Commencement

Ceremonies

Baccalaureate

Where: Westmont College Campus, Russell Carr Field

When: Friday, May 4, 2018 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Baccalaureate is a special time of worship when the Westmont community gives thanks to God and celebrates the accomplishments of the graduates. Graduates will receive one parking pass for family and friends, as Friday afternoon traffic prohibits shuttling guests to campus. Parking passes will be required for all vehicles entering campus. While there is a limit for cars, there is no guest limit for this event. There are no tickets issued for this event, and none are necessary.

Commencement

Where: Westmont College Campus, Russell Carr Field

When: Saturday, May 5, 2018 from 9:30-11:30 a.m.

Each graduate will receive one Commencement Parking Pass to be used that day. All cars entering the campus must display a Commencement Parking Pass. Most guests will park at Santa Barbara City College and ride the free shuttle busses to and from the Westmont campus. There are no tickets issued for this event, and none are necessary. 

We suggest that you bring water, sunscreen, sunglasses, hats, layers of clothing and wear comfortable shoes for walking. There will be some snacks, water and flowers to purchase on site. A First Aid tent for emergencies and portable restrooms will also be available. Drones are not allowed over or around graduation events.

In order to best enjoy the morning, plan ahead and be EARLY. The field opens at 7:30 a.m. Know that there will be buses, shuttles, and cars all sharing what will be a one-way road on campus that day.

Schedule

Wednesday, May 2 

Thursday, May 3 

Friday, May 4 

Saturday, May 5 

Parking

Baccalaureate

Each graduate will be given one Baccalaureate Parking Pass to be used by the graduate or his/her guests. Parking passes will be required for all vehicles entering campus. Every car will need a Baccalaureate parking permit displayed in the driver's side of the dashboard in order to enter campus between 4:30 - 6 p.m. The Wetsmont parking permit is not sufficient. There are a limited number of extra Baccalaureate Parking Passes available for special circumstances, such as blended or larger families. Please email Mary Pat Whitney at mwhitney@westmont.edu to request. The deadline is April 15.

While there is a limit for cars, there is no guest limit for this event. We encourage carpooling to help with our parking situation. Signs and parking attendants will direct you to available parking spaces, beginning at 4:30 p.m. It is suggested that you plan to arrive on campus by 5 p.m. for the 6 p.m. service. Traffic will be one-way and all cars must enter at the top entry of the campus off of La Paz Road.

Commencement

Each graduate will be given one Commencement Parking Pass to be used by the graduate or his/her guests. Parking passes will be required for all vehicles entering campus. Every car will need a Commencement parking permit displayed in the driver’s side of the dashboard in order to enter campus between 7:30-9:30 a.m. The regular Westmont parking permit is not sufficient.

Please do not park on adjacent streets and walk to campus. We are trying to be good neighbors to those who live in the area.

Most of our guests will be parking at Santa Barbara City College (SBCC). Cars that do not display a Commencement Parking Permit will need to park there and guests will ride a free shuttle to and from Westmont. There will be signs directing you to the parking area and the shuttle pick up. Please arrive at SBCC's west entrance off of Cliff Drive, parking lot #4 with overflow in lot #5. Patience will be necessary as there will likely be lag time between shuttle runs especially immediately following Commencement.

Shuttle buses will begin the trip to Westmont at 7 a.m. and run until 9 a.m. There will be a small shuttle returning to SBCC every half hour (10:30, 11, 11:30 a.m.) for transportation back to the SBCC parking lots. All shuttle buses will resume operating following the Commencement exercises until 3 p.m.

Allowing ample time to get to campus and get seated is advised as traffic, parking and walking time needs to be considered. We suggest that you plan to arrive at SBCC before 8 a.m.

Student Baccalaureate and Commencement Parking Pass will be distributed with the caps and gowns.

Special Needs parking passes are available to those who cannot ride our shuttle buses on Saturday, or to those who might have trouble walking or use a wheelchair or walker.  Click here for more information.

Maps and Directions
Westmont Campus Map

SBCC Parking Map

Directions to Westmont

Directions to SBCC

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What should I wear?

A: Nice casual clothing is appropriate wear for both events. 

Baccalaureate and Commencement will be held on the grass with lots of elevations on campus to get to the field, so consider wearing comfortable walking shoes (no high heels). Our weather is changeable in the spring and you might consider layering your clothing to easily adjust to the chill or heat of the day. May mornings and evenings in Santa Barbara can be chilly and foggy and mid-morning and afternoons can be quite warm. A hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses are also suggested. Please check Santa Barbara’s weather forecast the day before to ensure your comfort.

Q: Can I park in Montecito and walk to Westmont’s campus for Commencement?

A: Please do not park in Montecito. Westmont works hard to maintain a good relationship with our neighbors; please help us protect that relationship by not parking in the surrounding neighborhood. 

Q: Can I park on campus if I have a Westmont parking sticker, a state issued disabled permit or if I don’t have a Westmont issued Baccalaureate or Commencement Parking Permit?

A: Only vehicles with valid Baccalaureate Parking Permits displayed on their driver’s side dashboard will be admitted on campus for Baccalaureate.

Only vehicles with valid Commencement Parking Permits displayed on their driver’s side dashboard will be admitted on campus for Commencement. On Commencement day we are able to offer a free shuttle to our campus from SBCC. Most guests will ride the shuttles Commencement day, which run from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Q: Would coming to Baccalaureate or Commencement be difficult for a senior citizen or a friend with special needs?

A: It depends on how hale and hearty your senior/special needs friend is. Commencement is a long morning. We want this to be as pleasant an experience as possible, however, our parking is limited and the campus is hilly. Even getting a Special Needs Parking Permit does not insure that a car will be parked where a senior/special needs person would consider close to the field. As the senior/special needs individual considers coming, they should know that they may need to walk a distance on our hills, the main seating area is in the sun and it can be hot. While the restrooms are wheelchair accessible there may be lines at the restrooms and for the shuttles. Westmont is unable to provide wheelchairs or golf carts. 

For their convenience, both ceremonies can be viewed on-line via a live simulcast. There will be a link on the Westmont Home Page to access this.

Q: I’m wondering if I can bring...?

A: Please no R.V.s, no drones, no dogs, and no coolers. Out of consideration for others we ask that balloons, umbrellas and strollers be placed where they do not block others' view or the walkways. 

Drones are not allowed over or around graduation events.

Q: What if the forecast is for rain or if there has been so much rain before the weekend that the field can not be used for Baccalaureate or Commencement?

A: In this event, Baccalaureate and Commencement will be held in Murchison gym, and we regret that in this scenario we will have very limited seating. Tickets will be required and each graduate will receive four tickets for Baccalaureate and 4 tickets for Commencement. If this becomes necessary we will post information on the Commencement Weekend website.

Q: What if I am unable to attend Baccalaureate/Commencement but would like to watch it?

A: You can either buy the DVD or go on line to watch the live simulcast via computer. There will be a link on the Westmont Home Page to access this.

Q: Where should I meet my graduate after Commencement?

A: Plan to meet your graduate at their designated President’s Reception area. This will allow you to find all those in your party and meet their friends and professors.

Q: Our family is planning a celebration after Commencement. What would be the earliest we should plan for the party to begin?

A: We suggest that you plan any post graduation celebrations for no earlier than 2 p.m.