AccreditationVP of Academic Service RecruitmentApply NowBoard of TrusteesAboutFaculty & StaffDirectoryCampus SafetyA-Z
Login
CanvasWebSTARMy Priority RegistrationDegree WorksPortalGuardStarfishStudent Email Login
Facebook iconTwitter iconInstagram iconYouTube iconLinkedIn icon
imperial logo
Welcome to Imperial Valley College!

Where we foster excellence in education that challenges students of every background to develop their intellect, character, and abilities; to assist students in achieving their educational and career goals; and to be responsive to the greater community.

Follow us:facebook icontwitter iconinstagram iconyoutube iconlinkedin icon
Home/Student Support/Student Affairs/Commencement FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions about Graduation

The commencement ceremony will be held on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. in the IVC gym (All graduates MUST report to the library [building 1500] no later than 8:00 a.m. in their regalia). Family members and guests will not be permitted in the library.
The commencement ceremony typically lasts an hour and a half to two hours depending on the number of graduates and how long the speakers speak.
Graduation rehearsal will take place on Friday, December 5, 2025, in the IVC gym at 2:00 p.m. and should last approximately an hour. Graduates MUST attend the rehearsal if they intend to participate in the ceremony. Graduates DO NOT need to wear their regalia. Graduates should come prepared to fill out their card reader for the ceremony.
Graduates will fill out their card reader with the name they would like to be called as they walk across stage in addition to the phonetic spelling of their name. On the backside of the card reader, their information for the photographer needs to be filled out (this information will serve the photographer to be able to send your picture proof via email).
The regalia order includes the following: cap, gown, tassel, academic cord (if merited), diploma cover, commencement ceremony, electronic guest tickets and access to the reception.
egalia orders MUST be picked up in the Student Affairs Office, building 1000 (next to the bookstore) on the following dates during the following times:
Monday, December 1, 2025, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. &
Tuesday, December 2, 2025, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
A current picture ID will be required (IVC student ID card, driver’s license, SENTRI, state ID card, passport)
If you are unable to pick up your regalia package, you may designate a family member or friend to pick up your order, HOWEVER, you MUST notify the Student Affairs Office via email prior to the pickup with the person’s full name, and they will need to present their picture ID. EMAIL: studentaffairs@imperial.edu
Each graduate will receive four (4) guest tickets.
Each graduate will receive their tickets via IVC student email account. Each student will receive their tickets electronically and will assign their tickets electronically to their guests. Each guest will receive a ticket with a unique QR code that cannot be shared-one ticket per guest. Once a ticket is scanned, it cannot be reused.
Unfortunately, we do not have extra tickets to give to students as the college gives students the full number of tickets allotted to per capacity.
Only graduates may enter the ceremony without a ticket. All guests (including infants and small children) require a ticket. Example: If a graduate receives three tickets for the ceremony, all three tickets are for guests. THE GRADUATE DOES NOT NEED A TICKET.
Unfortunately, we are unable to provide any accommodation as deadlines are set far in advance and are advertised for students.
Unfortunately, ALL graduates who wish to participate in the ceremony MUST purchase their regalia through the college’s vendor. This serves as your confirmation in the ceremony.
No, purchasing the regalia is your confirmation for the current commencement ceremony. Included in the purchase is: the commencement ceremony, cap, gown, tassel, diploma cover, academic cord (if merited), guest tickets for the commencement ceremony and access to the reception.
Yes, the cap and gown are yours to keep.
Yes, caps may be decorated but must be done so in a tasteful manner. Any graduate with a cap that has vulgarity, drug or alcohol paraphernalia will not be permitted to participate in the ceremony. Decorations must not hang from the cap and must be confined to the circumference of the cap.
 

Allowed:

  • Messages thanking family, friends, etc.
  • Recognizing future (career, college, military branches, etc.)
  • Recognizing school involvement (clubs, sports, etc.)
  • Flage of home/heritage country
  • Graduation year
  • Inspirational message or quote


 
Not Allowed:

  • Any reference to drugs, alcohol, tobacco, weapons, or anything sexual in nature.
  • Any reference to gangs, violence, illegal activities or disruptive behavior detrimental to the safety and welfare of others.
  • Derogatory names or statements.
  • Political affiliations or statements.
  • Numbers other than graduation year.
  • Any 3-dimensional resting on top of the cap may distract or disrupt the view.
  • Anything hanging over the edge of the cap other than the tassel.
  • Anything that makes noise (bells, horns, chimes, etc.)

Yes, the College will have a professional photographer who will take a photo of each graduate shaking hands on stage.  You will not need to pay for your pictures that day; however, your picture proof will be emailed to your IVC student email account a few weeks after the ceremony. Purchasing pictures is optional. Additionally, there will be self-serve backdrops set up at the reception in the College Center immediately following the ceremony.

In addition to the backdrops, there will be a photobooth available for usage where graduates and their families can have their picture taken and downloaded off the vendor’s social media site or, for an additional fee through the vendor obtain a printed copy of the photobooth photos the day of the event (printed pictures are at the expense of the graduate with a direct transaction through the photobooth company).

Yes, however, they will need to do so from their seat and may not block the view of any other guests. No tripods, selfie sticks, etc. will be permitted. Additionally, the ceremony will be livestreamed on the College’s website at www.imperial.edu and will be available on the College’s commencement website.
  • Balloons
  • Flowers with vases
  • Personal cups
  • Open containers
  • Strollers
  • Food
  • Noise makers (horns, whistles, matrakas, air horns)
  • Oversized signs
If you or one of your guests requires special accommodation, there will be a link emailed to you. You will need to fill out the form regarding the accommodation. The College will do its best within reason to fulfill the accommodation.
American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters will be on stage translating the ceremony.
Absolutely not. A failing grade WILL NOT have an impact on your participation in the ceremony. Once you have petitioned to graduate with your academic counselor and your petition has been accepted, you are invited to participate in the ceremony regardless of academic status. However, a failing grade may impact obtaining your diploma, and you will need to contact your Academic Counselor or Admissions and Records for further details.
All students who successfully complete all required course work for their degree should receive their diploma approximately six to eight weeks after their last semester/session. For further inquiries regarding diplomas, please contact Admissions and Records.
For inquiries regarding the commencement ceremony, please contact the Student Affairs Office via email at studentaffairs@imperial.edu.

Commencement FAQ