University Commencement Ceremony 2023


Graduation and Commencement Directory

For questions regarding graduation and commencement

Topic
Department
Phone
E-mail
University Commencement Ceremony Division of Student Success 415-442-7288 commencement@ggu.edu
Diploma/Certificate Processing and Transcripts Office of Records and Registration 415-442-7278 graduation@ggu.edu
Graduation Clearance Student Advisor 415-369-5206 uac@ggu.edu
Financial Aid Holds on Student Account Office of Financial Aid 415-442-7270 finaid@ggu.edu
Past Due Balance on Student Account Student Accounting Services 415-442-7839 sas@ggu.edu
Career Services Undergraduate and Graduate Career Center 415-442-7299 careers@ggu.edu
Alumni Services Alumni Association 415-442-7820 alumni@ggu.edu
Frequently Asked Questions: General

When/Where is commencement?
Date: Saturday, April 29, 2023
Time: 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM/PST
Location: Oracle Park at 24 Willie Mays Plaza, San Francisco, CA 94107


Who is eligible to participate in commencement?
You are eligible to participate if you have or are planning to graduate in the following terms:

  • Summer 2022
  • Fall 2022
  • Spring 2023
  • Summer 2023



How many commencement ceremonies does GGU have during the year?
GGU has two different commencement ceremonies. One for graduate students (Ageno School of Business, School of Accounting and Braden School of Taxation) and undergraduate students on April 29, 2023. The other is for law students on May 23, 2023.


I would like to know if I will be receiving an honor cord.
Graduate students: 3.8 or above
Undergraduate students: 3.5 or above

Honor cords will be distributed to those who met the honors criteria at the end of the Fall 2022 trimester only. Unfortunately, we do not round numbers past the 2nd decimal place.

Honor cords will be made available at the Grad Fair on April 7, 2023. If you do not attend the Grad Fair, honor cords will be included when your regalia is shipped. Honors is noted on your diploma and will be based on your GGU GPA after all courses have been completed.


Can Certificate program students participate in the commencement ceremony?
No. The commencement ceremony is designated for doctoral, masters, and bachelors degree students; unfortunately, certificate students are not eligible for this event.


Is it mandatory to attend the commencement ceremony, in order to receive my diploma?
No, it is not. In fact, students do not receive their diploma at the commencement ceremony. Your diploma will be mailed to you once you have successfully completed all of your units and applied for graduation. Students at the ceremony receive a certificate of congratulations, but not a diploma.


I was wondering if I could apply my full name to my diploma and what I would like to be announced at the commencement ceremony. What steps I would need to take to make this happen?
Any questions about your diploma should be sent to graduation@ggu.edu.

When you register for the commencement ceremony, you will be asked for your name as you would like it to read. If you need to edit your response, please email commencement@ggu.edu.


Does GGU offer graduation pictures? When and where?
Yes, you can have graduation pictures taken at several times during the commencement process. Students can have headshots taken during the Grad Fair (April 7, 2023). There will also be two pictures taken during the commencement ceremony - as you walk onto the stage and as you exit the stage. These photos are available for purchase from the vendor - GradImages. More information will be sent to you as we get closer to the ceremony.


Will the ceremony be live streamed?
Yes, friends and family can watch the ceremony remotely on our YouTube channel.


Frequently Asked Questions: Registration

How do I register for commencement?
You need to fill out the University Commencement Ceremony 2023 Registration.

When do I need to register by?
To guarantee your spot in the commencement program and attend the ceremony, you must register and pay the commencement fee by 11:59 PM/PST on March 8, 2023. Students who have not registered and paid by that time will not have their name in the commencement program and may not be able to walk across the stage during the ceremony.

Frequently Asked Questions: Grad Fair

When/Where is the Grad Fair?
Date: Friday, April 7, 2023
Time: 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM/PST
Location: Golden Gate University at 536 Mission St., San Francisco, CA 94105


What is the Grad Fair?
The Grad Fair is an event where you can do the following:

  • Pick up your regalia
  • Pick up tickets
  • Take a graduation photo
  • Learn about alumni services
  • Receive information from The Career Center

Frequently Asked Questions: Commencement Fee & Making a Payment

Is there a fee for commencement?
Yes, there is a $100 commencement fee. This covers the cost of the regalia for the event.

