COVID-19 Requirements

As a graduate institution of health sciences, the health and safety of our WesternU Community is of utmost importance. The University will announce any COVID-19 requirements on this website. For reference, here are the current Pasadena City and Linn County guidelines.

Ceremony Schedule & Details

Auditorium doors will open for guests at least one hour before each ceremony. Auditorium doors will close 10 minutes before the ceremony begins to clear the lobby and aisles to prepare for the academic procession (graduates and faculty marching in). The doors will reopen after the processional, national anthem and invocation (approximately 30 minutes). Late-arriving guests will be seated immediately following the invocation.

  • Ceremony for:

    GRADUATE COLLEGE OF BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES (GCBS)

    Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences (MSBS)

    COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES (CHS)
    Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPA)
    Master of Science in Health Sciences (MSHS)
    Master of Science in Medical Sciences (MSMS)
    Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)

  • Date

    Wednesday, May 17, 2023

  • Time

    3:00 p.m
    Graduate Arrival: 1:30 p.m.
    Guest Seating Begins: 2:00 p.m.
    Doors Close: 2:50 p.m.

  • Location

    Pasadena Civic Auditorium (PCA)
    300 E. Green St. Pasadena CA, 91101-2399
    (626) 793-2122

Keynote Speaker
Deborah Deas, M.D., M.P.H. is the Vice Chancellor for Health Sciences, the Mark and Pam Rubin Dean of the School of Medicine, and Professor of Psychiatry at the University of California, Riverside. (UCR/Stan Lim)
Deborah Deas, MD, MPH

Deborah Deas, MD, MPH, is Vice Chancellor for Health Sciences, the Mark and Pam Rubin Dean of the School of Medicine, and Professor of Psychiatry at the University of California, Riverside (UCR).

Under her leadership, the UC Riverside School of Medicine has seen…Read More

Ceremony Countdown
2023/05/18 15:00:00

For the Graduate

We Kindly Request That All Graduates
  • Order and try on your Regalia (cap & gown). We recommend hanging it to reduce wrinkles per the instructions provided in the packaging.
  • Complete the Graduate Participation form (on Qualtrics) and submit a photo in full Regalia. Photo specifications will be provided via e-mail and on the form.
  • Attend your college specific Commencement presentation (watch for an e-mail).
  • Watch your e-mail for more information and COVID-19 requirements and updates.
  • Bring your Regalia (gown, tam/cap, hood & tassel) to the ceremony. Unfortunately, we do not have extra items.
  • GRADUATES RUNNING LATE TO THE CEREMONY
    Please remember that commencement is mandatory for all graduates! If you are afraid you’re going to miss the start of the ceremony, take a deep breath, then call or text the emergency number and leave your name, program and what we can expect. Emergency phone number for graduates. Please note, this phone is only monitored May 17-19, 2023.

  • Emergency Number for Graduates

    909-560-1428

Tickets

Tickets Are Required
  • Tickets are required for all ceremonies and were already requested by the graduate via the ‘Graduate Participation Form’.
  • We hope to provide each graduate SEVEN (7) guest tickets; however, the final number is dependent on COVID-19 restrictions. Final details will be announced to the graduate via e-mail.
  • Tickets are required for all guests age two and older.
General Admission Tickets
  • Graduates will receive a communication to access their digital tickets.
  • Tickets are required for all individuals entering each ceremony and seating is open and unassigned.
  • Children aged two and older require a general admission ticket.
  • Tickets are free of charge and may not be purchased or sold.
Family Hooder Passes
  • Two family hooder passes will be issued to each graduate and will provide access to the family hooder seating area.
  • For safety and liability purposes, Family Hooders must be at least 12 years of age.
  • Family Hooders between 12-17 years of age must be accompanied by an adult, and the adult will count as one of the Family Hooders. No exceptions will be granted.
  • Family hooder passes are not general admission tickets; they only provide access to the family hooder seating area. A General Admission Ticket is required for all individuals entering each ceremony regardless if they have a hooder pass or not.
Number of Tickets and Passes
    • Graduates must request tickets using the Graduate Participation Form.
    • Each graduate is guaranteed the number of tickets indicated below and can request additional general admission tickets on the Graduate Participation Form:
      • All Colleges in Pomona, California
        • Seven (7) General Admission Tickets for a total of Seven (7) guests
          • Please note: Each graduate will automatically receive TWO (2) Family Hooder Passes. Family hooder passes are not general admission tickets; they only provide access to the family hooder seating area.

Family Hooding

Family Hooding

A Moment of Honor

Western University of Health Sciences proudly offers our graduates the opportunity to have two adult family members/friends join them on stage to bestow them with the academic hood signifying their degree. At that special moment, you, the family hooder, will be honoring your graduate for their years of hard work. At the same time, by your presence on stage, you will be recognized for the contributions you’ve made along the way. It will truly be a moment of honor.

More information will be provided to the graduate about Family Hooding as Commencement week approaches.

