2024 Commencement Celebration
FRIDAY, MAY 24, 2024, 3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m
ROBERT and MARGRIT MONDAVI CENTER for the PERFORMING ARTS
Commencement holds special significance for the School’s degree candidates, their families and friends, and friends of the School. Our congratulations to you and our best wishes for a memorable day!
The following information will acquaint you with our commencement traditions and answer frequently asked questions.
If you have any further questions, please get in touch with the Admissions and Student Programs Office at (530) 752-1383.
CEREMONY WEBCAST: We will have both live and “on-demand” online versions of the commencement ceremony. The live webcast will be available after the ceremony, and the on-demand file can be viewed later. Link to the webcast at: https://vimeo.com/event/4139450
- ACADEMIC DRESS
The academic attire for participants in the ceremony is a doctoral gown and cap with a gray tassel.
DVM & MPVM CANDIDATES
What to Wear:
1. UC blue/gold doctoral gown, available for rent through UC Davis Stores. Site is now live!
2. Blue “keeper” cap and gray tassel
3. DVM hood with gray velvet and blue/gold lining, provided by the School of Veterinary Medicine
How to Order:
Online ordering is available through UC Davis Stores commencement site
DVM Rental fee through March 21: Paid by SAVMA!
MPVM Rental fee through March 21: $66.00
Rental fee if order placed after March 21: $81.00
DVM CANDIDATES
Your gown rental payment (limited to $66) is paid by SAVMA! Gown orders placed by March 21 will have the entire price covered.Grad Pack price will be reduced by $66. Pricing will be adjusted at the time of online order.
The $15.00 late processing fee added to all orders after March 21 will not be covered. Orders placed after March 21 are not guaranteed to arrive in time for Senior Luncheon. Students placing orders after March 21 should confirm with the bookstore where and when their attire will be delivered.
Candidates who order their cap and gown by March 21 may pick up their attire at the Senior Luncheon (May 15) at Valley Hall. If your order includes a Grad Pack, it will be available for pick up with your gown.
Cap and gown pick-up day is May 15, 2024 in Valley Hall (lunch will be served).
RESIDENTS
Your academic attire will be ordered for you by the VMTH Director's Office.
ACADEMIC HOODS- DVM, MPVM, and RESIDENTS
DVM students: The academic hood is a symbol of your professional achievement, reflecting your Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of California. The satin lining of the hood is the official color of the University, while the gray velvet indicates your DVM degree. You will be invested with a School of Veterinary Medicine hood when your degree is conferred, and you walk across the stage at the ceremony. The hoods are property of the School and are loaned free of charge for your use during the ceremony. Hoods must be returned after the ceremony to the Studio Theater (where you lined up for the procession).MPVM students and Residents: The School will loan you a hood signifying your veterinary degree to wear at the ceremony. Hoods must be returned after the ceremony to the Studio Theater.
Candidates may purchase their doctoral hoods by linking to the UC Davis Store. Please allow 8-10 weeks to complete your order.
Returning Attire: To avoid a late charge, gowns must be returned to the Studio Theater immediately following the ceremony or to the UC Davis Bookstore at the Memorial Union no later than May 30. The cap and tassel are yours to keep. Hoods, property of the School, must be returned to the Studio Theater immediately following the ceremony.- ADMISSION TO THE CEREMONY
Tickets to the commencement ceremony are free and will be distributed to candidates during the Senior Luncheon on May 15). Every person (including infants and toddlers) attending the ceremony must have a ticket. Tickets are for general admission and open seating.
DVM Candidates: Each student will be allocated nine (9) tickets.
MPVM Candidates: Each student participating in commencement may request up to four (4) tickets for their guests. You may pick up your tickets from Christi Boyter in mid-May.
Residents: Each resident participating in commencement may request up to four (4) tickets for their guests. Please let Audra Johnson know if you want tickets when you order your attire.
If space in the Mondavi Center permits, additional tickets will be available at the entrance before the ceremony.
University policy prohibits the selling of commencement tickets for money or commercial value. Violation will result in referral to Student Judicial Affairs.
- GRADUATION ANNOUNCEMENTS
- The UC Davis Bookstore sells official UC Davis commencement announcements, blank notes, thank-you notes, envelope seals, and certificates of appreciation. Personalized announcements may be purchased via UC Davis Stores.
- ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
- University policy prohibits the possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages at the commencement ceremony.
