Commencement Day 2021

Application for Graduation: All candidates must file an Application for Graduation with the Admissions & Records Office. Candidates will be notified by mail about their graduation status. Students planning to participate in the 2021 commencement must have applied for graduation by Friday, May 7 to ensure that their name is on the commencement program. Students must also register to participate in the commencement ceremony. See details in the next section. 

Eligible Participants: Students who have applied for graduation through the  Admissions & Records Office for Fall 2020, Winter 2021, Spring 2021 and Summer 2021 are eligible to participate in the Commencement ceremony. They must also register for the event. Details below.

Name Verification: In order to ensure the correct spelling of your name in the Commencement program and on your diploma, you are advised to check the accuracy on your student portal.

HAVE QUESTIONS?
For specific questions about your graduation application, call the Admissions representative below who is assigned to the letter corresponding to your last name: (909) 274-4415.
     A – D: Marjes Jackson
     E - G: Veronica Gutierrez
     H – N: Becky Wang
     O – Z: Mariezar Figueroa

Mt. SAC conducts one Commencement ceremony a year, at the end of the spring semester. Fall, Sinter and Spring graduates are encouraged to attend the ceremony. Summer session prospective graduates are also invited to participate in the June ceremony.

REGISTRATION

Students who wish to participate in Mt. San Antonio College’s in-person Commencement celebration must register online to attend. To guarantee a spot at Commencement, register to attend by Tuesday, June 1.  Applications can be submitted through Thursday, June 3 at 11:59 p.m. Students will be verified as eligible to participate before receiving a confirmation message that they are approved to attend. Register through the link emailed to qualified students on May 26, 2021.

LIMITED TICKETS

While the COVID-19 pandemic is constantly evolving, event organizers anticipate the ceremony can safely allow for graduates and 2 guest tickets per graduate. Everyone 5 years and older will require a ticket, which is free. Tickets for students and guests will be sent to the graduate’s student email by Friday, June 4, at 5 p.m. Students who did not receive their tickets can contact boxoffice@mtsac.edu. 

To support social distancing due to the pandemic, each graduate will be provided 2 guest tickets.  Tickets are free. Other loved ones are invited to watch the livestream on Mt. SAC's YouTube page at www.youtube.com/mtsac. 

Watch the live stream on YouTube

Students and guests who need assistance (mobility, sign language interpretation, accessible formats etc.) must contact the Accessibility Resource Centers for Students (ACCESS) by emailing access@mtsac.edu or calling (909) 274-4290 NO LATER THAN Monday, June 7, to request accommodations. Please note: The college does not provide personal care attendants.

The commencement ceremony program will include notations next to graduates’ names who earned academic honors. Academic recognition for commencement purposes is based on cumulative grades for all college course work completed at Mt. SAC and any other college, through the 2021 Winter intersession. Phi Theta Kappa members, Alpha Gamma Sigma permanent members, Honors Program Scholars and students earning academic honors will be recognized.

Those recognized in the booklet will have achieved one or more of the following distinctions:

• Academic Distinction: Cumulative GPA of 4.0 in all college coursework
• Scholastic Honors: Cumulative GPA of 3.90-3.99 in all college coursework
• Honors: Cumulative GPA of 3.75-3.89 in all college coursework
• Alpha Gamma Sigma: state honor society. For more information contact rmartinez298@mtsac.edu
• Phi Theta Kappa: International honor society. For more information contact mkolchakian@mtsac.edu
• Mt. SAC Honors Program Scholar:  Students who complete 15 or more Honors units with a least a cumulative GPA of 3.2. For more information contact honors@mtsac.edu

May 25-June 11, 2021

The SacBookRac is offering special packages and prices for gowns and additional regalia through the Sac Book Rac in Building 9A, May 25-June 11, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

Visit the Sac Book Rac Website

All participants and guests will be required to wear a face covering and maintain physical distancing of 6 feet in the parking lots and stadium. Other considerations include:

• Out-of-state graduates and guests are permitted to attend and if vaccinated, do not have to quarantine for the required 10 days 
• Out-of-state graduates and guests who are not vaccinated must quarantine for 10 days or test negative for COVID-19 at least 3 days prior to Commencement.
• Persons who are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19 (e.g., due to age or underlying conditions) are discouraged from attending.
• Individuals who are sick (even with mild symptoms) or in isolation or quarantine must remain at home. 
• The state of California has determined that guests who live out of state may attend commencement ceremonies provided they are fully vaccinated. 

IMPORTANT NOTE: The campus is large and travel between parking lots and the event can be lengthy. Please plan accordingly, wear comfortable shoes and plan to arrive early. 

GRADUATES
By 4 p.m. in Lots F and H
Graduates should arrive at the stadium with their caps and gowns no later than 4 p.m. on Friday, June 11.  Parking Lots F and H are designated for graduates and their guests. Graduates will need to check in.  Graduates will be directed to the “check-In” booth once they arrive at the front of the stadium after the security screening process at parking Lot F. Final processional instructions will be given to the graduates at the assembly area at the south side of the stadium following check-in.

