Visitors & Guests
Guest Seating & Etiquette
Tickets are not required for Commencement. Guest seating at the ceremony is on a first come, first served basis. There is no reserved general seating, and guests are respectfully requested not to save seats for others. The Amphitheatre can accommodate seating for an estimated 9,000 guests. Special seating will be provided for disabled individuals. However, due to limited space, disabled guests may be accompanied by only one non-disabled person in the disabled seating area. The ceremony will also be broadcast inside of Flora and Bernell Snider Recital Hall (see map building #6a), for those guests who wish to avoid the sun and heat. The recital hall is adjacent to the west entrance of the Amphitheatre. Guests may photograph graduates before and after the ceremony, and from their seats during the ceremony.
Free parking will be available on campus during Commencement.
Photographs
Grad Images will take professional photographs of the graduates. Within one week following Commencement, each graduate will receive in the mail a free color proof and may purchase additional photos at a reasonable cost. Proofs can also be viewed online. Individual orders will be processed within 14 days of receipt.
You can also preregister at Grad Images prior to the ceremony. This allows you to provide email and mailing address information to help share the good news and the photos! Grad Images will contact them just as soon as their photos are available for online viewing and ordering.
Food, Drink & Souvenirs
Multiple concession stands will be located near the entrance and in the quad area to purchase breakfast items, coffee, water, flowers and souvenirs.
Flowers
It is permissible for students to wear flowers with academic regalia. The Graduate School will have booths, in multiple locations on campus, to sell bouquets and leis for your graduate.
Lodging in Turlock
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott
(209) 668-3800
3301 Countryside Dr.
Reservations
Holiday Inn Express
(209) 664-9999
3001 Hotel Drive
Reservations