Graduation Versus Commencement
Graduation is when a student has completed their degree requirements, the degree requirements have been verified by the Office of the Registrar, the degree is awarded, and the official university records are updated. Commencement is the ceremony that celebrates your academic accomplishments as you complete your degree. Participating in the ceremony does not mean you have earned your degree. Some students are still in process while others have already completed their requirements.
To participate in a Fall or Spring Commencement ceremony, you must have applied for graduation in addition to registering for your specific Commencement ceremony.
If you have questions whether you are on track to graduate and receive your degree, please contact the Office of the Registrar at records@humboldt.edu.
If you have questions whether you have registered for Commencement, please contact the Commencement Coordinator at grad@humboldt.edu.
Commencement Registration
Student registration to participate in Fall 2024 Commencement is open. Deadline to register is November 6. If you have any questions about participation, please email grad@humbold.edu.
Regalia & Memorabilia
A black cap and a black gown are required to participate in a Commencement ceremony. Caps, gowns, tassels, hoods, and more will be available to order online through Herff Jones September 1 through October 25 until 8:59 p.m. PST. Online orders can be shipped to home, or they can be picked-up at The Campus Store location on campus (on the second floor of the Gutswurrak Student Activities Center building) around December 2.
Missed the online deadline? Regalia packages and individual items will be available for purchase directly at The Campus Store location on campus (on the second floor of the Gutswurrak Student Activities Center building) after November 1. They are open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m weekdays. If you have any questions regarding regalia orders, please contact The Campus Store at (707) 826-3741.
The Campus Center for Appropriate Technology (CCAT) is offering cap and gown rentals. Please contact them for more details at ccat@humboldt.edu.
At Commencement, you can wear sashes, stoles, and cords over your black gown, if desired. These items serve as a keepsake to acknowledge your accomplishments and to remember your time at Cal Poly Humboldt but are not required for participation. Check out the regalia page for more details.
Caps and gowns can be recycled for future grad use. Donations can be made in the West Gym after your ceremony or at The Campus Store on the Arcata Plaza during the week after Commencement.
If you have any questions regarding regalia, please contact The Campus Store at (707) 826-3741.
Guest Tickets
Guest tickets to attend a Commencement ceremony are not required for entry at this time. For planning purposes, you will be asked to RSVP the number of guests attending as part of the graduate registration process. Registered guest counts will be considered in the planning process as capacity at the venue is limited. Accommodations for additional guests after registration closes may not be possible. All seating is first come, first served.
Accommodations
Graduates in need of disability-related accommodations to participate in Commencement will be asked to provide these details when registering for Commencement. The Commencement Coordinator will work together with the Campus Disability Resource Center to arrange reasonable accommodations. Some accommodations may take several weeks to arrange. If you registered for Commencement and requested an accommodation, you will be contacted directly by the Campus Disability Resource Center with specific details. If you would like to contact the Campus Disability Resource Center, they can be reached at (707) 826-4678 or sdrc@humboldt.edu.
If your guests are in need of disability-related accommodations, we ask you to please provide those details when registering for Commencement.
Parking & Accessibility
Graduates and guests may park in all general lots on campus, but G11, G12, G13, G14, and G15 are recommended. Parking permits are not required on the day of Commencement on campus.
ADA parking is available in FS9 (the faculty/staff parking lot at the end of Rossow Street, between Gist Hall and Student Business Services). 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 number of shuttles available is limited which may result in lengthy waits at the shuttle pick up and drop off locations. If you do wish to utilize the shuttles, we encourage you to plan to arrive at the pick-up location early. If needed, graduates can also utilize the accessible paths of travel to the Kinesiology & Athletics building (please see campus ADA map for details).
The green lots shown on the event map are open for guest/general parking and the blue lots are recommended for ADA and shuttle access. No general vehicle traffic, parking or drop-off will be allowed past the barricades at 17th and Union Streets due to pedestrian safety. Please note: 17th Street will have single lane west bound traffic only on Commencement day due to shuttle access needs.
