Commencement Information for Students
Important Dates: Undergraduate Commencement Ceremonies and Celebrations
Chico State has two official undergraduate Commencement Ceremonies:
Saturday, May 24, 2008*
College of Agriculture
College of Behavioral and Social Sciences
College of Business
College of Engineering, Computer Science, and Construction Management
Sunday, May 25, 2008 *
College of Communication and Education (including Liberal Studies)
College of Humanities and Fine Arts
International and Interdisciplinary Studies (includes Latin American Studies, Asian Studies, Jewish Studies, Special Majors, and Multicultural and Gender Studies)
College of Natural Sciences
* Ceremonies begin promptly at 9:00 a.m. in University Stadium
and will be held rain or shine.
Additional Celebrations:
To participate in any of the celebrations listed below, and to request tickets for your guests where applicable, you must contact the person designated for that celebration.
Thursday, May 22:
Recognition of Credential Candidates - Department of Education Celebration - TICKETS REQUIRED:
Location: Laxson Auditorium, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Contact: Education Services Center, Contact: Debbie Vermette: 898-6485, dvermette@csuchico.edu
Friday, May 23:
Nurses Pinning - NO TICKETS REQUIRED
Location: Bell Memorial Auditorium, 4:00 p.m.
Contact: Dorene Gibson: 898-5891, dlgibson@csuchico.edu
ECC Graduation Celebration - Engineering, Computer Science and Construction Management - TICKETS REQUIRED
Location: Laxson Auditorium, 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m., doors open at 2:30 p.m.
Contact: Ann Pyeatt, 898-5963, apyeatt@csuchico.edu
Graduate-Master Degree Ceremony - TICKETS REQUIRED
Location: Laxson Auditorium, 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
(Must have tickets)
Contact: Diana Parks, 898-6049, drparks@csuchico.edu
Saturday, May 24:
Black Commencement Celebration - NO TICKETS REQUIRED
Location: PAC 144 (Performing Arts Center) (Harlen Adams), 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Contact: Tray Robinson, 898-4764, trobinson@csuchico.edu
Latino Commencement Celebration - TICKETS REQUIRED
Location: Laxson Auditorium, 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Contact: Carol Robinson, 898-6831, crobinson@csuchico.edu
Senior Send-Off Event
The 4th Annual Senior Send-Off BBQ will celebrate the accomplishments of graduating seniors. The event is on May 6th on the Free Speech Lawn from noon to 2:30 p.m. There will be free food, entertainment, and a prize drawing for all graduating seniors. Seniors will have the opportunity to take care of their graduation needs.
Register to Participate in Commencement Ceremonies
To participate in Commencement Ceremonies, you must register to walk at https://em.csuchico.edu/aap/commencement . To participate in the additional ceremonies listed above, contact the person designated for that particular celebration. You will not be able to register online to participate in those celebrations.
AS Bookstore
Grad Fest will be held on Wednesday and Thursday, March 12-13 in the AS Bookstore
Items available through the Bookstore or on-line at www.asbookstore.com include graduation announcements, class rings, diploma holders and diploma frames. You will also be able to join the Alumni Association, receive information about graduation photos, videos, and insurance (health, dental, vision, auto, home).
Bookstore Hours During Commencement Week
Monday - Friday, May 19 - 23, 2008, 7:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday, May 24 - 25, 2008, 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Cap and Gown Rentals: Available Starting on May 16, 2008
Candidates must wear proper academic regalia in the Commencement Ceremonies. This includes a cap, gown, tassel, and a red stole. Regalia is available for rental from the AS Bookstore starting on May 16, 2008. It is not necessary to reserve caps and gowns ahead of time.
The cap and gown are black. Tassels vary in color according to majors. The tassel is worn on the right side of the cap until the degree has been awarded. It is then changed to the left side. Proper attire for wear with the gown is slacks and sports shirts for men and skirts and blouses or dresses for women. Robe length should fall between mid-calf and upper ankle. Shoes with very high heels make walking difficult on the grassy areas at the staging area and in the stadium.
Be sure to check that everything you need -- cap, gown, tassel, and stole -- is included before you leave the bookstore. Please do not alter your academic regalia.
Students who alter their regalia or are not dressed in appropriate academic regalia risk not being able to participate in Commencement.
