The most current health guideline are listed below. We will continue to monitor and update them so please check back often.
Graduates and guests are not required to be fully vaccinated or provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test for entry to Oracle Park. These guidelines also apply to Non-California residents.
Jostens Regalia Orders
The Jostens website will be open for ordering starting on Feb.12. It will close on April 5. The deadline has now been extended to April 12!
Any regalia order placed online by Friday, April 12 will arrive in time for the Commencement ceremony. Regalia rented online will come with a paid return label to make sending your regalia back to Jostens easy.
Items available through the Jostens website:
- Bachelor Rental Package (includes cap, gown, and tassel) $45
- Masters Rental Package (includes cap, gown, tassel, and hood) $80
- Stoles will range in price from $22-$40
- Specialty tassels (bling and campus seal charm) $7 and $9
- The Stolebuilder "Design your own stole" starts at $49
- Grad Packs are available. Order your regalia, stole and diploma frame and you will receive 20% the diploma frame.
Gown and Hood Returns
The cap, tassel and stole are yours to keep!
Please return your Rental Gown (Bachelors and Masters) and Rental Hood (Masters Only) one of two ways:
- If you ordered online use the provided return label located in your regalia package. Drop off your regalia at any UPS location by May 31, 2024.
- Drop off at the SFSU Bookstore beginning Saturday, May 25th from The bookstore will be closed Sunday/Monday May 26/27 in observance of Memorial Day but will be open Tuesday-Friday, May 28-31. You have until May 31 to return your gown to the bookstore.
All gowns and hoods are barcoded and will be inventoried at the time of return. If items are not returned, they will be considered lost, and you will be charged according to the prices listed below:
Bachelors Gown Non-Return Fee: $250
Masters Gown Non-Return Fee: $275
Masters Hood Non-Return Fee: $125
Renting regalia will qualify you to receive up seven (7) Commencement tickets. Tickets will be available for pick-up at the San Francisco State Bookstore beginning May 13, 2024.
You can have someone else pick-up your tickets or regalia if needed. Have them bring a copy of your student ID and regalia order confirmation to the SF State Bookstore ticket pick-up and let the staff there know you are picking up on a graduating student’s behalf.
Please note that replacement tickets will not be issued if your allotment is lost or destroyed. SF State prohibits the direct or indirect sale or auction of Commencement tickets.
No additional tickets will be distributed. If you need more than seven (7) tickets you may be able to obtain them from fellow graduating students who will not be using their full allotment. The Commencement Office will not have any extra tickets for distribution.
Graduates do not need a ticket to enter as long as you are wearing SF State regalia. All guests need a ticket with the exception of children younger than two.
Re-entering the Ballpark
For safety reasons Oracle Park does not allow in and out privileges. Guests will not be able to enter Oracle Park after 7:30 pm.
Special note: Commencement occurs in a public venue and will be recorded and photographed for distribution through various SF State outlets. All audience members (or parents/ guardians of minors attending the event) acknowledge that they may appear on these recordings and photographs by virtue of their attendance at or participation in Commencement, and agree to the University’s use of photographed or videotaped materials through the University’s websites, applications and other channels of communication.
Yes! Order in advance from The Commencement Group's dedicated SF State online store and your items will be waiting for you at the entrance to Oracle Park. Order flowers and gifts here
Yes, the Will Call windows along King Street will be open and guests can leave and pick up tickets.
Yes. A space for prayer is available for our guests and graduates. The Executive Meeting Room will be available during times of prayer. To find the room please speak with an Oracle Park Guest Services team member who will help you to the room. Guest Services will also be available after the time of prayer to help you find your way back to your seats if you need assistance.
Oracle Park is an accessible event space. Please visit the Disability Resources page for some general information to help make your Commencement experience as enjoyable and comfortable as possible.
Visit the Transportation page to discover the many easy ways to get to Oracle Park.
We strongly recommend that graduates and guests take public transit to Oracle Park.
Yes, concessions will be open at Oracle Park to sell food and beverages (with the exception of alcohol). You may also bring in food and beverages. Please refer to the restrictions noted in "Bags, Containers and Coolers" and "Bottles and Cans" sections of the rules.
No, but you will appear on the scoreboard as you enter the ballpark and as you receive your diploma cover.
For a more personal experience many colleges, departments and student affinity groups also hold graduation ceremonies. These events offer the opportunity to have graduates' names called. As those ceremonies are confirmed we will add them to the Commencement website.
Diploma Procession & Commencement Photos
GradImages® will be at Oracle Park taking pictures of graduates with their diploma. Graduates will find a card from GradImages® at their seat. Graduates can fill out the card with contact information and bring it with them during the diploma procession. The card will be handed to a GradImages® representative when instructed.
During the diploma procession graduates will be guided from their seats to the diploma stages by ambassadors. As graduates process they will be handed their diploma cover and will then cross in front of the gold SF State backdrop where they will be shown on the Oracle Park scoreboard and have their picture taken by GradImages®.
Graduates will receive a copy of the printed program at Commencement. Candidates who applied to graduate by April 1, 2024 will be listed in the printed commencement program.
No. We know this is a special day and that families and friend of graduates want to take photographs but because of access restrictions this is not possible. A professional photography company will be taking photos prior to graduates entering the ballpark. Graduates will receive order forms directly from the company.
Diploma Procession & Commencement Photos
GradImages® will be at Oracle Park taking pictures of graduates with their diploma. Graduates will find a card from GradImages® at their seat. Graduates can fill out the card with contact information and bring it with them during the diploma procession. The card will be handed to a GradImages® representative when instructed.
During the diploma procession graduates will be guided from their seats to the diploma stages by ambassadors. As graduates process they will be handed their diploma cover and will then cross in front of the gold SF State backdrop where they will be shown on the Oracle Park scoreboard and have their picture taken by GradImages®.
Oracle Park Rules & Information
No pets, except service animals, will be allowed in Oracle Park. Also, alcoholic beverages, smoking, balloons, banners, signs, beach balls, silly string and fireworks are not allowed at Commencement.
Commencement will take place rain or shine. The weather in San Francisco is unpredictable and can change rapidly throughout the day. It is suggested that guests wear layers.
Graduates and guests will walk through a metal detector as their tickets are being scanned. If the device detects something on a graduate or guest, that person will be checked with a handheld wand, and there will be further security follow-up if needed.
In accordance with San Francisco City Ordinance, Oracle is a smoke-free facility with no smoking areas. Smoking is not permitted anywhere in the ballpark. Electronic smoking and any other vaporized smoking is also not permitted anywhere inside.
For security reason Oracle Park does not allow in and out privileges. Guests will not be allowed to enter Oracle Park after 7:30 p.m.
If a guest has lost an item, he/she should contact the nearest Guest Services staff member for assistance. Items will be held for one week. Unclaimed items will be donated to charity. After the Commencement guests may call Lost and Found at (415) 972-2156 and leave a detailed description of the lost item, with the time, date and location of where they think the item was misplaced. Guests may also e-mail Lost and Found at lostandfound@sfgiants.com with this information.
At the Commencement ceremony, you will receive a diploma cover. Your actual diploma will be sent to the address you listed on your graduation application.
Diploma covers will not be mailed with diplomas.