Orange County Universities Hold In-Person Graduation

High School graduates at a graduation ceremony in a file photo. (Shutterstock)

As Orange County moves into less-restrictive pandemic guidelines, universities are opting for modified in-person commencement ceremonies.

University of California–Irvine (UCI) announced April 26 that graduates—both classes of 2020 and 2021—will be allowed to participate in an in-person component of the stage walk. Each graduate is allowed to bring two guests.

Students will be assigned specific time frames during the June 13 event, which will be live-streamed for those who can’t attend.

Some faculty will be allowed to participate in person, as well.

The university will hold a virtual commencement June 12, featuring speeches from UCI’s leaders.

“We are disappointed that we are again unable to celebrate our graduating students’ accomplishments in person, but public health and safety must continue to take precedence,” the university said in a statement.

“Though circumstances may improve by June, it takes months of planning to prepare for our usual festivities, which draws over 70,000 visitors from around the world.”

California State University–Fullerton

California State University–Fullerton (CSUF) will hold a limited in-person commencement June 12 for the classes of 2020 and 2021.

The university made the announcement following the state’s most recent public ceremony guidelines, which allow outdoor events related to graduation.

The ceremony is limited to graduates and two ticketed guests, and will be live streamed for others.

Prior to the in-person ceremonies, CSUF will hold a virtual commencement June 11, featuring speeches by campus leaders and the conferring of degrees. Afterward, each college will have a virtual celebration.

California State University–Long Beach

California State University–Long Beach (CSULB) graduates will experience an in-person commencement from May 28 to May 31 at the Angel Stadium in Anaheim.

For those unable to attend in-person, virtual celebrations will be held, along with a livestream of the commencement.

Graduates will emerge through a tunnel and walk onto the playing field, where a crowd of fans will cheer them on. The students will cross a platform and find their seats.

This procession will be displayed on the jumbo screen prior to the start of the ceremony.

There will not be a stage-walk for graduates, as students will be seated throughout the 100 to 300 level seating areas.

Due to limited ceremony time, no graduate names will be announced inside the stadium.

Each student is allowed to bring two ticketed guests into the stadium, as capacity is limited.

Virtual content for the class of 2021 will be available the week of commencement.