Commencement Day Information
Where Do I Go On Commencement Day: Assembly Instructions
There are no rehearsals for Commencement Ceremonies. On the day of Commencement, arrive at the staging area (the playing field between Nettleton Stadium and University Stadium - Saturday map; Sunday map) by 8:00 a.m. sharp, dressed in your cap and gown. Only candidates are allowed in the staging area. Access to the staging area is from the north end of the University Stadium via College Avenue.
Students should look for large signs identifying the various college check-in stations. Staff members will be available near the staging area to give assistance. Go directly to your college table where you will be given a card with your name on it. (Please do not lose the card. You will present it to the reader on the platform during the ceremony.) Proceed to your lineup area near the table. Your dean and department chair will organize the line, give you final instructions and lead you to your seat in the stadium.
If you are eligible to receive an Honors Medallion you will be notified by the dean of your college prior to Commencement. Please contact the Dean's Office of your college for more information. At the staging area, students will receive a commemorative program listing the names of all candidates eligible for graduation. Guests attending the ceremony will receive a day program listing speakers and the order of the ceremony and no commemorative programs will be sold or otherwise available.
No extra robes, caps, tassels, or collars will be available in the staging area.
The procession leaves the staging area promptly at 8:50 a.m. for the walk into the stadium. Grand marshals and their teams of faculty marshals are in charge of the ceremonies, and your cooperation with them is necessary and appreciated. Drinking fountains and restrooms are located in Acker and Shurmer gymnasiums and under the bleachers on east and west sides of the stadium. Candidates should take advantage of the facilities before 8:40 a.m.
The Commencement Ceremony
Each ceremony lasts approximately two hours. Candidates will sit in designated areas according to college. Each candidate will walk across the platform as his or her name is read and will be congratulated by the dean of the college. Out of respect to all candidates and their families and guests, we ask that you remain in your seats until the conclusion of the ceremony.
University Police Officers will be on hand to provide any needed assistance, and a life-support vehicle and two bicycle EMT's will be available for emergency situations.
No alcohol will be permitted in either the staging area or the stadium.
Important Addresses, Phone Numbers and Maps
Commencement Ceremonies Office
Sapp Hall
238 Normal Avenue (Corner of Third and Normal Avenue)
E-mail: alumni@csuchico.edu
Phone: 530-898-6472
AS Bookstore
Bell Memorial Union
Phone: 530-898-5222
Cashiering (Debts)
Kendall Hall , Room 212
Phone: 530-898-6347
Records and Registration (Graduation fee, evaluations, diploma)
Meriam Library , Room 180
Phone: 530-898-5957
Graduate School
Tehama Hall , Room 209
Phone: 530-898-6880
Maps: University Stadium, Campus Parking
The Graduation Pledge of Social and Environmental Responsibility
Graduating seniors, do more with your degree than simply sustain your own life. Take the graduation pledge and join more than 110 other colleges and universities over the world in a commitment to social and environmental accountability. Pledge your commitment to all that you've learned at CSU, Chico by making a pledge to yourself. The pledge is free, simple and takes less than five minutes. Once you've made the pledge, you are one of thousands of students who are committed to social and environmental accountability for life.
The Graduation Pledge of Social and Environmental Responsibility states, "I pledge to explore and take into account the social and environmental consequences of any job I consider and will try to improve these aspects of any organizations for which I work." Students define for themselves what it means to be socially and environmentally responsible.
For more information on the graduation pledge, please visit their main Web site at www.graduationpledge.org
Life After Graduation
Join the Alumni Association and Stay Connected!
New Grads receive a T-Shirt with candidates names listed on back of the shirt (must have applied for graduation by 2/22/2008)
Update Your Address
Submit any changes in your local or permanent addresses immediately. There are two ways to do this: 1) Update your address when you register to participate in Commencement Ceremonies, or 2) Update your address via the portal . Updating your address will ensure that all important university mailings, including your diploma, are delivered to the correct destination. It is especially important that, before leaving Chico State, all graduates update their permanent addresses.
Career Services
Information on job postings, Career Fairs, and Resume Workshops.
Get Medical, Dental, Vision, Auto, and Home Insurance after Graduation!
How Do I Get My Diploma?
Following a favorable review and final evaluation of your records, your diploma will be sent to your address on file in the Registration and Records Office approximately two months following the ceremony. Any questions concerning diplomas or evaluations should be directed to the Office of Registration and Records, MLIB 180, 530-898-5957
Order Official Copies of Your Transcripts
