You are invited to participate in an undergraduate commencement ceremony for the College of Liberal Arts. You may choose to participate in Fall (December) or Spring (May) ceremonies, depending on their availability, family and friends, and interest in participating with their peers graduating at the same time. The College of Liberal Arts will be prepared for each graduate with the Anticipated Graduation Term for that semester’s commencement ceremony (Spring and Summer terms for Spring ceremony; Fall term for Fall ceremony). A name reader card will be pre-printed by the Registrar's Office.

FYI: We need you to set the correct Anticipated Graduation Term in RAMweb.

The Registrar's Office provides names for the program based on the Anticipated Graduation Term students designate on RAMweb.

The commencement program in which a student’s name is to be included follows this protocol:

Student is walking in the SPRING ceremony and degree requirements to be finished the end of Summer term

• Name will be in the Spring program under: “Candidates for Baccalaureate Degree” (in Summer Section)

Student is walking in the SPRING ceremony and degree requirements are to be finished the Fall term

• Name will ONLY be in the Fall program under “Candidates for Baccalaureate Degree

Student is walking in the FALL ceremony but a degree has been awarded for the preceding Summer term

• Name will be in the Fall program under: “Baccalaureate Degrees Awarded for Summer”

Student is walking in the FALL ceremony and degree requirements are to be finished the following Spring

• Name will ONLY be in the following Spring program under “Candidates for Baccalaureate Degree”

Student is a BAS (Bachelor of Arts and Sciences) candidate:

• The student’s name will be included in the Commencement Program under the college of their primary major. The commencement name card will only be included for the major of that primary college.

All graduates must arrive at the Moby Arena Intramural Gym no later than 8:15 a.m. When you arrive, pick up your name card at the tables. Hold on to your name card; you will hand it to the name announcer as you walk across the stage during the commencement ceremony. Once you pick up your card, get in line with your classmates under the sign for your department. You must be checked in and lined up under the department sign no later than 8:40 a.m. Students will process to the Moby Arena at approximately 8:50 a.m. Follow the instructions of the commencement marshals who will lead you to the arena.

Please leave your coats and purses in the car as there is no place to store them.

All College of Liberal Arts graduating seniors will be individually recognized at the CLA Commencement Ceremony. Only graduates are allowed on the floor of Moby Arena. Individual names will be announced and diploma covers presented. The ceremony will begin promptly at 9 a.m. and will last approximately two hours. Students are expected to remain in the arena for the entire ceremony. Graduating students with special needs (i.e. hearing-impaired, wheelchair seating) should contact Colleen Weitzel at colleen.weitzel@colostate.edu to make arrangements

Tickets for guests are not required for the ceremony and the number of guests is not limited. Seating is on a first come, first serve basis. Guests will be seated in Moby Arena beginning at 8 a.m.

Commencement is a dignified ceremony. Candidates must appear in appropriate academic attire at commencement exercises. Alcoholic beverages are not permitted. Public intoxication is not permitted on University property and intoxicated candidates will NOT be allowed to participate in commencement.

Undergraduate robes are black, and cum laude graduates wear gold robes. Students graduating with distinction (cum laude, etc.) will receive an email notification from the Registrar's Office mid-semester indicating this status; this email must be presented to regalia representatives to rent the gold robes. For questions with graduating with distinction, please contact the Registrar's Office. University Honors Scholars wear green robes and a black stole. A list of University Honors Scholars is provided to the regalia representatives.

Students

Order your cap, gown and tassel in advance online via the Alumni Association Grad Pack webpage. The deadline for ordering regalia is Wednesday, November 3. 

Faculty

Faculty orders are coordinated by each college office. Colleges or departments work directly with the supplier, Jostens, to place faculty orders. Contact: Clay Rogers: (970) 617-5970, clay.rogers@jostens.com. 

Regalia Pick-up and Grad Fest

• Regalia will not be shipped to students. All students must pick up cap, gown, hood and tassel. 
• Cap, Gown, Hood, Tassel is not a rental, the package is kept by the graduate. No returns. 
• All regalia distribution will take place at Grad Fest in the Iris & Michael Smith Alumni Center on the following days: 
  • Grad Fest; Thursday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.; December 16 – 17 
  • Saturday, December 18; regalia will be available for pick up prior to each commencement ceremony line up, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., in the Iris & Michael Smith Alumni Center. 

• Bachelor’s package includes cap, gown, and college color tassel. Nothing is returned. Photo ID is required for pick up. 
• Master’s package includes cap, gown, hood and master’s black tassel. Nothing is returned. Photo ID is required for pick up.
• Doctorate package includes tam, gown, hood and tassel. Nothing is returned. Photo ID is required for pick up. 

Clear Bag Policy for Moby Arena – please read!

Tickets for guests are not required for the ceremony and the number of guests is not limited. Seating is on a first come, first serve basis. Guest may only enter Moby Arena through the north entrance (see map above). Guests will be seated beginning at 8 a.m.

Guests in wheelchairs can be accommodated on both the north and south ends of the concourse level, with the best view of the ceremony on the west side. (The best area to drop off guests in wheelchairs is at the north inclined ramp which will take them up to the concourse level; there are no elevators in this area.) The first two rows of seats in each section will also be reserved for guests who need special assistance because of difficulty managing stairs. Signs will be taped to chairs for these persons and a few of their companions. This seating is available on a first-come, first served basis, and is limited, so please do not plan for large groups to sit in this area. A sign language interpreter will be present. There will be reserved seating in Section P for guests with hearing-impairments.

Guest conduct restrictions
Prohibited items not allowed in Commencement and Commissioning venues include the following:

1. Alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs carried in by patrons.
2. Glass bottles or metal cans.
3. Ice chests or large coolers.
4. Bota bags or wine skins.
5. Sticks, bats or clubs, including any attachments.
6. Fireworks, firearms or other weapons, or simulated weapons.
7. Bullhorns or other artificial noisemakers.
8. Framed backpacks.
9. Animals other than certified guide dogs for people with disabilities.

Please note: no concessions or water will be available for sale during the ceremony. There are drinking fountains located in Moby Arena.

Guests may use cameras from the upper concourse level. Guests are not permitted on the arena floor during the ceremony.

A professional photographer will take photos of graduates as they line up for individual recognition, as they cross the stage, and in front of a blue screen for customized backgrounds. GradImages® is the official photographer at your graduation ceremony.

You can review photos for purchase online the week after commencement at GradImages website.

Or, if you would like to receive an email when your/your graduate’s photos are available, please visit GradImages preregistration page. Enter Colorado State University and select College of Liberal Arts. You may enter your own information or that of friends and family members who wish to see your photos.

If you need additional help to locate your photos, call the GradImages® customer service department at (800) 261-2576 or email them at giservice@gradimages.net.

In the event of inclement weather, please call 970-491-7667 or check safety.colostate.edu for updates on the University’s operating status and news of any closures or cancellations.

PLEASE NOTE: dates and times for the College of Liberal Arts commencement previously posted on the website are subject to change. Update will be posted as soon as information becomes available. 

For more University commencement and commissioning ceremony information, please visit CSU's Commencement website.