Commencement Announcement for Classes of 2020 and 2021

The Commencement Team is excited to share an update on this year’s graduation celebration. We appreciate those that participated in last week’s poll to survey location preference. By a 6:1 margin, graduates in the Classes of 2020 and 2021 asked that we pursue an in-person option for graduation ceremonies. Based on these results and under the new Outdoor Stadium Live Performance public health guidelines, we are planning a pivot from drive-through commencement ceremonies to in-person ceremonies. The Commencement Team is working with Angel Stadium of Anaheim to host this year’s commencement, May 28-31.

For those unable to attend in-person, virtual celebrations will be available, including a live stream on the commencement website.

College Ceremony Dates

We are working with the stadium on a series of ceremonies over Memorial Day weekend, May 28-31. Each college will host its own two-hour ceremony with separate degree conferrals for the Class of 2020 and Class of 2021. Please note the new dates and times below:

• College of Engineering - Friday, May 28, 9:30 a.m.
• College of Liberal Arts - Friday, May 28, 5 p.m.
• College of the Arts - Saturday, May 29, 9:30 a.m.
• College of Health & Human Services - Saturday, May 29, 5 p.m.
• College of Education - Sunday, May 30, 9:30 a.m.
• College of Business - Sunday, May 30, 5 p.m.
• College of Natural Sciences & Mathematics – Monday, May 31, 9:30 a.m.

Commencement Celebration Details

Due to health directives, only ticketed persons will be allowed inside the venue and they will be required to remain in their seats during the program. As students will be throughout the 100 to 300 level seating, there will be no processional, recessional, or stage-walking for graduates inside the stadium. At this time, families will be able to view the graduate experience from the parking lot, should they not be allowed inside the stadium.

Graduate Slide and Name Reading

It is important that graduates continue to complete their slides and virtual name recordings, as these will be key elements of the experience. Grad slides will scroll throughout the commencement ceremony at Angel Stadium. In addition, grad slides will be available to download and share starting commencement week.

The Commencement Team will continue to work on exciting enhancements to the graduate and family experience. Continue to check your CSULB email and the commencement website closely over the next several weeks, as additional ticket and ceremony details will be provided. The campus will continue to provide a virtual ceremony for those students not able to participate in the in-person stadium ceremonies, or should public health orders change.

Key Dates

April 9

• Recording of name pronunciation closes

May 1

• Last day to provide a photo and quote for your custom graduate slide

May 28-31

• Commencement ceremonies at Angel Stadium (live stream available on commencement website)
• View and share your personalized graduate slide, available for download from the commencement website

The virtual cultural graduation celebrations, hosted by the Division of Student Affairs, can be found on the Division of Student Affairs website. 

For more information on commencement, visit the Commencement website and for questions, please email us.