Commencement 2025

Frequently Asked Questions About Commencement

Updated December 2024

The Commencement Green is the lawn located next to The Club & Guest House overlooking the lagoon.

Yes, all ceremonies will be presented on the Commencement Livestream page. The livestream starts 15 minutes prior to each ceremony.

Each graduate participating is allotted eight [8] guest tickets for family and friends. Each guest, 2 years or older, must have a ticket to enter. Guests are subject to security screening. Instructions on claiming guest tickets will be provided to participating graduates during the reservation period. The Bren School and College of Creative Studies do not require guest tickets.

Yes, each graduate participating is allotted eight [8] guest tickets for family and friends. Each guest, 2 years or older, must have a ticket to enter. Guests are subject to security screening. Instructions on claiming guest tickets will be provided to participating graduates during the reservation period. The Bren School and College of Creative Studies do not require guest tickets.

Inquire at your major's department office in the spring quarter.

No. Only service animals specifically trained to assist a person with a disability are permitted on campus during Commencement. For the safety of your pet and all guests, please leave your pet at home.

No. Alcohol, including celebratory champagne, is not permitted at Commencement and will be confiscated and discarded.

No. Smoking and the use of smokeless tobacco or unregulated nicotine products (such as electronic cigarettes) is prohibited on and within UCSB managed property. We thank you for not smoking or using any tobacco products.

Reference the Ceremony schedule for timing. Please allow for 60 minutes to exit campus.

You will find information about honors at graduation in the UCSB General Catalog. For more specific information, contact your college. Each college and department may also award additional honors and will contact you directly if you are to receive special regalia.

All of the above may be obtained from the UCSB Campus Store. Please visit the Campus Store website.

No; however, memorabilia such as diploma frames, the Stole of Gratitude, and announcements are extra. Please contact the UCSB Campus Store for more information and pricing.

All of the above may be obtained from the UCSB Campus Store. Visit the Campus Store website for the full list of available items.

While Commencement happens only once per year, students may declare degree candidacy in GOLD for any of the four academic quarters. For questions contact the Office of the Registrar or (805) 893-3592.

Diplomas are mailed approximately 3-4 months after the end of the term in which the degree was awarded. Please see information on diplomas at the Registrar’s website or email questions to GraduationMatters@sa.ucsb.edu.

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#UCSB2025

Join us on social media to celebrate and congratulate our graduates.

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Questions About Commencement?

Visit our FAQ page to find answers to frequently asked questions or contact us by email at Commencement@ia.ucsb.edu.

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This event will be photographed and/or recorded. By entering this space, you agree and grant irrevocable permission to have your likeness, image, voice, and appearance photographed and recorded for any University business-related purpose and used as embodied in UC Regents Product[s] whether recorded on or transferred to videotape, film, slides, photographs, audiotapes or other media, now known or later developed, and to be included in various University marketing, outreach, or news campaigns.

Alert System

The UCSB Alert system is intended to enhance and promote safety on campus by providing community members and visitors with timely access to important information. Visitors who would like to receive temporary access to UCSB Alerts can subscribe to our NIXLE channel by texting UCSBAlert to 888777. (Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency varies.)

Temporary subscriptions to UCSBAlert expires at 9:00am the following day, but can also be canceled by replying STOP at any time. Visitors must renew subscriptions to continue receiving alerts after they expire.

For alerts and information about incidents that occur outside of Clery geography (e.g., Isla Vista, Goleta, Santa Barbara) the campus community is encouraged to sign up for Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency alerts in Goleta or Santa Barbara. For additional information on the UCSB Alert system please visit the UC Santa Barbara Police Department website.