Undergraduate Commencement Details and InstructionsUndergraduate Commencement Details and Instructions

Undergraduate Commencement Details and Instructions

Saturday, May 18, 2013

10 a.m., Convocation Center

Doors will open to guests at 8 a.m. Guests should be seated no later than 9:15 a.m.


DEGREE CANDIDATE INFORMATION

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY. These instructions have been prepared in order to make commencement a special occasion for all involved. The following directions relate to the Undergraduate Commencement (bachelor's and associate degrees) ceremony only.

TIME OF ASSEMBLY: 8:45 a.m.

Do not be late! Time of assembly is 8:45 a.m. Students must line up for the procession. Failure to be on time may result in a student being placed in a different seat, causing that person to be out of alphabetical order and/or out of designated college. Late students will be placed at the end of the line.

ASSEMBLY LOCATIONS / ASSIGNMENTS 

Upon arrival, please go to your designated outside area for line-up details and instructions. Please go to the appropriate area represented by colored flags based on your college and degree.

  • Education Majors - Blue Flags
  • Liberal Arts Majors - Red Flags
  • Science and Tech Majors - Green Flags
  • Associate Degree - Orange Flags

You will NOT be returning to the assembly locations so please leave all personal belongings with family members or friends for safekeeping during the ceremony. Cal U is not responsible for lost or stolen property.

DRESS AND HONORS CORDS

All students should arrive dressed in their approved caps and gowns purchased through the University Bookstore or in official military dress uniform. Caps should be worn level and straight and tassels to the right. In addition to the approved cap and gown, women should wear dark shoes with appropriate dress, and men should wear dark slacks, white or light-colored shirts, ties, and dark shoes.

Cal U Bookstore representatives will be available at the Undergraduate rehearsal on Thursday, May 16 from 7:00 pm until the rehearsal's end to distribute honors cords. Additionally, the Cal U Bookstore will be open in the Natali Student Center on Friday, May 17 from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm and from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm on Saturday, May 18. The Bookstore shop will be open at both ceremonies at the Convocation Center.

DISABILITY ACCESS

There are a substantial number of steps at the Commencement dinner and for the Commencement processional.  Alternate access arrangements for these events and/or all other access requests should be made to the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) in advance. For more information, consult Commencement Access.

LINE OF MARCH

Staff members will direct students to form a single line in back of the color guard (flags). Candidates will be given printed instructions indicating their location in the line of march and their seat numbers. You should  find your place in line and stay there. You will be given a small card to carry in your hand indicating your seat number. Only take your assigned seat, regardless of whether there are empty seats nearby. For people starting new rows, color stickers will be placed on their number cards.

PROCESSIONAL

As you march in the processional to your seat, keep in step, at least three steps behind the person in front of you, and keep lines straight.

PROGRAM

Remain standing at your seat until after the national anthem and invocation. During the national anthem, invocation and the alma mater, men should remove their mortarboards.

RECEIVING THE DIPLOMA 

When the dean presents degree candidates for a college, all degree candidates should rise together.  Proceed as directed by the page to the ramp leading to the platform, and wait at the top of the ramp until your name is called by the dean. Don't step onto the stage until your name is called. While waiting, hold your seat number card in your left hand so that the number is plainly visible to the dean. Do NOT give the dean your number card. You should receive your diploma in your left hand, leaving your right hand free to shake hands with Acting President Jones. After receiving your diploma, return to your row and remain standing until instructed by the dean to take your seat.

  • A professional photographer will be taking photos of all graduates after they receive diplomas and as they exit the stage. Members of the Cal U marketing staff will also be taking photographs for general marketing purposes throughout the ceremony.

CONFERRING THE DEGREE

After the President has conferred your degree and closed with the words, "I hereby confer the degree of (Bachelor of ____, etc.) with all the rights, honors and privileges which throughout the world pertain to that degree," all graduates in that degree should, in unison, change the position of their tassels from right to left, using their left hands.

RECESSIONAL

You should stand at your assigned seat until the platform party and faculty recess, then follow the pages' and ushers' directions for leaving the field. 

Find answers to frequently asked questions here.

In addition to the Commencement ceremony on Saturday, the President’s Dinner for Graduates will be held in Hamer Hall on Thursday, May 16, 2013, at 6:00 p.m. Please check your email for the invitation and RSVP instructions.

A rehearsal will be held on Thursday, May 16, 2013 immediately following the Graduates’ Dinner.