Commencement 2025

Commencement will be on Wednesday, May 21. The student processional begins at 6:00 PM and the ceremony will begin at 6:30 PM.

Commencement will be held at the Mountain Winery in Saratoga located 14831 Pierce Rd, Saratoga, CA 95070.

Doors open at 5:00 PM.

Check-in begins at 5:00 PM.

Please work with your instructor if you need to reschedule a final to attend Commencement.

Students can sign up using the online RSVP form beginning on Monday, February 24 or at one of the Grad Fair events.

Students can sign up for Commencement up until the last day before the ceremony. Students can also sign up for the ceremony at the venue during check-in on Wednesday, May 21, but we recommend signing up earlier. Regalia will not be available for purchase at the venue. 

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. 

Parking is available for free at the venue for graduates and guests. Carpooling is highly recommended as parking is limited. 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.

We will have special seating for guests with disabilities. Please contact Mike Scaletta from the Disability & Educational Support Programs (DESP) for accommodations at [email protected] or (408) 741-2453 no later than Friday, May 16 at 5:00 PM.

Travel time from West Valley College to the parking lot at the venue is approximately 30 minutes. Please plan accordingly.

Balloons, noisemakers, strollers, and signs larger than 8.5 x 11 inches are not allowed. Food and drinks are not allowed in the venue, with the exception of sealed plastic water bottles. There will be a bag check upon entry.

Students may purchase regalia online and pick up at the Campus Center during Grad Fair events below. Online purchasing will open in Spring semester.

The package which includes the cap, gown, and tassel is priced at $37.

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” in all black.

As long as your cap and gown are black, you can wear them to the ceremony.

Yes. The graduation cap costs $11.

Join us at one of the Grad Fairs in the Campus Center to pick up a free honor tassel (students with 3.0 GPA or higher). Other tassels may be purchased separately for $8. Honors cords (students with a 3.8 GPA or higher) are available for free at student check-in on Commencement day. 

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. 

Graduate portraits will be available at the Grad Fairs at no cost. At Commencement, a photographer will be taking a picture of students as they receive the diploma holder and shaking hands with President Jennifer Taylor-Mendoza. Samples will be sent to students following Commencement, with the opportunity to purchase prints.

Light refreshments will be provided for students at check-in. Refreshments will be available for students and guests at the reception following the ceremony.

Yes, the event will be livestreamed on our Commencement event webpage.