Cal Poly will host six separate graduation ceremonies, one per college, for the Spring 2020 Commencement.
This change comes after Cal Poly had reduced the number of ceremonies for Spring 2019 Commencement by hosting three colleges per ceremony.
Discussions to break apart the ceremonies this year began in Spring 2019, according to Vice President for Student Affairs Keith Humphrey. Humphrey said six ceremonies allows for shorter ceremonies and potentially more tickets for students’ supporters.
The number of tickets each student will receive for Spring 2020 graduation has yet to be determined.
According to a 2019 Cal Poly news release, more than 5,100 students were eligible to graduate at the Spring 2019 Commencement. This resulted in more than 2,000 eligible graduates per ceremony.
Each student was allocated seven tickets for their family members and friends to attend, with additional tickets available upon request. The number of tickets provided to each student depends on the number of expected graduates, according to an email from University Spokesperson Matt Lazier in 2019.
The 2020 commencement ceremonies will take place at Alex G. Spanos stadium June 13-14. College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Science, College of Architecture and Environmental Design, and College of Engineering ceremonies will take place Saturday at 8 a.m., 1 p.m. and 5 p.m., respectively. Orfalea College of Business, College of Science and Mathematics, and College of Liberal Arts ceremonies will be held Sunday at 8 a.m., 1 p.m. and 5 p.m., respectively.
Humphrey said the exact length of each ceremony fluctuates based on the size of the college.
“The largest portion of time at every ceremony is the name reading,” Humphrey said. “Students tell us consistently year after year after year in their survey feedback that the name reading is the most important thing to them, they love it. It’s quite a joyous moment.”
Despite the change in the Spring, there will only be three Fall 2019 Commencement ceremonies, with two colleges per ceremony. All three ceremonies will take place Saturday, December 14 at the Recreation Center Main Gym, according to the commencement website.
Humphrey said further changes to graduation will be announced as June approaches.