents/images/ThingsDoLA.pdf. Some of the recommended spots are below:
o California Science Center
o Getty Center
o House of Blues Sunset Strip
o Los Angeles Convention Center
o Staples Center
o Third Street Promenade
o University City Walk
Restaurants:
o 29th Street Café, www.thetwonine.com, (213) 746-2929, 2827 S. Hoover Street Los Angeles, CA 90071
o Ciao Trattoria, www.ciaotrattoria.com, (213) 624-2244, 815 W. 7th Street Los Angeles, CA 90017
o El Cholo Mexican Restaurant, www.elcholo.com, (323) 734-2773, 1121 S. Western Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90006
o McCormick and Schmick’s, www.mccormickandschmicks.com, (213) 629-1929, 633 W. 5th Street Los Angeles, CA 90071
o McKay’s, www.mckays.usc.edu, (213) 740-4111, 3540 South Figueroa Street Los Angeles, CA 90071
o Moreton Fig, www.moretonfig.com, (213) 821-3441, 3607 Trousdale Parkway Ronald Tutor Campus Center Los Angeles, CA 90089
o Philippe the Original, www.philippes.com, (213) 628-3781, 1001 N. Alameda St. Los Angeles, CA 90012
o Roy’s, www.roysrestaurant.com, (213) 488-4994, 800 S. Figueroa Street Los Angeles, CA 90017
o The Lab, www.thelab.usc.edu, (213) 743-1843, 3500 Figueroa St. Los Angeles, CA 90007
o The Original Pantry, www.pantrycafe.com, (213) 972-9279, 877 S. Figueroa St. Los Angeles, CA 90017
DowntownLA.com has also created a site containing their favorite restaurants: http://www.downtownla.com/downtown-center-dining.asp#1