Parking Lot F Map     Parking Lot H Map

FACULTY/STAFF
By 5 p.m. in Lot R Structure 
Faculty/staff may park at the Champion Parking Structure (Lot R), adjacent to the stadium.

Champion Parking Structure (Lot R) Map

ACCESSIBLE PARKING
Lot R Structure
Accessible Parking for vehicles displaying a current state issued disability placard or license plate is available in the Champion Parking Structure (Lot R).

Champion Parking Structure (Lot R) Map

GUESTS
Lots F and H
Guest entrances open at 4 p.m. Guests are asked to use the main entrance via the tunnel from Lot F only. 

Guests may park in Lot F and Lot H with students.

At the end of the ceremony, the stadium will remain restricted to only commencement participants.  All participants will exit the venue when prompted.  Participants may meet their families outside the venue in Lot F or Lot H.

Parking Lot F Map     Parking Lot H Map

Mt. San Antonio College is located at 1100 N. Grand Ave. in Walnut. Hilmer Lodge Stadium is near the corner of Temple and Bonita Avenues.

Get Directions from Google

Due to the pandemic and public health guidelines to maintain social distancing, the commencement ceremony is limited to two guests per graduate. Guest tickets are free. Children 5 and older should have their own tickets.

Graduates will receive guest tickets via student email by Friday, June 4, at 5 p.m. Guests must use these tickets to enter the ceremony. 

Guest entrances open at 4 p.m. Guests can access the stadium via the entrance tunnel in Lot F.  Guests may park in Lot F and Lot H with students. Guests requiring accessible parking may park at the Champion Parking Structure (Lot R) by displaying a current state issued disability placard or license plate.

Parking Lot F Map

Parking Lot H Map

Entry Inspections—All guests entering the stadium tunnel are subject to a metal-detector screening, visual inspection, and bag inspection conducted by  security personnel. The purpose of the inspection is to detect prohibited items and is for the safety of our guests and our staff.

Prohibited Items—For safety reasons, guests are refused entry  if they are in possession of prohibited items. Illegal items will be confiscated and turned over to the police. If a guest is found inside the venue with a prohibited item, the item will be confiscated and the guest may be ejected from the facility. Prohibited items include:

• Banners and Signs (Only handheld signs and small banners are allowed in the stadium. Graduates and guests may not bring large banners or signs that will obstruct the view of people sitting around them.)
• Noisemaking Devices (i.e. whistles, air horns)
• Weapons of any kind (i.e. pepper spray, tear gas, handcuffs, stun guns)
• Alcohol, smoking and vaping are not permitted. 
• Large balloons or large balloon clusters that can obstruct the view of people sitting around them.

Throughout the formal portions of the ceremony, students are asked to maintain appropriate decorum befitting the dignity of a college commencement. 

A cap and gown are required of graduates. It is recommended that students NOT wear high heels but opt for comfortable shoes due to the stadium turf and length of the program.  

Cap decorations should not obstruct the view of the people behind you.  

The ceremony will take place rain or shine. Consider weather conditions and dress accordingly.

A professional photographer, GradImages will take photos of graduates during the degree conferral segment of the ceremony. Visit website, www.gradimages.com, and click on Pre-Event Email Registration. Enter your email and up to 6 emails of loved ones who would like to share in your accomplishment by viewing and ordering your photos. If you have any questions, please contact GradImages Customer Service department at (800) 261-2576.

Actual degrees are not issued at the commencement ceremony—only the diploma covers. Grads will receive official diplomas by mail approximately 12 weeks after the ceremony. Verify your mailing address by logging into your Mt. SAC Portal to review your address.

Outstanding Payments: Please note that if you have an outstanding obligation (such as fees or payments you still owe) to the college, we will not be able to release your diploma when it becomes available.

At the end of the ceremony, the stadium will remain restricted to only commencement participants.  All participants will exit the venue when prompted.  Participants may meet their families outside the venue in Lot F, Lot H or Champion Structure (Lot R).

It’s not too late to transfer! Our staff can connect you with university reps, arrange campus tours, and provide other resources to help guide you to your next goal.

     Transfer Services
     (909) 274-6388
    Visit Transfer Services

Ready to tackle the world? Our staff can help you find employment that’s related to your field of study and training, and show you how to effectively use online job search resources.

      Career Services
     (909) 274-4510
     Visit Career Services

If you took out a federal student loan while at Mt. SAC, expect an Exit Loan Counseling packet in the mail with instructions; this is a federal requirement to inform you of repayment options.

Visit Financial Aid

Mt. SAC Alumni Association is FREE to join!

As a member, you’ll receive an ID card and qualify for benefits and services like:

• Alumni Association e-newsletter
• Discount tickets to Performing Arts Center productions and Mt. SAC Foundation events
• Use of the Mt. SAC Library, Media Services Center and Career Placement Services
• Networking, mentoring and share resources with other Alumni

Go online and fill out the membership application at:
https://www.mtsacfoundation.org, or call the Alumni Association Office at: (909) 274-5443.

Join the Alumni Association