Frequently Asked Questions

Table of Contents

General FAQ

What is Commencement?

Commencement ceremonies at CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) are ceremonies for graduation candidates, and not degree conferral ceremonies. Participation in a ceremony does not guarantee degree certification. Candidates who are denied degree conferral will receive notification by mail from the Registrar’s Office. Denied candidates are required to reapply and pay the current fee for another graduation check, once all degree requirements are met.

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Eligibility & Participation

How do I know if I am eligible to graduate?

If you have not done so, check with your academic advisor to make sure you have met all of the requirements to graduate. Make sure you have applied to graduate online via your Student Center in CI Records. Priority deadlines, as well as a how-to guide for applying to graduate online, can be found on the Registrar’s Office website. Academic advising assistance is also available through the Academic Advising Center, located in the Bell Tower, 1595, 805-437-8571.

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What do I need to do to participate in Commencement?

You will need to complete an online registration by April 17, 2023 . If you would like your name announced as your slide appears, you need to submit your name pronunciation through the registration portal by April 17, 2023. Due to logistical needs, no additional submissions will be taken after April 17.

The registration link is located on the Commencement homepage. You will be asked to confirm spelling of your name, and provide basic information
Once you have completed the online reservation, you will receive an email confirmation that you have completed the process and are therefore eligible to participate in your assigned ceremony.

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What if I cannot complete the online reservation form?

If you are receiving a message regarding being ineligible to complete the online reservation, have you checked with your academic advisor to make sure you have met all of the requirements to graduate? Have you filed an Application for Degree and Diploma with the Registrar’s Office and paid your fee in person to the Enrollment Center? If you answered yes to the above questions and are still having issues registering online for Commencement, please contact the appropriate person listed below:

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I will complete my degree in Fall 2023. Can I participate in the upcoming Spring 2023 ceremony?

No. Only students who have completed their degree or credential requirements by Spring 2023 or will complete their work in Spring/Summer 2023 can participate in Commencement per the Academic Senate Policy on Student Participation in Commencement Exercises (SP#: 09-10).Please contact the Registrar’s Office if you have any further questions: 805-437-8500 or registrar@csuci.edu

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Diplomas

When will I receive my diploma?

Degrees will not be handed out prior to Commencement. Diplomas will be ordered following verification of degrees by the Registrar’s Office. You will be notified by letter confirming that you have successfully completed all degree requirements. Diplomas will be sent to the mailing address on file in your myCI account. Expect delivery approximately four to eight weeks after your degree posts. Transcripts needed prior to the arrival of the diploma must be requested through the normal process. Please visit the Registrar’s Office website for the official request form.

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Honors

If I am a candidate to graduate with honors, where do I get my honors cord or medallion?

Please be in contact with the Division of Academic Affairs by visiting their honors website.

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Graduate Support

Who do I contact after graduation if I have any questions on career support, staying in contact or if I’m interested in becoming a member of the Alumni & Friends Association?

The Alumni & Friends Association is your link back to CSUCI. If you have any questions after graduation and need assistance, Alumni & Friends is here to help point you in the right direction. Also, being a part of the membership program provides you with career support and many ways to stay in touch with other alumni, students, faculty, and staff. Contact us directly at  alumni.friends@csuci.edu.

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Ceremony Information

Saturday, May 20, 2023 | 9 a.m.

Undergraduate students earning degrees in the following academic programs:

Art, Dance Studies, Performing Arts, Psychology, and Sociology

Saturday, May 20, 2023 | 3 p.m.

Undergraduate students earning degrees in the following academic programs:

Business, Computer Science, Economics, Environmental Science & Resource Management, Information Technology, Mathematics, Mechatronics Engineering

Graduate students earning master’s degrees in the following academic programs:

Biotechnology/Business Administration, Business Administration, Computer Science, Mathematics

Sunday, May 21, 2023 | 9 a.m.

Undergraduate students earning degrees in the following academic programs:

Applied Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Health Science, Nursing

Graduate students earning master’s degrees in the following academic programs:

Biotechnology & Bioinformatics, Nursing

Sunday, May 21, 2023 | 3 p.m.

Undergraduate students earning degrees in the following academic programs:

Anthropology, Chicana/o Studies, Communication, Early Childhood Studies, English, Global Studies, History, Liberal Studies, Political Science, Spanish 

Graduate students earning master’s degrees in the following academic programs:

Education, Educational Leadership

Students earning Credentials

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Do I need a ticket?

No. Tickets are not required for the 2023 Commencement ceremonies, and there is no limit to the number of guests who may attend. Each ceremony will be live streamed so additional family and friends may join in celebrating your achievement.

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Do all my guests need tickets?

No. Tickets are not required for the 2023 Commencement ceremonies, and there is no limit to the number of guests who may attend. Each ceremony will be live streamed so additional family and friends may join in celebrating your achievement.

