CSULB 2025 Commencement Resource Guide: What to know before you go
Spring days in Long Beach are getting a little warmer, the skies over Long Beach are looking a little bluer and – day by day - Commencement 2025 is getting closer.
Cal State Long Beach is looking forward to congratulating more than 9,800-plus over the course of 10 ceremonies from May 18-22 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim. As soon-to-be-graduating students prepare to finish their marathon-like progress through college, the final weeks before Commencement may feel like a hurried sprint through final exams, get-togethers and planning for their big days.
It can be pretty hectic. Here’s a guide to help grads and their loved ones get through it all and avoid confusion on their way to celebration.
A big venue for big crowds
Commencement planners at The Beach anticipate more than 100,000 guests showing up for this year’s proceedings. The Commencement 2025 schedule with start times for all ceremonies is available online. CSULB’s academic colleges have their own ceremonies and the colleges of Business, Liberal Arts and Health & Human Services each have two events. Grads can check the schedule to make sure they attend the ceremony that aligns with their major and degree.
Plan your trip to Angel Stadium
- All grads can claim up to 12 tickets to their ceremony. Here are directions to RSVP and using the MLB Ballpark App to select and forward tickets to guests.
- Grads will get into the stadium at Gate 4 and need to have their student IDs, arriving 90 minutes before their ceremony’s start time. Parking is free.
- April 17 is the deadline for grads to log in to the Tassel/Marching Order portal and record the correct pronunciations of their names and verify that their preferred named and correct degree and major information is on file. A guide to Commencement deadlines is online.
- Help will be available for grads requesting accommodations from the Bob Murphy Access Center and guests seeking help with accessible parking and seating, as well as other accessibility accommodations.
Commencement guests can enter the stadium with clear bags no larger than 12.75’’ x 6.5’’ x 12.75” or other bags that are 12’’ x 12’’ with a single zipper closure or flap. Diaper bags can be allowed into the stadium if guests are arriving with an infant. All bags are subject to search. Please be aware that noisemakers and confetti will not be allowed inside the stadium.
Service animals will be welcome at Commencement, but pets and emotional support animals cannot be admitted. Review this guide to Ceremony Day for more information.
Sign up for Cultural Graduation Celebrations
The Beach convenes Cultural Graduation Celebrations in addition to traditional Commencement proceedings. The Cultural Graduation Celebrations are voluntary and open to all graduating students who would like to participate, regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Graduates who would like to participate in Cultural Graduation Celebrations need to register for their selected event, in addition to Commencement, by April 11.
Get your regalia squared away ...
Cap and gowns can be purchased online or in-person at University Bookstore, which is also the place for grads to order diploma frames and other memorabilia. It’s a good idea to order regalia as soon as possible. Check out the Graduation Central website for more information about gifts, graduation announcements, custom sashes and the like. University Bookstore will have a pop-up shop outside the stadium entrances for last-minute gifts.
... and be free to personalize your look
Caps and gowns are a longstanding tradition for the academic community and graduates are encouraged to add a personal touch to their regalia. Graduates can place online orders for flowers and leis that can be worn over ceremonial gowns for delivery to Angel Stadium.
Grads don’t have to be art majors to add an attention-getting design to their mortarboards. The Designing a Sustainable Graduation workshop is set for April 23 to help participants craft environmentally friendly decorations.
Contribute to a sustainable future
The Beach invites all to become a Green Grad. Taking the Green Graduate Pledge is a commitment that starts with eschewing glitter and other wasteful products while taking graduation photos and goes on to cover a long-term focus on sustainability and equity over the course of graduates’ professional and personal lives.
A picture is worth 1,000 words, tell your story
Graduation Central has portals for arranging portrait sessions with GradImages. Sittings are available on April 15 and 16, as well as on May 7. Grads interested in taking photos at a special spot on campus may find inspiration by looking at this guide to five locations lending themselves to distinctive photography.
Take pride in your accomplishments - and stay in touch
Earning a university degree or credentials is a major achievement and the culmination of several years’ dedication and hard work. Take time to reflect on your growth, celebrate with loved ones and go with confidence into the next stage of your life. Check out Graduation & Beyond the Beach for links to resources available to students on the verge of graduation, as well as alumni. Keep in mind that Cal State Long Beach can always be a special place for you and look to CSULB Alumni for networking and community-building opportunities over the years to come.
