Graduates' FAQ
Following is a list of frequently asked questions:
- Who may participate?
- When is the deadline to apply for graduation?
- How do I get more information on my graduation status?
- How do I make sure my name will be in the program?
- When will I get my diploma?
- What (and when) is the Graduate Fair?
- When and where do I line up for the processional?
- What is the proper decorum?
- Who qualifies for the special undergraduate honors ceremony?
- What do I wear to Commencement?
- When can I rent my cap and gown for the main ceremony or for my college or department ceremony?
- What do I do with the gown after the ceremony?
- How can I stay in touch with SF State?
- Does SF State have an Alumni Association?
- What does the Alumni Association offer its members?
- How do I join the Alumni Association?
- Do you have a story to tell?
- Where can I get more information?
Who may participate?
Students who have earned a bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree from SF State in August 2009 or January 2010, or who have applied for May 2010 graduation (must have at least 100 units completed), and, students who plan to graduate in August 2010 may also participate in the Commencement ceremony if they apply by the May deadline.
May and August 2010 candidates must have applied for graduation by the deadline (the third Friday in February 2010 for both undergraduates and graduates) and paid the graduation fee ($40) at the Cashier's Office. The fee is used for expenses associated with graduation, including printing and mailing diplomas, processing records, and the Commencement ceremony. You will be listed in the Commencement program as candidates for your degree. For answers to your questions, call the Office of the Registrar, 415-338-2350.
When is the deadline to apply for graduation?
The deadline to apply for the May graduation ceremony is typically the third Friday in February. However, this year that falls on Feb.19, when the campus is scheduled to be closed for furlough, moving the deadline up by on day. Students must complete all requirements for their degree by the official graduation date in order to apply for May or August graduation and attend the May graduation ceremonies. This will make you either part of the May or August 2010 candidate class, depending on how you answer the question asked on the form.
You are automatically registered for the main Commencement ceremony by applying to graduate. This will allow you to rent the regalia required to participate in the ceremony. The graduation/registration fee is $40, which covers some of the costs associated with graduation, e.g. degree certificates and the main ceremony. The regalia rental is extra.
If you miss the deadline you may apply for the next graduation period or, if you believe you have a compelling reason to apply late or attend the current Commencement day ceremony, you can file a petition for Waiver of College Regulations (if you need assistance, inquire at the Registrar at the OneStop Center in the Student Services building). If you expect to graduate at the end of the summer (August 2010 class), apply by Feb. 18 to be part of the August 2010 class listed in this year's Commencement program, or apply by the second Friday in July to be part of the August 2010 class listed in the next year's (2011) Commencement program. If you expect to graduate by the end of the fall semester, apply by the last Friday in September (January class for next year).
Undergraduates can apply online (also see additional student forms you may need on the Student Forms site). Graduate students can obtain an application at the Graduate Studies Office on the second floor of the Administration building (ADM 254).
For academic requirement assessment services prior to applying for graduation, undergraduates should call General Education Advising at 415-338-2101. For questions regarding your degree application after it has been submitted, call Admissions at 415-338-1634, Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m. to noon, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The evaluator who has reviewed your degree application will send you a "Preliminary Response Notice" sometime between March and May. It will include his or her name and a direct campus phone number.
Graduate students should consult the University Bulletin, call the Graduate Division 415-338-2234, or visit the appropriate Web site for degree requirement information: Master's Degree page and the Graduate Deadlines page.
Once you apply for graduation your name appears on a list at the Bookstore that will allow you to, when the time comes in May (see below), rent your regalia. (Each gown rental comes with five guest tickets for the main Commencement ceremony. See the Guests page for more information on tickets.)
How do I get more information on my graduation status?
-
Undergraduates: call Admissions Office, 415-338-1634.
-
Graduates: call the Graduate Division, 415-338-2234.
-
Or go to the OneStop Center in the Student Services building on campus.
How do I make sure my name will be in the program?
You can check your graduation status and see if your name is spelled correctly through the Office of the Registrar search page.
When will I get my diploma?
At the Commencement ceremony, you will walk forward to the stage and receive a diploma cover only. (Because of the size of our graduation -- potentially 8,000 students but usually over 4,000 -- we do not announce the name of each graduate.)
