2025 Marshall and Leventhal Commencement

• Plan ahead and know how you are getting to the Coliseum. Use navigation and traffic apps such as Waze or Google Maps.
  
• Parking in Exposition Park is complimentary for USC Commencement Ceremony ticketed guests on Saturday, May 17.
  
• Rideshare services are located in Exposition Park's Green Lot. Enter from S. Figueroa St. (right-turn only).
  
• Gate 4 and 23 are open for entry.
  
• Get here early. Review policies, be prepared for metal detector screening and have items clearly displayed in a clear bag.
  
• Attendees may only enter with a bag that adheres to the USC Clear Bag Policy.
  
• Cameras are permitted. Balloons, beach balls, confetti and noise making devices will not be permitted.
  
• Arrive at the gates no later than 30 minutes before your ceremony begins.
  
• There is limited shade at the LA Memorial Coliseum. Parasols will be permitted for personal shade. Sunscreen, hats, and protective sun wear are recommended. Please be aware of weather conditions and plan accordingly.
  
• The Coliseum is cashless. Only credit/debit cards and mobile pay are accepted.
  
• Tickets are required for this event. Please have your ticket ready to scan on your mobile device.
  

• Plan ahead and determine your route in advance. Use navigation and traffic apps such as Waze or Google Maps.
• Parking in Exposition Park is complimentary for USC Commencement Ceremony ticketed guests. Please have your mobile ticket ready to display upon arrival.
• Rideshare services are located in Exposition Park’s Green Lot. Enter from S. Figueroa St. (right-turn only)

• Tickets are required for this event. Please have your ticket ready to scan in your mobile device.
• Get here early. Review policies, be prepared for metal detector screening and have items clearly displayed in a clear bag.
• Thursday Main Ceremony: All gates are open.
• Friday and Saturday: Gates 4, 8 and 23 are open for entry.
• Gates open 90 minutes before the Marshall ceremony on May 17^th. Please arrive at entry gates at least 30 minutes before your ceremony begins.
• Be prepared for metal detector screening and ensure all belongings comply with the USC Clear Bag Policy.

• Cameras are allowed, but balloons, beach balls, confetti, and noise-making devices are not permitted.
• Limited shade is available at the LA Memorial Coliseum. Personal parasols are permitted for shade. We recommend sunscreen, hats, and protective sun wear to stay comfortable.
• The Coliseum is cashless—only credit/debit cards and mobile payments are accepted.
• Tickets are required for entry. Please have your mobile ticket ready to scan upon arrival.
• Tailgating is not permitted in parking lots.
• Alcohol of any kind may not be brought into the Coliseum. Concession stands will be open, but alcohol will not be served.

• Plan to arrive at 7:30 am at the designated student check-in area:the intersection of Bill Robertson Lane and S. Park Drive in front of the Los Angeles Swimming Stadium.
• Designated Rideshare Drop Off Location is off Figueroa and Park Drive at the entrance to the Green Parking Lot, and is a 10 minute walk to the student check-in location. See map.
• On May 17, parking is free at EXPO Park for ticketed guests and is first-come, first-served.
• NO BAGS are permitted. Do not bring a bag or other items with you (flowers, balloons, gifts, alcohol, etc).
• Arrive dressed in the appropriate regalia – cap and gown. This is a requirement to participate in the ceremony.
• Students will receive their Tassel card at student check-in. This card will be needed to have your name announced and displayed. Do not lose it.
• If you need ADA support please self-identify at student check-in.
• Students will be seated in the Coliseum as they check-in. If you would like to sit with your friends, please plan to arrive at check-in together.
• While students may arrive with friends; there is no guarantee students will be able to sit next to their friends. Students must sit where directed by event staff.
• All students must remain in their seats for the entirety of the ceremony.  There will be no exceptions. 
• Please respectfully pay attention to instructions from event staff who will be providing directions throughout the ceremony.
• At the end of the ceremony, you will exit the Coliseum through the tunnel. Please make plans to meet your guests outside of the Coliseum. No guests will be permitted on the field and graduates will not be permitted to enter into the stands.

