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College of Social Sciences

Student Wearing Decorated Grad Cap

Commencement 2025

The College of Social Sciences ceremony will take place on Friday, May 16, 2025 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Save Mart Center

Time Agenda
11:15a.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 

12:00p.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)

12:45p.m. Procession begins
1:00p.m.

Everyone is seated/National Anthem

Dean's platform welcome and introductions

1:10p.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
2:30p.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

 

Note: Stoles will be available through the Kennel Bookstore 559.278.4297.

Students can purchase their grad boxes through Fresno State Alumni. *Grad Box does not include a stole.


Registration 

Register for the College of Social Sciences Commencement Ceremony by April 25, 2025.

The College of Social Sciences ceremony will take place on Friday, May 16, 2025 from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Save Mart Center. Tickets will not be required, and all guests are welcome.


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 2025), 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.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Students must have both a campus and cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher as of the start of the Spring 2025 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 2025), 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 arrive on the back dock of the Savemart Center at 11:20 a.m. to line up for security check. Students will be let down the back ramp to Savemart Center at 11:30 a.m. No personal items are allowed except for cap, gowns, stoles, and chords. All students will have to go through security and bags are not allowed past security.

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

Tickets are not required for anyone attending any of the ceremonies.

Parking will be relaxed on the day of the ceremony. Guests may arrive at any time and may be seated. 

If you graduated in Summer 2024 or Fall 2024 or plan to graduate in 2025 (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.

For Commencement updates, or details about other Fresno State Commencement Ceremonies, please visit https://commencement.fresnostate.edu/schedule.html.