Check-in
Arrive with your cap and gown at the line up area, located in the West Gym (Recreation & Wellness Center 202), no later than 45 minutes prior to your announced ceremony start time. A visual search for any illegal or prohibited items will take place upon entry. Once inside the line up area, you will be directed to pick up your name card and assemble in the processional line by major. Name card pick-up lines can be long, so please arrive early. Hold onto your name card before and during the Commencement ceremony—as you enter the stage, you'll need to present it to the stage manager so your name is read when you cross the stage.
Processional
The Mace Bearer and Student Marshals will lead graduates into the Commencement venue, followed by the Faculty Marshals, the general faculty and staff, and the Platform Party. Graduates will file out of the line up area in one single file line—you must stay in line with your major. Please do not stop for photos or to talk with family and friends. Marshals and ushers will direct you to your seats.
During The Ceremony
- Following the cue, you will be directed to exit your seat and line up near the stage one row at a time.
- You will stop at two locations to take a photo before lining up at the stage entrance.
- When it is your turn, hand your name card to the stage manager, and cross the stage as your name is read.
- Move to the floor marker on the stage in front of the podium and receive your diploma cover. Pause and face the photographer for a photo.
- After the photo, marshals and ushers will direct you to exit the stage and return to your seat.
- For master’s candidates, you’ll be instructed on how to hold your hood. You will be hooded on stage prior to receiving your diploma cover.
- Following the reading of the graduate names, degrees will be conferred, and you will be asked to switch your tassel from the right side of your cap to the left. Please ask your guests to stay for this celebratory moment.
Recessional
After the closing remarks, there will be a musical cue for the Mace Bearer to lead the Platform Party, faculty, staff, and graduates out of the venue with the assistance of the marshals and ushers. Exiting will be prompted one row at a time. After graduates have left, guests will be directed to exit.
Diploma
You will receive a diploma cover at the Commencement ceremony when you cross the stage. After your degree is verified and awarded, your official diploma will be mailed. Learn when to expect your diploma and your options for how your name is printed on diplomas & transcripts. If you have any questions about your diploma, please contact the Office of the Registrar at 707-826-4101 or records@humboldt.edu.
Things to Remember
- In the event of an emergency, remain calm and listen for instructions from the stage.
- Please stay for the entire ceremony out of respect for your classmates and your families.
- Humboldt is smoke- and tobacco-free and smoking is not permitted anywhere on the Humboldt Campus.
- Dogs are not allowed in any campus buildings, with the exception of service animals.
- Confetti poppers and cannons are not allowed in the audience or graduate seating area as part of Humboldt's commitment to environmental sustainability and venue agreement. Anything that could cause a distraction (toys, balloons, beach balls, etc.) is prohibited and can be confiscated.
- Bring your own reusable water bottle and encourage your guests to do the same as there are hydration stations available.
- Graduates in need of disability-related accommodations to participate in Commencement will be asked to provide these details when registering for Commencement. The Commencement Coordinator will work together with the Campus Disability Resource Center to arrange reasonable accommodations. Some accommodations may take several weeks to arrange. If you requested an accommodation during registration, you will be contacted directly by the Campus Disability Resource Center with specific details. If you would like to contact the Campus Disability Resource Center, they can be reached at (707) 826-4678 or sdrc@humboldt.edu.
Watch Online
The ceremony will be livestreamed so that families, friends, and the campus community can watch and help graduates celebrate their big moment. Live captioning will be provided on the livestream in English and in Spanish. The links to the livestream will be available on the day of the event on the Commencement website and humboldt.edu. Guests can simply click on the link to view (no registration needed). A video will be available to watch online after the ceremony at commencement.humboldt.edu in the weeks following.
Photos
GradImages photographers will be on hand to capture official graduation portraits. After each ceremony, you’ll be sent a link to preview your images. There is no obligation to purchase photos. Graduates can pre-register for Commencement Photos and get 20% off.
Graduates consent to having portraits and candid photos taken by Commencement photographers. Candid photos may be used in Humboldt publications, website, and social media. If you do not want to be photographed, email grad@humboldt.edu.
Commencement Flowers
Leis and other Commencement flowers from Haggerty Designs will be available for purchase. They offer local delivery or pick up options. Pre-sales are available and are recommended to ensure availability. The last day to pre-order is December 1. Limited supplies will also be available for purchase day of Commencement.
