A graduate wearing regalia signs the green rock at the center of campus.

Commencement

Spring Commencement will take place on Saturday, May 11, 2024 at 10:15 a.m.

Spring Commencement will be hosted on York College of Pennsylvania's main campus. Each graduate will be given a designated number of tickets for loved ones who would like to attend.

The event will also be live-streamed. A link to the live video will be available on this page the day of the ceremony.

Important Dates: 

  • March 8 — Deadline to order regalia for pick-up at Grad Fair
  • April 10 — Grad Fair at the Spartan Store
  • April 11 — Deadline to order regalia for ship-to-home delivery
  • May 8 — Grad Rehearsal and New Alumni Toast
  • May 11 — Commencement
A graduating student dressed in her regalia sits beside her classmates under the tent, looking confidently to one side.

Information for Graduating Students

  • Preparing to Graduate

    Get Ready for Your Graduation Day

    Apply for Graduation

    Students who are nearing their graduation date must apply for graduation through the Registrar's Office in order to receive their diploma. 

    Questions about the graduation application process may be directed to the Registrar's Office at registrar@ycp.edu.

    Submit Your Information for the Commencement Ceremony

    All graduates who intend to participate in the Commencement ceremony must complete the May 2024 Commencement Ceremony Participant Form. This form provides important information — including the correct pronunciation of your name as it will be read aloud during the ceremony, as well as contact information for you and your guests to receive graduation-related communications.

    Note: The Commencement Participant Form is separate from the Graduation Application. Graduating students must submit both forms to participate in the Commencement ceremony.

    Submit Your Commencement Participant Form

    Order Your Regalia

    All graduates who participate in Commencement must wear the proper regalia for their degree and major. Caps, gowns, hoods, and honor cords may be ordered through the Spartan Store.

    Please keep these important deadlines in mind as you plan to place your order:

    • March 8, 2024 — Last day for ship-to-store ordering for pick-up at the Spartan Store Grad Fair on April 10.
    • April 11, 2024 — Last day for ship-to-home ordering, which does not include honors cords or guest tickets.

    No regalia will be available for sale after April 11, 2024.

    Pricing for regalia packages is as follows: 

    • Associate Degree — $32.99
    • Bachelor's Degree — $59.99
    • Master's Degree — $64.99
    • Doctoral Degree — $99.99

    Order your graduation regalia before April 11, 2024

    If, for any reason, you do not have the means to purchase regalia, you may borrow previously-owned regalia at no charge from the Office of Student Diversity and Inclusion on a first come, first served basis. A limited number of caps, gowns, and hoods are available. Tassels will need to be purchased at the Spartan Store for $3.99 + tax.

    Request to borrow regalia.

  • Events for Graduates

    Attend Graduation-Related Events

    Grad Fair — April 10, 2024 (10 a.m. - 4 p.m.)

    Grad Fair is hosted by the Spartan Store and provides a one-stop shop for York College Commencement merchandise. During Grad Fair, you can:

    • Pick up guest tickets for graduation
    • Pick up regalia that has been ordered and shipped to the store
    • Purchase honor cords (if applicable)
    • Shop for class rings and graduation announcements with Jostens

    Keep an eye on your YCP email for announcements about Grad Fair and ordering your graduation merchandise.

    Graduation Rehearsal and New Alumni Toast — May 8, 2024 (5:15 p.m.)

    Graduation Rehearsal is an opportunity for you to understand how Commencement will work and what your role will be during the ceremony. Graduates who cannot attend the rehearsal should carefully review information on the Commencement website following the event.

    The New Alumni Toast will immediately follow Graduation Rehearsal. As the event approaches, the Office of Alumni Relations will send additional communication about the New Alumni Toast to your YCP email.

  • Graduation Tickets

    Guest Tickets for Graduation

    Each graduating student attending Commencement will receive five (5) guest tickets — three (3) green tickets and two (2) white tickets.

    Both green and white tickets are accepted for the outdoor Commencement ceremony. However, if the College deems the weather to be dangerous, the ceremony will be moved inside, and only the white tickets will be accepted.

    Graduates do not need a ticket for themselves.

