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College of Social Sciences

Student Wearing Decorated Grad Cap

Commencement 2024

The College of Social Sciences ceremony will take place on Friday, May 17, 2024 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the Save Mart Center.

                                                                                                                Agenda

8:45 a.m.   - Student arrival at Save Mart Center - On the backloading Dock Area (North-East corner by Chestnut entrance)                   

                    - Security checkpoint at the top.  Have your Cap and Gown in your hand. Do NOT bring bags or backpacks with you. SMC has a clear bag  policy
                    - Come down the ramp and find your department to get your name card

9:40 a.m.    - Students will begin to line up
                     - Criminology and Forensic Behavioral Science will line up on the North Hall (Parking Lot)
                     - Master’s Students and all other Majors will line up on the South Hall (Shaw Ave)

10:00 a.m.  - Procession begins

10:30 a.m.  - Everyone is seated/National Anthem

                     - Dean's platform welcome and introductions

10:40 a.m.  - ASI President
                     - Special recognition
                     - Dean’s Undergrad and Grad Medalist on Stage                   
                     - Outstanding Students, Standard Bearer, COSS Honors and Crim Honors (Stand at their seat)                   
                     - Outstanding Project and Thesis on Stage                                 
                     - Recognition of Graduates 
                     - Hooding of Masters

                     - Recognition of Undergraduates by Department
                     - Confirmation of degrees

12:00 p.m.  - Please wait until President's Platform exit, then Students will exit up the bleachers on the west side, you will NOT be leaving the way you  came!
                     - Meet guest outside
 

Dean's Letter

Registration

Please register for the College of Social Sciences' Commencement Ceremony by April 22, 2024. Tickets will not be required, and all guests are welcome. 

*Firm deadline April 22, 2024. You should still register late for graduation; however, your name may not appear in the program.

 

Stole purchase

COSS Stoles will be available through the Kennel Bookstore 559.278.4297.

*Grad Box does not include a stole.

Honor Cords

Students who are eligible for honors cords and registered for graduation will be notified by their Major Departments.  Students will need to contact their corresponding major department to pick up their stole.

If you are only walking in the ceremony (participating in the ceremony in May but graduating in Summer or Fall 2024), you are not eligible for Honors Cords.

 
Expectations

University Commencement has a zero-tolerance policy for disorderly behavior. All events are alcohol, drug, smoke, vapor and tobacco-free. Graduates and guests will not be permitted to carry alcoholic beverages into ceremony sites or consume them there. Intoxicated or disruptive individuals will not be permitted into the event, or will be escorted from the venue.

 

TBA

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Students must have both a campus and cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher as of the start of the Spring 2024 semester to be eligible to wear honor cords.

*If you are only walking in the ceremony (participating in the ceremony in May but graduating in Summer or Fall 2024), you are not eligible for Honors Cords.

Honors Levels:

Summa Cum Laude (highest honors): 3.90 – 4.0

Magna Cum Laude (high honors): 3.70 – 3.89

Cum Laude (honors): 3.50 – 3.69

Students should plan to arrive by 8:45 a.m. on the day of the event and gather at the Save Mart Center loading dock located at the northeast corner, lower level of the building.  

Please do not wear your cap and gown before you arrive at the Save Mart Center as you will need to pass through security at the top of the loading dock. 

Do not bring purses, backpacks, etc., as there is no secure place for these items. Save Mart Center abides by clear bag policy, for more information, please visit their https://savemartcenter.com/visitor-information/.

We recommend that you bring only your phone and your keys, as well as your regalia. Students are to arrive carrying their Caps and Gown in their hands to expedite the check-in process. We also recommend you wear comfortable, stable shoes as the ramp is both; steep and the pavement is uneven. 

As soon as you pass the security checkpoint, please put on caps and gowns at all times during the ceremony.

Do not bring purses, backpacks, etc., as there is no secure place for these items. Save Mart Center abides by clear bag policy, for more information, please visit their https://savemartcenter.com/visitor-information/.

If you need accommodations be sure to select ADA assistance on the registration form or email us at socialsciences@mail.fresnostate.edu.

If your guest needs accommodations contact 559.278.3400

Parking will be relaxed on the day of the ceremony. Guests may arrive at any time and may be seated.  However, be aware another ceremony will be taking place until 9:30 a.m.

If you graduated in Summer 2023 or Fall 2023 or plan to graduate in 2024 (including summer and fall), you may purchase your Grad Box and pick it up during Grad Fest! Limited supply. 

*Grad Box does not include a stole.

Contact information: socialsciences@csufresno.edu or 559.278.3013.

 

All graduation ceremonies will be livestream.

For details about other College Ceremonies, please visit https://commencement.fresnostate.edu/schedule.html.