Skip to main contentSkip to main navigationSkip to footer content

Graduation FAQs

Contact Us

Graduation Team
4000 Susiun Valley Road
Fairfield, CA 94534
graduationinfo@solano.edu

Graduation FAQs

graduationWe hope the following “Frequently Asked Questions” will help answer all your questions about graduation. If you’re unable to find your answer here, please email us at graduationinfo@solano.edu and we’ll follow up with you as soon as we can.

Students who have filed a petition for a degree or certificate will receive an invitation to register for the ceremony through the Tassel registration website. Check your Solano student email (and spam folder) for your invitation.

Please see instructions on “What to do on the day of the event” at the end of this FAQ.

 

Graduation Petition

Petitions for a degree and/or certificate must be submitted to the Admissions & Records Office by the published deadline each Spring as referenced on the Dates & Deadlines page. Contact A&R with any questions at admissions@solano.edu or 707-864-7171.

Students who file a petition for a degree and/or certificate are candidates for graduation and will be invited to walk in the Spring ceremony. You will receive an email from the evaluator notifying you of the receipt of your petition. Any missing degree requirements or missing transcripts from other schools will be addressed at that time. Final awarding of the degree/certificate will be pending until final grades are posted for in-progress classes and the petition is evaluated by A&R staff. Once all requirements are verified and met, graduates will be notified by A&R by email of their award. If your degree requirements are not met, you will receive email notification. Diplomas are mailed 2-3 months after the end of the term in which the student is awarded their degree/certificate.

Yes, students who petitioned to graduate by the Spring deadline will be included as candidates and will receive an invitation to register for the ceremony through Tassel. Students that petition to graduation from last Fall, this Spring and next Summer will be invited to walk in the Spring ceremony.

 

Ceremony

The graduation ceremony is typically held in late May at Doc Hollister Stadium, Fairfield Campus (4000 Suisun Valley Road, Fairfield, CA 94534). Exact date and time will be published each year.

Attendance is voluntary.

Yes. Diplomas are mailed to students who have met all graduation requirements.

Graduates should arrive approximately 90 minutes before the ceremony begins. Please allow extra time for parking and check-in.

The ceremony lasts about two hours.

Parking is available in designated lots on the Fairfield campus. Accessible parking and golf cart transport are available for elderly and disabled guests.

Graduates must wear a cap and gown. Comfortable shoes are recommended, as you will walk on grass, and the stadium can be windy and cool in the evening.

Yes. At check-in you’ll receive a card with your name and a unique QR code. This card is scanned on stage to cue your name.

No. Only graduates may enter the seating area on the field.

Yes, professional photographers will capture your moment on stage. Photos will be available online after the event.

Graduates are typically asked to observe a 6-guest limit. Accommodations may be considered after registration closes, based on stadium capacity.

Prohibited items include balloons, air horns, silly string, and alcohol. Solano College is a smoke-free campus.

Parking is available in designated lots on the Fairfield campus. Accessible parking and golf cart transport are provided for elderly and disabled guests only.

Yes, from their seats. Guests are not permitted onto the field.

 

Cap + Gown

Graduation regalia can be purchased online through Jostens or at the Solano College Bookstore. Details and links are provided each year in the graduation email invitation.

Yes, but decorations must remain respectful.

Some programs, such as Phi Theta Kappa, Puente, and EOPS, provide stoles or cords for their members. Contact your faculty advisor or program coordinator for details.

No. Regalia must be purchased.

Graduation announcements may be ordered online through CB Grad.

 

Pre-Commencement Celebrations

Graduates may be invited to additional recognition ceremonies, such as:

  • Puente Celebration

  • AANHPI Recognition

  • EOPS Celebration

  • Latino Recognition

  • Queermencement

  • Black Recognition

Details (dates, times, and contacts) are provided in the graduation email invitation each year.

 

Day-of-Ceremony Instructions

  • Graduates must check in at the stadium at the designated time (typically 90 minutes before start).

  • Arrive wearing your full regalia.

  • Leave personal belongings at home or with guests—there is no storage.

  • Guests and children are not permitted in the graduate area.

  • Graduates will remain seated until the ceremony ends.