When driving to the venue please carpool with 3 or more people and plan your travel ahead of time. Use navigation and traffic apps such as Waze or Google Maps. Please use the following suggested routes:

• From the North via the 110 Freeway: Exit Exposition Blvd. – Turn Left on Flower St. – Turn Left on Figueroa St. – Follow Signs to Coliseum parking.
  
• From the South via the 110 Freeway: Exit Martin Luther King Blvd. – Follow Signs to Coliseum parking. The Express Lane exits directly to 39th St. and the entrance to Exposition Park.
  
• From the East via the 10 Freeway: Exit Vermont St. – Turn Left on to Vermont St. – Continue past the USC Campus – Follow Signs to Coliseum parking.
  
• From the West via the 10 Freeway: Exit Vermont St. – Turn Right on to Vermont St. – Continue past the USC Campus – Follow Signs to Coliseum parking.
  

Parking in Exposition Park is complimentary for USC Commencement Ceremony ticketed guests on, Thursday, May 15; Friday, May 16 and Saturday, May 17. Please have your guest ticket or grad pass ready to show the parking attendant when you enter Exposition Park. Overnight parking or tailgating is not permitted.

· Park at the Blue Structure (Enter from S. Figueroa St. and Exposition Park Dr./39th St.)

· Park at the Green, Pink or Yellow Lots (Enter from Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd and South Hoover St.)

Rideshare services can drop-off and pick-up located in Exposition Park's Green Lot (south of BMO Stadium). Access for rideshare services is from S. Figueroa St. (right turn only).

NOTE: All parking lots will open at 7:00 am.

A designated location for rideshare drop-off and pick-up will be available in Exposition Park's Green Lot. Enter from S. Figueroa Street (right-turn only) near BMO Stadium. Enter the Coliseum at Gate 4.

Tailgating is not allowed in any area of Exposition Park or the USC Campus.

Coliseum entrances at Gates 4, 8 and 23 will open on Saturday May 17 at least 90 minutes prior to the ceremony.

All graduating students attending commencement ceremonies are required to reserve tickets for themselves and up to ten named guests. (Children under 2 years of age do not need a ticket to attend.) These tickets are free of charge. All graduates and guests must present a valid ticket in order to enter the ceremony.

All seating is general admission. There are no reserved seats for guests.

A Help desk will be located outside of Gate 4, 8 & 23.

All graduates and guests will enter through metal detector screening. Please have large metal items and cell phones in a clear bag or out of your pockets before entering. Do not remove smaller items such as wallets, keys, coins or belts.

At the end of the ceremony, guests will exit the Coliseum through the entry gates. Please make plans to meet your graduates outside of the Coliseum. No guests will be permitted on the field and graduates will not be permitted to enter into the stands.

The Coliseum prohibits bags, backpacks and other containers from entering the venue, with the following exceptions:

• One bag that is clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and does not exceed 12” x 6” x 12”, or a one-gallon clear plastic storage bag (Ziploc bag or similar);
• In addition to one of the clear bags noted above, guests may also carry in a small clutch bag or purse approximately the size of a hand, with or without a handle or strap.

Cameras and Parasols (for personal shade) will be allowed.

Balloons, confetti and noise making devices will not be permitted. For a list of all prohibited items click here.

• Personal belongings such as hats, cell phones, wallets, small clutch purses
  
• A clear 12”x6”x12” bag; or a one-gallon clear storage bag, limit one per person; and a small clutch bag no larger than 6.5”x4.5”.
  
• Pre-packaged snack food items in a clear bag for personal consumption
  
• Cameras (sticks, poles and tri-pods are prohibited)
  
• Strollers and infant care bags (subject to inspection)
  
• Refillable water containers (must be empty upon entry)
  
• Sunscreen and medically necessary items
  
• Seat cushions without pockets or metal hardware
  

Cameras and long lenses are allowed for Commencement ceremonies. Camera cases, tri-pods and selfie-sticks are not allowed. Please carry your camera in an allowable clear bag or without a case.

