Commencement FAQ

Students who anticipate meeting degree or certificate requirements by the end of a term need to submit a degree/certificate application in Self-Service by the stated deadline for that term. Failure to apply before the final deadline will delay the granting of the degree to the end of the next term.

How do I apply for my degree?

Graduation candidates will have their diplomas mailed out to the address as it appears in Self-Service, free of charge. Please allow 60 business days from the last day of the semester to receive your diploma in the mail. Diplomas are not handed out at the commencement ceremony.

After the March 1st degree/certificate deadline, an email will be sent to eligible students with RSVP information. If you have questions regarding the RSVP email, contact the Admissions & Records Office at 559-325-5200 to check your eligibility.

Note: Students that apply for degree/certificate completion after March 1 will be considered as Summer 2024 completion. These applicants will still be invited to the Spring 2024 commencement ceremony.

If you have a physical disability that you feel may make it difficult to participate, please note that in the accommodations portion of the RSVP. You may also contact the Student Activities Office at 559-325-5235 or celebrate@cloviscollege.edu for assistance. Students should RSVP and/or contact the Student Activities Office by May 6th to ensure the appropriate arrangements can be made.

If you have questions about accommodations for a family or friend attending the ceremony that may also need accommodations, please contact the Student Activities Office at 559-325-5235 or celebrate@cloviscollege.edu.

No, there are no fees associated with applying for graduation or receiving your diploma. Graduates are responsible for paying for their cap and gown.

A commencement rehearsal will be held on Thursday, May 16th at 4:00pm. Details will be sent to students who RSVP for the ceremony. While it is not mandatory to participate, it is highly recommended as important information will be shared that will be useful on the day of graduation. Students who attend the rehearsal will also be able to pick their seat for the ceremony. Students who do not attend will be given a seat assignment prior to the ceremony.

Students with the following SCCCD cumulative GPAs through Fall 2023 will be recognized in the commencement program.

• Summa Cum Laude Honors: Students achieving a cumulative GPA of 4.0 (will receive a gold cord and tassel on the day of the ceremony)
• Magna Cum Laude Honors: Students achieving a cumulative GPA of 3.5-3.99 (will receive a gold tassel on the day of the ceremony)
• Cum Laude Honors: Students achieving a cumulative GPA of 3.0-3.499

To check your cumulative GPA through Fall 2023, visit Self-Service in your portal and click on the "Grades" link.

Caps, gowns, and tassels are now available for purchase at the Clovis Community College Bookstore to ensure you come to commencement dressed in cap and gown and prepared to march.

Purchase your cap and gown in-person or online at the CCC Bookstore. Quantities on hand of each size are limited, so make sure to purchase your regalia early to ensure what you need is in stock. The deadline to purchase/pick-up regalia from the Bookstore is Thursday, May 16th (before the graduation rehearsal).

If you need assistance with purchasing a cap and gown, please contact the Bookstore at 2173mgr@follett.com or call 559-325-5253.

A special CCC stole will be available for purchase for graduation along with regalia which includes a cap, gown, and tassel. These are the only college-approved stoles aside from certain special programs such as Honors, EOPS, TRIO, etc.

Please do not decorate or add accessories including custom stoles or tassels to your gown as they will not be permitted during the ceremony. Cap decorating is allowed, see below for important guidelines.

Yes! Clovis Community College allows graduates to decorate their cap. Please take into consideration the following rules when decorating your graduation cap. 

• No offensive language, sayings, nicknames, pictures or lyrics on the cap. Logos, numbers other than the grad year, symbols, etc. should be avoided.
• No objects such as signs, stuffed animals, bells, flowers, or any 3D object may rest on the cap.
• All decorations MUST lay FLAT on the cap. Nothing can lay in a way allowing us to see the decoration beyond eye level. Only the top of the mortarboard can be decorated, nothing hanging down from any side of the cap.
• Your cap cannot make noise (including bells, horns, or anything that makes noise). Flashing lights or other electronics are not permitted.

It is appropriate to put the following on your cap:

• Thank a parent, grandparent, teacher, friend, etc.
• Recognize the university you will be attending, your graduation year, the branch of military you will be joining, etc.

The administration will reserve the right to disallow anything that is not considered appropriate for the commencement ceremony. Students may be provided a replacement cap while supplies are available. Students will not be able to participate in the ceremony without a cap and gown.

Students should arrive no later than 4:30pm in front of AC1 on Friday, May 17th for commencement. Additional details will be sent by email the week of commencement.

Photographs will be taken by a professional photographer of each graduate as they receive their diploma tube on stage and will be available online in the week following the event.

Yes, there will be a live stream on our YouTube channel and a recording will be made available after the ceremony. The commencement video link will be emailed to graduates, as well as released on the college’s social media accounts. 

Parking will be available at no charge to guests in Lots G-L. Rides to and from the designated parking areas will be provided to guests before and after the ceremony. 

Student parking instructions will be sent by email the week of commencement.

There is no limit on guest count and there will be no ticket requirements. Important guest reminders will be sent by email the week of commencement.

Rides to and from the designated parking areas will be provided to guests before and after the ceremony. Handicapped seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis and there will be live viewing rooms available on campus for guests wanting to stay indoors. There will also be an option for family and friends to live stream the ceremony on our YouTube channel.

If you have questions about accommodations for a family or friend attending the ceremony that may need accommodations, please contact the Student Activities Office, 559-325-5235 or celebrate@cloviscollege.edu.