The ceremony includes the graduates’ procession, presidential address, student speakers, the awarding of honorary degrees, conferring of degrees and the Commencement address.
At the Commencement ceremony, you will receive a diploma cover. Your actual diploma will be sent to the address you listed on your graduation application.
Because of the number of graduates expected to attend, it is not possible to recognize each individual by name. You will be shown on the large screen as you process into the ballpark and as you receive your diploma cover.
Graduates will proceed into Oracle Park on the warning track which surrounds the playing field. Please follow the direction of faculty marshals and ballpark security staff
Please note that any graduate or guest entering the playing field or throwing (or attempting to throw) objects will be immediately ejected from the ballpark and held liable for any fines and/or damage. There will be no exceptions. We thank you for complying with this very important rule.
3:30 p.m. Doors open to guests and graduating students.
5:15 p.m. Graduating students must be assembled in the staging area (accessible by the Marina Gate Entrance).
Any graduating student who is not inside the Grad Zone by 5:15 p.m. will not be able to take part in the procession. After 5:15 p.m., enter the park through any guest entrance and ask an attendant to direct you to the graduate seating area in the Lower Box section.
5:30 p.m. Graduating student procession begins.
6:30 p.m. Ceremony begins (estimated time).
7:30 p.m. Deadline for guests to enter Oracle Park
9:30 p.m. Fireworks – Ceremony concludes (estimated time).
Commencement will take place rain or shine. Guests should come prepared if inclement weather is expected on Commencement Day.
All seats at Commencement are first come/first served.
The following ballpark rules will be enforced:
Graduates will receive a copy of the printed program at Commencement. Candidates who applied to graduate by April 1, 2024 will be listed in the printed Commencement program.
Commencement occurs in a public venue and will be recorded and photographed for distribution through various SF State outlets. All audience members (or parents/ guardians of minors attending the event) acknowledge that they may appear on these recordings and photographs by virtue of their attendance at or participation in Commencement, and agree to the University’s use of photographed or videotaped materials through the University’s websites, applications and other channels of communication.