Ways to Participate
There is a myriad of details that go into running a successful Commencement. Employees are needed to assist on the day, whether it be participating in the procession or supporting Commencement "behind the scenes".
Processional Participation
Faculty and staff participating in the processional and who will be seated in the faculty and staff section during a Commencement ceremony are asked to register their participation by November 15. Participating faculty and staff will receive further instruction from their College Coordinator.
Those needing to rent regalia to participate in the procession can do so with Herff Jones Faculty Direct. The deadline to order faculty or staff regalia online to be received in time for the event is October 25 at 8:59 p.m. PST. Items ordered by the deadline will be available to pick up at The Campus Store location on campus (on the second floor of the Gutswurrak Student Activities Center building) and will be available for pick-up around December 2. Faculty and staff can return regalia rentals back to The Campus Store on the Arcata Plaza during the week after Commencement.
If there are any questions regarding faculty or staff regalia orders, contact The Campus Store at (707) 826-3741.
Commencement Support
Staff who would like to provide support during Commencement should make arrangements with their supervisor and submit their interest and availability by November 15. Positions such as greeting, ushering, handing out programs, providing ADA shuttle and wheelchair support, providing parking and traffic support, supporting the graduate and faculty and staff line-up area, etc. are needed. Information regarding shifts and assignments will be shared closer to the event.
If staff have questions about supporting Commencement, contact the Commencement Office at grad@humboldt.edu.
Check-in
Faculty or staff who are participating in the processional, should arrive with their regalia at the West Gym (Recreation & Wellness Center 202) no later than 45 minutes prior to their ceremony start time.
Staff who are providing support at Commencement will receive their shift and assignment closer to the event and will be asked to check-in and check-out at the Staff Check-In area at the start and end of their shift.
Order of Ceremony
Procession
The Mace Bearer and Student Marshals will lead graduates in, followed by the Faculty Marshals, the general faculty and staff and the Platform Party. Graduates will file out in one single file line and must stay in line with their major. Student Marshals and ushers will direct graduates to their seats and Faculty Marshals will assist with general faculty and staff seating.
Ceremony
- Following the cue, Student Marshals will direct graduates to exit their seats and line up near the stage one row at a time. Graduates will stop at two locations to take a photo before lining up at the stage ramp entrance.
- As they approach the stage, graduates will hand their name card to the stage manager, and as their name is read, they will be directed to cross the stage.
- Graduates will be directed to move to the floor marker in front of the podium and receive their diploma cover. They will pause and face the photographer for a photo.
- After the photo, marshals and ushers will direct graduates to return to their seats.
- For master’s candidates, graduates will be instructed on how to hold their hood. They will be hooded on stage prior to receiving their diploma cover.
- Following the reading of the graduate names, degrees will be conferred, and graduates will be asked to switch their tassel from the right side of their cap to the left.
Recessional
After the closing remarks, there will be a musical cue for the Mace Bearer to lead the Platform Party, faculty, staff, and graduates out of the venue with the assistance of the marshals and ushers. Exiting will be prompted one row at a time. After graduates have left, guests will be directed to exit.
Parking
Graduates, guests, faculty, and staff may park in all general lots on campus, but G11, G12, G13, G14, and G15 are recommended. Parking permits are not required on the day of Commencement on campus.
ADA parking is available in FS9 (the faculty/staff parking lot at the end of Rossow Street, between Gist Hall and Student Business Services). Shuttles for those with mobility issues will run continuously from the FS9 lot by Gist Hall at the end of Rossow Street and will drop off at the south entrance of the Kinesiology & Athletics building. The number of shuttles available is limited which may result in lengthy waits at the shuttle pick up and drop off locations. If you do wish to utilize the shuttles, we encourage you to plan to arrive at the pick-up location early. If needed, graduates can also utilize the accessible paths of travel to the Kinesiology & Athletics building (please see campus ADA map for details).
The green lots shown on the event map are open for general parking and the blue lots are recommended for ADA and shuttle access. No general vehicle traffic, parking or drop-off will be allowed past the barricades at 17th and Union Streets due to pedestrian safety. Please note: 17th Street will have single lane west bound traffic only on Commencement day due to shuttle access needs.
Watch Online
Can't be there for some reason? Ceremonies will be livestreamed so that families, friends, and the campus community can watch, and help graduates celebrate their big moment. Live captioning will be provided on the livestream in English and in Spanish. The links to the livestream will be available on the day of the event on the Commencement website and humboldt.edu. You can simply click on the link to view (no registration needed). A video will be available to watch online after the ceremony at commencement.humboldt.edu in the weeks following.