Faculty & Staff

There is a myriad of details that go into running a successful Commencement. Employees are needed to assist on the day—whether it be participating in the procession or supporting Commencement behind the scenes.

Processional Participation

Faculty and staff who plan to participate in the processional and be seated in the designated faculty and staff section during a Commencement ceremony must register their processional participation by April 15. Registered faculty and staff will receive further instruction from their College Coordinator closer to the event. 

Processional Registration

Commencement Support

Employees are needed to assist at Commencement. This includes administrators, faculty, staff, student assistants (and even volunteers). Roles include greeting guests, ushering, providing shuttle and wheelchair escort support, assisting with parking and traffic, and helping in the graduate and faculty/staff lineup areas. Those who would like to work Commencement are asked to make arrangements with their supervisor for their work hours and submit their Commencement work interest and availability by April 15. Details about shift needs and assignments will be shared closer to the event. 

Commencement Support Registration

Faculty or staff in need of disability-related accommodations to participate in Commencement are asked to reach out to the Commencement Coordinator at grad@humboldt.edu. The Commencement Coordinator will collaborate with the Campus Disability Resource Center for the ceremony you will be assisting in to arrange reasonable accommodations. Please note that some accommodations may take several weeks to arrange. If you would like to contact the Campus Disability Resource Center, they can be reached at (707) 826-4678 or sdrc@humboldt.edu.

Parking is available in all general lots on campus, but Lots G11, G12, G13, G14, and non-reserved sections of G15 are recommended. Parking permits are not required on campus on Commencement Day. 

Please note: Lots at Van Matre and behind Founders, at the south entrance of KA and the Wildlife Care Center, and on the north end of Union Street and behind the SRC are reserved for Commencement related activities and will not be available.  

The green lots shown on the Commencement event map (coming soon) are open to general parking. The blue lots are recommended for those needing accessible parking or shuttle access. Please note that no general vehicle traffic, parking, or drop-offs will be allowed beyond the barricades at 17th and Union Streets or past the corner of Laurel & B Streets due to pedestrian safety. On Commencement Day, 17th Street may be restricted to a single westbound lane to accommodate shuttle service. 

Accessible parking is available in Lot FS9, located at the end of Rossow Street between Gist Hall and the Student Business Services building, and in reserved sections of Lot G15, located at the corner of 14th and Union Streets. Vehicles with valid ADA placards or license plates may also park in any available ADA-designated parking space on campus. 

Shuttles for those with mobility-related access needs will run continuously between Lot FS9 and Lot G15 to the south entrance of Redwood Bowl in between the Recreation & Wellness Center and Forbes Gym. 

Please be aware that shuttle capacity is limited and may result in wait times. We encourage early arrival for those planning to use this service. Accessible pedestrian routes are also available. Please refer to the campus Disability Access map for details.

To prioritize access for individuals with limited mobility, shuttle service will be provided only between Lot FS9, Lot G15, and the drop off point at Redwood Bowl. Shuttles will not be available to take guests off route to receptions or other campus celebrations. We kindly ask that only the individual with mobility-related needs and one accompanying guest use the shuttle service to help ensure availability for those who need it most.

Processional Participation

Faculty or staff participating in the processional should arrive with their regalia and check in at the West Gym (Recreation & Wellness Center 202) no later than 45 minutes prior to their ceremony start time. If you bring a bag, you will be subject to the Clear Bag Guidelines and will be asked to go through bag check prior to entry. 

Staff Support

Staff assigned to support Commencement will receive shifts and assignments closer to the event. Staff are expected to check in and check out at the Staff Check-In area at the beginning and end of their shift. If you bring a bag, you will be subject to the Clear Bag Guidelines and will be asked to go through bag check prior to entry.

Processional

The Mace Bearer and Student Marshals will lead graduates into the Commencement venue, followed by the Faculty Marshals, the general faculty and staff, and the Platform Party. Graduates will process from the lineup area with their major to the venue. Student Marshals and ushers will direct graduates to their seats and Faculty Marshals will assist with general faculty and staff seating.

During the Ceremony

• At the appropriate cue, Student Marshals will direct graduates to exit their seats and line up near the stage one row at a time.
• Graduates will pause at two designated locations to take a posed photo before lining up at the stage entrance.
• As they approach the stage, graduates will hand their name reader card to the Stage Manager and will be directed to cross the stage as their name is read.
• Graduates will be directed to move to the floor marker in front of the podium and receive their diploma cover. They will pause and face the photographer for an official photo centerstage.
• After the photo, marshals and ushers will direct graduates to exit the stage and return to their seats.
• Master’s candidates participating will receive additional instructions on how to hold their hood. They will be hooded on stage prior to receiving their diploma cover. 
• Once all graduates have been recognized, degrees will be conferred. Graduates will be prompted to move their tassel from the right side of their cap to the left—a symbolic gesture of their achievement.

Recessional

Following closing remarks, a musical cue will signal the start of the recessional. The Mace Bearer will lead the Platform Party, followed by the faculty, staff, and graduates out of the venue. Marshals and ushers will assist in guiding rows out in an orderly manner, one at a time. Once all graduates have exited, guests will be directed to exit their seats and venue.

Can’t attend in person? Each ceremony will be livestreamed, allowing families, friends, and the campus community to celebrate alongside graduates from anywhere.

Live captioning will be provided in English and Spanish on the livestream. Links will be available on the day of the event at commencement.humboldt.edu and humboldt.edu. No registration is required—just click and watch.

Recordings of each on-campus ceremony will be posted at commencement.humboldt.edu in the weeks following the event.