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Preparation for Commencement

1. Visit the ÃÈ·­µ¼º½ Graduation Information webpage for more details on how to apply for your degree. Once your degree is verified by the Graduation department, you will be eligible for the Commencement Ceremony. Students who have completed their degree in Summer 2024, Fall 2024, or Spring 2025 are eligible to participate. (Students who are within six units from completing their degrees and are registered to complete their remaining courses in Summer 2025 are also eligible).
    
2. RSVP to participate in the Commencement Ceremony. 
    
3. Order your cap and gown from the ÃÈ·­µ¼º½ Bookstore starting on April 22. You can visit the bookstore anytime during regular hours or order online. Ask about the loan program. Please email the at ccsf@bkstr.com with any questions.
    
4. Attend Commencement on Thursday, May 22 at 11:30 am at George M. Rush Stadium.

What is Grad Finale? It’s the first of many celebrations of your achievement. You have the opportunity to view and purchase academic regalia packages, order personalized announcements, order personalized stoles, get your photo taken in cap & gown by a professional photographer, and shop for other gifts and memorabilia specific to the Class of 2025. The Bookstore is the official vendor for academic regalia packages. Students may purchase regalia at Grad Finale and through the remainder of the term during the Bookstore’s regular hours while supplies last. Registered Nursing Students should consult their class coordinator for RN specific information. Grad Finale will be held on: Tuesday, April 22, Wednesday, April 23, Thursday, April 24 from 11am-6pm at the ÃÈ·­µ¼º½ Ocean Campus Bookstore. You only need to attend one day and no reservation is required. Plan to spend approximately one hour at Grad Finale.

Recognition Package: Graduates who attend Grad Finale receive a recognition package that includes their cap and tassel and other items, information about what to do on Commencement Day, and special messages and treats from the Bookstore and other campus departments. Recognition packages are only available for pick-up at the Bookstore and cannot be shipped. You must attend in person.

Regalia: Associated Students will be providing a cap and tassel for Class of 2025 graduates. You will only need to purchase or otherwise acquire a black gown (except RN students) and any other accessories you want to wear to Commencement. A gown is available at the Bookstore for $33 plus tax and there will be packages available only at Grad Finale that let you bundle additional items for a savings. Regalia items may also be purchased individually on the Bookstore website. Ask about the loan program. 

Graduation Announcements: Announcements are NOT invitations to the ceremony, they are a formal way to announce to your family and friends that you have completed your degree and let them share in your success. Students may choose to purchase personalized announcements through Jostens. Please visit the Jostens website for more information about their products. Packages of 5 announcements and Custom Notecards are also available at the Bookstore.

Photography: You will have the opportunity to be photographed in cap & gown at Grad Finale by Grad Images. Please keep in mind your shirt collar will be visible under the gown as will the bottoms of your pants and your shoes, please plan accordingly. Students are encouraged to pre-register at Grad Images for additional savings. There is no charge to have your picture taken, you only pay for any prints purchased. Grad Images will also be taking photos at the Commencement Ceremony as you cross the stage.

Honors: ÃÈ·­µ¼º½ recognizes your achievement and you graduate with honors when your cumulative GPA is 3.30 or better (as of Fall 2024). Students whose GPA meets this requirement are eligible to purchase a gold honors cord for $13 plus tax. Please be prepared to show your GPA via MyRAM portal to the cashier to prove eligibility to purchase. This same cord is also available to members of ABG and AGS. Students that successfully complete the Honors Program also have the option to purchase an honors program stole for $25 plus tax.

City College of San Francisco is committed to offering an accessible, in-person commencement ceremony. If you have a specific accommodation, please email commencementceremony@ccsf.edu as soon as possible. You can also provide the accommodation needs of you and/or your guests when you complete the RSVP form.

George Rush Stadium is an accessible event space. Rush Stadium’s main entrance for pedestrians is on Cloud Circle with access to ramps and reserved seating for those with limited mobility, wheelchairs, or scooters. Guests who are unable to walk long distances can be dropped off at this entrance.

Guests who display a valid California DMV Disabled Placard will be allowed to park in the stalls located on Cloud Circle. Prior to entering Cloud Circle, guests will be asked to provide a valid DMV disabled placard. Please see the yellow on the map below for disabled parking areas.

ASL interpreters for guests will be available in front section of the stadium in the disabled seating area on the North and South ends of the stadium seating areas. Please indicate on your RSVP form if your guests require seating near the interpreters.

Parking in the Upper and Lower Reservoir lots ("MUB Parking Lots") on Frida Kahlo Way are free all day. Parking is also available directly to the east of the stadium in the N and S parking lots. Parking on campus is limited due to construction. Please see red areas on the map below. Please plan to arrive early and consider public transportation if at all possible. Street parking may also be available.

Graduates can bring up to 15 guests. Guests can show up at the stadium gates and don't need any tickets. Seats are available on a first-come first-served basis. 

Seats are available on a first-come first-served basis. 