How do I pay the commencement fee?
Payment can be made using Student Finance by credit card, debit card and e-check options. You can learn more about Student Finance here.

What payment options are available on Student Finance?
The online payment options will stay the same, you can pay by e-Check or credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover).


Can I pay the commencement fee over the phone?
You can make a payment over the phone by calling that HUB at 415-442-7800. Only credit card and debit card are accepted.

Is there a deadline to make the commencement fee payment?
Yes, the commencement fee is due by 11:59 PM/PST on March 8, 2023. Students who have not registered and paid by that time will not have their name in the commencement program and may not be able to walk across the stage during the ceremony.

I am not going to attend commencement; can I get my money back?
No, unfortunately, the commencement fee is nonrefundable. The fee is used to pay for your regalia, which has already been ordered.

Frequently Asked Questions: Regalia

Did I order regalia?
All students ordered regalia when they completed the commencement registration.

Where/How do I get my regalia?
Pick Up: Grad Fair, April 7, 2023; 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM/PST, Golden Gate University, 536 Mission Street, San Francisco. Beginning Monday, April 10, 2023, you can pick up your regalia at the bookstore.

Delivered: Regalia can be delivered to your home for a nominal fee ($13.50) beginning Monday, April 10, 2023. Please contact the bookstore at bookstore@ggu.edu to arrange for home delivery. The final day to request home delivery is April 14, 2023.

Can I pick up the regalia the day of the commencement ceremony?
No, you are required to either pick up or have your regalia delivered.


Frequently Asked Questions: Tickets

How many tickets do I get?
Graduates are typically able to receive up to 10 tickets. The number of tickets is determined by the number of students who register to participate in the commencement ceremony. For this reason, we cannot tell you how many tickets you will receive until after the registration deadline. Look for an e-mail last week of March to let you know exactly how many tickets are available for each graduate. All students are guaranteed a minimum of four tickets.

I need more than ten tickets. How do I get more?
Many of our students would like to bring more than the allowed number of guests. Once all students have had a chance to register, we will use the requested number on your commencement registration to award additional tickets. We usually receive more requests than we can accommodate, so we hold a lottery toward the beginning of April to determine who receives the extra tickets. Look for an email letting you know it is time to request extra tickets.

Frequently Asked Questions: Student Speaker

How do I apply to be one of the student speakers?
You can apply to be one of the student speakers by submitting this application. Following the deadline of March 8, 2023 at 12:00 PM/PST, we will reach out to schedule a virtual meeting with you sharing your draft speech with the selection committee on March 10, 2023.

Frequently Asked Questions: Accommodations

How do I request special accommodations for myself and/or my guests?
To request special accommodations, you will need to submit a request. If you have edits after you have submitted the form, please email commencement@ggu.edu.

Frequently Asked Questions: Oracle Park

How do I get to Oracle Park?
For a comprehensive overview of available transit options, look over SF Giant's Getting to Oracle Park.

When should I arrive?
The event starts at 3:00 PM/PST. Gates will open at 1:00 PM/PST. We require that students arrive by 1:30 PM to check-in and line up for their procession. Guests should arrive and be seated by 2:15 PM so that we may start the ceremony promptly.

Are there any prohibited items?
Please visit the Oracle Park website for a comprehensive list of prohibited items.

Frequently Asked Questions: B-2 Visa Letter Requests

I would like to invite my family from outside the US and they need to get a B-2 Visa to attend the event. How can I get a letter from GGU that supports that I’m graduating and that I’m inviting them to the commencement ceremony?
You need to submit a letter request form. We will try to process the request within three business day and email you the letters to your GGU email.

Connect with the Alumni Association

As a graduate of Golden Gate University, you are a member of the Alumni Association. Visit the alumni website to create an alumni profile, learn more about the exclusive benefits and services and the latest updates, alumni news stories and more. We encourage you to stay connected, share your success stories with us and be an advocate for GGU’s programs and future students and graduates.

Follow the GGU Alumni Association on Facebook to connect with other GGU alumni.

Shop the GGU bookstore, virtually

Shop at the GGU Bookstore online for yourself or your graduate. Pick up diploma frames, alumni apparel, gifts, collectibles and more.