As Stanislaus State students buckle in for the final stretch of the semester, university officials are preparing for a graduation event on a scale that hasn’t taken place since before the COVID-19 pandemic. The in-person commencement ceremonies will be held on Thursday May 26 and Friday May 27 in the campus outdoor amphitheater located next to parking lot 3 on the Crowell Road entrance.  
The ceremonies had been held only virtually in 2020 during the peak of the pandemic, and the class of 2020, along with 2021 graduates, were celebrated more formally during socially distanced, in-person ceremonies last May. Graduates participating in next week’s ceremonies were allowed to register up to five guests. Ceremonies held last year were allowed just two registered guests per graduate, as a COVID-19 precautionary measure. Graduates also did not march into the ceremony, but were instead seated in small groups consisting of each graduate and their two guests. 
Andre Roundtree (senior, Communication Studies) is grateful to be able to graduate in a traditional way this year, but feels for those who missed out on the same experience in 2020 and 2021. 
“I’m very excited,” he said. “I feel a bit sad for people who worked so hard for their degree but didn’t get a ceremony. It makes you realize how much of a privilege it is that we get to have a ceremony.”
Roundtree, who said he hopes to land an internship in San Francisco after graduation, will have his five-member cheering section at the ready on graduation day. 
“My family will be there to support me,” he said. “My brother, nephew, niece, uncle and aunt.” 
The Commencement ceremonies will feature remarks by Stan State President Ellen Junn, who is looking forward to a more normal graduation this year. 
“We are looking forward to a magnificent two days encompassing four Commencement ceremonies celebrating our outstanding Class of 2022,” Junn said. “I’m thrilled our graduates will once again walk across the stage to celebrate their accomplishment. It is such a rewarding and momentous event for our students and their families.”
They will also feature speaker for the Faculty Dana Nakano, ASI President Cynella Aghasi and the respective student speakers for each college. The ceremony for the College of the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences will also feature remarks by the recipient of the honorary doctorate.
Commencement Schedule and COVID-19 Guidelines
On Thursday May 26, graduates of the College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences will attend an 8 a.m. ceremony while graduates of the College of Business Administration are scheduled for a 4 p.m. ceremony. 
On Friday May 27, a ceremony for graduates of the College of Science will be held at 8 a.m. with graduates of the College of Education, Kinesiology and Social Work receiving their diplomas at 4 p.m.
Graduations will also be live streamed on Facebook, which can be accessed through an event page on the Stanislaus State Facebook page. 
Kristina Stamper, Director for Communications & Creative Services, notes there are affinity groups, departments and programs that are hosting graduation celebrations and receptions separately from the Commencement ceremonies.
These include, but are not limited to: Chicanx Commencement, BSU Graduation Celebration, the Undoc Graduation Celebration, Rainbow Graduation Reception, School of Nursing Pinning Ceremony, ASBSN Pinning Ceremony and the Master of Social Work Hooding Ceremony. 
As the newest COVID-19 strain continues to be monitored by the university, officials have relaxed some of the former COVID-19 protocols for the event, but event attendance requirements are subject to change based upon regional COVID-19 conditions, California Department of Public Health mega event guidance, and the CSU vaccination policy, according to Stamper. 
“Commencement ceremonies will follow required COVID-19 safety protocols to ensure the well-being of all participants,” she said, adding that the ceremonies will feature limited audience capacity and seating will be physically distanced. 
Graduates with a vaccination status of not coming to campus or who have an exemption have been directed to complete the Commencement Guest Screening Form. Form submissions will be monitored by a team from Warriors Take Care who will be on-site at Commencement monitoring submissions to contact individuals whose screening form hasn’t qualified as clear. 
Stamper added that attendees are strongly encouraged to be up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations and to wear a face covering. Guests are also required to complete the daily-self screening form. 
Graduates and their guests can continue to stay up to date on commencement announcements by visiting the Stan State commencement web page. More questions may be answered by visiting the FAQ page.