Important reminders:

• REGALIA: Final regalia pick up, purchases or exchanges will take place during Senior Send-Off, 7 a.m.-5 p.m. on May 15 at the Smith Alumni Center. Plus, enjoy cap decorating, photo ops and more as you prepare to join the Ram Alumni family.
  • The Alumni Center will also be open on Saturday, 8 a.m.-3 p.m., for those who cannot make it on Friday.
• SECURITY: The clear-bag policy applies to all guests and graduates for ceremonies at Canvas Stadium and Moby Arena. Review security details, including permitted and prohibited items.
• TRAFFIC: Expect heavy traffic on and around campus. Please plan ahead to give yourself and your guests extra time to park and get to events.
• PARKING: Pay-to-park and permit parking are suspended May 15-16 to provide more flexible parking options for graduates and their supporters. Four parking lots will be restricted to ADA parking passes on Saturday for University-wide Commencement.
• Zone parking is recommended based on ceremony locations:
  • Lory Student Center Grand Ballroom: Orange and Red Zones to access the north entry, Purple Zone to access the south entry.
  • Ceremony Tent: Purple Zone
  • Moby Arena: Green and Gold Zones
• Review the campus map for more information, noting that there are additional Commencement filters you can select for shuttle routes and stops.
• DROP OFF: If your group is dropping people off for University-wide Commencement on Saturday, it is best to utilize the designated rideshare drop-off location south of the Behavioral Sciences Building, at Newton’s plaza, entering from College Ave. to avoid traffic congestion on the west side of campus.
  • For recognition ceremonies, guests and graduates may be dropped off near each location. There will also be complimentary golf carts and shuttles moving between locations to help everyone navigate campus efficiently.
• SHUTTLES + TRANSIT: Campus shuttles will run throughout commencement weekend. Learn more about shuttles and other transportation options for reaching campus.
  • Alternative transportation: SPIN is waiving the initial vehicle-unlock fee for commencement attendees with code: CSUCOMMENCE. Download the SPIN app for a real-time map of available scooters and e-bikes.
• RECOGNITION CEREMONIES: Recognition ceremonies run from 8 a.m. Friday, May 15, through 9 p.m. Saturday, May 16, with many ceremonies occurring back-to-back. Graduate line up and guest entry begin one hour before ceremony start time.
  • To help ensure ceremonies run on time, please plan to meet your guests and supporters outside of the venue for photos when your ceremony concludes.
  • TICKETS: Guests must have tickets to enter recognition ceremony venues. Mobile tickets will be distributed to students’ CSU email over the next couple of days via [email protected] with a subject line “Your mobile tickets have arrived.” You will also be able to access your tickets through your student ticket account.
    • The deadline to edit your RSVP was May 8. Ticket distribution reflects the maximum capacity of ceremony venues. The commencement office cannot make changes or issue additional tickets. You will need to coordinate with other graduates to transfer tickets between your student accounts from this point forward.
    • Download your tickets as soon as you receive them to avoid last-minute technical difficulties. You will receive a final email from the CSU Commencement team once all tickets are distributed to make sure you don’t miss the ticket email.
• UNIVERSITY-WIDE COMMENCEMENT: University-wide Commencement begins at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 16, at Canvas Stadium. As with recognition ceremonies, graduates and guests should plan to arrive one hour before ceremony start time. Student line-up begins in the parking lot directly north of the stadium (lot 473) at 9 a.m.; Canvas Stadium gates will open to guests at the same time.
  • Remember: Tickets are not required for University-wide Commencement at Canvas Stadium.
• FOOD & DRINKS: Canvas Stadium concessions will be open during University-wide Commencement, offering breakfast and lunch options. Throughout commencement weekend, grab some grub at three tasty food truck options. Enjoy coffee, tacos, burgers and more with your favorite people without needing to re-park! Additional dining options and menus can be found here.
• MAPS: Venue maps for all ceremonies indicate line-up locations and entrances for graduates and guests, including accessible entrance indicators. Review venue maps for details and share with your guests.
• LIVESTREAMS: All ceremonies will be livestreamed, so your supporters can cheer you on from wherever they are! Livestream and program links are included with recognition ceremony details, and the University-wide Commencement livestream is accessible alongside the ceremony program.
• FIRST DESTINATION SURVEY: The last thing on your to-do list as a graduate is to fill out CSU’s First Destination Survey, which lets the university know what you have planned next as you join the Ram Alumni family!

Finally, please share details with your friends, family, guests and supporters to help them navigate the festivities – there’s a whole webpage just for them!

All in all, at its core, commencement is a celebration of the culmination of all your hard work, so don’t forget to make fun plans in Fort Collins with your supporters.

Congratulations, again!
—The Commencement Planning Committee