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2024 TFT Commencement Information

2024 TFT Commencement Information

Friday, June 14, 2024

2:00 p.m. – 3:50 p.m.

UCLA’S Royce Hall

 

In celebration of our graduates, we are planning to have an in-person commencement ceremony for the TFT graduating class of 2024. As of May 2022, the UCLA campus does not require event attendees to provide a COVID-19 clearance check. For all guests and attendees, we ask that you do not attend the event if you are experiencing COVID-related symptoms to protect the health and safety of all attendees. Masking is strongly recommended but not required indoors.

Please continue to check this page for any updates on the 2024 TFT Commencement. Congratulations to our graduates, their family and friends.

Download a copy of the 2024 Commencement Program.

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TICKETS

At this time, Commencement tickets are required for all guests to enter Royce Hall, as this is a private event. Graduating students must reserve a ticket for their guest.

Guest tickets will be distributed to your email address (as indicated in MyUCLA). Tickets will be sent from the Central Ticket Office (tickets@cto.ucla.edu) and will contain a link for you to receive your electronic tickets. Please be sure to check that your email account is accurate in MyUCLA, and also check your email account’s SPAM folder frequently, to be sure you do not overlook these important messages.

* Graduating students do need tickets, and will need to bring their student identification card to enter the student check-in area.

TFT COMMENCEMENT SPEAKERS

2024 Speaker

Tarell Alvin McCraney

Past Commencement Speakers

2023 — Gina Prince-Bythewood
2022 — Troy Kotsur
2021 — Nilo Cruz
2019 — Pierce Brosnan
2018 — Carl Franklin
2017 — Ava DuVernay
2016 — Channing Dungey
2015 — Kevin Beggs
2014 — Jane Fonda
2013 — Cathy Schulman
2012 — Ron Meyer
2011 — Barbara Boxer
2010 — Peter Guber

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN COMMENCEMENT?

Undergraduate Students

B.A. graduates from Fall 2023 and Winter 2024, B.A. candidates for Spring 2024 who have declared degree expectancy term for Fall 2023 through Summer 2024 in one of our School of Theater, Film and Television majors. All degree requirements should be accounted for Spring 2024 and Summer 2024 candidates.

Graduate Students

Masters and Ph.D. graduates from Fall 2023 and Winter 2024; Masters and Ph.D. candidates for Spring or Summer 2024.

HOW DO I SIGN UP FOR TFT’S COMMENCEMENT?

If you plan to walk in the 2024 TFT Commencement ceremony and/or want to ensure your name is listed in the TFT Commencement program, you MUST register by logging into the TFT intranet. Information about registering for the 2024 TFT Commencement will be sent to TFT students in late Winter Quarter/early Spring Quarter.

Registering for Commencement does not confirm that you have completed all of the necessary requirements to receive your degree. Undergraduates still need to declare degree candidacy and perform all steps needed to graduate. Please see your counselor if you have questions.

HOW DO I DECLARE AND CHECK DEGREE CANDIDACY?

Undergraduate Candidates

All undergraduate students begin at UCLA with a declared degree-expected term of two years from matriculation for transfer students, four years for first-year students. Students are expected to complete all degree requirements within that time frame. Students who exceed the time-to-degree limit must petition with the school to change their degree-expected term. Students with time-to-degree related questions should contact your TFT Academic Advisor.

Graduate Candidates

You should make an appointment to meet with your academic counselor to declare your candidacy.

HOW DO I PREPARE FOR TFT'S COMMENCEMENT

Who is eligible to receive recognition for honors at Commencement?

Only undergraduate students may receive recognition of Honors (Latin Honors) in the Commencement program based upon your cumulative UC GPA at the end of Winter 2024. Undergraduate students graduating with honors will be designated in the program as follows: summa cum laude (3.987 GPA), magna cum laude (3.972 GPA) and cum laude (3.937 GPA). For recognition in the program, the total number of UC-graded units is not considered. However, to receive recognition for Latin Honors on your diploma and final transcript, you must have met the cumulative GPA requirements and have completed at least 90 graded UC units by the end of your final quarter. If you believe you will be eligible for honors upon completion of your program, please make an appointment with your TFT Academic Advisor in 103 East Melnitz.

Where do I order my cap and gown?

Commencement ceremony regalia (caps, gowns, hoods, and tassels) may be purchased online from Graduation Etc. For more information and to order online, visit the UCLA Store website then go to Graduation Etc.

What color tassel and/or hood will I be wearing?

TFT B.A. recipients will wear a brown tassel (no hoods).

TFT M.F.A. recipients will wear a black tassel and a brown hood.

TFT M.A. recipients will wear a black tassel and a white hood.

TFT Ph.D. recipients will wear an old gold tassel and a royal blue hood.

Additional information about this can be found on the UCLA Store website.

Will there be a rehersal?

There is no rehearsal for the TFT Commencement. Students will be given instructions when they arrive at Royce Hall on commencement day. You will be given a card with your name on one side and a photo form (to fill out) on the other. Please complete the address information before the Processional begins. Alphabetical or other order is not required.

Please note that you should not bring anything with you that needs to be carried, like purses, jackets, etc. because there is nowhere to secure personal belongings at the venue. All items that you cannot personally carry should either be left in the car or with one of your family members.

Where should I park?

