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University of Southern California
University of Southern California
USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy
USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy
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News and Events
News and Events

2023 USC Chan Commencement

The USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy will celebrate its 81st Commencement ceremony on Friday, May 12, 2023, at the USC University Park Campus.

Main USC Commencement Ceremony

May 12, 2023 marks the 140th Commencement Day for graduates of the University of Southern California.

USC’s main Commencement ceremony on May 12 opens with a grand academic procession beginning at 8:30am. The ceremony begins at 9:00am at Alumni Park, and will include remarks by university leadership, the conferring of honorary degrees, addresses by the valedictorian and commencement speaker and the formal conferring of degrees that marks the moment when members of the current graduating class officially become USC alumni.

Cap and Tassel Protocol
Caps should be worn at all times, except during the invocation, benediction and National Anthem, when gentlemen should remove their caps. The tassel is worn over the right temple. When the president salutes the graduates, it is appropriate for graduates to respond by tipping their caps. Graduates may then move their tassels over to the left side.

Chan Division Commencement Ceremony

The combined ceremony for the USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy follows, starting at 11:00am, and is expected to last about two hours. After the conclusion of the main ceremony, please proceed directly to the lawn west of Leavey Library. USC Chan degree candidates will line up according to degree. Please arrive no later than 10:30am.

Cap & Gown
Please refer to commencement.usc.edu/caps-and-gowns-regalia for details and pricing for renting and purchasing regalia. Regalia rental includes a tassel, which can be kept as a souvenir. Graduate students: Please note the color of your hood when ordering regalia.

MA: White
OTD: Rhodes Blue (a.k.a. Slate Blue)
PhD: PhD Blue (Dark Blue)

Honor Cords (undergraduate students only)
Honor cords, which may be worn by undergraduates who have earned a minimum 3.5 university GPA by the end of the fall semester, are available from the division. The division will notify you by mid-April if you are eligible to wear an honor cord. Note: Academic honors (cum laude, etc.) will be designated on your diploma/record since these honors will be awarded after final grades are determined after Commencement, and include all coursework (including transfer work).

Chan Division Reception
The reception will take place at the Social Science Lawn immediately following the division ceremony, and is expected to last about one hour. Light refreshments will be served.

Tickets
The Chan Division ceremony does not require tickets.

Map / Directions

Other Considerations

Guests with Disabilities
Please visit the USC Commencement website for additional parking or seating information. If you have a guest attending the satellite ceremony who requires special accommodations (e.g., seated in a wheelchair), please email Bianca Ojeda, at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), at least two weeks prior to Commencement Day.

Pets
The university has a no-pets policy at the main and satellite commencement ceremonies; service dogs are exempt.

Weather
Commencement Day activities may involve prolonged exposure to the sun. Sunscreen, water and hats are recommended.

More Information

For additional information, please visit the university’s Commencement site. Any additional questions can be directed to Bianca Ojeda at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).