Facebook: CommencementGeneral Information
Overview of Commencement Ceremonies
California State University's Commencement Exercises consist of two (2) ceremonies: The University Commencement Ceremony and the College Ceremony. The University Ceremony will include the processional/recessional of all graduates and noted dignitaries. Following the University Ceremony, the College Ceremonies will take place at varying venues around the campus according to college or department.
Schedule of Events
| Time | Event | Location | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 a.m. | Graduates must arrive for lineup | Track, north of the Titan Gymnasium | Graduates line up at the track and guests may be seated for the University Ceremony. |
| 8 a.m. | University Ceremony begins | Lawn north of the Titan Gymnasium | This ceremony includes a formal processional, presentation of the colors, addresses from University President Gordon, the ASI president, faculty marshal, and a keynote speaker. |
| 9:30 a.m. | Transition between University Ceremony and College Ceremonies | Graduates and Guests proceed to College/Department Ceremonies. Graduates should line up according to their department. | |
| Immediately following University Ceremony (10:00am)* | College Ceremonies begin | Various venues | These ceremonies include addresses from selected faculty and students. Each graduate will be called to the stage to receive his/her certificate of participation. |
*Please note that several ceremonies have later start-times. Please check your department page for more information.
Because of the anticipated size of the audience, we recommend that guests arrive early at the Commencement Ceremonies. Reserving blocks of seats will not be allowed. We suggest that guests wear comfortable shoes and be prepared to walk to various locations throughout the campus. Out of respect for the guests and graduates, please ask your guests to remain in their seats for the entire ceremony at each commencement exercise they attend.
Alcohol Beverages
Alcoholic beverages will not be allowed at any time in staging areas or at any commencement activity.
Alumni Association Membership
The Alumni Association has a discounted membership available for all graduation candidates, including discount coupons for graduation items and savings on graduation items at GradFest. For information please visit www.fullerton.edu/alumni/gradfest .
Announcements
Standard graduation announcements will be available in the Titan Shops Bookstore. The Bookstore is also offering personalized announcements that include the graduate's name, major and degree in the text of the announcement.
Live Broadcast Information
Congratulations Class of 2011 for achieving your personal educational milestones.
Titan Web TV also experienced a milestone this year. In addition to our distribution on cable television through Time Warner and AT&T we took the CSUF campus All University Main Commencement Ceremonies (with open captioning) into the community and the world through our video stream and audio stream broadcasts and reached the largest audience in our broadcast history receiving over 5500 plus hits from the U.S., Japan, Peru, Egypt, India, Germany, Vietnam, United Kingdom, Canada, Spain, Mexico, New Zealand, Poland, and Fullerton!
View Live Broadcast on May 21-22 »
Cap and Gown
Students must purchase their cap, gown, and tassel. This academic regalia will be available for sale at the Titan Shops bookstore. In addition, regalia will be available for purchase at GradFest.
Contact Information
If you currently have specific questions regarding your College Graduation Ceremony, please contact the appropriate Commencement Coordinator from the list below.
| College | Coordinator | 657-278- | Office |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arts | Andi Sims | ext: 3255 | VA-199 |
| Business and Economics | Emeline Yong | ext: 5529 | SGMH-1507 |
| Communications | Linda Lui | ext: 3355 | CP-450 |
| Education | Kim Naujokas | ext: 4021 | CP-500 |
| Engineering and Computer Science | Sandy Norell | ext: 5987 | E-100G |
| Health and Human Development | Jill Rodriguez | ext: 2165 | EC-624 |
| Humanities and Social Sciences | Bunny Casas | ext: 3528 | H-211 |
| Natural Sciences and Mathematics | Yvonne Moar | ext: 3021 | MH-166 |
To hear information about Commencement via telephone, please call our Commencement Hotline at 657-278-4723.
Diplomas and Certificates
Certificates of Participation are presented at the college/department commencement ceremonies. Diplomas will be ready approximately nine weeks after the effective date of graduation and will be mailed directly to each graduate. Please make sure the graduation unit has your current address on file. Padded diploma cases are available for purchase in the Titan Shops.
Dress
Caps and gowns are mandatory for commencement activities and are available at the Titan Bookstore beginning in April. Master's candidates will wear their hoods. Comfortable shoes are highly recommended since there will be considerable walking and the graduates' chairs are on the lawn.
Facilities and Services
Well-marked restrooms will be available. A First Aid Center will be set up in the Health Center with remote centers around the campus. Lost and Found will be located at the Health Center. Food Service includes: The Titan Student Union Food Court; Titan Shops Bookstore (Starbucks and Bakery); Carl's Jr. (near Langsdorf Hall); and the Healthy Choice Deli and Starbucks on the second floor of Langsdorf Hall. Food carts located throughout campus will offer a variety of food and beverage choices.
GradFest
Please click here GradFest.
Honors Convocation
The Honors Convocation celebrates the achievements of those graduating Summa Cum Laude, President Scholars Graduates, CSUF Honors Program Graduates and those students receiving special awards at graduation.