All appropriate parking lots will be open during Commencement weekend. UCLA Parking Services will staff lots according to ceremony times and locations. Parking Lot 5 is the closest parking lot to the TFT ceremony.

More information about Commencement Parking can be found at https://transportation.ucla.edu/campus-parking/commencement-parking. The 2024 parking information, including pre-paid parking, will be updated in Spring Quarter.

UCLA Parking Map (pdf) | Interactive Campus Map

Do you have any suggestions on how to avoid traffic?

UCLA wants your Commencement experience to be perfect from beginning to end. Depending upon the day and time of the event, the streets surrounding the campus can be congested. To help you avoid traffic congestion in the busy Westwood area following the conclusion of the Commencement ceremony:

405 (San Diego) Freeway: Avoid taking Sunset Boulevard to the 405 (San Diego) Freeway. Instead, travel south from the campus using Westwood Boulevard, Hilgard Avenue (to Westwood Boulevard), Gayley Avenue or Veteran Avenue. Turn right Santa Monica Boulevard (westbound) and enter the 405 from Santa Monica Boulevard.

10 (Santa Monica) Freeway: Take Sunset or Wilshire Boulevard EAST from the campus, turn right (southbound) on Beverly Glen, right again (westbound) at Olympic Boulevard, then left (southbound) on Overland Avenue. Enter the 10 Freeway from Overland Avenue.

How are the student speakers and Chancellor’s Marshals selected?

The School selects two undergraduate students with the highest GPAs from each department. The valedictorian from each department has the opportunity to give the commencement address. All four students serve as Chancellor’s Marshals for the ceremony and the School pays for their distinctive blue and gold fourrageres.

Who may wear the fourragere at Commencement?

The fourragere, a braided gold cord, is worn over the left arm at the shoulder and indicates that the wearer has been awarded or is a candidate for Latin Honors. In late May, the Registrar will supply Graduation Etc. with a list of those Spring 2024 and Summer 2024 candidates who, as of the end of Winter 2024, are determined to have met the criteria for graduation honors. The fourragere requires a deposit and may be picked up the last two weeks prior to the ceremony.

COMMENCEMENT DAY EVENTS

What happens on the day of Commencement?

Only students in appropriate academic attire will be allowed to participate in the ceremony. Graduates must check in by 12:30 p.m. at the Royce Hall west lobby. The processional will begin at 2:00 p.m. sharp. The program is expected to end around 3:50 p.m. NOTE: Please arrange to meet your guests in a specific location near Royce Hall at the end of the ceremony. Please also read the TFT Entry Policy and Royce Hall Security Measures, and have your guests read the following policies before entering Royce Hall:

The following items are NOT allowed during Commencement (These policies are subject to change without notice):

• Opaque / non-clear backpacks or other bags (The following are allowed: clear plastic, vinyl or PVC clear bags not to exceed 12″W x 12″H x 6″ D, Ziploc one-gallon clear plastic freezer bag, small clutch bag 4.5″ x 6.5″, or Diaper bag if infant is present)

All bags will be subject to a visual inspection by security personnel.

• Graduates cannot bring ANY bags

• No animals – except service animals required for a disability

• No noise makers – including thunder sticks, musical instruments, whistles, air horns, boom boxes and megaphones

• No balls, toys or sports equipment

• No balloons

• No banners, signs or flags

• No laser pointers

• No poles or sticks – including selfie sticks

• No monopods or tripods

• No glass, metal or hard plastic containers of any size

• No beverages, except water in a sealed container

• No hard- or soft-sided coolers of any size

• No food – except in cases of medical need, as certified by a physician

• No alcoholic beverages

• No food or drinks are allowed on Drake Track nor LATC Security Restrictions

• No scooters, skateboards skates and bicycles

• No firearms, knives, tasers, explosives or other weapons

• No pepper spray

• No umbrellas

All Commencement venues have the authority to prohibit any other items deemed to be a security risk. Patrons will not be allowed to bring those items into the event venues

What about photography during the ceremony?

Pictures can only be taken from your seats. Access aisles must be kept clear for safety purposes. There will be an official photographer from Grad Images who will photograph each student as they come on stage. Your name card, which will be given to you at check-in, will be used to request proofs of your photo. There is no obligation to purchase any photos when you request a proof.

Are there provisions for people with disabilities?

If you or your guests need an accommodation to be able to access the College Commencement ceremony, you must contact College Commencement on the Message Center (accessed through MyUCLA) and describe the accommodation. Your guests can also contact Message Center without a UCLA login. The campus does not provide transportation or wheelchairs for any guests once they arrive on campus (i.e., no shuttle from parking to the venue, etc.).

POST-COMMENCEMENT

After I complete the requirements for my degree, when will my final transcript be available?

Official transcripts with graduation date included will be available for a fee within seven weeks after the end of your final term. You can order your transcripts through MyUCLA.

When and how will I get my diploma?

Diplomas will be available three to four months after the degree award date. The Registrar’s Office will send you information about obtaining your diploma in person (no fee) or by mail (with the appropriate fee) approximately seven weeks after the end of your final term. You may change your mailing address through MyUCLA. For diploma availability information, call the Diploma Hotline at (310) 825-8883. For more FAQs about diplomas, visit the UCLA Registrar’sOffice website.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Go to https://www.commencement.ucla.edu or see your departmental Student Service Advisor.