How do I know I am qualified to participate in Commencement if I have not heard what the status is on my graduation petition?
Please note, conferral of degrees will still be posted on official transcripts 12 to 15 weeks after the end of the semester in which you applied. You can check your unofficial transcripts on InsideBC to see your degree pending status. Email BCRecords@kccd.edu if you need further information.
How do I know if I am graduating?If you have at least 30 degree-applicable units for your degree, it is time to submit your graduation petition to the Admissions & Records office via your BC Student Email address to BCrecords@kccd.edu. We will not accept the petition via any personal email accounts.
The process on submitting the Graduation Petition and seeing if you are eligible for graduation can be found at Graduation Requirements for filing deadline dates and other requirements.
Can I participate in Commencement if I haven't submitted my graduation petition yet?The graduation petition and the RSVP form must both be submitted by April 2025 in order to be eligible to participate in the May 2025 commencement ceremony.
Can I participate in Commencement if I am graduating in Fall 2025?No, students that complete their graduation requirements in Fall 2025 and later semesters will be eligible to participate in the 2026 commencement ceremony.
Do I have to sign up for Commencement?Students who complete their degree requirements during the fall, summer or spring prior to the ceremony or who will complete them in the following summer, are eligible to participate. When you file for Graduation, you will receive notification about commencement.
For the 111th Commencement, students are required to RSVP for participation in commencement. If you are eligible for commencement, you can complete the RSVP form. The RSVP form will be sent to all eligible students at their BC email address.
How do I know if I'm graduating with honors?Students who have completed at least 60 units in degree applicable letter graded courses, have taken at least 12 of those units at Bakersfield College, and who have earned a cumulative grade point average of 3.50 or higher are eligible for graduation with honors.
The honors designation will appear on the diploma and transcript as follows:
| Grade Point Average | Honor Designation |
|---|---|
| 3.50-3.69 | Cum laude |
| 3.70-3.89 | Magna cum laude |
| 3.90-4.00 | Summa cum laude |
If your degree is pending for Spring or Summer 2025, we will use the Fall 2024 grades to determine if you qualify for honors at commencement.
You will see a confirmation page that says, "Congratulations your RSVP is confirmed!." This page will also give you the option to print or save a PDF of your answers.
Can I edit my responses on the RSVP Form?No, you cannot edit your responses on the RSVP form. You may email BCrecords@kccd.edu with any updates you may have.
I did not get the RSVP link for the May Commencement. What do I do?You can email BCrecords@kccd.edu for review of your eligibility for commencement.
Why is the RSVP deadline April 8th?In order to have graduate names printed in the official Commencement Program, the deadline to make the commencement program is April 8th to ensure physical programs are available at Commencement.
Can I still submit my RSVP form after April 8th?Graduates who submit an RSVP form after April 8th will not have their name appear in the official commencement program. Graduates will still be able to walk during the commencement ceremony if they choose too.
We will not use tickets for the 2025, 111th commencement ceremony. Both sides of the memorial stadium will be open and the stage will be centered for optimal viewing. We do ask that students limit their amount of invited guests to a maximum of 10.
We are aiming for the ceremony to conclude within two hours. The ceremony will commence promptly. Graduates partaking in the ceremony will not be able to exit the field until the full ceremony has been completed. Check in for graduates begins two hours prior.
Will this be livestreamed or broadcast on TV?Livestream will be determined closer to the date of the 111th BC Commencement.
Will there be enough seats?Yes, hence, we are adhering to stadium occupancy with letting graduates know to invite at maximum 10 guests.
Whose names are called? Do I need to be present for my name to be called?Only students who have submitted the RSVP form AND show up in person the day of commencement will have their names called live as the graduates traverse the stage. Graduate proxies are not allowed.
Where do I find information for the pre-commencement activities?Go to the Pre-Commencement webpage for more information.
Are there any Traffic restrictions around campus on the day of commencement?Yes, traffic flow will be restricted on the surrounding streets. More details will be available closer to the day of commencement.
Yes, there will be a professional photrapher at commencement and at the Grad Fair to take pictures.
For pictures in your cap and gown at the Grad Fair, you must schedule an appointment.
To schedule an appointment for portraits:
For the professional pictures, do they provide a cap and gown to wear or do I have to purchase these items? (If a student doesn't intend to walk.)
For pictures in your cap and gown at the Grad Fair, you must schedule an appointment.
To schedule an appointment for portraits:
Caps and Gowns are not provided for the professional picture. Students would need to purchase regalia in order to participate in the professional pictures during the established BC Grad Fair events.
To schedule an appointment for portraits:
To schedule an appointment for portraits:
On the day of commencement, we will also have a professional Photographer and the photos are released on the Graduation page.
Do I need to submit a graduation picture?This year graduates do not need to submit graduation pictures. Pictures taken at Grad Fair are for the graduates.
