Graduate Check In
On the Day-Of Commencement
All graduating students will go to the ground floor entrance tents of the Provident Credit Union beginning one hour before their college Ceremony start time. Note that prior ceremonies will have guests and graduates exiting the building, so queuing up earlier than hour before the start time is not advised to minimize congestion and to ensure everyone's safe egress.
Past the initial check-in tents, graduates who need assistance with their name cards, including name pronunciation and honors (cum laude, summa cum laude, magna cum laude) should visit the help desk before entering the Event Center. This help desk is also available to students and guests who require accessibility accommodations or assistance.
To check-in, students will need to bring their Tower Cards or government-issued photo identification.
There are no advance "rehearsals" for any ceremony. Simply arrive no later than one hour prior to the scheduled start time of your ceremony and Commencement staff will direct you to the correct seating section inside the Event Center. Note that ceremonies may have minor overlap. Do not queue up more than hour before your own ceremony's start time as graduates and guests from the prior ceremony will be exiting the Event Center. This may lead to safety problems due to crowding.
All attending graduates shall show up in proper SJSU academic regalia before checking in. Commencement staff cannot assist with securing academic regalia and none are available for purchase or borrowing at the Event Center. If graduates need academic regalia on the day-of, go to the Spartan Bookstore in the Student Union.
Didn't Complete Advanced Registration?
You’ve missed the deadline for registration, however you may register onsite during your ceremony check-in. Late registrants' check-in process is different to graduating students who registered in advanced and additional preparation is necessary.
Arrive at the Provident Credit Union Event Center one (1) hour before your ceremony, wearing your academic regalia and bring your Tower Card or government-issued photo identification. Mention to Commencement staff that you are a "walk-up participant" and you will be directed to the assistance desk. You will then be instructed where to go inside the Event Center and where to sit.
Academic regalia are not available for purchase or borrowing at the Event Center and graduates who need any regalia (caps, gowns, tassels, hoods) will need to visit the Spartan Bookstore during their Commencement hours or before to secure their regalia. Check-in staff at the Event Center cannot assist you with securing regalia.
Alternate Ceremony
If you desire to participate in a college ceremony that is different to the college you will be graduating from, you may request to participate in an alternate ceremony, but approval is not guaranteed and depends on venue capacity for the ceremony you are requesting to attend and confirmation of your graduation status.
To submit your request,
- Ensure your Graduation Application has been submitted and includes your expected Graduation
term (Current Students ONLY)
- For assistance completing your Graduation Application,
- Undergraduates contact registrar@sjsu.edu
- Graduates/Doctorates contact graduate@sjsu.edu
- For assistance completing your Graduation Application,
- Complete the Alternate Ceremony Request Form.
If both steps have been completed, the Commencement team will contact you 8-10 weeks before your requested ceremony date with an update on your request. Remember that requests are not guaranteed and may be denied. If your request is denied you have the option to participate in your respective college's ceremony.
