Ways to Participate
There is a myriad of details that go into running a successful Commencement. Employees are needed to assist on the day, whether it be participating in the procession or supporting Commencement "behind the scenes".
Processional Participation
Faculty and staff participating in the processional and who will be seated in the Faculty/Staff section during a Commencement ceremony are asked to register their participation by April 10. Participating faculty and staff will receive further instruction from their College Coordinator.
Those needing to rent regalia to participate in the procession can do so with Herff Jones Faculty Direct. The deadline to order faculty or staff regalia online to be received in time for the event is March 22 at 8:59 p.m. PST. Items ordered by the deadline will be available to pick up at The Campus Store on the Arcata Plaza around April 24. Faculty and staff can return regalia rentals back to The Campus Store during the week after Commencement.
If faculty or staff need regalia items or have any questions regarding faculty or staff regalia orders, contact The Campus Store at (707) 826-3741.
Commencement Support
Staff who would like to provide support during the on-campus Commencement ceremonies should make arrangements with their supervisor and submit their interest and availability by April 14. Positions such as greeting, ushering, handing out programs, providing ADA shuttle and wheelchair support, providing parking and traffic support, supporting the graduate and faculty/staff line-up area, etc. are needed. Information regarding shifts and assignments will be shared closer to the event.
If staff have questions about their supporting Commencement registration, contact the Commencement Office at grad@humboldt.edu.
Check-in
Faculty or staff who are participating in the processional, should arrive with their regalia at the West Gym (Recreation & Wellness Center 202) no later than 45 minutes prior to their ceremony start time. Faculty or staff participating in the Regional Commencement will receive further instruction.
Staff who are providing support at the on-campus Commencement will receive their shift and assignment closer to the event and will be asked to check-in and check-out at the Staff Check-In area at the start and end of their shift.
Order of Ceremony
Procession
The Mace Bearer and Student Marshals will lead graduates in, followed by the Faculty Marshals, the general faculty and staff and the Platform Party. Graduates will file out in two single file lines and must stay in line with their major. Student Marshals will direct graduates to their seats and Faculty Marshals will assist with general faculty/staff seating.
Ceremony
- Following the cue, Student Marshals will direct graduates to exit their seats and line up near the stage one row at a time. Graduates will stop at two locations to take a photo before lining up at the stage ramp entrance.
- As they approach the stage, graduates will hand their name card to the stage assistant, and as their name is read, they will be directed to cross the stage.
- Graduates will be directed to move to the floor marker in front of the podium and receive their diploma cover. They will pause and face the photographer for a photo.
- After the photo, graduates will go down the opposite ramp, and a Marshal will direct them to return to their seat.
- For master’s candidates, they will carry their hood in the processional on their arm. As they line up to go on stage, they'll get instructions about how to hold their hood. They will be hooded on stage prior to receiving their diploma cover.
- Following the reading of the graduate names, the President will confer the degrees and ask graduates to switch their tassel from the right side of their cap to the left and will then close out the ceremony.
Recessional
After the President’s closing remarks, there will be a musical cue for the Mace Bearer to lead the Platform Party and the general faculty and staff out. After they have left, graduates will be directed to exit one row at a time by the Student Marshals. Ushers will direct guests when to depart.
Parking
Graduates, guests, faculty, and staff may park in all general lots on campus, but G11, G12, G13, G14, and G15 are recommended. ADA parking is available in FS9. Shuttles for those with mobility issues will run continuously from the FS9 lot by Gist Hall at the end of Rossow Street and will drop off at the south entrance of the Kinesiology & Athletics building. The green lots shown on the event map are open for general parking and the blue lots are recommended for ADA and shuttle access. No parking or drop-off will be allowed past the barricades at 17th and Union Streets.
Watch Online
Can't be there for some reason? Ceremonies will be livestreamed so that families, friends, and the campus community can watch, and help graduates celebrate their big moment. The links to the livestream will be available on the day of the event on the Commencement website and humboldt.edu. Anyone can simply click on the link to view (no registration needed). Live captioning will be provided on the livestream in English and in Spanish. A video will be available to watch online after the ceremony at commencement.humboldt.edu in the weeks following.