Commencement

This year, we are going to be celebrating our graduating students through an exciting in-person Commencement Ceremony on May 12, 2024. You will have a chance to hear from our President, Provost, Board of Trustees, Honorary Doctorate Recipient, Valedictorian and more! We look forward to honoring each of our graduating students and celebrating them as their names are read!

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2024 Commencement Ceremony

Sunday, May 12, 2024

12:00 pm - 2:00pm (PST)

Location: Marsee Auditorium, El Camino College 

Venue Address: 16007 Crenshaw Blvd, Torrance, CA 90506  

Guest Parking Address: 1029 Redondo Beach Blvd, Torrance, CA 90506 

 

Commencement Ceremony Information & Guidelines:

• Commencement begins at 12:00 p.m. sharp. The ceremony will last approximately 2 hours. There is no reception following the ceremony. After the ceremony adjourns, all graduates will be asked to exit the Marsee Auditorium to allow for the staff to clean up the space.

• Cameras are allowed; please note, we are required by the theater venue to have the aisles remain clear at all times. A professional photographer will take a picture of each graduate as they cross the stage. Students will be able to order copies of photos from the photographer.

• During the ceremony, graduates and guests should refrain from excessive talking, cheering, use of noisemakers, and any other distractions that take away from the dignity of the ceremony.

 

As learned from the previous years, the event is subject to change and we will be sure to keep folks updated. Please be on the look out for more information in the upcoming months.

 

2024 COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY

Sunday, May 12, 2024

Location: Marsee Auditorium, El Camino College 

More information on how to receive tickets and get involved in our commencement this year will be sent to you by email and updated here within the next few months. Please check your email regularly and check back here for updates!

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Order Your Cap and Gown

Cap and Gown through Otis' link on Jostens website is provided at no cost to graduating students. Check out the Jostens website to order your cap and gown. Deadline to order is Friday, March 22, 2024.

 

Petition for Graduation

By the end of February, all students who are on track or likely to graduate at the end of Spring will receive a link to the Petition for Graduation form to their student email address. This form is required to graduate, and will allow you to choose a name for your diploma. Deadline to complete is April 1, 2024.

 

Complete The Leaving The Owl's Nest and Commencement Participation Form by April 12, 2024. 

The Leaving the Owls Nest Survey will be sent on March 1, 2024 and due on April 12, 2024. Please check your emails for the link from Career Services to complete these surveys in March. Once you complete the Leaving the Owls Nest Survey, you will be directed to the Commencement Participation Form.

The Commencement Participation Form is where graduating students will indicate their participation in Commencement, reserve your guest tickets, and identify what name you would like on the Commencement program. Students can reserve up to 6 guest tickets. No additional guest tickets will be available to reserve until all graduating students have completed the Commencement Participation Form. It is not guaranteed that there will be additional tickets available to request. More information on availability and process to request will be shared at the end of April. 

Show your graduation spirit on Instagram! Add our custom gifs to your story by searching 'Otis College' 

• Custom Festive Commencement gifs have been created for commencement by several of our Communication Arts Seniors, including Khang Nguyen, Lu Urzagaste Rios, Hanna La Salvia, Yaritza Velazquez-Medina , Edgar Giovanni Casarin, Laudan Moaven, Charlotte Cohen, Kiana L. Tenerelli, James Taisei Oakey, Ivan Gonzalo Cisneros, and KaiRong Wu 

 

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Petition for Graduation

By the end of February, all students who are on track or likely to graduate at the end of Spring will receive a link to the Petition for Graduation form to their student Otis email address. This form is required to graduate, and will allow you to choose a name for your diploma. Your petition for graduation will be due on April 1, 2024.

 

Eligibility for Commencement

In order to participate in the Commencement Ceremony, you must be on track to complete all of your degree requirements by the end of the term and have a GPA of 2.0 or higher. If you receive a Petition for Graduation and meet the GPA requirement, then you are eligible to participate. If you are not sure if you are eligible or have questions about your eligibility, connect with Academic Advising and One Stop through an advising  session.

