Office of the University Registrar

May 25, 2022

To : Graduating Students

Thru : Deans and Chairs

From : University Registrar

Re : 470th Commencement Rites on June 16, 17, and 18, 2022

After the virtual commencement rites for two years, we are happy to announce the conduct of the face-to-face
ceremonies on June 16, 17, and 18, 2022 with the theme The Word Alive: Navigating Educational Crossroads
and Rebuilding Capacities.

The schedules of the commencement rites and the rehearsals with the corresponding venues are presented
below:

Date of Venue
Date of
Commencement Rudolf Rahmann Cultural St. Arnold and St. Michael Richartz
Rehearsal
Rites Center Joseph Church Center
SBE: BSBA majors in
• SAS (Science
Finance, Human Resource,
June 16; June 14; Programs)
Operations Management,
7:30 a.m. 7:30 a.m. • SOLG: Political
Executive Resource
Managements Science

SBE: BSBA majors in

Marketing Management, BS • SAS (Arts
June 16; June 14;
Entrepreneurship, BS Programs)
1:30 p.m. 1:30 p.m.
Economics; and Business • School of Education
Graduate Programs

• School of Health
Care Profession
SBE: BS Accountancy, BS
• School of
June 17; June 15; Accounting Tech., BS
Architecture, Fine
7:30 a.m. 7:30 a.m. Hospitality Mgt., BS Tourism
Arts and Design
Mgt., and DCA
• School of
Engineering

June 17; June 15; SBE: BS Management

1:30 p.m. 1:30 p.m. Accounting

June 18; June 15: SOLG:

7:30 a.m. 1:30 p.m. College of Law

The face-to-face ceremony will be implemented on the condition that the quarantine restriction of alert level 1
in Cebu City will continue on the said dates and with the approval of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC)
and CHED Region VII.
The Baccalaureate Mass will be held online through USC (https://www.facebook.com/usccebu) and Campus
Ministry FB pages on Monday, June 13, 2022 at 1:30 in the afternoon. The respective Deans shall assign
student participants for the Mass who should be present in the rehearsal on Friday, June 10, 2022 at 1:30
p.m. at the Church of St. Arnold Janssen and St. Joseph Freinademetz Church in Talamban Campus.

Safety and Health Protocols will be strictly observed. We will implement the 50% capacity in each venue
which will only accommodate the candidates for graduation, administrators, faculty and staff. Each candidate
can only bring one parent who will be accommodated in designated reception areas where live streaming of
the ceremonies will be stationed. Wearing of face masks is a must inside the campus and everyone must be
fully vaccinated.

The details of the guidelines are attached for your reference.

The candidates are required to join their corresponding rehearsals to ensure the smooth flow of the
commencement rites in this new normal.

Your cooperation and understanding are highly appreciated.

Original Signed
ENGR. JAMES ANTHONY T. TOLEDO, MM, MBA
University Registrar

Noted:
Original Signed
FR. JESURAJ ANTHONIAPPEN, SVD, PhD
Vice President for Academic Affairs

This transmittal is a privileged communication between the sender and the recipient, thus for internal use only.
Dissemination of this document is strictly prohibited.

NOT FOR SOCIAL MEDIA POSTING

 Health and Safety Guidelines for the 470th Commencement Rites
June 16, 17 & 18, 2022

Section 1. Rationale

The Health and Safety Guidelines for the 470th Commencement Rites is crafted to promote a COVID 19 free event by
lessening the possibility of transmission among the attendees.

Section 2. Objectives

a. To assure the attendees that the event complies with the safety requirements set by the IATF, LGU (EOC), and the USC
Health and Safety Protocol.
b. To ensure the safety of all attendees of the event.

Section 3. Health & Safety Protocols

1. All candidates for graduation and their guests attending the 470th Commencement Rites must be fully vaccinated. To
ascertain compliance to this directive, the Health and Safety Committee shall deploy a Google Form and proof of full
vaccination (vaccination card or vaccination certificate) to be uploaded. The Google Form will be deployed ten (10) days
before the start of the Commencement Rites. Please accomplish it upon receipt.

Graduating students without full vaccination will attend the ceremony virtually. The event will be live streamed on USC and
Campus Ministry Facebook pages.

2. Entry to Talamban Campus or to South Campus will be strictly monitored by the campus guards. Present the entry slip
generated after filling up the Google Form to the guards. Be prepared with an Identification Card and the Vaccination Card.

3. Candidates for graduation proceed immediately to the assigned area in preparation for the graduation march.

4. Students will be seated one seat apart at 50% capacity of the venue.

5. Students are to bring alcohol and must wear face mask at all times.

6. No gathering at any location inside the venue at all times. Always maintain physical distancing.

7. Hand shaking and hugging are highly discouraged, bow to acknowledge.

8. After the recessional march everyone must leave the venue immediately to give way to the DRRM Team who will disinfect
the place.

