Commencement Information for Guests

Page updated: 01/20/23

THE 65TH ANNUAL COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY WILL BE HELD ON
FRIDAY, MAY 19, 2023.

5:30 PM - GRADUATE PROCESSION BEGINS
6 PM - CEREMONY BEGINS

Location:
Cerritos College Falcon Stadium

located at 11110 East Alondra Boulevard, Norwalk, California

Reminder to all attending guests:

  • Strollers, balloons, noisemakers, large signs will not be admitted into the stadium for the ceremony.
  • All bags will be checked by security at the entrance.
  • For the safety of your children and others, children should be attended to at all times.
  • Cerritos College is a smoke free campus. This includes vaping.
  • Respect those around you. Every guest is here to celebrate their graduate. Please help create a respectful and friendly environment for all guests, graduates, and staff. 

Commencement is a joyous celebration for all and we ask that graduates and guests stay through the entire ceremony. Leaving early not only disrupts the ceremony, but it is distracting to graduating students.

  • Guest tickets will be required for the 2023 Commencement ceremony.  Please check with your graduate for more information on obtaining a ticket.
    • Children 3 years and under, who will be lap-seating, will not need a ticket.
  • Stadium gates will close when/if capacity is reached.
  • Seat saving is not allowed. 

Commencement is a joyous celebration for all and we ask that graduates and guests stay through the entire ceremony. Leaving early not only disrupts the ceremony, but it is distracting to graduating students.

General Seating

  • We would like to ask those in attendance to practice safe distancing between guest groups in the stands.
  • General seating is located throughout the stadium. Please note that bleacher seats do not have armrests or chair backs. 
  • Keep all aisles/stairways clear and do not stand, sit, squat, or gather at the rails.
  • To ensure the safety of children and others, children must be attended to at all times.

Security Check and Safety

Bags will be searched by campus police at the entrance of the stadium. The following will not be permitted in Falcon Stadium:

  • strollers/ car seats
  • large signs/ confetti/ balloons/ noisemakers
  • alcohol/ drugs
  • open/glass containers
  • smoking/ vaping
  • any other related paraphernalia 

Food and Beverages

Food and beverages may be available for purchase at the stadium snack bar. Stadium security will use discretion in regard to unsealed beverages and reusable water bottles. Alcohol is strictly prohibited. Drinking fountains are located throughout the stadium.

Smoke and Tobacco-Free Campus

Cerritos College is a 100% smoke and tobacco-free campus. Smoking, including the use of cigarettes, cigars, little cigars, snuff, snus, water pipes, pipes, hookahs, chew, electronic cigarettes, vaporized liquids, or other emission-producing products or devices is prohibited.

First Aid

Medical personnel are located on the north side of the stadium. If you need assistance, please ask the nearest staff member.

Restrooms

Restrooms are located underneath the east and west side bleachers.

Graduation Gifts

Graduation gifts will be available for purchase from the  college bookstore (in-person or online) beginning in April.

No "Seat-Saving" 

Due to limited seating, "seat-saving" will not be permitted. We ask that parties that wish to sit together arrive together.

In Consideration of Other Guests

Please be considerate and respectful of other guests and staff
Do not block anyone's view at any time during the ceremony, and please refrain from use of profanity.

Keep all aisles/stairways clear and do not stand, sit, squat, or gather at the rails. 
To ensure the safety of children and others, children must be attended to at all times.

Unruly, disruptive or offensive behavior is strictly prohibited. Guests who appear intoxicated, under the influence of illegal substances or exhibit any other illicit or belligerent behavior will be escorted out from the campus.

Parking for Commencement will be free

The streets surrounding the campus will be heavily congested with traffic, especially with those accessing the campus via Alondra Blvd.

To avoid traffic and parking lot congestion, we encourage guests to arrive early and park in lot 10, which can be accessed through 166th street.

ADA Parking

The section of parking immediately in front of the stadium is reserved for ADA Handicapped Parking only. To enter that section vehicles must display a handicap placard or license plate.
 

Directions to Cerritos College

From Downtown Los Angeles
Take I-5 South to I-605 South, exit I-605 at Alondra Blvd, turn left on Alondra Blvd, take Alondra Blvd East. The college will be on the right just past Studebaker Road.

From Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Take I-105 East to I-605 South, exit I-605 at Alondra Blvd, turn left on Alondra Blvd, take Alondra Blvd East.

From John Wayne Airport (Orange County)
Take I-405 North to I-605 North, exit I-605 at Alondra Blvd, turn right on Alondra Blvd, take Alondra Blvd East.

*Traffic Alert*

The streets surrounding the campus will be heavily congested. To avoid traffic and parking lot congestion, we encourage guests to arrive early and park in lot 10, which can be accessed through 166th street.


Rideshare & Passenger Drop Off Zone
 

A rideshare (Taxi, uber, Lyft, etc) and passenger drop off area will be located in parking lot 10 and accessed via 166th Street.  Due to heavily congested traffic, drop offs  in front of the stadium and gym will not be permitted.

Photographs on Commencement Day

We ask that all guests are considerate of other guests seated around them. Please do not stay standing in the seating area and please do not gather at the rails or in the aisles to take a photos of your graduate.   

All graduates will have a photo opportunity as they proceed off stage and back to their seats.  Once graduates have received their proofs in the mail they can contact Grad Images at their customer service line at (800) 261-2576.
The link for graduates is www.gradimages.com

Guests may meet their graduates, outside the stadium, after the ceremony has concluded.

Guests will not be allowed onto the field for any reason.

Graduates Requesting Accommodations

If you require disability accommodations contact Student Accessibility Services (SAS) (562) 860-2451, ext. 2335; (562) 274-7164 (VP); or
Graduation-Accommodation@cerritos.edu a minimum of two weeks prior to commencement ceremony.

ADA Parking

Graduates and guests with a DMV approved placard may park in parking lot 1, located in front of the stadium. 

Guests with Disabilities

In addition to general wheelchair seating in the grandstand, guests who use wheelchairs, walkers, or power-scooters may opt to be seated on the track the day of the event, along with one companion.  Accessible field level seating is available on the home side of the stadium only, on a first-come first-serve basis.  Please plan accordingly.

Sign language interpreters will be located on the home side of the stage and guest seating will be available near the stage (on the home side only) for those who need access to view the interpreters.

A limited number of programs will be available at the entrance in large print and Braille.

For any other accommodation requests or for additional information regarding accommodations, please contact Student Accessibility Services (SAS) at (562) 860-2451, ext. 2335; (562) 274-7164 (VP); or Graduation-Accommodation@cerritos.edu

  • Arrive early & park in lot 10
  • Each ceremony will run approximately two hours including name reading.
  • After the ceremony, designate a meeting place with your graduate outside of the stadium.
  • Please dress comfortably. There may be lengthy walks on uneven pavement.
  • Please leave pets at home. Only service animals are permitted on campus.
  • Parking- The streets surrounding the campus will be heavily congested. To avoid traffic and parking lot congestion, we encourage guests to arrive early and park in lot 10, which can be accessed through 166th street.
A livestream will be available for family and friends to view.

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