FAQs for Students
Where do I check in on the day of Commencement?
Graduates will need to check in one hour prior to their ceremony. They will check
in on the backside of the Gilbert Sports and Fitness Center near the pool. There will
be signage to indicate where to enter. Graduates will be checked by security at their
check-in site.
When is the Cal Lutheran commencement?
Commencement will take place on May 16. The undergraduate ceremony will be from 8:30 to 11 a.m. The graduate ceremony will be from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.
How do I know if I am eligible to participate in the 2025 May commencement ceremony?
Degree candidates for November 2024, December 2024, March 2025, May 2025 and August 2025 are eligible to participate in the May 2025 commencement ceremony. Completion of degree requirements next Fall (2025) will place you on the May 2026 commencement list.
Do I need a cap and gown?
Yes, if the graduate plans to walk across the stage, a cap and gown are required.
How do I order my cap and gown?
Regalia will not be carried in the Cal Lutheran Campus Bookstore. Graduates can order online at www.jostens.com, or orders can be placed at the bookstore. Diploma frames are available for purchase now. For additional questions, please contact the bookstore directly at 805-493-3270.
I earned Honors. How do I get my cord and/or medal?
Academic Services will be sending an email to students who received Honors closer to commencement with instructions on where to pick up your regalia. Typically, it is a couple of weeks before the event.
I am a graduating student and need personal accommodations for the commencement ceremonies. Whom do I contact?
For information regarding accommodations during the commencement ceremonies for graduating students, please see the Disability Support Services page for instructions and contact information.
How long will the ceremonies be?
The ceremony will be approximately 2 1/2 hours.
What time do the graduates need to arrive?
Graduates will need to check in one hour prior to their ceremony. They will check in on the backside of the Gilbert Sports and Fitness Center near the pool. There will be signage to indicate where to enter. Graduates will be checked by security at their check-in site.
Will the ceremonies be livestreamed?
Yes, the ceremonies will be livestreamed on the main Cal Lutheran website.
Will the graduates names be read?
Yes, as the graduates cross the stage their names will be read.
Will there be a photographer?
Yes, there will be a photographer taking pictures of the graduates.
Where are the best places to take pictures?
There is no designated place to take pictures during the ceremonies. You will need to take any desired pictures from your seat so other guests’ views are not obstructed. However, there are beautiful locations around campus where you can take pictures before or after the ceremonies, such as the Enormous Luther statue (Gumby), Olson Gazebo in Kingsmen Park, All Nations Plaza fountain, etc. There will also be a photo wall (same backdrop as the one on the mainstage stage) in University Plaza in front of the Gilbert Sports and Fitness Center.
Where can I purchase a picture?
The contracted photographer, Grad Images, will email each graduate a proof and directions for ordering pictures to their Cal Lutheran email account approximately a week after the ceremony.
Will a video be available?
The ceremonies are posted on Vimeo, where they are available for viewers to download and watch at no cost.
Prohibited Items
These items are not allowed in the stadium:
- Balloons
- Food
- Beverages (except water)
- Umbrellas
- Pets (service animals will be permitted)
- Large purses and bags (except diaper and medical bags)
Ticket Questions
Will I need a ticket for the ceremony?
Students do not need a ticket for the ceremony. All guests entering the stadium will need a ticket to enter.
How do I obtain a ticket to attend?
Eligible graduates will be able to claim their tickets through an online site on Monday, March 3, 2025.
How do I send my ticket to family?
In the ticketing site, you will go to "your orders" and will have the option to download all tickets on a mobile device or print as a PDF. You also have the option to send individual tickets to different people. Please make sure you do not send the same ticket to multiple people as each ticket has a unique barcode and will only scan once.
How do I request accessibility tickets for my guests?
Please contact CommencementTickets@CalLutheran.edu or call 805-493-3364 prior to 5 p.m. Friday, May 9, 2025 in order to request tickets for the accessibility seating area. You may request a maximum of two accessibility tickets with an additional two tickets for caretakers. If you have not requested tickets to the accessibility area prior to May 9 at 5 p.m., please have your guests go to the Accessibility & Reserved Seating Entrance (Regal’s Gate) on the day of the commencement ceremony to check in with staff on availability of accessibility seating.
Do children need a ticket to enter?
Anyone age 2 and older will require a ticket for entry. Any child younger than 2, who will be sitting on a lap, does not require a ticket.
What if I would like more tickets to attend?
If you need additional tickets beyond the 10 guaranteed, on April 21, 2025, at 5:00pm any tickets that were unclaimed will be added to the appeal process pool.
If a student needs more tickets (beyond the 10 tickets) after the above ticket process
has occurred, the student may complete the Additional Ticket Request Form. This form
will open on Monday, March 31, 2025, with a deadline of Friday, April 25, 2025. Students
will be notified on May 5, 2025 as to the outcome of their request.
For specific ticketing questions, please email: commencementtickets@CalLutheran.edu.