For undergraduates (bachelor's degrees), diplomas are mailed to May graduates after their records have been evaluated. August and January graduates should get their diplomas by Commencement Day or will be getting them shortly afterward. For May candidates, you can expect to receive your diploma eight to 10 weeks after Commencement. The diploma will be sent to the address you listed on your graduation application. Diploma covers will not be mailed with diplomas automatically. Undergraduate degree candidates and recipients attending the May Commencement will receive an SF State diploma cover as part of the ceremony. Those not attending the ceremony may request a diploma cover from the Registrar's Office in person at the OneStop Student Service Center, Student Services building, or have one sent to you free of charge either by phone: 415-338-2787, or e-mail: records@sfsu.edu.
For graduates (master's degrees), diplomas are sent 12 to 15 weeks after Commencement. Diploma covers are sent on request if you did not attend the ceremony. For all diploma questions, call the Office of the Registrar at 415-338-2350, or visit the Registrar's window in the OneStop Center in the Student Services building.
On Commencement day: Graduates will march up to the stage to receive their diploma covers and be congratulated by their college dean (or possibly a special guest) row by row, proceeding front to back, assisted by faculty marshals and ushers. Please remain at your seat until it is time for your row to go up.
You will be directed by the Commencement announcer when to begin. Master's degree students will be first, followed by bachelor's degree students. Before each group starts to move to the stage, the president will ask those graduates to stand and will formally confer that group's degree. After that, you may sit down again and may remain seated until your faculty marshal directs you to line up to walk to the stage.
All graduates will go to either the north or south area of the stage. Marshals and ushers will guide you as you line up along the outer aisle of your section, walk on stage, receive your diploma cover, get your photo taken, and return down the center aisle in the middle of your seating area.
You will not return to your seat. You will continue to the end of the student seating area and exit the stadium the way you came in. Please follow the directions of the ushers and faculty marshals.
Visit the "Maps" page for illustrations on how to line up, walk into and out of the stadium, and where you will be sitting during the ceremony according to your college.
What (and when) is the Graduate Fair?
The Grad Fair is SF State's non-profit Bookstore's kick off of the graduation season. The date will be announced here. Some of the vendors who participate will return to campus and also be here on Commencement day.
There will be photographers roaming campus on Commencement day, and each graduate going to the stage during the ceremony will get a photo taken that will be available for purchase through the Internet after they are posted (see Ceremony page for photo information)).
Diploma frames and announcements will be sold all semester in the Bookstore. You can also order announcements online at: www.cbgrad.com Class ring vendors will visit campus at other times during the semester. Check the Bookstore website for details.
When and where do I line up for the processional?
Graduates will line up, march into the stadium, and sit according to their college. (If you are unsure of what college your program is in, view the list of programs by college). This list is included in the package when you rent your regalia from the Bookstore and will be posted on signs where you line up to march into the stadium.
Graduates are asked to form their lines at noon. Within each college you will line up single file, with master's candidates first, followed by bachelor's candidates (doctoral candidates will receive separate line-up instructions). Programs will be set aside for graduates to acquire either as you line up or as you begin to march. (Guests receive programs as they enter Cox Stadium.)
Each college will be assigned a color and will enter the stadium following colored cues held by ushers. Faculty marshals and ushers will be on hand to assist you. Please make an effort to stay in your line and follow it to your seat.
The processional will enter Cox Stadium at 12:15 p.m. If you are late, you will be unable to march into the stadium and be seated with your college but you are welcome to find a seat at the rear of the graduate section on the floor of the stadium. When you reach your seat in the stadium, please remain standing until you receive instructions from the stage.
Visit the "Maps" page for illustrations on how to line up, walk into and out of the stadium, and where you will be sitting during the ceremony according to your college.
A flyer listing all the departments within the colleges will be included in your regalia package. If you have any questions, call your program department.
What is the proper decorum?
The Commencement ceremony symbolizes the culmination of many years of hard work. It is a time for you, your family and friends to recognize and celebrate your success. We ask your help in making the ceremony a pleasant experience for all by considering the rights and feelings of other participants and guests. The University's nonalcohol policy for Commencement will be strictly enforced. Graduates and guests will not be permitted to carry alcoholic beverages into the stadium or consume them there.
Please note: Alcoholic beverages, balloons, coolers/ice chests, banners, signs, beach balls, silly string, and fireworks are not allowed in Cox Stadium. Smoking is not permitted in or around Cox Stadium. Smoking is allowed only in designated areas on campus. See the Smoking Areas Map (excluding the Cox Stadium area for the day).
