Commencement Conduct Expectations

Graduates are expected to abide by the following guidelines:

• Students are required to be in the graduate holding area no later than 9:30 a.m. on Commencement Day to receive final announcements before the ceremony begins.
• Wandering around the stadium and visiting with guests in the stands is prohibited during the ceremony.
• Cell phones are permitted, but out of courtesy for other participants, students are asked to make judicious use of phones and not use them during the formal speaking portions of the ceremony. 
• All VCCCD Commencement ceremonies are alcohol-, drug-, smoke-, vapor-, and tobacco-free. Ceremony graduates, participants, and guests are prohibited from bringing alcoholic beverages or other drugs/controlled substances onto the premises or consuming these items during the ceremonies.
• There will be zero tolerance for disorderly behavior, and graduation candidates and guests who are intoxicated or disruptive will not be allowed into the ceremony venue or will be escorted from the ceremony.
•  It is particularly important that students respect their fellow students and the faculty, administrators and guests who have come to witness and participate in the conferring of their degrees. For this reason, graduates are expected to return to their seats after they walk and remain there until all students have walked and the members of the stage party have exited the stage.
• Candidates are discouraged from displaying cap and gown décor that includes foul, lewd, or obscene language or images, references to alcohol or drugs, or defamation of any kind in consideration of all attendees, including minors.
• Individuals who engage in disruptive behavior including the use of foul or abusive language or obscene gestures, fighting, throwing objects, or attempting to directly interfere in an event without authorization are subject to immediate removal from campus and potential arrest.
• Willfully and maliciously disturbing another individual with loud and unreasonable noise is prohibited.

Things that are prohibited and should not be brought into the ceremony site include:

• Weapons of any kind (including guns or knives of any size, or pepper spray, among other items that are brandished to threat or inflict harm).
• Any object that can be used to inflict bodily injury or disrupt the event, including but not limited to sticks or poles, chemical dispensing devices, noise making devices, 2-way radios.
• Air horns, bullhorns, portable speakers, or sound amplification systems.
• Laser lights or pointers, handcuffs, fireworks, drones or airborne devices.
• Alcoholic beverages, drugs, or other illegal or controlled substances.
•  Animals (with the exception of service animals).
• View-obstructing flags, posters, or balloons.
• Beach balls or similar objects.

The safety of our students and community members is paramount. Moorpark College campus police supports our graduates and participates in the planning and implementation of our Commencement ceremony each year. 

Learn more about Moorpark College and VCCCD safety efforts and the personnel behind them by visiting:

• Moorpark College Emergency Preparedness
• Moorpark College Campus Police Station
• Moorpark College Behavior, Assessment, and Care
• VCCCD Police and Safety information