For more information on clear bags, please review the USC Bag Policy

All persons and their belongings are subject to metal detector screening and bag inspection prior to entering the Coliseum. Guests are encouraged to arrive early to avoid delays. All prohibited items will not be allowed inside.
The following items are NOT ALLOWED:

• Bags, Backpacks or Purses which do not meet Clear Bag policy guidelines. Hard or Soft Coolers, Baskets, Packages or Containers;
• Alcoholic Beverages, Bottles or Cans;
• Illegal Drugs and Weapons including Firearms, Knives, Explosives, Fireworks, Flares, Lighters and Laser Pointers;
• Professional Cameras (lenses longer than 3”) and Camera Equipment, Selfie-Sticks, Tripods and Video or Audio Recording Equipment;
• Banners, Signs, Flags, Sticks, Poles, Inflatables, Frisbees, Balls, and Unsliced Fruits or Vegetables;
• Umbrellas, Balloons, Skateboards and Folding or Beach Chairs;
• Musical instruments or noisemaking devices;
• Pets (Service Animals are allowed);
• USC is a smoke-free environment. Smoking is prohibited in any area of the campus.

Please do not conceal items. Have all items clearly visible inside an approved bag. All bags must meet Clear Bag policy guidelines and are subject to inspection upon entry.

We appreciate your cooperation to ensure a safe and enjoyable environment. Please review our code of conduct. Fans are encouraged to report inappropriate behavior to management personnel. For assistance, call or text 213-263-4007. Message and data rates may apply.

Concessions will be available for purchase.

The USC Bookstore will also have locations inside the venue near Tunnels 2, 5, 11, 20 and 24 for a variety of items.

First aid stations are located inside the venue on the Street Level Concourse adjacent to Gate 1 & 16 May 15^th and Gate 1 for May 16^th & 17^th. Please contact the nearest usher or security officer if medical attention is needed.

Smoking, smokeless tobacco and smoking implements (including, but not limited to cigarettes, cigars, pipes, lighters, vaporizers and e-cigarettes) are prohibited in all areas of the Coliseum. The use of smokeless tobacco is prohibited for all events (LAMC 41.50.1). Violators may be subject to eviction and/or citation. Re-entry to the venue is not allowed.

The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum features complimentary stadium-wide Wi-Fi capability. Connect to #FightOn

The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum can accommodate patrons in wheelchairs or with restricted mobility. The Coliseum features multiple areas at Street level that do not require ramps or lifts to access. Situated at a midpoint between field level and the uppermost rows of the Coliseum, these areas can be accessed directly through accessible tunnels, which lead into the seating area of the Coliseum. These locations are situated around most of the circumference of the venue.

People with mobility disabilities who require accessible seating because of their disability will be provided tickets for accessible seats on a first-come, first-served basis, based on availability. ADA tickets can be obtained at our Guest Services booths located inside Section 109, or inside Gate 23. People with disabilities who do not require the specific features of accessible seating but merely have a preference for them are not entitled to accessible seats. For assistance or more information, please contact the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum at lamcinfo@usc.edu.

For guests that need additional assistance reaching upper level seats in the Coliseum, escalators are located adjacent to Tunnels 11, and 19. An additional service elevator is located at Tunnel 9 for access to the Upper Concourse.

Drop-off and pick-up for guests with disabilities should be made Exposition Park Drive after entering from South Figueroa at W. 39th Street. Please be aware drop-off and/or pick-up may be difficult due to heavy traffic and congestion. Due to traffic patterns leaving the park, pick-up in this area may be delayed until traffic can accommodate for access. Please be patient and follow direction of parking staff.

ADA accessible parking is available in Exposition Park's Pink Lot, Blue Structure and Green Lot. Marked ADA spaces may not be reserved in advance and are subject to availability based on arrival and a valid ADA placard.

