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College of Science and Mathematics

College of Science and Mathematics

Graduation Ceremony

When: Friday, May 20, 2022
Time: 5:00 - 6:30 PM
Location: Save Mart Center

College ceremonies will be livestreamed at commencement.fresnostate.edu for guests unable to attend an in-person ceremony. Recordings from the college ceremonies will be viewable online for a period of time.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the ceremony? – The College of Science and Mathematics Commencement will be held on Friday, May 20, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. in the Save Mart Center.  Students will need to check in at their department’s registration table between 3:45p.m. and 4:20p.m. in the loading dock area on the northeast end of the building.  We’ll start to line up around 4:30. The ceremony will start right on time so don’t be late!

How long will the ceremony last?  - Generally it will last 90 minutes depending on the number of students participating.  We need to begin exiting the Save Mart Center at 6:30 p.m.

What do I wear? –All students participating in our ceremony are required to wear the approved academic regalia sold at the Kennel Bookstore. You can decorate your cap as you see fit. Flower leis, honor stoles, honors cords and honor society regalia are permitted to wear with your gown.  We recommend that you wear business casual clothing beneath your robe.   We also recommend that you wear comfortable shoes since there is a lot of walking and standing around waiting to enter the arena.  There are also stairs that you have to climb to get to the stage so we recommend that everyone wear sensible shoes. 

Will my name be called at the ceremony? - YES!  Every graduate will be individually recognized by name & walk across the stage. 

How will my family and friends know where I’m sitting on the arena floor?  - Psychology will be seated on the north side of the Save Mart Center. Biology, Chemistry and Biochemistry, CSci, EES, Math, and Physics will be seated on the south side of the Save Mart Center (the side closest to Shaw).

Is there a limit on the number of guests I can bring? -  We can seat up to 12,000 people for our ceremony, so the more the merrier!  We do not have a limit on the number of guests a graduate can bring.  No tickets are required for entry.  Please inform your guests that Save Mart Center does not allow balloons or strollers inside the venue. 

When should my guests arrive to get into the Save Mart Center? – The Save Mart Center has back-to-back ceremonies on Friday, May 20th. They will open the doors for our guests to enter the arena around 4:30 p.m. after the Jordan College of Agriculture is cleared from the arena.  It really does not benefit anyone to get there early and wait outside in the hot sun. There will be plenty of seating. 

Can I sit with my friends at the ceremony?  - The graduate students who are being hooded have to be in a particular order so they cannot. The undergraduates are seated by department so as long as your friends have the same major as you the answer is yes.  Your department staff will be assisting you when lining up and we’ll do our best to let you sit with your friends.

Can we take pictures during the ceremony? – Flash Photography will be taking professional photos at the ceremony. They ask that guests not interfere with their photographers by taking their own shots during the ceremony. You are welcome to take photos before and after the ceremony. No one other than the graduates and the CSM staff are allowed on the arena floor during the event.

Where do we park?  Will my guests need a parking pass?  - Parking will be relaxed on campus. You can park in any lot adjacent to the Save Mart Center.  There will be traffic attendants there directing traffic. Please make sure you allow enough time to get to campus and park.  There will be another ceremony directly before and after us so traffic will be congested. If you have elderly guests who cannot walk very far there will be a drop off location in the roundabout in front of the Student Recreation Center.  We recommend you drop them off there with another family member who can escort them to the Save Mart Center.  Parking at Campus Pointe will be monitored and they will be towing cars out of their lots.

Disabled Guest Seating – The Save Mart Center does have designated handicapped seating. There will also be a designated seating area for our Hearing Impaired and Visually Impaired guests.  Since seating is limited in these areas we can only allow one family member to be seated with the person requiring special accommodations. Save Mart Center staff will be available in the lobby to direct you to the designated areas.  No one other than the graduates, faculty and event staff are allowed on the arena floor. Guests are not allowed on the arena floor at any time.

Important Note:

Save Mart Center Policies(Please pass this information along to your guests)

CLEAR BAG POLICY: Effective November 3, 2021

  • Only clear bags will be allowed inside Save Mart Center
  • Bags must be clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and must not exceed 12″ x 6″ x 12.”
  • Small clutch bags, 4.5″ x 6.5″ x 2″ can be taken into the arena in addition to one of the approved clear bags described above.
  • An exception will be made for any necessary medical items, but all such items are subject to inspection prior to entry into Save Mart Center.

 

HEALTH ENTRY REQUIREMENTS EFFECTIVE APRIL 1, 2022

  • In accordance with the lifting of indoor mega-event requirements effective April 1, 2022 by both California and Fresno County Departments of Public Health, the Save Mart Center will no longer be requiring proof of vaccination or negative COVID test upon entry to the arena.
  • The California Department of Public Health strongly recommends that all persons, regardless of vaccination status, continue to mask while in indoor public settings and businesses.

 

Banners/Signs

Handheld banners and signs are permitted at Save Mart Center provided they are no larger than 2′ x 3′ and are in good taste as determined by Save Mart Center management. Signs may not utilize wood, metal, or similar types of materials for support. Banners and signs may not be affixed or hung anywhere in the facility or displayed in a manner that obstructs guests’ views of the event or facility advertising signage.

 

After the Ceremony:

There is another ceremony immediately after CSM’s ceremony. To avoid congestion, please ask your family/friends to meet you outside of the Save Mart Center.

 

Still have questions?  Please call your department office.

 

Biology                                                                      278-2001

Chemistry                                                                 278-2103

Computer Science                                                  278-4373

Earth and Environmental Sciences                       278-3086

Mathematics                                                           278-2992

Physics                                                                       278-2371

Psychology                                                               278-2691