Commencement vs. Graduation

Registering for Commencement and applying for graduation are two different things. Commencement is the ceremony that celebrates your academic accomplishments as you complete your degree. Participating in a ceremony does not mean you have earned your degree. Some students are still in process while others have already completed their requirements. Graduation is when a student has completed their degree requirements, verified by the Office of the Register, and the degree is awarded, and official university records are updated.

To participate in a Fall or Spring Commencement ceremony, you must have applied for graduation in addition to registering for your specific Commencement ceremony in the semester you wish to participate. 

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 Office at grad@humboldt.edu.

Commencement Registration

Student registration to participate in Spring 2024 Commencement has now closed. If you missed the registration deadline of April 3 and would still like to participate, 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 are available to purchase online through Herff Jones through March 22 at 8:59 p.m. PST. Online orders will be shipped to a home address or can be picked-up at the Cal Poly Humboldt Campus Store on the Arcata Plaza around April 24.

Missed the online deadline? Regalia packages and individual items are available for purchase directly at The Campus Store on the Arcata Plaza after March 22. If you have any questions regarding regalia, please contact The Campus Store at (707) 826-3741.

The Campus Center for Appropriate Technology (CCAT) is also offering cap and gown rentals starting April 19. Please contact them for more details at ccat@humboldt.edu.

If you're eligible for and would like to purchase an honors cord, please contact The Campus Store directly to place your order by phone at (707) 826-3741 or stop by the Arcata Plaza location in person. 

Graduating students can wear sashes, stoles, and cords over their black gown at Commencement, if they desire. These items serve as a keepsake to acknowledge their accomplishments and to remember their time at Cal Poly Humboldt but are not required for participation. Check out the Regalia page for more details.

A Grad Fair hosted by the Cal Poly Humboldt Campus Store on the Arcata Plaza will be held on March 27 & 28 from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. This will be a one stop shop for all Commencement and graduation needs. Campus departments such as the Commencement Office, the Office of the Registrar, Forever Humboldt Alumni Association, Graduate Studies, etc. will be present. GradImages, our graduation photography vendor, will be present to take cap and gown portraits. 

Caps and gowns can be recycled for future grad use. Donations can be made at Redwood Bowl, West Gym, or at CCAT after your ceremony or at The Campus Store on the Arcata Plaza during the week after Commencement.

If you have any questions regarding regalia or the Grad Fair, please contact The Campus Store at (707) 826-3741.

Accommodations

If you require disability-related accommodations to participate in Commencement, please provide those details when registering for Commencement in the section provided. The Commencement Office will work together with the Campus Disability Resource Center to make reasonable accommodations. 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 require special accommodations, please provide those details when registering for Commencement in the section provided in the registration. 

Check-in and Assembly for the Procession

For the on-campus ceremonies, arrive with your cap and gown at the West Gym (Recreation and Wellness Center 202) no later than:

8:15 a.m. | College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences 

      11:15 a.m. | College of Natural Resources & Sciences 

2:15 p.m. | College of Professional Studies

For the Regional Commencement, arrive with your cap and gown at The Saban Theatre no later than:

      1:15 p.m. | All Colleges 

A visual search for any illegal or prohibited items will take place upon entry to the student line-up area. You will then be directed to line up by your major, but it’s not necessary to be in alphabetical order by last name.

Name Reader Card

For the on-campus ceremonies, pick up your pre-printed name reader card on Friday, May 10 in the Admissions Lobby (Student Business Services building) or on Commencement Day prior to your on-campus ceremony in the West Gym (Recreation & Wellness Center 202).

If you are participating in the Regional Commencement, please pick up your name reader card at The Saban Theatre on the day of the ceremony.

Hold onto your card before and during your Commencement ceremony—as you enter the stage, you'll need to present it to the stage manager, so your name is read as you cross the stage.

Processional

For the on-campus ceremonies, 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—you must stay in the line with your major. Please do not stop for photos or to talk with family and friends. Marshals will direct you to your seat.