All gates have a designated priority accessible entry lane. Additional assistance will be located at each gate.

The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum provides closed captioning services. The service provides text of all public address announcements during the event. You can access the service from your browser on any smart phone or mobile device. Data rates may apply. To access the service from your mobile device go to www.CaptionedText.com and enter Confirmation: 2650 (for English) at the top of the page. If you need assistance during an event, please text to (213) 263-4007. Data rates may apply.

Assistive listening devices for fans with hearing or visual impairments are available for checkout at Customer Service located in the Coliseum West Administration Building across from Tunnel 11.

Service animals are welcome inside the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Service animals must remain on a leash or in a harness at all times unless either the handler is unable because of a disability to use a harness, leash, or other tether, or the use of a harness, leash, or other tether would interfere with the service animals safe, effective performance of work or tasks, in which case the service animal must be otherwise under the handler´s control (e.g., voice control, signals, or other effective means). If you intend to bring a service animal to the building, please notify your ticket representative at the time of purchase so that an aisle seat may be reserved for you if available. An animal relief area is provided at Gate 33 in the Olympic Plaza. Guests with service animals are responsible for cleaning up after their animals and for their appropriate behavior toward other guests and Coliseum personnel at all times. A failure to do may result in the animal’s removal from the stadium. The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum is not responsible for the care or supervision of a service animal.

The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum is proud to provide assistance at all entry gates inside the stadium for guests with disabilities. This service is free and can be requested through Guest Services. During event hours, please call or text 213 263-4007. So that we may assist multiple guests, please be aware that our staff will not remain with you during the event, and you are not allowed to remain in the wheelchair during the event. In addition, the Coliseum does not rent wheelchairs or crutches.

Parking is free at all USC campus structures on commencement day. However, parking is extremely limited and due to the large crowds, parking usually fills up by 7:00 AM. We recommend parking at The Royal Street Parking Structure, McCarthy Way Parking Structure, or Flower Street Parking Structure. You may want to consider alternative ways to get to campus including ride sharing or the Metro.

For guests traveling from abroad, invitation letters are not required by U.S. Embassies or Consulates in order for family members of F-1/J-1 students and scholars to obtain visitor visas. As such, USC’s Office of International Services does not write letters of invitation for the purpose of inviting students’ and scholars’ family members to visit the United States, but they do provide a template for international students who wish to write their own invitation letters HERE.

The Marshall and Leventhal ceremonies are held outside, rain or shine. Come prepared with your personal needs for a sunny day, including hats, sunglasses and sunblock. Should rain be in the forecast, plan on bringing a clear umbrella and/or raincoat.

Seating in McCarthy Quad for the Leventhal ceremony is tented, first come, first served.

During the ceremonies, standing in the aisles and obstructing views is prohibited. Guests are not allowed to save seats for large parties. Only one (1) seat may be saved on either side of a seat. Please make sure your entire party arrives and enters the venue together. Strollers must be left in the designated parking areas and are not permitted into the seating areas.

We kindly request that all graduates and guests remain in the venue through the duration of the program. We welcome your help in our efforts to provide an enjoyable experience for all guests.

In order to ensure a safe and celebratory environment, we ask that students and guests refrain from the following behavior at all events.

• Profanity or other offensive language, whether spoken or appearing on apparel
  
• Smoking, other than in designated areas
  
• Intoxication or excessive alcohol consumption
  
• Bringing prohibited items into the venue
  
• Throwing of items or liquids
  
• Enter the graduate seating area at any time
  
• Fighting or other threatening behavior
  
• Violation of state or local law
  

All commencement activities are alcohol and substance-free events. We will be enforcing a zero-tolerance policy which means students should not attempt to bring alcohol and other substances to the ceremony. Any alcohol brought to the ceremony will be thrown away by security.

Additionally, any student who is visibly intoxicated, disruptive, or exudes inappropriate behavior will be escorted out of the line-up or the ceremony by event staff and security, potentially risking their chance to cross the stage.

