Commencement
Family and Friends Commencement Reception - Friday, June 15th
5:00 to 7:00 pm
Location: UCSD Faculty Club
Family and friends of graduating students are invited to attend this reception, which establishes commencement weekend as not only the marking of the next step in IR/PS students' lives, but also as a celebration of the achievements of our students and alumni.
The event is an opportunity for students and their families to celebrate with fellow students, alumni, faculty, and staff. Student awards will be presented on this evening as the graduating class officially joins the prestigious ranks of IR/PS alumni. A highlight of the evening will be the presentation of the annual "IR/PS Alumni Association Outstanding Achievement Award."
There is no limit to the number of guests, but we would like a count and their names by June 11, 2012. Click here to register for the Family and Friends Commencement Reception. List the names of friends and family also attending in the registration form's "Questions" box.
Commencement - Sunday, June 17th
Coffee Service - 8:30 a.m.
Hot and cold beverages will be available to graduates and their guests at the Institute of the Americas Weaver Center prior to the commencement ceremony.
Commencement Ceremony - 10:30 a.m.
Location: Institute of the Americas Friends Plaza
Commencement Speaker
IR/PS is proud to announce Dr. Xiao Qin as this year's commencement speaker.
Dr. Qin is a member of the 11th Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, Chairman of the Board, Boyuan Foundation. He is an independent non-executive director of AIA Group Limited, China Telecom; HKR International Limited and China World Trade Center Co. Limited. He is guest professor at the School of Economics and Management of Tsinghua University and the Graduate School of the People’s Bank of China. He served as Chairman of China Merchants Group, Chairman of China Merchants Bank, President and Vice Chairman of China International Trust and Investment Corporation (CITIC), and Chairman of CITIC Industrial Bank.
Dr. Qin was a deputy to the Ninth National People’s Congress, a member of the 10th Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, an advisor on the Foreign Currency Policy of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange; he also served as Chairman of APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) for the Year 2001. His papers and books in economics, management and social transformation have been published in China and abroad.
Visitor Information
UC San Diego has a visitor information website with information on directions, hotels, and more. We recommend making hotel reservations early if you are planning to stay in the La Jolla/UTC area. Undergraduate commencements are the same weekend, and hotels near campus fill up quickly.
Weather is unpredictable, but generally sunny. We recommend bringing sunscreen and hats. Plan to arrive at 8:30am as parking is provided on a first-come first-served basis. There will be pre-commencement coffee service starting at 8:30am for students and their guests.
We recommend using the La Jolla Village Drive exit from the 5 freeway to avoid encountering traffic from other UCSD commencements.
Printable campus map.
Student Information
Graduation Workshop
The IR/PS Graduation Workshop is Friday, April 13 from 11am to 12pm in the Robinson Auditorium. All graduating IR/PS students are required attend. During the workshop graduates will be given an overview of the commencement ceremony, a review of the graduation checklist, and register with Alumni Relations.
Foreign Guests
Please contact Student Affairs if you need a letter regarding the visit of guests from outside of the United States. In order to prepare the letter, Student Affairs will need the names of your guests and their relation to you, their address, city and country of residence, their expected arrival and departure dates. Please specify whether you need a printed version of the letter or an electronic pdf.
Academic Dress
Order your regalia (cap, gown, hood, and tassel) by phone at (858) 534-7323 or on the UCSD Bookstore website. The approximate cost to rent the Master’s regalia is $46.95 + tax. The deadline for placing orders without incurring a late charge is April 15; a $5.00 late fee will be assessed for orders placed from April 16 through May 20. After May 20, a $20.00 late and special handling/shipping fee will be incurred. Candidates will be informed by the Bookstore concerning pick up of regalia.
Students are required to wear appropriate attire to participate in commencement.
In addition to the ceremonial dress that must be worn during commencement, graduates are encouraged to wear light-weight, professional dress under their robes. Graduates may wear leis and cultural apparel. Dean’s Fellows also wear honor cords, which are provided prior to the ceremony by Student Affairs. After the ceremony, please leave your cap, gown, hood and honor cords in the IR/PS Student Lounge.
Commencement Photos
Guests are ask to refrain from approaching the stage during the commencement ceremony. Instead, a professional photographer will be at commencement to take your photo as you exit the stage. Photos will be available online for purchase after the ceremony.
Diplomas
The ceremonial certificate you receive at commencement is not a diploma. Degrees take several months to process. Diplomas are available approximately four to six months after graduation. Your diploma will be sent to the permanent address that you list on your degree paperwork (and it must match your address on TritonLink). If you do not receive your diploma within six months, please contact Academic Records at (858) 534-3144. Contact Student Affairs if you need verification of your graduate status before the issuance of your diploma; we will provide a letter from the Director of Degree Programs.
Transcripts
You may log into your Academic History within TritonLink to print an unofficial copy of your transcript. To order an official transcript, click here and follow the instructions on the Office of the Registrar website.
Parking
We recommend using the La Jolla Village Drive exit off the 5 freeway to avoid encountering traffic from other UCSD commencements.
Printable campus map.
Information for International Students
If you do not graduate as expected in June, please contact the International Center to request an I-20 or DS-2019 extension. You must submit extension requests at least two weeks in advance of the I-20 end date.
Students and Guests with Disabilities
- Handicap Parking : Those needing handicap parking should park on the top level of the Pangea parking structure. ADA Shuttles will be provided from the bus stop on Scholars Drive to the IOA Plaza for guests who require assistance. Students should indicate their guest needs on the commencement survey. Parking permits can be picked up in the Student Affairs Office during Week 10.
- Hearing Impaired : Sign language interpreters will be provided during the Commencement ceremony. However, you must contact Laura Gracia (Lgracia@ucsd.edu) by Friday, June 1 to reserve special seating.
- Wheelchair Rental : Should any of your visitors require a wheelchair, please contact Eric's Medical Supply Inc. at (619) 298-9640. The price of the rental will be $12/day and includes free delivery. You MUST contact them by June 8th to reserve a chair for Commencement weekend.
For any other issues relating to disability accommodations, please contact Laura Gracia at Lgracia@ucsd.edu by Friday, June 1.
Please visit this web site again for updated information. If you have specific questions that are not addressed on this page, please send an email to Lgracia@ucsd.edu.