Information about the Regional Commencement ceremony processional will be sent to the registered students. 

During Ceremony

For the on-campus ceremonies:

• Following the cue, Student Marshals will direct graduates to exit their seats 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 ramp entrance.
• As you approach the stage, hand your name card to the stage assistant, 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, go down the opposite ramp, and a Marshal will direct you to return to your seat.
• For master’s candidates, you will carry your hood in the processional on your arm. As you line up to go on stage, you’ll get instructions about how to hold your hood. You will be hooded on stage prior to receiving your diploma cover.
• Following the reading of the graduate names, the President will confer the degrees and ask you to switch your tassel from the right side of your cap to the left. Please ask your guests to stay for this celebratory moment.

Information about what to expect during the Regional Commencement ceremony will be sent to the registered students. 

Recessional

For all ceremonies, 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. 

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.

Guest Tickets

Guest tickets to attend a Commencement ceremony are not required for entry. For planning purposes, you will be asked to RSVP the number of guests attending as part of the ceremony registration process. All seating is first come, first served.

Parking & Accessibility

For the on-campus ceremonies, graduates and guests may park in all general lots on campus, but G11, G12, G13, and G14 are recommended. Parking permits are not required on the day of Commencement and all meters within campus are free to use except those on Rossow, Harpst and B streets. 

ADA parking is available in FS9 and G15. Shuttles for those with mobility issues will run continuously from the FS9 by Gist Hall at the end of Rossow Street and G15 off of 14th Street, and will drop off at the south entrance of Redwood Bowl in between the Recreation & Wellness Center and Forbes Gym. The number of shuttles available is limited which may result in lengthy waits at the shuttle pick up and drop off locations. Graduates may want to consider utilizing the accessible path of travel available through the Science building complex (please see campus ADA map for details). If graduates do wish to utilize the shuttles, we encourage you to plan to arrive at the pick-up locations early. 

The green lots shown on the Commencement event map are open for graduate/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 or Laurel Drive and B Street due to pedestrian safety. Please note: 17th Street will have single lane west bound traffic only on Commencement day due to shuttle access needs. 

Due to the limited number of shuttles available for the on-campus ceremonies for those with mobility limitations, the shuttles will be prioritizing getting graduates and their guests to and from Redwood Bowl and the parking lots. Unfortunately, we will not be able to take anyone to receptions or celebrations. 

American Sign Language Interpreters will provide in person signing for the ceremony and will be located near the stage. Live captioning will be provided on the livestream for families, friends, and the campus community watching online in English and Spanish. The links to the livestream will be available on the day of the event on the Commencement website and humboldt.edu.

For the Regional Commencement, please review the parking instructions. Information about accessibility accommodations will be forthcoming. 

Please contact grad@humboldt.edu if you have questions about accommodations.

Watch Online

The on-campus 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 on-campus 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). Live captioning will be provided on the livestream for families, friends, and the campus community watching online in both English and Spanish. A video will be available to watch online after the on-campus ceremonies at commencement.humboldt.edu in the weeks following.

Things to Remember

• The on-campus Commencement will go on rain or shine, so be prepared for any weather.
• 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 Redwood Bowl or in any campus building, with the exception of service animals. This rule applies to The Saban Theatre venue as well. 
• Confetti poppers and cannons are not allowed in the audience or graduate seating area as part of Humboldt's commitment to environmental sustainability. 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. There will be hydration stations for graduate and guest use.
• Graduates who require disability-related accommodations should provide those details when registering for Commencement and can contact the Campus Disability Resource Center at (707) 826-4678 or sdrc@humboldt.edu.

Photos

GradImages photographers will be on hand at the ceremony to capture official graduation portraits. After the 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 for the on-campus ceremonies. They offer local delivery or pick up options. Pre-sales are available and are recommended to ensure availability. To pre-order flowers or leis, please visit gradbouquetsandleis.com. Pre-sales end May 1. Limited supplies will also be available for purchase day of Commencement. 

Congratulations! Remember to stay connected to campus through Forever Humboldt.