Frequently Asked Questions

 Student Information

1. How do I apply for Graduation and Commencement? Students initiate the graduation process by taking the online Graduation Student Survey and completing the online Graduation Application Form.
2. When do I apply for Graduation and Commencement?  File your Application for Graduation and Commencement by February 1 for May Commencement (including Summer students) and file by September 1 for December Commencement.
3. When will I get notified that I am eligible to attend Commencement?  Candidates who file an Application for Graduation Form will be notified by email (your USF email account) five to six weeks prior to the ceremonies of the eligibility to attend the Grad Finale event and the Commencement Ceremonies.
4. How do I obtain my regalia and guest tickets?  For detailed information, please click on a specific ceremony, link provided on the right, under the resources.
5. Can someone pick up my regalia and guest tickets for me?  Yes, please give that person written authorization with your full name, USF ID#, height, degree and major information and your signature; then he or she can pick up your regalia and guest tickets for you.  A Photo ID will be required for all regalia pick-up.
6. Will there be a place where I can store my valuables during the ceremony?  No. Please leave your valuables and personal possessions with family and friends; we do not have security or space to store them. We are not responsible for lost, stolen or destroyed personal possessions.
7. If I misplace my name card, where can I pick up a replacement?  You may pick up a new name card in the Gleeson Library’s Atrium ONLY on the dates of distribution.
8. Graduation Candidates and Guest with Disabilities: If you are a person with a disability who needs reasonable accommodations for this event, please contact Student Disability Services at (415) 422-2613 at least 10 days in advance of your ceremony.  Please know that some accommodations (e.g. sign language interpretation, and real-time captioning) may take longer to arrange. The Parker Street entrance to the Saint Ignatius Church is wheelchair-accessible and disabled parking is available on Parker Street. 
9. University Honors: Are only for undergraduate students who completed at least 60 credits of academic coursework (letter grade) at USF and a minimum USF grade point average of:  3.85 for Summa Cum Laude, 3.75 for Magna Cum Laude, and 3.50 for Cum Laude.
10. When are diplomas mailed? Diplomas are mailed approximately 8 weeks after commencement. 
11. Undergraduate Students who complete double majors. Will I receive two diplomas? No. Only one diploma is issued with the primary major refelcted on it. Both majors will appear on your official transcript. 
12. Do concentrations and minors appear on the diplomas? No. Concentrations and minors appear on your official transcript. 
13. Can anything prevent the release of a diploma? Yes, diplomas will not be released for students who have outstanding financial obligations to the University or outstanding academic requirements.
14. How to order a duplicate diploma: The Duplicate Diploma form is available at http://www.usfca.edu/graduation     

Ticket Information

1. Why are guest tickets required for Commencement?  Safety is the first and foremost reason for controlling the number of guests in St. Ignatius Church.  Also, the city fire marshal has made it clear that we must limit the number of guests and candidates to the seating capacity of the Church.
2. How is the number of guest tickets per candidate calculated?  To ensure that the greatest number of guest tickets could be given to each candidate at each ceremony, we did the following: from the total number of seats available, we subtracted seats for the candidates, platform party and special guests, and divided the remaining seats by the number of expected candidates at each ceremony.
3. How many guest tickets do I get?  Please see specific ceremony (links on the left) for the number of guest tickets candidates will receive. Guest tickets cannot be replaced if lost, stolen or destroyed. We are not responsible for lost, stolen or destroyed guest tickets.
4. How can I get extra tickets?  Due to the large number of graduates, there will not be any extra tickets and there are NO extra tickets at the door. You may want to check with your classmates to see if anyone has tickets that they will not use.
5. I am eligible to attend the ceremony. Do I need a guest ticket?  No. If you are a student participating in the Commencement ceremony, you will not need a ticket.  The tickets you receive are for your guests.
6. Do children need a ticket to attend Commencement?  Children, ages two and under, do not need a ticket.
7. If one of my guests is in a wheelchair, will a ticket be required?  Yes, since a wheelchair occupies the space of a chair, a ticket is required for an individual in a wheelchair.
8. Can non-graduating USF students get tickets for the Commencement ceremony?  All guests, including non-graduating students, must have a ticket to enter the Church.
9. Will any other seating be available for people without tickets?  Yes, viewing via closed circuit TV will be available in the Pedro Arrupe Room and Cowell Hall rooms 106 and 107.

Ceremony Information

1. How early should my guests arrive at the church?  The doors to Saint Ignatius Church will open 45 minutes prior to each ceremony.  Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.  Please be sure to notify your guests of this procedure.
2. Are seats reserved?  No, all seats are general admission.  While tickets are required for guests to enter the Church, individual seats are not reserved.  The doors will open to guests 45 minutes before the ceremony.  Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.
3. How long does the Commencement Ceremony last?  Each ceremony lasts approximately 60 to 90 minutes.
4. Can someone videotape the ceremony?  Yes, the use of video cameras will be allowed to the extent that they do not obstruct the view of other guests in the audience.  Monopods, bipods and tripods are not allowed.
5. Is there a live streaming video of the ceremony? Yes, please visit the following link to view Commencement Video. 
6. How long does the reception last? Each reception lasts approximately one hour following each Commencement ceremony. There is no reception after the Graduation Mass. 

General Information

1. Hotel Information?  Call (toll free) 1-(877) 243-8075 or Visit www.hotelres.com
2. Flowers and Leis? Commencement Flowers will sell flowers and leis on campus during all commencement ceremonies. Visit www.commencementflowers.org
   
3. How to order Commencement Photos: Visit www.GradImages.com
4. How to order Personalized Commencement Announcements: Visit www.jostens.com
5. How to order a USF class ring: Visit www.jostens.com
6. How to order a DVD or VHS of the ceremony:  Visit www.usfca.edu/graduationdvd
7. How to order a Diploma Frame: Visit www.framingsuccess.com
8. Questions on the day of the ceremony: Contact University of San Francisco's main phone number at (415) 422-5555.
9. Graduation degree requirements, regalia, diplomas, etc.: Contact the Graduation Center at (415) 422-2020.
10. Driving Instructions and Campus Map: Or contact USF Public Safety at (415) 422-4222.
11. Bon Appetit Market: Located in the University Center, will be open limited hours during the commencement ceremonies for food and beverage service; please call (415) 422-6294 for business hours.
12. University Bookstore: Located in University Center, will be open limited hours during the commencement ceremonies. Diploma frames can be purchased here. Please call (415) 422-6493 for business hours.