 

Your Diploma

Graduating students will receive both a traditional paper diploma - suitable for framing - and an electronic diploma that can be sent to employers or added to your LinkedIn. You will be contacted with instructions for ordering your diploma once all Spring grades have been tallied and your degree becomes official. View the Diplomas page on MyOtis to learn more. 

Some students may wish to order more than one copy of their diploma, or a second diploma with a preferred name. If you wish to do this, you can place an order using the Request for Replacement Diploma form. You can order a replacement diploma at any time, even years after your graduation. Please note that any second or third diplomas carry an additional $75 fee.

The Office of Student Engagement and Leadership is hosting a number of events to help you prepare for commencement! 

Grad Fair is an opportunity for graduating students to learn how to order their cap and gown, discuss how to prepare for Commencement, and connect with on-campus resources like Career Services, OneStop, Academic Advising, and Alumni Relations, that will be able to assist you through graduation and beyond. Graduating students only need to attend one of the fairs. Each semester we will offer a chance to join us at our Grad Fair. 

• Fall 2023 Grad Fair| Wednesday, December 6 from 11:15am - 12:00pm in the Forum. 
• Spring 2024 Grad Fair | Thursday, February 1 from 11:15am - 12:00pm in the Forum. RSVP Here.

 

Spring 2024 Grad Portraits | Grad Images will be taking professional graduation photos for 2024 Graduates on Tuesday, February 6 from 10:00am - 4:00pm in the Owl Lounge. These photos will be available for purchase through Grad Images after session. Caps and gowns will be provided for you to take your photos. No appointments are required. If you are interested, stop by during the scheduled times to check-in and take your photos. 

Caps and Gowns: If you would like to order your cap and gown, please visit our site through Jostens and clicking on Graduation Caps & Gowns. Once the order is complete you’ll receive a confirmation email. Deadline to order your cap and gown is Friday, March 22, 2024. 

 

Graduation Requirements

• Leaving the Owl’s Nest Survey - March 2024. Check your Otis email for the link to the mandatory Leaving the Owl’s Nest Survey. Submit the required form in order to access commencement tickets.

Important Reminders: 

• Career Services Workshops: Senior Year is the most important time to engage in your own professional development efforts! Visit the Career Services website for self-serve resources such as the Career Planning Checklist, essential resources, and resources by major or topic. Handshake Resources and the Otis Dashboard contain additional career resources of interest.

• Recruitment Events: Most employers focus their Spring recruitment efforts by attending Otis' signature, campus-wide events:

  • Internship & Recruitment Day (IRD) - March 14, 2024. This is the Otis Career Fair for internships and jobs! Attend Career Services workshops or counseling appointments to help you prepare your resume, portfolio, interviewing techniques, and overall game plan for the event.
  • Annual Exhibition/Senior Show Industry Night - May 10, 2024. This is your last chance to showcase your talent and work to industry professionals, recruiters, and more! Career Services can help you prepare your elevator pitch and materials for this exciting event.

 

• Handshake Access: Your Handshake account will remain active during the summer with your Otis student email address and password, but will be changed over to an alumnx profile in August 2024 with the personal email address you provide in the Leaving the Owl's Nest Survey. The Handshake career portal provides continued access to the job board, career counseling, career events, career resources and more! Download the "Handshake Jobs and Careers" app for quick access on your phone. Download Handshake for Apple here. Download Handshake app for Google Play here. 

The Otis Alumnx community is a support system and professional network.

 

Otis College Alumnx 

At Otis College of Art and Design, alumnx have attended Otis for at least two consecutive semesters or earned a certificate from Otis College Extension. Otis College of Art and Design was founded in 1918, there are approximately 9,800 Otis College Alumnx. Visit Alumni to find discover some of our Outstanding Alumnx throughout the decades.

Alumnx Association

Alumnx Relations launched the Otis Alumni Association in 2021, which is free and open to all alumnx.

Join the virtual community of alumn, build a profile and connect with alumx of all generations here. To join, sign up at otisalumniassociation.org and  please use your personal email address or connect from Facebook. 

If you would like a letter to show proof of being a part of the Otis College Alumnx Association, please email Alumnx Relations at alumnirelations@otis.edu. 

X number

Store your X number to access official student records, the Millard Sheets Library or are interested in using Otis College facilities.

