Commencement Information for Friends and Family

Commencement at Cal Martime is a special event for our entire community, including family and friends. To get ready for your visit to campus, here are few tips to make sure you are prepared and can enjoy your time.

PLEASE ALLOW 45-MINUTES UPON ARRIVAL ON CAMPUS TO BE SEATED FOR THE CEREMONY.

• The Commissioning and Commencement ceremonies are both held at the Quad, an outdoor and uncovered space on the Cal Maritime campus. 
• Vallejo, CA has year-round moderate weather with temperatures between 50 (overnight low) and 73 (daytime high) degrees in early May. Be dressed in layers for a cool and possibly foggy start to the day with skies clearing and temperatures warming up over the morning hours.
• Hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen are recommended for guests, in the event of a clear and sunny day.
• Guests are asked to bring neither food nor glass containers to the ceremonies.
• Consistent with the Policy on Systemwide Smoke and Tobacco Free Environment (Executive Order 1108), Cal Maritime prohibits the use of cigarettes, pipes, cigars, and other “smoke” emanating products including e-cigarettes, vapor devices and other similar products.

Event Detail

The 2025 Cal Maritime Commencement will be held on May 3 outdoors on the Quad. The campus anticipates approximately 1,600 in attendance and live streaming options will be available.

Health and Safety Guidelines for Commencement 2025

• Masks are not required for those fully vaccinated, but are strongly encouraged for the unvaccinated. Masks and hand sanitizer will be available at the event entrance.
• Individuals who are experiencing COVID-19 related symptoms or are ill should not attend the event and are encouraged to participate by viewing the live stream.
• The venue is outdoors and shaded areas will be limited.

Join the alumni, academic deans and faculty on Friday, May 2 1500-1700 on the waterfront for receptions to honor the university’s 2025 graduates.

 

• Limit of four (4) guest tickets per graduate in the reserved seating area on the quad.
• Guest tickets will be provided to graduates at Commencement Rehearsal on Friday, May 2 for distribution to guests.
• All guests must provide ticket to access to the ceremony on May 3. Additional family members are welcome to stay in the peripheral area to watch the ceremony.
• The event will be livestreamed in Rizza Auditorium for guests. Livestream Link to share with family and friends will be made available closer to the event.

There are no exceptions for the number of guest seats available in the reserved seating area.

Check back for more information about our keynote speaker.

• Wheelchairs and Mobility Aids
  Wheelchairs, scooters, and knee scooters are not available to borrow for the event, it is recommended that guests bring their personal wheelchairs or mobility aids.
  
  
• Disabled Parking
  Candidates or guests with disabled parking permits may park in any legal stall on campus. A courtesy shuttle is available to pick up guests at specified locations around campus. Please arrive early, as the shuttle buses take approximately 10 minutes from the furthest location to the Quad. There will be signs identifying the shuttle locations.
  
  
• Service Animals
  Only service animals are allowed at commencement. Comfort animals, emotional support animals and pets are not allowed. Under the ADA, a service animal is defined as a dog that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability.  The task(s) performed by the dog must be directly related to the person's disability.
  
  
• American Sign Language Interpreters
  Interpreters will be on stage for each ceremony at the Quad. The ASL interpreters will be on the right-hand side as you face the stage. Please contact the Accessibility & Disability Services office for additional information on seating for deaf guests.
  
  
• Streaming Closed-Captions
  There will be live streaming closed-caption service available for the commissioning and commencement ceremonies.

If you have any questions or need more information about disability access, please contact DeAna Vides with Accessibility & Disability Services by phone (707-654-1562) or email dvides@csum.edu.

Visit the websites of Visit Vallejo and Visit Benicia, our neighbor to the east, for suggestions on lodging, food, shopping, and activities for the days leading up to and following your visit to Cal Maritime. 

Congratulations on your Keelhauler’s graduation from Cal Maritime! To mark this major milestone, we encourage you to send a personalized news release to your local newspaper(s). Using the sample release here, create a customized news release about your student, including major(s), academic honors, volunteer or internship experiences, study abroad trips, and/or plans for the future.

Please use #CalMaritimeGrad when posting on Social Media for all your commencement celebrations.  Click here for our toolkit.

Commemorate the Class of 2024 celebration with a purchase from the Keelhauler Shops.