List of items prohibited on the premises during the event:

• Alcohol 
• Balloons
• Canopies
• Glass bottles
• Horns
• Ice coolers
• Illegal substances
• Large signs 
• Umbrellas

Graduation Regalia and Photos 

Q: Where can I order my cap and gown/graduation regalia? 
A: You can get your graduation regalia/recognition package from the ÃÈ·­µ¼º½ Bookstore or you can order from them online. The cap and tassel are provided free of charge by Associated Students. The gown can be purchased for $33 plus tax.

Q: What if I missed the Grad Finale? Is it too late to order my cap and gown?
A: No problem! You can stop by the Ocean Campus Bookstore during their business hours or you can order from their website.

Q: How can I obtain my cap and gown if I am out of state/not physically present?
A: Your gown can be ordered on the Bookstore website- and will be delivered to your home. 

Q: Can I still receive my graduation regalia but not attend graduation?
A: Recognition packages (free cap and tassel) are reserved for students who will be participating in the ceremony. If you are not planning to attend graduation, you may still purchase regalia on the Bookstore website. 

Q: Do we need a Student ID Card to pick up graduation regalia/attend graduation?
A: Student ID is preferred but the Bookstore can accept another photo ID to cross-check.

Q: Where can I pick up my regalia if I cannot make it to the Grad Finale?
A: If you’re unable to attend Grad Finale, you can pick up your regalia during regular Bookstore hours. Please see the Bookstore website for store hours.

Q: When is the last day to pick up my cap and gown?
A: The last day to pick up graduation regalia will be the morning of Thursday, May 22, 2025, before the ceremony. Please note that some sizes might not be available as it gets closer to the ceremony.

Q: Are we allowed to decorate our graduation caps? Are we allowed to wear our own stoles instead of the ones from ÃÈ·­µ¼º½?
A: Yes, you are allowed to decorate your graduation cap, as long as it is appropriate. Yes, you are allowed to wear your own appropriate stoles instead of the ones from ÃÈ·­µ¼º½. 

Q: Are there options to take family photos at the Grad Finale?
A: Grad Images does not take group/family photos at the Grad Finale. 

Graduation Eligibility and Diploma 

Q: What are the petition deadlines and timeline? 
Please refer to our graduation website for the petition deadlines and timeline: Graduation Information 

Q: For students who have already submitted ADT graduation petitions this semester and they were pre-approved by Admissions & Records, can they attend Commencement?
A: Yes, all pre-approved petitions this semester can attend Commencement. 

Q: How do I get graduation approval if I am graduating early (before finishing last few units)?
A: If you are 6 or fewer units shy of graduation and planning to enroll in Summer 2025 courses, you will need to upload supporting documents (a copy of your Summer 2025 Graduation Petition signed by a counselor and a screenshot of your Summer 2025 schedule) to the Commencement RSVP form. 

Q: Where do I check if I am graduating with honors or not?
A: To check if you are graduating with honors, high honors, or highest honors, please check your unofficial transcript in your myRam Portal after degrees are posted.  Please refer to our graduation website for the petition deadlines and timeline: Graduation Information

Q: How do I know if my degree/graduation is verified?
A: Please contact commencementceremony@ccsf.edu.  

Q: Can I get my degree and diploma even if I did not register for and will not attend commencement?
A: Yes, you can still get your degree and diploma even if you did not register for or will not attend commencement.

Commencement Ceremony 

Q: Where and when will commencement be held this year?
A: It will be held at the George Rush Stadium (on the ÃÈ·­µ¼º½ Ocean Campus) on May 22, 2025, at 11:30 am. 

Q: I have questions regarding ADA seating/ADA access during commencement – where will I be sitting, when and where can I sign up, where do I park/get dropped off, etc.?
A: ADA seating will be available on a first-come first-served basis. There will be ushers who will be assisting you with the lower-level seating and providing guidance as well. For ADA drop-off and parking, please refer to the information above.

Q: How can a staff volunteer for commencement?
A: There is a staff volunteer sign-up form for you to register. 

Q: Are certificate programs included in commencement or just degree programs?
A: Certificates are not included in Commencement, only degree programs. 

Q: Will there be a mention in the Commencement program stating that graduates are members of any organization?
A: Yes, there will be a special section in the printed and digital program for special organizations/memberships/societies with students' names. 

Q: How can we receive the Commencement program if we are unable to attend? 
A: A digital version of the Commencement program in multiple languages will be available on the website to print after the ceremony. 

Q: Can I keep my name out of the Commencement program?
A: Yes. When you complete the RSVP form, you will indicate whether you would prefer to opt out of having your name in the program. 

Q: Is parking free the day of Commencement?
A: Yes, parking will be free the day of Commencement. 

Q: Will degrees be announced during the ceremony?
A: The degrees are not announced during the ceremony, only names of the graduates. 

Q: Are ÃÈ·­µ¼º½ students allowed to volunteer in the Commencement Ceremony or is it only for staff?
A: Anyone can volunteer. Please complete the volunteer sign-up form. 

RSVP Form

Q: What is the RSVP form deadline?
A: May 6, 2025 

Q: What are the next steps after the RSVP form?
A: Once your RSVP form has been submitted, you will be receiving further information about the details of the event via your student email at a later time. 

Q: Can I submit an RSVP form late? Can I be included in Commencement even after the deadline to RSVP?
A: No, once the RSVP form is past due, you can no longer be included in Commencement. Please submit the form on time.