Otis Google Drive and Otis e-mail

Otis Google Drive and email access for graduated seniors is deactivated every August 15th. Make sure to download anything stored on your g-drive and back-up email contacts within a month of graduation.

Diploma

Diplomas may take several months to mail out and reach you after graduation. You must submit a Diploma Release Form and update your mailing information with the One Stop area before you graduate, if you change your address before you receive your diploma, or have a questions or concern relating to your diploma at onestop@otis.edu.

Completing degree requirements

If you need to complete credits to meet your degree requirements, start by contacting the One Stop at onestop@otis.edu to make an appointment with Academic Advising.

Transcript Requests

Students must clear holds on their records before the Office of Registration and Records will process a request. If you need to request a transcript, allow up to 1 month to receive them from third party National Clearing House Transcript Services. You will need to submit either your Student ID number or social security number and there will be a $15.00 fee when you place your order. Processing time: Approximately 10-12 business days (processed for electronic PDF delivery).

Labs and facilities access at Otis College

To use an Otis lab or shop, you must either enroll in an Extension course or the Alumni Project Workshop (APW). APW is designed for alumnx with prior experience in the lab/shop of which they are seeking access. Students are screened by the APW liaison/mentor, Andrew Armstrong, Director of Technical Support Services. Contact Extension at extension@otis.edu for more information. Space is limited and Extension schedules and course fees apply.

Millard Sheets Library

You may always visit the Millard Sheets Library and browse through the book and magazine selection during operating hours. To request full access to borrow materials, email Alumnx Relations at alumnirelations@otis.edu. Confirmation of your alumn status is then sent to the Library to make you eligible for access. There is a $50 annual fee for full library access.

Job Board and Career Services for Alumnx

You have the same access to the Career Services Office as alumnx. You can access to the job board and make an appointment to see a counselor for advice and support. On the Otis College website, go to the Career Services page and select Alumnx. 

Becoming an Otis College employee or faculty

Alumnx can search the employment listings at Otis College’s website to look for open Full-Time Staff, Full-Time Faculty or Full-Time Admin positions and apply. For Part Time Teaching opportunities, contact Department Chairs directly to submit your CV or Resume and an introductory letter.

Supporting current students

Otis College is a non-profit institution and counts on contributions from alumnx and friends to offer scholarships to students. As an alumnx you will regularly receive requests for donations by mail and email, if you are not able to donate, not to worry, just know Otis is always working to find ways to support current students. You can donate to Otis College by texting Otis100 to 41444 or visit otis.edu/giving   No amount is too small, your gift is so important to us!

Donating time or artwork

There are lots of opportunities to support Otis, many alumnx have donated artwork to be used for communications like special note cards, t shirt designs, and illustrations and images for the website. Volunteer opportunities are also available for panel discussions and Admissions events.

Staying Connected

Always keep the Office of Alumnx Relations updated with your current contact information by visiting the Alumni page on the Otis College website or emailing Alumnx Relations at alumnirelations@otis.edu. You will receive emails and newsletters from Otis College, invitations for events and competitions. You can also follow us and message Otis Alumnx Relations on Instagram: @otisalumnx

Sharing Accomplishments with Otis and Class Note Submissions

Please keep us in the loop, we are proud of you and want to help promote your accomplishments! Email Alumnx Relations at alumnirelations@otis.edu with your news. You can also submit a class note to be considered for inclusion in Grid at Otis College, a digital publication for the Otis College community here.

Formal Complaints

If you have a formal complaint you would like to make regarding faculty or staff even after you’ve graduated, you may contact the Vice President of Human Resources, Karen Hill at khill@otis.edu

Feedback or Ideas

You may submit idea proposals for Otis Alumnx Clubs or events to Alumnx Relations at alumnirelations@otis.edu. 

Make sure your contact information is updated to receive newsletters on events like Feedback Forums and events organized by Alumnx Relations.

Alumnx Swag or Gift

Each year the graduating class receives a small symbolic gift from Alumnx Relations as a way to welcome the new class of Alumx and help us feel connected after leaving Otis. You can pick up your gift at this year's Grad Fest or by stopping the Alumnx Relations office located in the Kathleen Holzer Ahmanson Hall on the second floor, Suite 211j.

