FAQ
Below are some commonly asked questions. Please read the questions below before emailing the graduation committee.
1. What is Nuestra Graduación?
Nuestra Graduation is a ceremony for UC Irvine's Latinx students. It is a celebration meant to honor and give acknowledgment to the successes of Latinx students at UCI. What makes Nuestra Graduación unique is that the ceremony is spoken in both Spanish and English and students are given time to speak during the celebration.
2. How do I apply to participate in Nuestra Graduación?
As of now, the application AND the waitlist form are closed! Please note that we cannot guarantee your participation in the ceremony if you previously submitted the waitlist form. The end of week 3 (Spring quarter) will be the latest you will be notified of your waitlist status.
3. Is the NG application payment refundable?
Please note that all payments are final and refunds cannot be issued unless you are a scholarship recipient. All scholarship applicants were notified of their status.
4. What are the requirements to participate in the ceremony?
For specific requirements on how to participate in Nuestra Graduación visit our past requirements page.
5. When and where will the photo session take place?
Friday, April 19 and Saturday, April 27 at The Lounge: Room 107 in the Verano Place Community Center. The times will be announced soon!
6. How do I sign up for the photo session and what do I need to bring?
More information on how to sign up and what you need to bring with you for the photo session will be announced soon! Ensure that you reserve 1 of 2 dates provided if you will not be submitting your own professional headshot.
7. What if I wasn't able to participate in the on/off campus fundraisers that already passed?
If you are not able to participate in 1 on/off campus fundraiser AND the loteria fundraiser, you can raise double the amount of the minimum value required for the loteria fundraiser which is completely online (MUST raise at least $20 instead of $10).
8. When will future fundraisers take place?
The loteria fundraiser will start this upcoming week! We will provide updates on the exact date it will occur through our social media platforms and website! As for other potential in-person fundraisers on/off campus, we are still working on the logistics, but cannot confirm they will happen.
9. Where does this money go to?
Nuestra Graduación is completely student-led, meaning it is not funded or sponsored by the university. Students came together and decided this was an important event for Latinx students and every year a group of students agrees to organize the event. Our finalized finances will be published on our budget page.
10. When will we receive our graduation package (sash, senior gift, and stickers)?
We aim to have the graduation packages ready mid to late May. However, special circumstances may arise that can cause the expected time frame to change.
11. How many spots are open for this year?
This year, the maximum number of spots will be 350. Spots and items are determined on a first come, first serve basis.
12. I am graduating earlier than Spring quarter 2024, can I still participate in Nuestra Graduación?
Students who graduated in Fall 2023, Winter 2024, Spring 2024, and Summer 2024 are eligible to apply to Nuestra Grad. Spots and items will be determined on a first come, first serve basis.
13. I want to participate but can't afford it or meet the requirements. Can I still participate?
Every year, we offer scholarships to students. The scholarship application closed Friday, February 9 at 11:59 pm. Please reach out to us for more information. If you cannot meet requirements for whatever reasons, please let us know as soon as possible and we can offer different options. Our email is [email protected]
14. When is Nuestra Graduación taking place this year?
Nuestra Graduación will be held on Thursday, June 13 at 6 pm in the Bren Events Center.
15. How many tickets do I receive?
All participants will receive a maximum of 10 tickets! Note all participants are allowed to have 2 guests walk with them on stage. The 10 tickets do not include the 2 guests that you are walking with, therefore they do not need tickets.
16. Do children need a ticket?
Children under 2 years old do not need a ticket if they are sitting on the lap of someone who has a seat. If the child will occupy their own seat, they need their own ticket.
17. I'm interested in helping out! How do I join the Nuestra Graduación committee?
All committee positions for the 2023-2024 academic year are taken, but if you are still interested in helping us out, please reach out to us through email and you can potentially volunteer the day of the ceremony.
18. I sent Nuestra Grad an email, but I have not received a response. What should I do?
Please allow 3 business days for our response. avoid sending important concerns or questions via Instagram DM. We receive an influx of DMs and we do not want to miss important concerns or questions.
19. Why the name change?
We, the Nuestra Grad Committee, formerly known as Raza Grad, changed the name due to the exclusivity that the name historically and culturally entails. Raza is not inclusive of all the identities within the Latinx community that this ceremony intends to celebrate. The Latinx community is composed of many cultures and Raza is not representative of that, since it is limited to Mexicans/Chincanxs folks. Also, considering the historical violence that Mexican centrism has imposed against the Central American, Indigenous, and Afro-Latinx communities, we need to be critical and accountable of our community to do better. The roots of Raza Grad on this campus has laid the groundwork to allow us to celebrate our achievements alongside our families, and for that work we are grateful. However, this should not limit us from continuously growing and improving the work we do. As Nuestra Grad, we will strive to promote inclusivity and acknowledgment of the entire Latinx community.
