Faculty

You are invited to participate in the University’s annual celebration of students' goals achieved and dreams fulfilled—Commencement. 

Commencement is the highlight of the university year, not only for the graduating class but for the faculty, administration, and staff as well. The graduates and their families appreciate having the faculty present to celebrate with them. As a faculty member, you care about our programs, our courses, and, most especially, our students. The University looks forward to your participation in the commencement activities.  Our graduates’ memories of the commencement ceremony will be much more meaningful because they had a chance to say thank you and farewell to their professors.

“Commencement is a special time for our graduates and guests. The participation of members of the faculty emphasizes the value and importance of the guidance, leadership, and support given to our students.”

Regalia

Faculty members who are participating in the procession are required to wear regalia.  The deadline to order regalia changes annually, but is generally at the beginning of April. Please contact the Chico State Wildcat Store for more information: 530-898-6275.

If you have never ordered regalia before, you will need to provide the following information; height, cap size, last degree, and institution where it was earned.

Regalia rental orders are non-refundable, and the complete package is to be returned or the full replacement price will be charged. Faculty may return rental regalia to the Wildcat Store representatives immediately after the commencement ceremonies.  

Regalia can be purchased from the Chico State Wildcat Store for future ceremonies.

Faculty Processional, Special Seating, & Recessional

Faculty will meet in the staging area (soccer fields behind University Stadium) 30 minutes prior to the ceremony in order to line up for the processional. The Faculty Marshals will get the faculty lined up on the paved road (south side of the gate), and you will follow the leading two Faculty Marshals until a chute is formed in order for the graduates to pass through before entering the stadium.  Once the deans and department chairs have led the graduates into the stadium, the Grand Marshal then brings the faculty columns down the center aisle and around the seated students to their chairs on the east and west side of the stadium.

During the ceremonies, faculty may greet students from their department at the end of the center stage ramp.

The exit strategy will be to have the faculty create a chute between the graduates seating and the entrance into the stadium for the exiting platform party. The Grand Marshal will collect the platform party and exit the stadium, and the faculty will then follow the platform party out of the stadium. You are then free to leave.