The following items are prohibited at the ceremonies:

• Alcoholic beverages and illegal drugs
  
• Weapons including firearms, knives, explosives, fireworks and laser pointers
  
• Professional cameras (lenses longer than 3") or video and/or audio equipment
  
• Banners, sticks and poles, inflatables, balloons, and folding or beach chairs
  
• Horns or other noisemakers, musical instruments or large music players
  
• Frisbees, balls, or skateboards
  
• Pets (Service Animals OK)
  

The ADA guest entrance to McCarthy Quad is located on the South-east side between McCarthy Quad and McCarthy parking structure. Seating in the ADA section is not ticketed and is offered on a first-come, first served basis.

A designated wheelchair viewing area in McCarthy Quad will be located near Hellman Way. Due to limited seating, we can accommodate only one companion in the wheelchair viewing area.

Students who require accommodation should identify themselves to staff upon check-in.

Be advised, there is no elevator in the McCarthy parking structure. If you have any guests that require the use of an elevator, please use Flower Street parking structure, Royal Street structure or USC Shrine Parking structure.

Regalia
Students participating in the Marshall or Leventhal ceremonies are required to wear regalia. Regalia can be purchased or rented through the USC Bookstore: https://www.uscbookstore.com/commencement

Pictures

Professional Photography
Grad Images professional photography will photograph each student at the ceremony. Students will be emailed a proof of the pictures as well as an order form in the weeks following commencement.

Students can pre-register with Grad Images to receive a discount on their order:

Marshall Ceremony: Coming Soon!

Leventhal Ceremony: Coming Soon!

Personal Photography
Due to fire laws and safety regulations, no one will be permitted to stand in the aisles during the ceremony to take pictures. Guests are welcome to take pictures from their seats with camera lenses smaller than 3” long.

The Leventhal Ceremony at McCarthy Quad will have a designated photo area for guests to photograph their students after they have crossed the stage.

Commemorative Items

Class Rings, Diploma Frames, Announcement Cards
Class rings, diploma frames, and personalized commencement announcements by Herff-Jones may be ordered through the USC Bookstores website, or from Herff-Jones representatives during their sessions on campus throughout the spring.

Custom Stoles (“Sashes”)

While the majority of students rent (and do not purchase) their regalia, more and more are purchasing a stole (or sash) to wear on Commencement day. Stoles are available from the University Bookstore, and can be ordered with the USC logo or embroidered university seal, and can be customized with fraternity/sorority crests, graduation year, or other commemorative marks.

Commencement Program

The USC Digital Commencement Program lists every graduate's name who is eligible to graduate in Fall 2024, Spring 2025, or Summer 2025 provided they verified their information with Degree Progress prior to Spring Break.

Yearbook

The El Rodeo Yearbook may be ordered online https://elrodeo.usc.edu/

For undergraduates to be eligible for university honors at commencement, a minimum overall grade point average of 3.5 for cum laude, 3.7 for magna cum laude and 3.9 for summa cum laude is required at the completion of the Fall 2024 semester. University honors is determined by either the USC GPA or the combined USC and transfer GPA, whichever is lower. USC GPAs are calculated to the third decimal place, but are never rounded up or down. University honors are noted on academic transcripts and diplomas once all coursework is completed. Undergraduate students will be notified at the end of April via email when Honor Cords are available for pick-up.

Students will receive a diploma cover during the school ceremony. Diplomas will be mailed approximately 6-8 weeks after all coursework has been completed and verified. Please verify your mailing address on your STARS report. Changes to your mailing address may be made on OASIS.

Students should direct their questions to their respective degree area below:

Undergrad Ceremony: ugcommencement@marshall.usc.edu

Graduate Ceremony: graduate.commencement@marshall.usc.edu

Leventhal Ceremony: leventhalevents@marshall.usc.edu

PhD Ceremony: Jessica Ekwegh jessica.ekwegh@marshall.usc.edu

All other inquiries can be sent to deans.events@marshall.usc.edu