Everyone is expected to practice self-discipline to ensure safety and orderly ceremonies.

 General Guidelines
470th Commencement Rites
June 16, 17, and 18, 2022

Theme: The Word Alive: Navigating Educational Crossroads and Rebuilding Capacities

I. SCHEDULE

A. Ceremonies and Rehearsal: Following is the schedule of the actual ceremonies and the rehearsal:

Date of Venue
Date of
Commencement Rudolf Rahmann Cultural St. Arnold and St. Joseph Michael Richartz
Rehearsal
Rites Center Church Center
SBE: BSBA majors in
Finance, Human Resource, • SAS (Science
June 16; June 14;
Operations Management, Programs)
7:30 AM 7:30 AM
Executive Resource • SOLG: Political Science
Managements
SBE: BSBA majors in
Marketing Management, BS
June 16; June 14; • SAS (Arts Programs)
Entrepreneurship, BS
1:30 PM 1:30 PM
Economics; and Graduate • SEd
Programs

SBE: BS Accountancy, BS
Accounting Technology; BS • SOLG
June 17; June 15;
Hospitality, & Tourism • SAFAD
7:30 AM 7:30 AM
Management; and Diploma • SOE
in Culinary Arts

June 17; June 15: SBE: BS Management

1:30 PM 1:30 PM Accounting
June 18; June 15; SOLG: College of
7:30 AM 1:30 PM Law

*All candidates for graduation from all Schools should come on time for both the rehearsal and actual ceremonies as scheduled.

Candidates who will be unable to attend physically may attend the ceremonies virtually through the USC Facebook
(https://www.facebook.com/usccebu) or through the USC Campus Ministry FB.

B. Baccalaureate Mass. The Baccalaureate Mass will be held blended on Monday, June 13, 2022 at 1:30 p.m. at the Church
of St. Arnold Janssen and St. Joseph Freinademetz in Talamban Campus. Only those assigned by the Deans to participate in
the Mass will attend, while the rest will join virtually through the USC and Campus Ministry Facebook pages.

The rehearsal with the student participants will be on Friday, June 10, 2022 at 1:30 p.m. at the Church.

II. PARENTS’ PARTICIPATION. Only one parent is allowed to attend the ceremonies, observing physical distancing. They shall be
accommodated in the designated reception areas outside the cultural center and the Church as follows:

South Campus: 1) Jaschick Hall - Room JJ116, Joseph Jaschick Wing

2) Buchcik Hall - Room AB109ESC, Anthony Buchcik Building
3) Covered court at the back of the cultural center
Talamban Campus: 1) Basketball Covered Court near Canteen
 Live streaming will be provided in the above-mentioned reception areas.

Only those candidates who have approved online clearance can be given the attendance card and invitation for one parent by the
respective Schools. The School Deans and Secretaries are given access to view the status of clearance in ISMIS.

III. ACADEMIC ATTIRE

A. The proper academic attire for the bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral candidates for graduation is the academic gown, hood
and cap. For a two-year course (e.g. CCT) the proper academic attire is the academic gown WITHOUT HOOD and CAP. For
DCA is the chef coat.

Togas are available at the Textbook Section at the basement of the Bunzel Building in Talamban Campus for rental. Please
refer to the memo issued by the Comptroller for the schedule of distribution and other details.

1. Gentlemen shall wear pastel or light-colored long sleeves, black slack pants (NOT MAONG) and black leather shoes with
socks. Decent haircut should be observed.

2. Ladies shall wear formal-midi dress (NOT PANTS) and closed black leather shoes (NOT SANDALS).

3. The academic gown must be at least two inches below the knees. NO CORSAGE, BROOCH, OR BAR PINS SHOULD BE
WORN WITH THE GOWN. For Bachelor candidates, a gown is closed up to the neck.

4. The color of the trimming on the hood is the color proper to each school:

School of Architecture, Fine Arts & Design - Brown

School of Arts and Sciences - Light Green
School of Education - Light Blue
School of Engineering - Maroon
School of Business and Economics - Yellow Gold
School of Health Care Professions:
- Department of Nutrition & Dietetics - White
- Department of Nursing - White
- Department of Pharmacy - Dark Green
School of Law and Governance
- Department of Political Science - Light Green
Graduate Programs - According to field of specialization

5. A square cap with a short gold tassel on the left side is to be worn straight by all candidates for graduation. Cap should
not be removed until the Commencement Rites is over.

B. The academic attire for the faculty is the same as above.

REMINDER: Participants in the Commencement Rites should wear the proper academic attire; otherwise, he/she CANNOT join the
graduation ceremonies.

IV. THE CEREMONIES

A. Before the Ceremonies

1. At 6:00 A.M. / 1:00 P.M. the Marshall should start assembling the candidates for graduation and other participants in the
designated areas as follows:

- Pentagon at the South Campus

- SAFAD Lobby at Talamban Campus

a. The candidates of each department/school should arrange themselves by degree in pairs and in alphabetical order.
 b. The candidates with honors should arrange themselves at the end of the lines of the department/school in pairs and
in this order: Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude and Summa Cum Laude.

