General Information
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Overview of Commencement Ceremonies
California State University's Commencement Exercises consist of two (2) ceremonies: The University Comencement 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 Garcìa, the ASI president, faculty marshall, 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. |
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 fullerton.edu/alumni/recentgrad.
Announcements
Standard graduation announcements will be available in the Titan Shops Bookstore. The Bookstore is also offering a personalized announcements that include the graduate's name, major and degree in the text of the announcement.
Live Broadcast Information
Congratulations Class of 2013 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 videostream 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 25-26 »
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 additon, 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 | Jessica Acosta-Barnes | ext: 7343 | SGMH-2317B |
| Communications | Linda Lui | ext: 3355 | CP-450 |
| Education | Kimberely Naujokas | ext: 4021 | CP-500 |
| Engineering and Computer Science | Sandy Norell | ext: 5987 | E-100G |
| Health and Human Development | Jill Rodriguez | ext: 2165 | EC-606 |
| Humanities and Social Sciences | Bunny Casas | ext: 3526 | 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 ceeremonies. 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 Food Court in the Titan Student Union, Carl's Jr. near Langsdorf Hall, and Starbucks Coffee in Steven G. Mihaylo Hall . Food carts located throughout campus will offer a variety of food and beverage choices.
Honors Convocation
A special event honoring award recipients, graduating President's Scholars, University Honors Program graduates, and summa cum laude honorees will be held at the Meng Concert Hall in the Performing Arts Center, on Friday, May 24 at 7 p.m. Invitations will be sent in late April. Participating students, faculty, and staff must wear appropriate academic regalia (caps and gowns).
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 2012. 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.
Name Cards
A Graduate Name Card will be distributed with the guest tickets and parking passes at GradFest at Titan Shops (4/9-11); TitanCard located in the Pollak Library (4/8-5/24); and at the Irvine, Campus, room 115 (4/8-5/24). 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
Commencement Parking Permits are required for on-campus parking during the commencement ceremonies. The normal CSUF parking permits will not be accepted for on-campus parking at the commencement events. On-campus parking is restricted to those who carpool (3 or more per car) and is on a first-come, first-served basis. No recreational vehicles are allowed. Late arrivals or cars with fewer than three people will be directed to off-campus parking areas. Persons with disabilities may park in Lot I, and on the ground, second and third floor levels of the State College Parking Structure with a DMV/DP placard or plate. Pick-up/drop-off areas for limos and taxis are designated on South Campus Drive and Lot R. Please park only in areas designated by campus police and parking officers. Do not park in any of the strip mall parking lots surrounding campus. In the past, our guests’ cars have been towed.Graduates can pick up two commencement parking permits, along with a name card (for them to complete for the announcement of their name at the college graduations) at the following locations:
1) TitanCard located on the first floor of Pollak Library April (4/8-5/24): M-TH, 8-9; Fri, 8-5; Sat, 10-6
2) the Irvine Campus Room 115 (4/8-5/24): M-TH 8:30am-6:00pm, Fridays 9am-12pm
3) the Titan Bookstore (4/9-4/11: GradFest): 10 a.m. – 9 p.m
If you are unable to pick up parking permits and name cards on the dates listed above, please download the Commencement Parking Permit form and send a self-addressed stamped envelope (6” x 9” or larger) along with your name and student ID number by April 30, 2013 to:
Mary Jo Medyn
California State University, Fullerton
P.O. Box 6850
Fullerton, CA 92834-6850
Persons with Disabilities
Persons with disabilities will be directed to Lot I or State College Parking Structure 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
Cal State Fullerton has arranged for Grad Images (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 e-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
Cal State Fullerton has arranged for graduate portrait sittings at Studio 94 Photography (1–877–636–9690 / studio-94-photography.com) in Fullerton.
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. Children over 2 years of age will require a ticket at commencement.
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
Tickets are not required for the 8 a.m. university commencement ceremony. Tickets are required for all college graduations. All colleges will only be able to get their tickets electronically this year. For most graduations, each graduate will receive eight free tickets for their guests. Ticket Distribution will take place Monday, 4/8/13 – Friday, 4/26/13. These are the only dates that guest tickets will be available to the graduates.
Electronic Ticketing
All colleges will be able to get their tickets electronically this year. Graduates may print out their tickets at the following link (link) between April 8th at 8 a.m. - April 26th at 5 p.m., at the link above. After April 26, tickets will no longer be available, except for an “extra ticket” distribution from May 1st at 8 a.m. - May 3rd at 5 p.m. for venues that have not been completely filled and can accommodate more guests. The extra tickets will also be electronic and can be printed out at the following link (link). Not all college ceremonies will have extra tickets to disburse, and those that do will have only a limited supply. Tickets will be given out in pre-determined numbers to graduates on a first-come/first-served basis. Those colleges distributing extra tickets will have them listed on the website on Tuesday, April 30th at 5 p.m.
Warning: Each ticket will have its own unique scanning pattern. Once a ticket has been scanned, it is no longer usable. Duplicating tickets will only mean that some of your guests will be turned away at the venue because their tickets are not valid.
Selling CSUF commencement tickets is
strictly prohibited
and the university will investigate any report of individuals selling them. If you have more commencement tickets than you need, please do one of the following:
1) give them to a friend who needs more;
2) turn them in to your college coordinator; or
3) join the CSUF Commencement 2013 Group on Facebook and post a Discussion Board message to fellow graduates regarding the availability of your excess tickets (All commencement tickets are unique to each of the 20 ceremonies. Please make sure that you include the specific ceremony in your request for tickets, or for your donation of extra tickets.)
To order commencement tickets click here.
Titan Shops
Students and guests can order Commencement items online at http://www.titanbookstore.com.
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).
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