- AWARDS & HONORS
- The School Medal will be presented at the ceremony to a graduating senior in recognition of outstanding academic and clinical performance. Members of the veterinary honor society, Phi Zeta, will wear medallions signifying their academic achievement.
- DIPLOMAS & CERTIFICATES
DVM: Immediately following the ceremony, diplomas will be distributed to candidates who have completed all clinical, school, and campus requirements for May degrees. Distribution will be in the Studio Theater after you have returned your hood.
MPVM candidates: A card commemorating the ceremony will be presented to each participant at commencement. Diplomas are available from the Registrar’s Office four months after the end of the quarter in which all degree requirements are complete (including presentation of the research project).
Residents: A card commemorating the ceremony will be presented to each participant at commencement.
- FLOWER SALES
- Graduation Day Flowers will be outside of the Mondavi Center for guests that wish to purchase flowers for their graduate.
- PHOTOGRAPHY
- Pro Pics is the official photographer for our commencement. They will take a photo of you as you cross the stage and a photo immediately off stage. You will be given a name card to present to the Associate Dean to announce as you walk across the stage. You must fill out the card with your contact information so proofs can be emailed. Proofs will be available within three to five days after graduation. Pictures can be ordered online.
- PARKING
- Graduates and guests must register for complimentary parking for the Commencement ceremony on campus. The unique voucher code is ' VET24 '. The permits are available now to claim. How to Register for Complimentary Parking Step 1: Navigate to parking.ucdavis.edu
Step 2: Click on Special Event Parking
Step 3: Select Commencement Ceremonies under Event Type
Step 4: Select the ceremony you will be attending
Step 5: Enter the coupon code VET24 and click Apply Voucher
Step 6: Select Commencement Parking Permit ($0.00) under Permit Type
Step 7: Select the date of the event
Step 8: Add your vehicle information
Step 9: Review the Permission to Park Agreement and select I agree and then continue
Step 10: Enter your email address and checkout for the $0 amount Designated Parking Locations for Mondavi: Lot 1, Lot 2, and Gateway Parking Structure Additional Information
A confirmation email will be sent within a few minutes of completing the transaction.
There is no need to print or display anything in your vehicle.
Permits are valid in unrestricted C zone spaces from 7am ‐ midnight.
If you have any questions or issues regarding your purchase, contact Transportation Services at 530‐752‐8277. For more information, visit: https://taps.ucdavis.edu/commencement‐transportation‐planning - SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS
For the convenience of all guests with limited mobility, please ask them to arrive as early as possible to locate their seating. If special accommodations are necessary for unique situations (including sign language interpreters), contact the Student Programs Office at 752-1383 no later than April 28.
If an individual has a state-disabled parking permit, parking is available in South Entry Parking Structure. Guests with limited mobility may be dropped off and picked up in front of the Mondavi Center. Mondavi will have limited wheelchairs available for use on-site.
- ASSEMBLY OF CANDIDATES PRIOR TO CEREMONY
- Degree candidates and residents will assemble before the ceremony at 2:45 p.m. in the Studio Theater located in the Mondavi Center. Commencement instructions will be provided in early May.
- ORDER OF THE CEREMONY
The ceremony will include remarks by the dean, student speaker, faculty, commencement speaker and provost; the presentation of awards; the conferring of degrees and hoods; and the administration of the Veterinarian’s Oath.
At the designated time in the program, DVM candidates will rise for presentation to the provost. Following degree conferral, candidates will hand their name cards to the announcer and walk across the stage to the faculty marshal, who will invest their veterinary hoods. Graduates will then be congratulated by the provost and the dean and then return to their seats to be led in reciting the Veterinarian’s Oath.
The ceremony will last approximately two hours.
- VISITOR LINKS
Out-of-town guests are encouraged to make reservations for accommodations early as commencement events mean many visitors to Davis, and lodging becomes scarce.
Yolo County Visitor's Bureau / Lodging
References or pointers on this page do not represent an endorsement.
- COVID PROTOCOLS
- The guidance in this section is based on state, county, and campus recommendations and may be updated based on revisions to CDC requirements.
Face Coverings
Face coverings are not required. They are, however, encouraged for large events and ceremonies.
No other protocols will be required for this event at this time. Please continue to check back for updates as we continue to monitor COVID positive numbers in the county. - Questions?
- Contact the Student Programs Office, 530-752-1383 or email svmadmissions@ucdavis.edu.