Commencement Ceremony 2024
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We are pleased to announce the Saybrook University Commencement Ceremony will be held on Thursday, May 2nd, 2024, at 11:00 am PDT, at Beckman Auditorium, 332 S Michigan Ave, Pasadena, CA 91106. ​

Event Schedule
 9:30am                                Participant Check-In Opens (Outside Tent, Beckman Auditorium)
10:00am                               Beckman Auditorium opens for general seating (balloons prohibited)
10:20am                               Participant Lineup (Outside Tent, Beckman Auditorium)
11:00am – 1:00pm                Commencement Ceremony

Regalia
Question: How do I purchase/obtain my regalia for commencement?
To place an order, visit herff.ly/saybrook​ and select your degree level.

Question: What is included in the regalia package?
Master Degree - Masters cap, gown hood, and tassel w/year date charm
Doctoral Degree - Doctorate tam, gown, tassel and hood

Question: How do I know my hood color? 
You will pick your program from the list. The color has already been chosen by your department chairs. 

Question: How do I determine what size gown to purchase?
After choosing which regalia package to purchase, you will input your height, weight, and then your program on the same page.

Question: What is the deadline to purchase my regalia?
The ordering site closes at 9:00 PM PT on Sunday, March 31, 2024.

Question: When will I receive my regalia?
Cap and gown orders will be delivered in three to four weeks.

Question: What if I need to make a change to my regalia, or cancel my order?
Please call Herff Jones Customer Service at 1.800.837.4235 within 24 hours of placing the order.

Question: What if my regalia has not arrived on time?
Please contact Amanda Sigwing, your local Herff Jones sales representative, at [email protected].

Question: Am I able to rent regalia?
No, the Regalia is only for purchase.

Question: What should I do if I am not sure I participate in the commencement ceremony?
Contact Saybrook Commencement department at [email protected]

Question: Who do I contact if I have other regalia-related questions?
Contact Saybrook Commencement department at [email protected]

Steps to Participate

• Petition for Degree Conferral  (in your final semester)
• Intent to Participate in Commencement Form​ by Friday, February 9, 2024.
• Order regalia for the ceremony by March 31, 2024.

Frequently Asked Questions
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Question:  What Commencement deadlines do I have to meet?

Complete the Intent to Participate in Commencement Form- Friday, February 9, 2024.
Order Regalia by the deadline above.  

Question:  Do we need tickets for the ceremony?
Tickets are not required for the ceremony.

Question:  Will I receive academic honors at graduation or on my diploma and transcript?
Honors are not awarded at this time. 

Question:  Am I eligible to participate in this year's Commencement ceremony?​

You are eligible to participate in Commencement if you completed a degree program in one of the following semesters and have not walked in a previous Saybrook commencement ceremony.

• Fall 2022
• Spring 2023
• Summer 2023​
• Fall 2023
OR
You anticipate graduating in Spring and Summer 2024 and indicate on the Intent to Participate in Commencement form which requirements you have remaining with an estimated completion date.

Question: May I walk for more than one degree?
If you are completing two-degree programs in one academic year, you may only be recognized during Commencement in one-degree program, but your name will be listed in the commencement bulletin for both degrees assuming you have filed all required paperwork. You may walk only one time per degree earned, so, if you have participated in a commencement ceremony already, you may not do so again.

Question: What should I expect on the day of the ceremony?
Ceremony participants must check in at the Beckman Auditorium in an outside tent starting at 9:30 am. The lineup for the ceremony will occur promptly at 10:20 am, and the ceremony will begin promptly at 11:00 am. The ceremony will last for approximately 2 hours.  Parking is available in the designated school​ parking lots around the venue. Please budget time for locating parking and traveling to the venue. Auditorium seating will open at 10:00 am, and all guests must wait outside until the auditorium doors open. Please leave all personal belongings with your guests.

Question: Where do I park?
Campus visitors may park in any commuter (unreserved) stall on campus with a daily or weekly permit. Permits are required in all campus lots between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Visitor permits are available at automated pay stations at the following locations:

Structure #1 (North Wilson Structure): 341 S. Wilson Avenue
Parking Lot #6 (Tournament Lot ): 1248 California Boulevard
Structure #3 (California Structure): 1248 California Boulevard
Structure #4 (Holliston Structure): 370 S. Holliston Avenue
An interactive campus map can be found at: https://www.caltech.edu/map/campus

Visitor permits may be purchased at the following rates:

1 hour permit: $3
2 hour permit: $4
3 hour permit: $6
4 hour permit: $8
All day permit: $9
Weekly permit: $27
Visitor permits are valid in unmarked (commuter) parking stalls.

A $9 daily permit is valid through the end of the business day (5:00 p.m.) in which the permit is purchased.

Question: Does the Auditorium have COVID restrictions in place?
Please follow the Cal Tech COVID procedures HERE.

Question: Need a hotel? 

You can book a hotel with the Saybrook discount at the Hyatt. You can click HE​​RE​  to book or you can use the Group Code – G-SUGF – You may have anyone call their reservation line at 626-788-9108 by April 4th. 

Question: Do we need to wear masks? ​
It is not mandatory! 

Question: Want to know more about Pasadena? 
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Commencement Day Tips
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  • Leave early – Southern California is infamous for traffic. Map out your route in advance, and add 30 minutes or more to allow for rush hour traffic.
  • Pick a meeting place – It's hard to find your family and friends among a sea of people. Familiarize yourself with the area around the Beckman Auditorium and pick a place to meet your guests once the ceremony is over.
  • Be patient and flexible – Commencement will last approximately 2 hours. If you are planning celebrations/lunch reservations after the event, be aware the ceremony could end earlier or later than the scheduled time.​


Contact Us
[email protected]
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