Cal State Long Beach 2020 and 2021 college graduates will finally get to walk with their peers this year as school officials announced the green light for in-person graduation ceremonies this spring.
Traditionally, CSULB commencement was held on campus. This year, however, graduating students will walk at Angel Stadium in Anaheim in May. The venue can safely accommodate several hundred students at a time in keeping with state health guidelines, school officials said.
Media relations associate vice president Jeff Cook said only graduating students will be allowed to attend the ceremony inside the venue. Families will be able to view the ceremony from the stadium parking lot, according to the school’s announcement.
“Details will be finalized in the coming weeks,” Cook said.
School officials said the decision to hold in-person commencements was reached after a recent school-wide survey that asked students if they would prefer a digital, drive-by or in-person commencement now that the state had entered the “red tier” of coronavirus regulations that permit outdoor stadium performances starting April 1. By a 6:1 margin, graduates voted to have the ceremony in-person.
A virtual celebration will also be available, including a live stream on the commencement website.
Each college will host its own two-hour ceremony with separate degree conferrals for 2020 and 2021 classes.
The schedule is as follows:
- College of Engineering – Friday, May 28, 9:30 a.m.
- College of Liberal Arts – Friday, May 28, 5 p.m.
- College of the Arts – Saturday, May 29, 9:30 a.m.
- College of Health & Human Services – Saturday, May 29, 5 p.m.
- College of Education – Sunday, May 30, 9:30 a.m.
- College of Business – Sunday, May 30, 5 p.m.
- College of Natural Sciences & Mathematics – Monday, May 31, 9:30 a.m.