When and where is commencement? CCBC’s 2013 Commencement ceremony takes place 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 1, 2013 on the Essex campus. The ceremony will be held underneath the graduation tent on the multipurpose field. <Click here to view a brief highlight video of Commencement 2012.> A reception for graduates and their guests will be held immediately following the ceremony in a tented area adjacent to the gymnasium. How do I get there? Where do I park? Directions to CCBC Essex and a map of the campus are available on the college website. Free parking is available throughout the campus. Individuals with limited mobility requiring assistance will be directed to designated parking upon arrival at the main entrance to the campus. for more detailed information, visit the Directions and Parking page on this site. When should I/my guests arrive? Graduates must report to the check-in/robing area of D Building (Gym) by 9 a.m. for robing and lineup for the ceremony’s procession. Faculty and staff processional marshals will be there to assist you. Please do not bring valuables into the check-in/robing area, as these items will not be secure. Faculty and staff who are participating in the commencement ceremony should report for robing to D-106/107 and be ready to process outside Building D by 9:45 a.m. Do my guests need tickets? Admission tickets are not required, but seating is limited and it is recommended that graduates bring no more than six guests. What if I/my guests need special accommodations? Seating is available on a first come, first served basis to accommodate guests with wheelchairs, walkers, oxygen, visual and hearing impairments, etc. If you need special seating arrangements for you or your guests, contact Beth Hunsinger, director of Disability Support Services, at 443-840-1878 by Wednesday, May 29 so an adequate number of seats may be reserved. If you do not notify us in advance, we cannot guarantee adequate special seating. There is a drop-off area near the graduation tent for those guests with limited mobility. There is a designated parking area for cars with valid state "handicap" tags or placards. Guests must provide their own wheelchairs. NEW THIS YEAR: There will be a live broadcast of the ceremony in Building D, with indoor seating to view the graduation. This may be a good option for elderly guests and guests with mobility issues, for whom walking to the ceremony tent may be extra challenging. How do I order my cap and gown? If you have applied to graduate in June 2013 and will have the necessary number of credits by the end of the Spring 2013 semester, you may order your cap and gown online at Oak Hall Cap and Gown beginning February 18, 2013. Online orders will be taken until Tuesday, April 16. After that date, you must go into the campus bookstore to place your order. You may also place your order through any of the campus bookstores: CCBC Catonsville: Building K, first floor, 443-840-4320 CCBC Dundalk: Building K, first floor, 443-840-3552 CCBC Essex: Building B, first floor, 443-840-1561 You may place your order in bookstores beginning Friday, March 1, 2013. The cost of the cap and gown is covered in the graduation application fee. Orders will be taken through Friday, April 19, after which a $15 late processing fee will be assessed. Graduates may pick up ordered caps and gown in the campus bookstores beginning Monday, May 13, 2013. Graduates wishing to purchase additional tassels may do so when they place their cap and gown orders. Additional tassels cost $3.25 each. Graduates with an overall grade point average of 3.40 or greater are eligible to wear gold honor tassels as part of their graduation regalia. The overall grade point average is determined by computing your cumulative course work from CCBC. How do I get announcements? Each graduate will receive 10 announcements when picking up their cap and gown. Students are also welcome to pick up their announcements at their campus bookstores, where additional announcements will be available at $5 per package of 10. Note: Announcements are not tickets. See question number four above regarding tickets. When will I receive my diploma? Those who have met the graduation requirements, applied for graduation by the graduation deadline and satisfied all obligations to the college will receive their official diplomas immediately following the ceremony. Graduates will be directed to the diploma distribution area during the recessional. What should I wear? Comfortable attire is recommended beneath the regalia, but no shorts or tennis shoes are permitted. Students should wear low-heeled shoes in order to maneuver the stairs. Graduates who do not have proper academic regalia (cap and gown) will not be permitted to process and cross the stage. Will I get a graduation photograph? As a token of our appreciation and celebration of your accomplishment, CCBC has arranged for a professional photographer to take photos of each graduate crossing the graduation platform. These stage photographs will be mailed to graduates’ homes at no cost or obligation to purchase. Graduates will be given the opportunity to order enlargements from Northeast Photo Network. Graduates will also have the opportunity to have pictures taken at the Graduation/Alumni Picnic, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Saturday, May 4 at CCBC Dundalk.