    Picking Up Guest Tickets

    Guest tickets for Commencement will be available at the Spartan Store beginning Wednesday, April 10 at the Grad Fair (10 a.m. - 4 p.m.). If you are unable to attend this event, you will be able to pick up your regalia and tickets at the Spartan Store at a later time.

    If you have chosen to have your regalia shipped to your home address, or if you are getting your regalia from an alternate source, you may pick up your guest tickets at the Spartan Store on or after April 10. 

    Extra Guest Tickets

    Graduating students may request up to two additional tickets (Family members and friends may not submit a request on behalf of a graduate). Graduates will be notified by May 1 if extra tickets are available, and if so, where they may claim them. 

    Request extra tickets.

    Ceremony Viewing Options for Guests without Tickets

    Tickets are not needed to come to campus — only to enter the Commencement location. Viewing areas across campus will be screening a live stream of the event and are available at the following locations:

    • Iosue Student Union Welcome Center
    • Waldner Performing Arts Center
    • Weinstock Lecture Hall

    Live video viewing locations are air-conditioned, with access to restrooms. They are ideal for guests who prefer more comfortable seating, who have small children in need of breaks during the long event, or who prefer to see the event with live closed captions on a large screen.

    A live stream of the ceremony will also be available. A link to the live stream will be available on the Commencement webpage, and a recording of the ceremony will remain available long-term on York College's YouTube channel. 

  • Commencement Day Information

    Commencement Day Information

    The Commencement ceremony will begin promptly at 10:15 a.m. Therefore, you must arrive no later than 9:30 a.m. to complete the check-in process and line up for procession.

    • 8 a.m. — Check-in begins, and the Commencement ceremony location opens. Seating is on a first come, first served basis.
    • A complimentary continental breakfast will be provided in Johnson Dining Hall, located in the Iosue Student Union. 

    Check-In for Graduation - 8 a.m.

    As soon as you arrive on campus, please report directly to your designated check-in location:

    • Campbell Hall Lobby
      • Bachelor's degree students with last names beginning with A-H
      • Doctoral degree students (all)
      • Master's degree students (all)
      • Associate degree students (all)
    • Life Sciences Building Lobby
      • Bachelor's degree students with last names beginning with I-Z

    When you check in, you will receive the following items:

    • Name Card — This card contains the correct pronunciation of your name and your contact information. If your card is incomplete, you will be asked to write in the missing information. Hold on to this card! It will be used as you cross the stage to ensure your name is pronounced correctly during your spotlight moment. Later, GradImages will use the card to match your photos to your name. They will reach out to you within a few weeks with online proofs of your photos. (Note: If you are concerned that your name may be mispronounced even with the phonetic spelling on your card, you may ask to whisper your name to the Provost before she announces you to the audience.)
    • YCP Alumni Lapel Pin — Attach this pin to the left lapel of your regalia. It signifies that you have joined the distinguished York College alumni community as a Spartan for life!
    • Commencement Program — You will receive one printed Commencement program to carry into the ceremony. Your guests will each receive their programs as they enter the tent or any of the live stream viewing locations on campus.

    Line Up for the Procession — 9:30 a.m. (Campbell Hall)

    After you have checked in, you may take photos on campus, spend time with your family, or visit with friends until 9:30 a.m. At 9:30 a.m. sharp, line-up begins on the main floor of Campbell Hall, in the classroom hallway just behind the lobby.

    Graduates will line up in this order:

    1. Doctoral degree students
    2. Master's degree students
    3. Associate degree students
    4. Bachelor's degree students

    As long as you remain in your degree group, you may line up and process with your friends, even if you are not in the same major program. (For example, Bachelor of Science grads and Bachelor of Arts grads may line up and sit together for the ceremony.)

    Please pay careful attention when joining the procession line. The line will begin at the door leading out to the breezeway between Campbell Hall and Wolf Hall, and it will stretch up the ramp connecting Campbell Hall and the Life Sciences Building — No one should be on the 100 level of Campbell Hall. You should be able to see staff members walking along the line, checking for everyone's name cards. If you do not see any staff members, return to the Campbell Hall lobby for line-up instructions. 

    The line will begin moving at 10 a.m., and the official procession into the ceremony tent will begin at 10:15 a.m.

