LASC Commencement Ceremony: Re-Imagining Your Future-Defining Your Path
The Class of 2024 Commencement Ceremony will take place on Tuesday, June 4, at 4:00 pm. at Cougar Stadium. Check back in spring for more details.
2024 Commencement Ceremony FAQs
Graduation season is coming.
All students who have worked so hard to reach Graduation will be able to celebrate their accomplishment in person at 4 p.m. Tuesday, June 4, 2024, at Cougars Stadium.
The scheduled Commencement Speaker will be Mr. Robert W. Brown, C.E.O., C.O.O. & President, Board of Managers at the University of the West Los Angeles. Please see the attached biography below.
Please note the following:
- Graduation is the completion of all degree requirements as recorded on an official transcript.
- Commencement is the ceremony that celebrates the completion of a degree.
- Participation in the Commencement does not imply that you have officially graduated.
This is an incredible time of year, and we can't wait to celebrate our graduates and their achievements.
You may RSVP for the 2024 Commencement ceremony using this link https://bit.ly/LASCGraduationRSVP or scan the QR code:
Click the links below to learn more about this day celebrating YOU and your accomplishments.
Family and Friends
FAQ For Commencement
Participate in Graduation
Petition For Graduation
Photos
Purchase Caps and Gowns
Qualifications and Honor
General Information
Conferring of Degrees
Los Angeles Southwest College (LASC) awards the Associate of Arts (A.A.), Associate of Science (A.S.), Associate of Arts for Transfer (A.A.-T.), and Associate of Science for Transfer (A.S.-T.) degrees in selected curricula to indicate the satisfactory completion of 60 or more units of course credits.
LASC's Counseling Office and the Office of Admissions & Records will evaluate all petitions for graduation to determine eligibility for A.A., A.S., A.A.-T as well as A.S-T. degrees.
Students who applied for 2023 summer and fall degrees have been evaluated and awarded, and thus are classified as graduates. Students who applied for a 2024 spring degree will be evaluated once the semester’s final grades have been submitted, and thus they are classified as candidates for graduation.
Graduates and candidates for graduation will receive a commemorative diploma cover at the Commencement ceremony to symbolize the conferring of a degree.
Once the Registrar's Office confirms you have met the requirements for your Spring 2024 degree you will receive an email notification directly from Parchment Diploma Services by September that will describe how to access the digital version of the credential and the printed diploma in the mail. Students who graduated in the Summer of 2023 and Fall of 2023 have already received an email notification directly from Parchment Diploma Services. Diplomas are not distributed during Commencement.
Commencement Honors
Summer 2023 and Fall 2023 graduates are eligible for Commencement Honors. Academic Honors for Spring 2024 graduates will be represented on student transcripts as well as on degrees once the Registrar's Office confirms that you have met the requirements for your Spring 2024 degree.
Los Angeles Southwest College is governed by the National Honors Society to issue Academic Honors at the Commencement ceremony in the following manner:
Summa Cum Laude (With Highest Praise)
Cumulative GPA of 3.9 or higher
Student receives Blue and Gold Honor Cord
Magna Cum Laude (With Great Praise)
Cumulative GPA from 3.7 to 3.89
Student receives Blue Honor Cord
Cum Laude (With Praise)
Cumulative GPA from 3.5 to 3.69
Student receives Gold Honor Cord
Valedictorian and Salutatorian
The valedictorian is the graduate with the highest grade point average in this class.
The salutatorian has the second-highest grade point average.
Final grades through the Fall 2023 term are used to determine the grade point average.
Petition
All students who believe they have met degree requirements must complete a graduation petition in order to receive their degree. All coursework must be completed or in progress to be completed at the time of filing. The first day to file a graduation petition follows the last day to add a class.
Coursework completed at institutions outside the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) must be documented with an official transcript filed in LASC's Office of Admissions and Records.
The college's spring petition process for degrees, certificates, and transfers will be from February 21 to April 15. Stop by the Counseling Office in Student Services Building, Room 227, or call 323-241-5200 if you have questions or visit them on Cranium Cafe.
If you wanted to petition to graduate the best practice is to meet with a counselor online, make an appointment on Cranium Cafe.
