Student Information / Cap and Gown Purchase

RSVP For Commencement

Summer and Fall 2024 Graduates

  • Students who have a submitted a graduation application to the Office of the Registrar by Friday, September 27 for a graduation degree completion for fall 2024 will be included on the eligible graduates’ list to participate in fall commencement.
  • The Commencement RSVP will be open from Tuesday, October 1 by noon and closes on Wednesday, November 20, 2024 at 10pm.
  • Graduates on the eligibility list will receive an email from the Marching Order system to complete the RSVP for to participate in commencement.
  • If you don't receive an RSVP email by Thursday, October 3, email commencement@csub.edu and the commencement office will check for your name on the list of eligible graduates. Please include your name, student ID, and major.
  • RSVP will include the mandatory recording of the graduate's name.
    • Graduates must log in by the deadline to record their name for a professional reader to record their name for the ceremony.
  • Graduates not attending may log in to the RSVP site and submit "No" to the participating question and will be removed from future communication.

Spring 2025 Commencement

  • Students who have a submitted a graduation application to the Office of the Registrar by Friday, February 28 for a graduation degree completion for spring 2025 will be included on the eligible graduates’ list to participate in spring commencement.
  • The Commencement RSVP will be open from Tuesday, March 4 by noon and closes on Tuesday, April 22 at 10pm.
  • Graduates on the eligibility list will receive an email from the Marching Order system to complete the RSVP for to participate in commencement.
  • If you don't receive an RSVP email by Thursday, March 6, email commencement@csub.edu and the commencement office will check for your name on the list of eligible graduates. Please include your name, student ID, and major.
  • RSVP will include the mandatory recording of the graduate's name.
    • Graduates must log in by the deadline to record their name for a professional reader to record their name for the ceremony.
  • Graduates not attending may log in to the RSVP site and submit "No" to the participating question and will be removed from future communication.

'Runner Grad Day

  • Antelope Valley Campus – Tuesday, October 8, noon-6pm, Student Lounge
    • Portrait sittings in Room 101
  • Main Campus – Wednesday, October 9, 11am-6pm, Student Union Multi-Purpose Room
    • Portrait sittings in the same room
Portrait sittings are free, and cap and gowns will be available to use for the sitting. Graduates will have an opportunity to view proofs via email and decide which photos they want to purchase.

Cap and gown sales will begin at ‘Runner Grad Day. Graduates may purchase their cap and gown in-person and take it with them that day.

The Commencement Office staff will be available to answer questions about the ceremonies, how to RSVP, and guest tickets.

Other vendor information will be available for flowers, Class of 2024 t-shirts, and class rings.

A cap decorating station will be provided for graduates to decorate their grad cap.

For cap and gown purchases after ‘Runner Grad Day:
  • Online purchases will be begin Friday, October 11 and ends on Friday, November 22.
  • In-person purchases at the CSUB Bookstore until Wednesday November 27 or until sold out.*
*The CSUB Bookstore receives a limited stock of cap and gown items. Graduates should purchase as early as possible.

What's the Difference Between Graduation and Commencement?

Graduation

Graduation is the completion and awarding of your degree and mailing of your diploma. This is overseen by the Office of the Registrar. The Office of the Registrar can assist students with:

  • Changing their graduation application term
  • Instructions on how to submit their online graduation application

Graduation Application Fee
The graduation application fee is paid online or to the cashier's office. The fee is used to process your graduation application, and processing, printing and mailing of your diploma. The fee is not associated with commencement.

To contact the Office of the Registrar, email graduation@csub.edu.

Commencement

Commencement is the celebration of your academic achievement of earning a degree in higher education. The commencement ceremonies are overseen by the Commencement Office. The Commencement Office can assist students with:

  • Ceremony questions
  • Services provided at the ceremonies
  • Cap and gown questions
  • Recognition and cultural ceremonies

Commencement Fee
There is no fee to participate in commencement. Graduates are required to wear a cap and gown to participate in the ceremony. 

For information about commencement, email commencement@csub.edu.

Online Graduation Application

Students are eligible for commencement by having an approved graduation application on file with the Office of the Registrar by the graduation application deadline with the current semester's term. Students who have submitted a graduation application after the deadline must ensure the late-submitted graduation application has the correct term to participate in commencement. 

See the graduation application instructions and deadlines.

Cap and Gown Information

Cap and gown purchases will begin at 'Runner Grad Day.

Visit the 'Runner Grad Day webpage for details.