    Final Reminders for Graduation Day

    • Arrive at check-in wearing your regalia. Staff will be available to provide assistance. 
    • Leave all personal items, including bags, with your guests. Do not carry them into the ceremony.
    • Arrive well-rested and prepared to participate. You want to be relaxed, alert, and ready for your big day!
    • The live stream of the ceremony can be accessed by anyone, on any device, via ycp.edu/commencement beginning at 10 a.m. EST.
  • After Commencement

    Receiving Your Diploma

    Graduates will receive their diploma in the mail in the weeks following the end of the semester. The Registrar's Office issues diplomas after a student’s requirements for degree completion are confirmed.

    Joining the Alumni Association

    As a graduate of York College of Pennsylvania, you are now officially a member of the Alumni Association! No matter where life takes you, be sure to keep your information up to date so you can stay informed about YCP alumni benefits, career development resources, special events, and more.

    Follow @YCPAlumni on Instagram or Facebook for the latest alumni news!

Information for Family and Friends

  • Special Accommodations Requests

    If you or a family member requires accommodations during the day of Commencement, please submit an Accommodation Request at least two weeks prior to the event, or as soon as possible. Every effort will be made to provide reasonable accommodations. 

    Available accommodations include:

    • Sign language interpretation
    • Accessible seating for guests in wheelchairs or with other mobility assist devices
    • Drop-off location near the ceremony for guests, as well as designated accessible parking on York College's main campus

    Commencement staff will reach out to you in early May to confirm your needs and provide additional information before the ceremony. 

    Questions may be directed to commencement@ycp.edu or 717.815.1635.

  • Flowers and Mementos

    Flowers will be available for sale at the ceremony from an independent vendor for $20-$30 per bouquet. Cash or credit cards are accepted.

    The Spartan Store will be open from 8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. on graduation day to provide you and your family an opportunity to obtain York College gift items, clothing, balloons, etc. Snacks and beverages for the trip home will also be available.

  • Professional Photos and Video

    Professional photos of the ceremony and of each graduate receiving their degree will be available from GradImages. Proofs will be provided by GradImages directly to graduates a few weeks after the ceremony. Purchasing photos from GradImages is always optional for students and their families. 

    Students who preregister with GradImages get 20% off an order of $50 or more. 

  • Hometown Press Releases

    The Office of Communications will work with an outside organization to alert local media in each graduate’s hometown of their graduation. The publication and timing of these announcements is at the discretion of the individual newspaper or media group. 

  • Watching the Ceremony Without a Ticket

    Guests who do not have a ticket for seating within the event tent may still view the ceremony live from one of several viewing locations on York College's main campus. Tickets are not required at these viewing locations:

    • Iosue Student Union Welcome Center
    • Waldner Performing Arts Center
    • Weinstock Lecture Hall

    Live video viewing locations are air-conditioned, with access to restrooms. They are ideal for guests who prefer more comfortable seating, who have small children in need of breaks during the long event, or who prefer to see the event with live closed captions on a large screen. Guests attending Commencement without tickets should feel confident that they can participate fully and enjoy their graduate's spotlight moment on stage with an excellent view. 

    A live stream of the ceremony will also be available. A link to the live stream will be available on the Commencement webpage, and a recording of the ceremony will remain available long-term on York College's YouTube channel. 

  • Weather Announcements

    In the event that weather conditions are deemed too dangerous for an outdoor ceremony, Commencement will be moved inside the Grumbacher Sport and Fitness Center. Guests should refer to the color of their ticket, which will be either green or white. Guests with white tickets will be permitted inside the event location, while those with green tickets may access the ceremony at an alternate viewing location on campus. 

    Changes to the ceremony due to severe weather will be communicated directly to graduates via their YCP email, and will also be announced on the College's social media accounts.

  • About Ol' Spart (The Rock)

    Signing York College's iconic green boulder (affectionately named Ol' Spart) is a proud YCP tradition. On Commencement Day, each new graduate writes their name on the rock to signify the completion of their academic journey and to commemorate the mark they will leave on campus forever as a member of our Spartan family. 

    Following the Commencement ceremony, graduates will process to Ol' Spart and add their names to a fresh coat of paint, joining layers upon layers of remarkable alumni that came before them.

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