Commencement Ceremony Courtesy

Please note that there are no tickets required for guests at the Earl Warren College Commencement. Only graduates are required to have tickets to enter the graduate seating area.

Please do not approach the stage to take a picture or film your graduates as they cross the stage. Guests must stay within the designated guest area and only graduates are permitted in the graduate seating section. We encourage you to use a powerful zoom lens to memorialize this special day. Also, please be aware that professional photographers from California Candids will be taking two photos of each graduate – one as they cross the stage after their name is read and the second as they exit the stage. Graduates will receive a proof photo about a month following Commencement, at which time you may decide whether to order prints and enlargements. Graduates may also elect to have a professional Senior Portrait taken in advance at the Bookstore. (Contact the Bookstore for specific dates and times.)

Also, please follow the advice and instructions of the event staff, including the parking attendants, event staff, and security guards. We are all there working to ensure that the ceremony proceeds in a timely manner, so please comply with all of our requests.

Additionally, please do not bring air horns, large balloon bouquets, or other potentially irksome items to the ceremony. Large balloon bouquets block the view of other guests and the use of air horns can interfere with everyone’s ability to hear the ceremony – and many people find them aurally disturbing. Please be mindful that we will have more than 9,000 guests in attendance at our ceremony and respect those around you.

Finally, please do not encourage your graduate to leave the ceremony until its completion. The ceremony officially ends following the tassel ceremony and recessional of the distinguished guests, faculty and staff on stage. Be respectful of the graduates who cross the stage last – they deserve as much attention and recognition as those who cross first.