1. What is Nuestra Graduación?
Nuestra Graduation is a ceremony for UC Irvine's Latinx students. It is a celebration meant to honor and give acknowledgment to the successes of Latinx students at UCI. What makes Nuestra Graduación unique is that the ceremony is spoken in both Spanish and English and students are given time to speak during the celebration.
2. How do I apply to participate in Nuestra Graduación?
As of now, the application AND the waitlist form are closed! Please note that we cannot guarantee your participation in the ceremony if you previously submitted the waitlist form. The end of week 3 (Spring quarter) will be the latest you will be notified of your waitlist status.
3. Is the NG application payment refundable?
Please note that all payments are final and refunds cannot be issued unless you are a scholarship recipient. All scholarship applicants were notified of their status.
4. What are the requirements to participate in the ceremony?
For specific requirements on how to participate in Nuestra Graduación visit our past requirements page.
5. When and where will the photo session take place?
Friday, April 19 and Saturday, April 27 at The Lounge: Room 107 in the Verano Place Community Center. The times will be announced soon!
6. How do I sign up for the photo session and what do I need to bring?
More information on how to sign up and what you need to bring with you for the photo session will be announced soon! Ensure that you reserve 1 of 2 dates provided if you will not be submitting your own professional headshot.
7. What if I wasn't able to participate in the on/off campus fundraisers that already passed?
If you are not able to participate in 1 on/off campus fundraiser AND the loteria fundraiser, you can raise double the amount of the minimum value required for the loteria fundraiser which is completely online (MUST raise at least $20 instead of $10).
8. When will future fundraisers take place?
The loteria fundraiser will start this upcoming week! We will provide updates on the exact date it will occur through our social media platforms and website! As for other potential in-person fundraisers on/off campus, we are still working on the logistics, but cannot confirm they will happen.
9. Where does this money go to?
Nuestra Graduación is completely student-led, meaning it is not funded or sponsored by the university. Students came together and decided this was an important event for Latinx students and every year a group of students agrees to organize the event. Our finalized finances will be published on our budget page.
- Other expenses that your fee helps cover.
- Sashes
- Senior Gift
- Danzantes and Mariachi
- Decorations
- Program
- Photographers
10. When will we receive our graduation package (sash, senior gift, and stickers)?
We aim to have the graduation packages ready mid to late May. However, special circumstances may arise that can cause the expected time frame to change.
11. How many spots are open for this year?
This year, the maximum number of spots will be 350. Spots and items are determined on a first come, first serve basis.
12. I am graduating earlier than Spring quarter 2024, can I still participate in Nuestra Graduación?
Students who graduated in Fall 2023, Winter 2024, Spring 2024, and Summer 2024 are eligible to apply to Nuestra Grad. Spots and items will be determined on a first come, first serve basis.
13. I want to participate but can't afford it or meet the requirements. Can I still participate?
Every year, we offer scholarships to students. The scholarship application closed Friday, February 9 at 11:59 pm. Please reach out to us for more information. If you cannot meet requirements for whatever reasons, please let us know as soon as possible and we can offer different options. Our email is [email protected]
14. When is Nuestra Graduación taking place this year?
Nuestra Graduación will be held on Thursday, June 13 at 6 pm in the Bren Events Center.
15. How many tickets do I receive?
All participants will receive a maximum of 10 tickets! Note all participants are allowed to have 2 guests walk with them on stage. The 10 tickets do not include the 2 guests that you are walking with, therefore they do not need tickets.
16. Do children need a ticket?
Children under 2 years old do not need a ticket if they are sitting on the lap of someone who has a seat. If the child will occupy their own seat, they need their own ticket.
17. I'm interested in helping out! How do I join the Nuestra Graduación committee?
All committee positions for the 2023-2024 academic year are taken, but if you are still interested in helping us out, please reach out to us through email and you can potentially volunteer the day of the ceremony.
18. I sent Nuestra Grad an email, but I have not received a response. What should I do?
Please allow 3 business days for our response. avoid sending important concerns or questions via Instagram DM. We receive an influx of DMs and we do not want to miss important concerns or questions.
19. Why the name change?
We, the Nuestra Grad Committee, formerly known as Raza Grad, changed the name due to the exclusivity that the name historically and culturally entails. Raza is not inclusive of all the identities within the Latinx community that this ceremony intends to celebrate. The Latinx community is composed of many cultures and Raza is not representative of that, since it is limited to Mexicans/Chincanxs folks. Also, considering the historical violence that Mexican centrism has imposed against the Central American, Indigenous, and Afro-Latinx communities, we need to be critical and accountable of our community to do better. The roots of Raza Grad on this campus has laid the groundwork to allow us to celebrate our achievements alongside our families, and for that work we are grateful. However, this should not limit us from continuously growing and improving the work we do. As Nuestra Grad, we will strive to promote inclusivity and acknowledgment of the entire Latinx community.