Law Commencement FAQs

General Event Information

What is the Commencement format?
The day before the Commencement ceremony, the law school will host a Liturgical Mass to honor the graduating class. Everyone is welcome to attend this celebration.

Santa Clara Law will hold its traditional Commencement Ceremony at the Leavey Center on the Santa Clara University campus. Please note that the stage crossing during the ceremony will not be live-streamed but will be recorded and made available for later viewing.

The Dean’s Celebration of Spirit and Excellence is an invitation-only award ceremony hosted before the liturgy. The Dean’s Office will contact student honorees to share event details and guest information.

What time will doors open for the Commencement Ceremony?
Doors will open at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday.

How long is the Commencement Ceremony?
The ceremony lasts approximately 2 hours.

What is the bag policy?
The Santa Clara University Bag Policy states the following:

Clear Bag Policy

Santa Clara University is committed to creating a safe and enjoyable experience for all those attending campus events. All guests will be required to pass through a security detection system prior to entry into the event venue(s). All bags and other items brought into the event venue(s) may be subject to search. By entering these venues, you consent to such searches and waive any related claims that you may have. To facilitate entry and avoid additional screening, we respectfully request that attendees adhere to the allowed and prohibited items list.

Attendees are highly encouraged to leave personal bags at home. Any bags brought into the event venue(s) must follow the guidelines below which will be strictly enforced.

PERMITTED BAGS

ONE CLEAR BAG

No larger than 12” x 6” x 12”

ONE PLASTIC STORAGE BAG

No larger than one (1)-gallon

AND

ONE SMALL CLUTCH BAG

No larger than 4.5” x 6.5’’

EXCEPTIONS: MEDICAL OR DIAPER BAGS
No size restrictions

Campus Safety Services – May 2024

PERMITTED BAGS / ITEMS

Leis
Seat cushions
Phones, keys, and wallet
Diaper bags + Infant feeding supplies
Laptops or tablets (no carrying case or equipment bag)
Non-professional cameras or binoculars (no carrying case or equipment bag)
One (1) empty reusable plastic water bottle no larger than one (1)-liter
Prescription medicine labeled with a matching ID (must declare at entry)
Small hand-held flags, posters, or signs, no larger than 3’ x 3’. Poles and sticks are strictly prohibited.

PROHIBITED BAGS / ITEMS

Purses
Backpacks
Binocular cases
Camera cases
Drawstring bags
Fanny or sling bags
Mesh or straw bags
Oversized tote bags
Tinted plastic bags
Colored or patterned plastic bags
Luggage
Reusable grocery bags
Duffel bags
Umbrellas
Laser pointers
Alcohol and/or illegal drugs
Animals (service exception)
Balls, frisbees, whole fruit, or anything that could be a projectile
Bicycles, skateboards, or scooters
Fireworks, lighters, incendiary devices of any kind
Guns, knives, or weapons of any kind
Horns, noisemakers, or amplified sound
Flags, posters, or signs, larger than 3’ x 3’. Poles and sticks are strictly prohibited.
Remote-controlled devices of any kind (drones, cars, model planes/ helicopters)
Tobacco smoking products, including vapes

Will graduates be professionally photographed?
Professional photographers will be present at the ceremony. Photos taken by photographers will be available on the Santa Clara Law Flickr or via GradImages if students opt in.

Will there be a flower vendor on campus for Commencement?
An SCU-approved vendor, Rosies & Posies Downtown, will sell a small selection of flowers on campus before the Commencement ceremony and donate 20% of the proceeds to the Santa Clara Law Student Bar Association. You can choose from a larger variety of gifts by pre-ordering online and picking up your order before the ceremony.

Pre-order Instructions

Once you have chosen your graduate’s gift, select the delivery option and proceed to check out. Under “Special Instructions,” please note that you will be picking up your order at the Santa Clara Law Commencement.

Admission & Tickets

How many tickets do graduates receive?
Each graduate will receive eight (8) guest tickets for the Commencement ceremony. Should you need additional guest tickets, we suggest you ask other graduates if they have tickets they don’t plan to utilize.

How do graduates get their Commencement GradPass and Guest Ticket(s)?
In March, eligible graduates will receive an email from lawgraduation@scu.edu detailing how to obtain their GradPass and Guest Ticket(s) via MarchingOrder. Graduates will be required to provide their guests’ names and email addresses. Guests can access their tickets via email and must have a screenshot or printed copy of their ticket to be admitted to the ceremony.

Do all guests need tickets to be admitted?

All guests are required to have valid tickets printed or available on their mobile devices. Children 2 years of age and under do not require a ticket.

Event Preparedness

What are the suggested preparedness measures for emergencies?

An emergency evacuation plan will be shared before the event begins. This will include a visual of the routes and a brief explanation.

Visiting guests of the University are strongly encouraged to subscribe to SCU Bronco Alerts for the duration of your stay, you may do so with the keyword below. Note, that this subscription will automatically expire after 5 days.

From your smartphone, text “SCUEVENTS” to 226787 (CAMPUS) to receive alerts from SCU Bronco Alert

Message and data rates may apply. Text messages are sent on an as-needed basis. This service is provided per the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy at Rave Mobile Safety. Text STOP to all messages or HELP for tech support.

ADA Compliance

Will there be ADA seating?
ADA seating is available around the concourse and on the ground level of Leavey Center. Elevators are available for use to access ground-level seating. These seats will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. It is highly recommended that guests arrive when the gates open at 7:30 a.m.

Where can I find ADA parking?

ADA parking is available in the Leavey Lot. Guests who park in any of the marked disabled parking spots are responsible for bringing their Disabled Person (DP) placards or valid DP license plates.

Please bring wheelchairs and walkers as needed as we are unable to provide wheelchairs to our guests at this time.

Questions regarding ADA compliance may be directed to lawgraduation@scu.edu.

Parking & Directions

Where should I park?
Parking on the SCU Campus during Law Commencement is complimentary for graduates and their guests. However, both standard parking and ADA parking will be severely impacted due to the large crowds expected, so please arrive early to Commencement events.

We strongly recommend using rideshare (Uber/Lyft) or carpooling to campus, if possible. To access the rideshare drop-off area, please enter the University through the main entrance at 500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, CA 95053, and stay to the right.

Approved guest parking lots on Commencement weekend are:

Main Campus Parking Structure – 500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, CA 95053
Leavey Lot – Leavey Event Center, Santa Clara, CA 95053 (ADA Parking)

For Graduates

I am receiving my MBA. Do I cross the stage twice?
Students with multiple degrees will be recognized in their respective Commencement Programs. JD/MBA students may choose to opt in for the Business School ceremony. More information can be found on the University Commencement webpage.

When will I receive my diploma?
On stage, you will receive your diploma cover. If you have no holds on your account and successfully return your rented academic attire, your diploma will be mailed to you by the Office of the Registrar once the completion of academic requirements has been verified. Mailings begin 3-4 months after the degree completion date. Please be sure to review your name and mailing address before graduation.

If you have additional questions regarding your diploma (name changes, damage, change of address, etc.), please contact the Office of the Registrar (registrar@scu.edu).

Alumni Affairs

How do I update my contact information to stay involved with Alumni Affairs?

For all career and personal updates (e.g. email, home address, job, etc.), please connect with Law External Relations at lawalumni@scu.edu, or call 408-551-1748.