A short path to the Cranium Cafe is this: The most direct path to meet with a Counselor online is at lasc.edu/services/counseling
- Select the button Click Here For Live Chat at the top of the page,
- Agree to the Informed Consent (first time)
- Log in using your student portal credentials(blue icon)
- Select a reason for your visit,
- A Counselor will join you in the lobby.
Participation
How do I find out if I am eligible to participate?
If you petitioned for graduation by your college’s graduation deadline, you are eligible to participate in the Ceremony. You will receive an email no later than the end of May 2023 with more information on how to participate.
Commencement Rehearsal
All graduation participants MUST attend a Commencement Rehearsal to become familiar with procedures and etiquette for the ceremony.
Commencement Rehearsal dates are:
• Thursday, May 30, 2024, 5:00 p.m. - Lakin Gym
• Friday, May 31st, 2024, 1:00 p.m. - Lakin Gym
IMPORTANT: All graduates and candidates for graduation MUST attend one of the rehearsal sessions to be eligible for participation in the Commencement Ceremony. There is no need to RSVP for the rehearsals.
Will a program be printed?
Los Angeles Southwest College will have a printed program at the Commencement Ceremony.
Will my name be announced?
Yes, if you petitioned to graduate in time, your name will be announced.
Will my name be printed in the Commencement Program?
If you submitted a graduation petition on or before Thursday, March 28, 2024, your name will be printed in the commencement program.
If I wasn't able to meet the graduation petition deadline, can I still participate?
Unfortunately, if you did not make the graduation petition deadline set by LASC, you will not be recognized at Commencement this year.
What do I do if I show up late?
If you begin viewing the ceremony late, you may miss speakers, or your name being called. However, you will be walked to your seat and will be able to watch the ceremony from the field.
How and when do I get my diploma?
Once the Registrar's Office confirms you have met the requirements for your Spring 2024 degree you will receive an email notification directly from Parchment Diploma Services by September that will describe how to access the digital version of the credential and the printed diploma in the mail. Students who graduated in the Summer of 2023 and Fall of 2023 have already received an email notification directly from Parchment Diploma Services. Diplomas are not distributed during Commencement.
Will there be an ASL interpreter available?
Yes, interpreters will be provided during the ceremony.
Caps and Gowns
- What is the dress code?
Your cap and gown and formal wear. - Do I need a cap/gown to participate?
Yes, you need a cap and gown to participate. - How do I get my cap and gown?
If you would like to purchase a cap and gown, you can do so through our
campus bookstore or by visiting them https://www.lascbookstore.com - Do I need to return my cap and gown?
No, if you purchase a cap and gown, it is yours to keep. - Will I still be receiving my cords and sashes?
Yes.
Family and Friends
What is the best way for family and friends to view the ceremony?
Friends and family can view the ceremony from the stands at Cougars Stadium.
Is there a limit of guests I can invite?
There is no limit to how many guests you can invite to view the ceremony.
Photography
How do I purchase my graduation photos?
Wasio Faces Photography will be providing access for you to purchase your graduation photos. We hope these professionally captured moments will serve as cherished memories of your special day.
You will be able to view your photos using the QR code below or you may text to LASC2024 to 90738.
We will also have a candid photographer at the event. More details will be provided on how to purchase those images.
FAQ
Please see the Los Angeles County Department of Health Commencement Ceremonies FAQ for recommendations that outline COVID-19 prevention strategies to protect students, staff and attendees from COVID-19 during commencement.
Other pertinent information and resources can be found on the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health website at http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/
Gates to Cougar Stadium will open at 2 p.m. for your family and friends.
Yes, there will be free parking.
Yes. If you and/or a guest is handicapped, plan to park on the bottom floor of Parking Lot 4 to have the closest access to the football field. Parking Lot 4 is the garage right off of the Western Avenue entrance to LASC.
No, you may only graduate from your home college.
You can ONLY be recognized in the ceremony of your home college where you are awarded your degree.
We encourage you to participate in this celebration and graduation ceremony. However, if you are unable to participate, you will still receive your degree in the mail if you meet the requirements for graduation.
You can contact your campus Commencement representative listed below:
Tangelia Alfred, alfredtm@lasc.edu
By participating in Commencement, you are consenting for your image to be used in college promotional materials.