SVCC has one ceremony which includes SVCC students, DE students and GSSV students.
Parking is limited so carpool if at all possible.
We will not have a graduation rehearsal but there will be many assistants to direct you - you will be informed and know what to do.
Tickets are not required. As of right now, there is not a limit on the number of guests that you can have. However, if anything changes with Covid, we may have to limit guests. We are hoping not to have to do that but we need to be aware if things change, we will have to adjust accordingly.
Processional marches promptly at 9:30 a.m. - there is no delaying this time.
Arrive on campus EARLY – around 8:00 a.m. Be aware ahead of time of how long it takes for you to get to campus. Traffic will be backed up on all roads leading to campus.
Go to your assigned room for your degree. (mention AA&S, AAS, CSC, etc.) Specific room assignments will be posted on the graduation link as well as a schematic of the buildings and the direction of how the processional will flow. There will also be a welcome tent and navigation assistants directing you.
When you check in in your assigned room, you will be given a card. You will need to hold on to this card from this point on until you march across the stage. This is what let’s the reader know your name and degree information. If your name is hard to pronounce, please write the phonetic pronunciation on the card below your name.
All students must wear cap, gown, hood and tassel. You cannot wear your high school regalia. You can borrow a gown from a past graduate as long as the cap and gown are black and the hood has the SVCC colors on it. You can buy just the tassel with the current year drop from the Bookstore. Honors tassels will be given to you by the College if you meet the criteria for honors. This will be given to you in the room where you assemble. If you have a question about Honors, you can contact the Admissions Office for clarification.
Caps may be decorated as long as it is tasteful and doesn’t distract from ceremony or impair the person’s view behind you.
Dress appropriately and wear comfortable shoes as we will be walking on grass and uneven ground.
Leave all belongings in your car or with your family. We cannot be responsible for anything once you leave the room.
Cell phones need to be turned off once the processional starts.
No umbrellas – none! This is for safety reasons and so everyone can see. We will not march if there is a storm. We will wait for that to pass.
Please know that there isn’t any shade and it can be hot. Consider using sunscreen.
There will be a limited number of handicapped seats. Please remember that the ground is uneven in places.
The ceremony will be streamed. Your family can access this through the Graduation link - www.southside.edu/graduation.
When it is time to award degrees, you will be directed to the stage by rows. Highest ranking degree first and then down to the last degree category.
Please remain for the entire ceremony and march out with the recessional.
There will be a photographer taking pictures as you receive your degree. Please inform your family that they cannot cross the roped areas to take pictures. You cannot stop for photos once the processional starts marching. Family members can snap pictures as you pass by but please do not stop to pose.