Who qualifies for the special undergraduate honors ceremony?
Approximately the top seven percent of undergraduates in the summer and fall of 2009 or the spring 2010 candidate class with high GPAs in each of the colleges and special major/liberal studies will qualify to participate in the Undergraduate Honors Convocation. Those graduates will get an invitation in the mail that will require a response if planning to attend. Academic regalia (cap and gown) is required. Honors cords (optional) can be purchased from the Bookstore when renting the regalia.
What do I wear to Commencement?
All graduates must wear caps and gowns rented or purchased from the SFSU Bookstore -- no exceptions. Visible costumes over or under Commencement regalia or outfits other than cap and gown are not allowed. Students wearing such outfits will be asked to remove them or leave the line of march.
Master's degree candidates wear hoods lined with the University colors, purple and gold. The color of the velvet trim may indicate your degree's discipline. When you pick up your cap and gown, a salesperson will help you select the proper hood. Bachelor's degree candidates do not wear hoods. Renting the regalia allows us to estimate how many seats will be needed for graduates at Commencement. When you pick up your regalia, please be sure to fill out the survey to let us know your intentions regarding the main ceremony.
Following are links with more information on the academic regalia worn at Commencement and faculty regalia rental information (faculty regalia must be ordered by April 23 to avoid rush shipping charges).
When can I rent my cap and gown for the main ceremony or for my college or department ceremony?
Dates for the cap and gown rental at the Bookstore will be announced here.
Cap and gown rental prices are:
-
Bachelor's degree (includes cap, gown, and tassel): $51.95
-
Master's degree (includes cap, gown, tassel, and hood): $63.95
All graduates keep the cap and tassel. Gown and hoods must be returned to the Bookstore following the main ceremony on May 23 by 5 p.m. at tables set up for that purpose. A $3-a-day late fee will be added starting on May 28, until the gown and/or hood is/are returned. Main ceremony tickets (5) will be issued at the time of rental. For more information, visit the SFSU Bookstore Web page or call 415-338-2063.
What do I do with the gown after the ceremony?
Return your gown (keep the cap and tassel) to the tables set up on the North Plaza of the Student Center (the main entrance to the Bookstore) across from the south side of the Gymnasium. You may keep the gown long enough to take pictures with your family or to attend a post-ceremony reception but the Bookstore officially closes at 5 p.m. (They may stay open until 5:30 p.m. to accommodate latecomers.)
How can I stay in touch with SF State?
Stay in touch with SF State by reading e-news e-News, SF State's monthly electronic newsletter for alumni and friends. It is an excellent way to get the latest news about the University and your fellow Gators, about upcoming events and more.
Does SF State have an Alumni Association?
Yes, and as a new graduate (or current student) the SF State Alumni Association's gift to you is a lifetime membership for only $49 -- a savings of 45 percent. Register on the Alumni Association Web site.
What does the Alumni Association offer its members?
-
Library privileges here at SF State and all other CSU campuses
-
Access to the Career Center and MonsterTRAK.com job Web site
-
Subscription to Alumni e-News
-
Free home delivery of SF State Magazine
-
Discounted individual plans for health, dental, optical, home, renter, auto, and life insurance from leading carriers
-
Twenty-five percent discount coupon at the SFSU Bookstore, valid online or in the store
How do I join the Alumni Association?
For more information on becoming a member, call 415-338-2217 or visit the Alumni Association Web site.
Do you have a story to tell?
We're looking for story ideas about SF State's Class of 2009. Are you part of a family affair of graduates, e.g., a mother/daughter combo or assorted siblings? Did you create a one-of-a-kind major? Are you getting your dream job after graduation? Perhaps you overcame difficult odds getting to college and plan to make your life's work helping others who need a hand?
E-mail us at pubcom@sfsu.edu with your story and let us know the best times and ways to reach you. We can't guarantee you 15 minutes of fame or that we'll be able to use every suggestion, but we'll do our best to follow up with as many as possible.
Stories may be used in SF State News or passed along to the news media. Many thanks. -- SF State University Communications
Where can I get more information?
This Web site will be updated frequently, especially as we get closer to the day of the event. We have made every attempt to be thorough but if there is something we have missed or you need clarification, please e-mail commence@sfsu.edu