Instructions for Family Hooders

View a brief Family Hooding Instructional Video

BEFORE THE CEREMONY:
  • Review the instructional video online (see below) and practice hooding in the lobby during line-up.
  • Your graduate will give you your Family Hooder Pass (only two per graduate). Please note, and admission ticket is required for entry into the PCA; the hooder pass only provides access to the family holder seating area.
  • Only two family hooders will be permitted on stage.
  • For safety and liability purposes, Family Hooders must be at least 12 years of age. Family Hooders between 12-17 years of age must be accompanied by an adult, and the adult chaperone will count as one of the Family Hooders. No exceptions will be granted.
  • You will need to show your Hooder Pass to be admitted to the Family Hooder Seating area, known as the Loge.
  • The Loge section is at the top of a long flight of stairs. If you have difficulty ascending and descending stairs please have your graduate indicate this on the Graduate Participation Form. Should you need assistance the day of, please inform a commencement assistant and they will be happy to assist you.
  • Please leave any personal belongings with a family member in the general seating area or securely in your car before taking your seat in the loge; you will not be able to take your purse, camera or flowers/leis on stage with you. You must have your hands free to hood your graduate. WesternU and the Pasadena Civic Auditorium will not be held liable for any unattended, lost or stolen personal items.

 

DURING THE CEREMONY:
  • It is important that you sit in the section indicated on your hooder pass. This ensures that you will be directed to go to the lobby at the appropriate time.
  • Commencement assistants will alphabetize and escort you through the auditorium to the stage.
  • You will be directed onto the stage just prior to the calling of your graduate’s name.
  • Your graduate will hand you the hood, you will then place it on their shoulders.
    • A faculty member or trustee will hood the graduate should a family member not be present.
  • After the hooding, you will pose briefly with your graduate for a photograph and then exit the stage.
  • Your graduate will return to their seat and you will return to your seat in the Loge.

Information

Important Details
  • FOR SAFETY REASONS, PLEASE OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING RESTRICTIONS
    No signs, balloons, air-horns, strollers, bright camera lights or tripods permitted in the auditorium.
    Graduates, please leave all “carry-along” items (purses, cell phones, electronic devices, books, flowers, etc.) with family members or securely in your car.
    Graduates should not carry anything during the processional and will not be permitted to take personal belongings on stage.
  • FLOWER LEIS
    Leis will be available for sale prior to the ceremony and graduates are permitted to wear one during the ceremony. Graduates will need to either carry the lei and hood over their arm or leave it in their seat while on stage*. Leis, or any other personal items, cannot be delivered or dropped off to Hall C to graduates and it is recommended that leis are gifted after the ceremony.
  • DOORS CLOSE 10 MINUTES BEFORE EACH CEREMONY
    Auditorium doors will open for guests one hour before each ceremony.  Auditorium doors will close 10 minutes before the ceremony begins to clear the lobby and aisles to prepare for the academic processional (graduates and faculty marching in). The doors will reopen after the processional, national anthem and invocation (approximately 30 minutes).  Late arriving guests will be seated immediately following the invocation.
  • GRADUATES RUNNING LATE
    Please remember that commencement is mandatory for all graduates! If you are afraid you’re going to miss the start of the ceremony, take a deep breath, then call or text the emergency number and leave your name, program and what we can expect. Emergency phone number for graduates. Call or text the emergency number.  Please note, this phone is only monitored May 17-19, 2023.
  • END OF CEREMONY
    Each ceremony will last approximately 2-3 hours. When making lunch/dinner reservations, allow for ample time for diploma pick-up and photos with guests following the ceremony. If you have completed all degree requirements, your diploma will be available for pick-up in Hall C (behind the Pasadena Civic Auditorium). You may also pick up your diploma on campus beginning the week of May 22, 2023, at the Office of the Registrar in the University Student Affairs Annex, second floor of the Harris Family Center for Disability and Health Policy (CDHP).

Accommodations

Request Accommodations

To request accommodations in advance, a graduate may indicate their needs when they complete the Graduate Participation Form. Please note, only graduates have access to the form.

Should you need to speak to anyone regarding your request, the friendly staff at the Harris Family Center for Disability and Health Policy (CDHP) are available to assist you.

  • WHEELCHAIR ASSISTANCE:
    Wheelchairs will be on site for those who may need them, and seating has been reserved for wheelchair access. Staff will be available to help you to your seat should you or your guests need assistance.
  • DEAF/HARD OF HEARING:
    Reserved seating has been set aside for anyone needing a sign language interpreter. Captioning and assistive listening devices can also be made available upon request.
  • BLIND/VISUALLY IMPAIRED:
    Seating arrangements can be made for anyone with a visual impairment.
  • SERVICE ANIMALS:
    Pets and other animals are not permitted with the exception of service animals (i.e. dogs and miniature horses) defined by the ADA as animals that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability. Service animals are work animals, not pets.
  • OTHER NEEDS:
    If you need other disability related accommodations, we will be happy to work with you.
Celebrations

Colleges planning an in-person or virtual celebration will contact their graduates directly with details.

To our family and guests attending the ceremonies, you may be recorded or photographed while on-site and assets may be used for future University publications. 
For our Pasadena ceremonies, visit the Pasadena Civic Auditorium’s FAQ page for guest guidelines.