2. The Attendance Cards shall be distributed by the Teacher-Guides during the assembly on the day of commencement rites.

3. A first trumpet call at 7:30 A.M. / 1:30 P.M. signals a warning prior to marching, which begins promptly at the sound of the
second trumpet call at 7:45 A.M. / 1:45 P.M.

The order for the Processional shall be as follows:

▪ Procession Marshal
▪ Color Guards
▪ Candidates for Graduation
▪ USC Alumni Association Officers
▪ Board Topnotchers
▪ Guests
▪ Administrative Heads
▪ Faculty Members
▪ Assistant Chairs / Administrative Assistants
▪ Department Chairs
▪ Assistant Deans
▪ School Deans
▪ University Cabinet
▪ Board of Trustees
▪ The University Mace
▪ University President

4. The candidates for graduation and other participants should occupy the seats reserved for them.

4.1. Markers are placed to indicate seat assignments of candidates for graduation grouped by Department/School.
4.2. School Deans, Assistant Deans, Administrative Assistants, Department Chairs, Assistant Chairs and Faculty Members
who are in academic attire shall occupy the seats reserved for them.
4.3. Other participants (Board of Trustees, USC Alumni Association Officers, Guests and Faculty) who are not in academic
attire shall occupy the seats in the first row of the center.

B. During the Ceremonies

1. Everybody stands with his/her right hand over his/her left breast and sings the Philippine National Anthem.

2. During the Presentation of Candidates for Graduation, all candidates stand at the signal from the Vice President for Academic
Affairs and shall remain standing for the conferment of title/degree by the University President.

3. After the conferment of title/degree by the University President, the graduates transfer their respective tassels from the left
to the right side upon the signal from the Master of Ceremonies.

4. For the distribution of certificates, as soon as the individual department/school is called, its graduates proceed single file to
the right side of the stage.

5. When his/her turn comes, each graduate presents his/her Attendance Card to the Reader and proceeds at a moderate pace
to the center of the stage as his/her name is being called.

6. The graduate receives the certificates with his/her right hand from his/her School Dean, and both would bow.

7. The honor graduate will get back his/her Attendance Card from the Reader for presentation to the Dean. The Dean then
gives his/her medal after he/she has received his/her certificates.

8. Applause for individual graduates is NOT allowed; it should be reserved for an entire department/school at appropriate time
to be announced by the Master of Ceremonies.
 9. NO graduate is allowed to leave before the ceremonies end.

C. After the Ceremonies

1. Everybody stands for the USC Hymn.

2. NO graduate or faculty member should break the recessional formation until they reach the lobby outside the venue.

3. Expressions of congratulations and giving of flowers, leis or gifts should be given only after recessional march outside the
venue.

4. The venue should be cleared immediately after the ceremonies for disinfection.

V. OTHER REMINDERS

A. Only K-Light Photography photographers are allowed to take photos on stage. The official documentation will be done by the
USC AV Staff.

B. Videotaping and picture-taking inside the venue is not allowed to avoid overcrowding. Picture-taking is allowed after the
ceremony in the photobooths placed in the designated areas outside the venue. Physical distancing should still be observed.

C. The parents are to be seated on a first-come first-served basis at the designated reception areas.

D. Full-time faculty members are encouraged to attend the Commencement Rites.

1. Only those in proper academic attire shall join the academic procession.

2. The faculty who are not in academic attire shall occupy the seats reserved for them.

E. The Dean of each School should assign:

1. three to five faculty members to assist in the proper hooding of the candidates. Upon completion of their assignment, they
join their peers in the academic procession.

2. two teacher-guides for their department/school who shall:

2.1. supervise the general rehearsal for the commencement rites.

2.2 distribute the Attendance Cards during the commencement rites.

2.3 march in pairs at the head of their respective department/school after which they take their assigned seats (one
to occupy the first seat and the other last seat assigned for the school.)

2.4 see to it that the graduates approach the stage promptly and in an orderly manner.

2.5 see to it that the graduates conduct themselves in an appropriate manner during the entire commencement rites;
and

2.6 see to it that the graduates are wearing the proper attire.

3. A Reader who shall read the names of the graduates of the department/school.

3.1 The Reader approaches the rostrum microphone on the right side of the stage when his/her department/school is
called.
 3.2 He/She receives the Attendance Card of the graduate and immediately reads the name and honor, if any. Names
should be read clearly, neither too fast nor too slow and as written on the attendance card. The next name shall be
called immediately when the preceding graduate has reached the middle portion of the stage.

3.3 He/She should return the Attendance Card of each honor graduate who will present it to the Dean in exchange for
his/her medal.

REMINDER: Unpleasant behavior of candidates during the ceremonies shall be dealt with accordingly.