My USC Lancaster

Associate Degree Cap and Gown Order

• Associate Degree candidates are able to purchase their academic regalia now through the Jostens website.
• Academic regalia needs to be purchased online by April 10^th to be delivered in time for the ceremony.
• Academic regalia will be available for purchase in-person in the USCL Bookstore if candidates prefer or if they miss the April 10^th deadline.

BSN and Palmetto College Cap and Gown Order 

• The customary academic regalia worn by USC baccalaureate degree candidates bears the seal of the University of South Carolina. The University seal is embroidered in garnet and appears on the front of the academic gown. You may order your academic regalia.  You may order personalized invitation cards from the Balfour Company.

• A response concerning your attendance at the 2024 USC Lancaster Commencement exercises is required. Deadline to RSVP is April 14^th. 
  • Confirm Your Attendance

Mandatory Rehearsal and Reception (Graduates ONLY)

• We will rehearse one (1) time prior to Commencement on Thursday, May 1^st at 4:00 pm in the USC Lancaster Rose Garden.
• Please put this date and the times (below) on your calendar and plan to be present. It is MANDATORY that you attend this rehearsal.

Due to limited seating, each student will be issued a limited number of tickets for guests during rehearsal. Please remind your guests to bring their tickets to graduation.  We will not be able to accommodate guests without tickets.   We will provided a  virtual link to view the Commencement Ceremony to anyone who is unable to attend. 

ACCOMMODATION REQUEST GUIDELINES

FOR COMMENCEMENT

 

General Information

Graduates who have personal accommodation needs or needs for guests, must contact USCL’s Student Disability Resource Center at least one week prior to graduation.  The University will continue to make a good-faith effort to arrange accommodation(s) for any requests made up until the day of the event.

 

Reserved Parking

A limited number of designated wheelchair accessible parking spaces will be available during graduation. One car per family and/or person with a disability will be allowed in the designated area. Drivers must display their handicap plate or placard.

For those who are ambulatory but cannot walk long distances, transportation from the parking lots to the graduation site will be available. Courtesy golf carts will be circling campus parking lots.  There may be a short wait depending upon the number of people requesting this service.

 

Reserved Seating

1. In the event the ceremony is moved inside due to inclement weather, seating for guests who use wheelchairs will be located in designated areas in compliance with fire and safety codes.
2. Seating for those who are ambulatory will be located in the closest available area to seating. It is important to arrive early to guarantee access to these seats.
3. Seating for persons who are hearing impaired will be as close to the interpreter as space allows.

Graduates who would like to guarantee reserved seating for a disabled guest must make a reservation with the Student Disability Resource Center staff at least one week in advance of graduation.  A reservation will guarantee up to two seats in a reserved seating area, one for the disabled guest and one for a companion. All efforts will be made to ensure families and groups may be seated together if possible.

Every reasonable effort will be made to accommodate a last-minute, unanticipated need for reserved seating, as space is available. In such cases though, it may be possible to accommodate only the person with the disability.  People with a reservation will be seated on a first come first serve basis.  Seating cannot be guaranteed unless it is reserved.

 

Interpreter Services

A Sign Language Interpreter, using American Sign Language, will be available for graduation.  Hearing Impaired guests who need priority seating must make prior arrangements with the Student Disability Resource Center for reserved seating.

 

Alternative Formats

Alternate Formats will be available for guests.

The University will continue to make a good-faith effort to arrange accommodation(s) for any requests made up until the day of the event.

 

Chemical/Environmental Sensitivity

Although the University cannot guarantee a chemical-free environment, some guests may be subject to chemical sensitivity.  In consideration of others, please consider not wearing strongly scented products.

If the weather allows, the event will be held outside and take place on an asphalt surface. It may be warm weather and full sunshine. If a medical condition/medication/etc. may make you highly sensitive to the temperature and/or sunshine, please plan accordingly. There will be limited seating inside Hubbard Hall where the graduation ceremony will be streamed live for those needing this accommodation.  

 

For more information or requests for accommodations, contact:

Amy Hood

Student Disability Resource Center

The University of South Carolina at Lancaster

476 Hubbard Drive

Lancaster, SC 29720

Phone: 803-313-7448

Email: ah259@mailbox.sc.edu

Children under the age of 5 will not be admitted into the graduation ceremony.

University of South Carolina Palmetto College Chancellor, Dr. Susan Elkins, will confer our degrees. She will be accompanied by other dignitaries and several members of the University Board of Trustees.  We are most grateful to them for joining us and participating in our Commencement exercises.

Commencement Reception

Following Commencement, graduates and guests are invited to attend a reception in the Special Events Room in the Bradley Building.

Beneath the academic gown, we recommend you wear: 

• A dress shirt and dark dress pants
• A dark dress or a dress shirt and dark skirt
  • If the dress or skirt is shorter than the length of the gown, it can be any color
• Dark dress shoes
  • For safety and comfort, we recommend low-heeled shoes 

Columbia Commencement

• USC Columbia’s Commencement exercises for the College of Nursing will take place on Friday, May 9^th, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. and Palmetto College commencement exercises will take place on Saturday, May 10^th, 2025 at 4:00 p.m. in the Colonial Life Arena. Please contact the University of South Carolina Office of the Registrar if you wish to participate in Columbia’s Commencement, (803) 777-5555.  You can check your status for Commencement on my.sc.edu after you contact the Office of the Registrar.  Information concerning participation in  USC Columbia’s Commencement exercises. USC Columbia’s Commencement exercises.

• Columbia Deadlines

• Last day to apply for Spring Graduation (Associate/BOL/BLS):

March 14^th

• Last day to RSVP for Commencement:

April 14^th

• Commencement Rehearsal and Reception (Graduates Only):

  • Rehearsal on Thursday, May 1^st at 4:00 pm in the USCL Rose Garden

• Commencement:

Saturday, May 3^rd at 11:00 am