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Parking Information

Parking Permits
Parking on campus is limited and will be subject to traffic control by Public Safety at the time of your arrival. Each graduate who requests Commencement parking is eligible to receive two (2) parking permits. Candidates may either use the permit(s) or provide them to family or friends, but each candidate will only receive two (2) parking permits for use at Commencement.  Commencement parking permits and maps are available for pick-up at Public Safety, located in Placer Hall, adjacent to the A-1 parking lot, on a first-come, first served basis. Since there is a limited number of parking passes per student, we ask that additional guests take alternative transportation via the Metrolink-shuttle service.  Park at the Metrolink lot on Lewis Road and wait for the shuttle to campus. The main event parking lot is the A3 parking lot, located just off the University Drive entrance. The A3 parking lot is an approximately .03 mile walk from the ceremony venue. 

On the day of Commencement, only those vehicles with a University-issued Commencement Parking Permit will be allowed to park on campus. Student parking permits, student housing parking permits, day permits and other regularly issued University parking permits are not valid for Commencement.

Q: Where should my guests and I park?
A: Degree candidates should enter at University Drive from Lewis Road. Make sure your Commencement Parking Permit is placed on your dashboard before arriving at the campus so parking officers can quickly direct you to an appropriate parking area. We strongly recommend that your family and friends carpool using one of your Commencement Parking Permits.

Q: Are there disability parking accommodations?
A: Yes, there are accessible parking areas designated for candidates and guests with disabilities available on a first-come, first-served basis. On the day of Commencement, only those vehicles with a University-issued Commencement Parking Permit will be allowed to park on campus. Student parking permits, student housing parking permits, day permits and other regularly issued University parking permits are not valid for Commencement.

Candidates and guests who possess a government-issued Disabled Person(s) Parking Placard must display the placard upon entrance to the campus in conjunction with the Commencement Parking Permit on the day of Commencement in order to be directed to the designated parking areas.

Limited wheelchairs will be available to transport the elderly or guests who require disability accommodations. For general information about on-campus parking or transportation services please contact Public Safety at 805-437-8430

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What if I forget to register and the deadline to RSVP has passed?

It is very important that you register to attend Commencement by the advertised deadlines. Failure to do so may preclude your ability to participate in the ceremony. 

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Does my Grad Pass work for all ceremony days?

No, your grad pass will only provide you entrance to your assigned ceremony.

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Once I register, how will I receive my Grad Pass?

You will not receive an electronic Grad Pass. You will be given a paper Grad Pass when you check-in on the day of your ceremony. Plan to arrive an hour in advance of your designated ceremony time to allow ample time for parking and check-in.

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How do I scan my Grad Pass?

Your paper Grad Pass issued at graduate check-in will be scanned by event staff before you cross the stage at your ceremony. 

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Can my family or friends watch my ceremony virtually?

Yes, we will be livestreaming each ceremony. On the day of Commencement, A link to the livestream will go up on the Commencement website. 

How far is the main parking lot from the ceremony?

The main parking lot (lot A3)  is 0.3 miles from the ceremony site (South Quad). A limited quantity of wheelchairs will be available for elderly or infirmed guests who may not be able to walk the .3 mile distance from the main event parking lot (lot A3) to the ceremony site (South Quad). These wheelchairs are available on a first come, first served basis and will be available to check-out at a location near the main parking lot (lot A3).

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Event Details

What happens if it rains?

Commencement will happen as planned on the South Quad, rain or shine.

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Is smoking allowed?

No, effective August 23, 2017, CSUCI is a smoke and tobacco-free campus. The following will be not be allowed:

  • Use of any smoke-emitting products including cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, pipes, hookahs, e-cigarettes, vapor devices, or similar products, are all prohibited on University-owned property.
  • Tobacco and nicotine use in any form whether smoked, heated, chewed, absorbed, dissolved, inhaled, snorted, sniffed, or ingested by any other means. FDA approved tobacco cessation products when used for this purpose are exempt.

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Can I bring my pet to the ceremony?

Only well-behaved service dogs are allowed. You must pick-up after them and they must be on a leash.

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Important Reminders for Graduates

  • Complete the online RSVP to Participate no later than April 17, 2023. 
  • Pick up parking permits no later than 3 p.m. on Friday, May 19, 2023.
  • Degree candidates should arrive an hour in advance of their designated ceremony time in order to allow ample time for parking and check-in.
  • Leave personal items such as purses, cameras, etc. with family members. There are no secure areas during Commencement for you to leave such items.
  • Due to safety reasons, children of degree candidates may not be seated in the graduate seating area.
  • Bachelor degree candidates should wear their tassel on the right.
  • Bachelor degree candidates with honors may wear the cords or medallions they received.
  • Master’s, Doctoral and Credential candidates should wear their tassel on the left.
  • As a matter of courtesy and respect for your fellow graduates, please remain seated until the conclusion of the ceremony.
  • Please  do not bring horns, canned string, beach balls, etc., as they are not suitable for Commencement.
  • Please do not bring non-biodegradable confetti or any other item that can cause environmental damage to campus.
  • Alcohol is NOT permitted on campus during the ceremonies.

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