Celebrating students receiving degrees, certificates and transferring.
Graduates and Transfer Students
The online RSVP form is now closed. Students may sign up at the venue during check-in.
Bouquets and leis are now closed for online pre-order. Orders will be available for pickup at guest check-in at Commencement. Limited supplies will be available at the venue for purchase.
Graduation regalia orders are now closed. All pre-ordered regalia may be picked up at the Student Needs office. If you have not ordered your regalia, please purchase black regalia through a third-party vendor.
NOTE: NO on-site purchases will be available at Commencement.
Tag West Valley College at this year's Commencement Ceremony: #wvcgrad | #gowest
We're excited to launch a special swag sale in honor of this year's commencement at West Valley College! Whether you're graduating, supporting a grad, or just showing your Viking spirit, now is the perfect time to gear up and celebrate this milestone.
Pre-order yours while supplies last and join us in celebrating this exciting chapter!
Pulitzer Prize-winning author and MacArthur Foundation “Genius Grant” Fellowship recipient Viet Thanh Nguyen will address graduates, transfer students, and their supporters during 60th Annual West Valley College Commencement rites May 21 at the Mountain Winery in Saratoga.
Nguyen’s debut novel, The Sympathizer, earned him the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, the Dayton Literary Peace Prize, and the Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Fiction from the American Library Association, among many other honors.
Event Day Details
- Student check-in begins at 5:00 PM. Please arrive by 6:00 PM. The parking lots open at 4:00 PM.
- Doors open at 5:00 PM for general seating.
- Tickets are not required. Seating is limited. Once seating capacity is full, standing room options will be available.
- Due to space limitations, each participant may invite between 5-7 guests.
- There is a bag check upon entering the venue.
- Balloons, noisemakers, and signs larger than 8.5 x 11 inches are not allowed. Food and drinks are not allowed in the venue, except for one sealed plastic water bottle. Strollers are allowed on the property but not in the seating area. There will be a stroller check-in area.
Light refreshments for graduates and their guests will be provided following the ceremony.
Travel time from West Valley College to the parking lot at the venue is approximately 30 minutes up Highway 9. The route is narrow and winding, which may cause extended driving time. Please plan accordingly.
Parking is available for free at the venue for graduates and guests. Carpooling is highly recommended as parking is limited.
Due to the terrain and the distance between the parking lot and the venue, we highly recommend all students and guests wear comfortable, flat, walking shoes.
Elderly and disabled guests may be dropped off at a designated drop-off area at the venue.
West Valley College will be providing a limited shuttle service between campus and the Saratoga Winery. All shuttles will depart on time, so please plan ahead to ensure you are able to board the shuttle prior to its departure.
Departing West Valley College: Shuttles will depart from the roundabout off of Admissions Way, between Fox and SSC. Free parking will be available in Lots 4 and 5. The first shuttle will depart West Valley College at 4:15 pm, and the second shuttle will depart at 5:05 pm. Graduating students are strongly encouraged to take the first shuttle to arrive at the winery before the procession begins.
Departing the Saratoga Winery: Shuttles will depart from the winery parking lot. The first shuttle will depart the Saratoga Winery at 9 pm, and the second and final shuttle will depart at 9:45 pm.
Sign ups for the shuttle are now closed. All shuttles will depart on time. If you are not on the shuttle at the time of departure, your seat will be forfeited. Walk-ups will be accommodated if there are available seats.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Commencement?
Commencement will be on Wednesday, May 21. Student check-in begins at 5:00 PM. The parking lots open at 4:00 PM. The student processional begins at 6:00 PM, and the ceremony will begin at 6:30 PM.
Where will Commencement be held?
Commencement will be held at the Mountain Winery in Saratoga located at 14831 Pierce Rd, Saratoga, CA 95070.
When will guests be allowed entry into the venue?
Doors open at 5:00 PM. The parking lots open at 4:00 PM.
When can I check in at Commencement?
Check-in begins at 5:00 PM. The parking lots open at 4:00 PM.
What if I have a final scheduled during Commencement?
Please work with your instructor if you need to reschedule a final to attend Commencement.
Where can I sign up for Commencement?
Students can sign up using the online RSVP form or at one of the Grad Fair events.
When is the last day to sign up for Commencement?
The online RSVP form is now closed. Students may sign up for the ceremony at the venue during check-in on Wednesday, May 21. Regalia will not be available for purchase at the venue.
How do I get tickets for my guests?
We will not be having tickets this year for Commencement. All guests will be allowed entry, and seating is based on a first-come, first-seated basis. Once seating capacity is full, standing room options will be available. Please refrain from saving seats out of respect for guests who arrive on time. Students may invite 5-7 guests.
Will parking be free on the day of Commencement?
Parking is available for free at the venue for graduates and guests. Carpooling is highly recommended as parking is limited. The route is winding, which may cause extended driving time. Please keep in mind that the parking lot requires some walking on an incline to arrive at the venue. Comfortable shoes are recommended for all graduates and guests. Elderly and disabled guests may be dropped off at a designated drop-off area at the venue.
How can I receive disability accommodations for myself and/or disabled or elderly guests?
If you have not arranged accommodations through DESP prior to the ceremony, please visit one of the informational booths at the venue for disability assistance.
How long will it take to arrive at the venue from campus?
Travel time from West Valley College to the parking lot at the venue is approximately 30 minutes. The route is winding, which may cause extended driving time. Please plan accordingly.
Are there any items prohibited at the venue?
Balloons, noisemakers, parasols, and signs larger than 8.5 x 11 inches are not allowed. Food and drinks are not allowed in the venue, except for one sealed plastic water bottle. Strollers are allowed on the property but not in the seating area. There will be a stroller check-in area.
How do I purchase my cap, gown, and tassel?
Online ordering is now closed. Pre-orders are available for pickup at Student Needs. There will be no on-site purchasing available at the venue.
How much does the cap and gown cost?
Online ordering is now closed. There will be no on-site purchasing available at the venue.
Do I have to wear a cap and gown?
Students receiving degrees or certificates are expected to wear the cap and gown. Students who are transferring ONLY and not receiving a degree may wear a cap and gown but are not required to do so. If you choose not to wear a cap and gown, the required attire is “dressy casual” or "semi-formal" in all black.
Can I use an old cap & gown or do I have to purchase a West Valley one?
As long as your cap and gown are black, you can wear them to the ceremony.
I already have a gown. Can I purchase a cap only?
Online ordering is now closed. Please use a third-party vendor to purchase any regalia. There will be no on-site purchasing available at the venue.
Where can I get a tassel and/or honors cord? How much do they cost?
Please visit the Solutions table at student check-in at Commencement.
Where can I get a stole?
If you marked that you are transferring on the RSVP card, you will receive a white transfer stole on the day of graduation, while supplies last. Students will also receive a stole corresponding to the school that houses their major. For example, a student majoring in business will receive a stole corresponding to the Che School of Professional Studies.
Will there be an opportunity to take graduation pictures?
At Commencement, a photographer will be taking a picture of students as they receive the diploma holder and shake hands with President Jennifer Taylor-Mendoza. Samples will be sent to students following Commencement, with the opportunity to purchase prints. There will also be an opportunity to take a headshot photo at check-in.
Will there be food at Commencement?
Light refreshments will be provided for students at check-in. Refreshments will be available for students and guests at the reception following the ceremony.
Will the event be livestreamed?
Yes, the event will be livestreamed on our Commencement event webpage.