Honors Medallions
Honors at graduation are awarded to undergraduate students in three classifications and take into account all courses taken at Cal State Fullerton and other institutions of higher learning through the end of Fall semester 2011. The minimum grade point averages follow: cum laude, 3.5-3.74; magna cum laude, 3.75-3.89; summa cum laude, 3.9 to 4.0. Students who have earned honors at graduation will be awarded ribbons with medallions that bear the seal of the university: white ribbons denote cum laude; orange ribbons denote magna cum laude; and blue ribbons denote summa cum laude. Honors medallions will be distributed at college award ceremonies and those graduating with honors will receive invitations in the April/May timeframe.
Hotel Accommodations
Please click here hotel.
Name Cards
A Graduate Name Card will be distributed with the guest tickets and parking passes at the ticket distribution sites in April. The card should be completed and brought to the college graduations. The card has spaces for the graduate's name, address, major, degree level, and date (month only) of degree completion. Please print the information legibly. Once on the platform at the college ceremony, graduates will hand this card to the reader. Graduates with names that are difficult to pronounce should suggest a phonetic alternative spelling to facilitate accurate pronunciation. Extra name cards will be available at graduate assembly areas before the college ceremonies.
Parking
On-campus parking will be limited and restricted to carpools (three per car). Special Commencement parking permits will be required for on-campus parking. Graduates will receive two (2) parking permits when they pick up Commencement tickets. On-campus parking is on a first-come, first-served basis. Late arrivals or cars with fewer than three people will be directed to off-campus parking areas.
Off-campus parking sites include Hope University, Troy High School, and Western College of Law in the area directly surrounding the CSUF campus.
For the commencement ceremonies, please do not park in areas that are not designated for parking by the university police or parking staff. We have learned that during last year's ceremonies, cars were towed that were parked in areas that were not designated for commencement parking, including parking lots of local businesses. We have reserved ample parking space in areas adjacent to campus if needed. Please follow the directions of the University police or Parking Staff during the commencement ceremonies to insure that your car will not be towed.
Persons with disabilities will be directed to parking lot A or I if they have a DMV placard/DP plate. Manual wheel chairs will be available for check-out in specific areas around the perimeter of campus. Limited shuttles will be available for the disabled in Lot A.
Semester CSUF Student Parking Permits will not be accepted for Commencement parking. Students not carpooling will be directed to off-campus sites.
Attendees should anticipate traffic delays and congestion on Nutwood Avenue, State College and Yorba Linda Boulevards and the 57 freeway.
Persons with Disabilities
Persons with disabilities will be directed to Parking Lot A or I if they have a DMV placard/DP plate. Manual wheel chairs will be available for check-out at the university ceremony and at specific areas around the perimeter of campus. Limited shuttles will be available for the disabled in Lot A.
Since there are significant distances between the different venue sites, we suggest that if you own a wheelchair you bring it to the ceremonies. Ushers will be present at the commencement ceremonies to assist in any way they can.
Graduates requiring special assistance should contact the appropriate college's commencement coordinator.
An American Sign Language interpreter will be present at all Commencement activities.
Photography
The CSUF Alumni Association has arranged for Bob Knight Studios (800-628-4509) to photograph each graduate at the moment he or she crosses the platform at the College Ceremonies. Proofs and information on ordering prints will be mailed with no cost or obligation to participants. Guests who wish to take pictures must plan to do so from their seats only and are encouraged to use a telephoto lens.
Senior Portraits
The Alumni Association has arranged for a special Cal State Fullerton senior portrait sitting with Classic Studio 94. If interested, contact Studio 94 at (877) 363-9690 or http://www.studio-94.com.
Programs
Graduates will receive a complimentary copy of the program at the assembly area for the University Commencement Ceremony. Copies for the guests will be sold for $5 each. If you are unable to attend commencement, extra copies of the program will be available in the Graduation Unit, LH-110A.
Seating
Beach chairs or similar portable seating are not permitted. For those college graduations located in the Stadium, seat cushions will be allowed and are encouraged. Reserving blocks of seats will not be allowed in any venue.
Tickets are not required for the University Ceremony. Seating for the 8:00 a.m. University Ceremony is on a first come, first seated basis.
Tickets are required for all college graduations.
For more information about tickets and ticket distribution please see details about GradFest or Ticket Distribution.
Tassel Position
The degree earned dictates the color of tassel. Please check with Titan Shops for the appropriate tassel color.
- Bachelor's candidate - right side of mortarboard
- Master's candidate - left side of mortarboard
Note: these are the starting tassel positions so all Bachelor's candidates should come to Commencement with their tassels on the right and vice versa for Master's candidates.
Tickets
Please click here tickets. International students seeking a letter of invitation for their families should contact the Office of International Programs: UH-244F; (657)278-5845
Titan Shops
Students and guests can order Commencement items online at http://www.titanbookstore.com.
Videos and DVDs
Please click here Videos and DVDs.
Weather
The university ceremony and many of the college graduations are outdoors. All who plan to attend should be prepared for a cool morning and a warm afternoon. There is no alternate site in case of inclement weather. Guests are encouraged to wear comfortable clothes and shoes. In the unlikely event that we have a torrential rainstorm, commencement ceremonies will be cancelled with two hours notification.
In case of inclement weather please call 657-278-4444 to learn the status of ceremonies. Radio stations to listen to regarding status of ceremonies: 1620 AM (CSUF Radio) or 1070 AM (KNX).