Alumnx Exploration Series

Alumnx Exploration Series is a virtual discussion hosted by Alumnx Relations where the audience is invited to explore an Otis Alumnx’s art and design practice, perspective and ideas. All panel discussions and interviews are free and open to all. You can submit a proposal for a future presentation beginning in Fall 2023 to Alumnx Relations at alumnirelations@otis.edu. 

Alumnx Discussion Groups

Open call for groups, including educators, designers, entrepreneurs, and affinities—including those from the BIPOC and LGBTQIA communities—to participate in the Alumnx Discussion Groups, a virtual space for open group discussion on all issues, ideas, and topics, with the goal to develop working documents for sharing with the discussion group and alumnx community. All topics relating to art and design practices are welcome and encouraged. To submit a proposal, email Alumnx Relations at alumnirelations@otis.edu. 

A note on the term Alumnx

In an effort to be inclusive of our entire alumnx community, Alumnx Relations at Otis College has decided to introduce the use of the term “alumnx,” which is considered to be a more inclusive, gender-neutral term that can be used in place of alumna, alumnus and alumni. 

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Alumnx Relations office: alumnirelations@otis.edu

Access to the Student Health and Wellness Center (SHWC) ends on Wednesday, July 31, 2024.
Medical and mental health services will no longer be available to you after July 31, 2024.

August 14, 2024: Otis Student Health Insurance Plan end date. If enrolled in the plan, you can use the insurance for all health services outside the health center until this date. Learn more at Student Health and Wellness Center

Reminders Before July 31:
• Visit Student Health and Wellness Center to receive all refills on medications, vaccinations/immunizations and/or final medical consultations.
• Get screened for overseas travel and receive any required vaccinations or tests.
• Receive TB Test (employers may require new hires to have a recent TB Test)

Accessing Healthcare After the end of July:
• Students with Otis Health Insurance Plan: Use your Sydney Health App to find local medical and mental health providers convenient to where you live.
• Find and purchase a new health insurance plan by going to healthcare.gov or or calling 1‐800‐318‐2596. Note: Employers may offer you health benefits as part of your salary offer, check with your future employer regarding benefits.

Accessing Health and Health Insurance Related Records:
• Otis Health Insurance Plan – ID Card: Access your Anthem Health Insurance Card through the Sydney Health App
• Access 1095‐B Tax Form: If you enrolled in the Otis Health Insurance Plan in 2016, 2017, or 2018 academic years, request by email to customerservice@chpemail.com ‐‐‐ For students enrolled in the plan from 2019 until now, request tax forms by contacting Anthem Customer Service line located on the back of your insurance card.
• Access Health Records: Access your immunization history, lab history, and patient summary reports from SHWC through OwlCare at otiscollege.studenthealthportal.com
 

Dashboard Access: Your Dashboard and Otis email will remain active during the summer after commencement. Your Dashboard, Otis email, and Otis G‐Drive will be deactivated on September 6, 2023. Please set up email forwarding to your personal email and save any data on G‐Drive and external links you access on Dashboard to your browser or cloud storage.

Pre-Commencement

Task	Release Date	Deadline	Contact
Order Cap & Gown	December, 6, 2023	March 22, 2024	Student Engagement & Leadership (engagement@otis.edu)
Complete Petition for Graduation	End of February	April 1, 2024	Registration (registration@otis.edu)
Complete Leaving the Owls Nest Survey	March 1, 2024	April 14, 2024	Career Services (careerservices@otis.edu)

 

Post-Commencement 

Task	Release Date	Deadline	Contact
Clear any Diploma Holds	On-Going	March 22, 2024	Student Engagement & Leadership (engagement@otis.edu)
Complete Diploma Release Form	End of February	April 1, 2024	Registration (registration@otis.edu)
Download any files from Otis Student GDrive	On-Going	September 2024	IT (helpdesk@otis.edu)

Comencement newsletters share important updates and information to graduating students throughout the academic year. Below you will find the published newsletters as they are released. 

January 2024 Commencement Newsletter 

February 2024 Commencement Newsletter