Graduation
Fall 2020 Commencement Activities
All students who have filed a Summer 2020 and Fall 2020 intent to graduate and plan on participating in our commencement activities continue to check here and your Columbia State email for updates on the upcoming commencement ceremony on Saturday, December 12, 2020.
Email graduation@columbiastate.edu if you have any questions.
Here are links from our Spring 2020 Commencement activities:
Seating
There are no tickets required. All seating is in the bleachers with the exception of Special Seating (See below). Guests may seat themselves on a first-come, first-served basis. Due to safety hazards baby strollers are discouraged. If a baby stroller is necessary, it must be left in the entrance of the gymnasium at your own risk.
Once the Gymnasium reaches capacity, guests will be directed to the Ledbetter Auditorium, which is in the Frank G. Clement Building on the Columbia campus across from the Webster Athletic Center Gymnasium. Guest may watch the ceremony broadcast live. Also, if your guest has special needs, the Ledbetter Auditorium would be a better choice for them.
Ceremony Live Stream
The Commencement Ceremony will be streamed live for family and friends who are unable to attend. As the date of commencement approaches, we will provide a link for family and friends on front of the Columbia State website.
Special Seating on the Gymnasium Floor for Guests with Disabilities
Limited disabled seating is available on the floor for individuals who cannot negotiate or have a disability which would prevent them from accessing the bleachers or stairs. Please Note: This seating area consist of folding chairs behind the graduates; therefore visibility is somewhat limited. Due to the limited number of seats at the floor level, only guests with special needs and up to TWO other family members are allowed access. We understand that this may cause families and guests to be separated during the ceremony and apologize for that inconvenience. However, in order to accommodate the growing number of guests with special needs, we must ask that only those needing special seating utilize those seats. For assistance with seating or other arrangements contact Graduation@ColumbiaState.edu or 931.540.2570. Guests needing special accommodations will need to arrive no later than 45 minutes to guarantee seating request and to avoid the crowds in the parking lot and facility lobby.
Photography
Please feel free to bring your cameras to take photos. The aisles need to remain clear at all times, especially during the processional and recessional. Grad Images is the official photographer for graduation. Graduates will be photographed as they cross the stage and shake hands with the President and once again after they exit the stage. Graduation photographs will be made available for purchase through the photographer. However, you are under no obligation to purchase photographs. Many candid photos will be taken by Columbia State staff. Photos will be posted to our webpage.
Parking and Drop-Off Location
Safety and Security
Your safety is our first priority. As you arrive, you will be greeted upon entry by security personnel who will conduct a speedy inspection of all bags, purses and containers you may have with you. For safety and courtesy none of the following items will be allowed inside or outside during the Commencement Ceremonies.
- Balloons, blow up items, beach balls, inflatables
- Glass containers, vases or bottles
- Silly string or aerosol cans of any kind
- Illegal substances of any kind
- Laser pens or pointers
- Lawn chairs or portable seating
- Alcohol of any kind
- Fireworks or incendiary devices including party/confetti poppers
- Offensive signs or banners or signs or banners over 8.5” X 11”
- Weapons or other threatening objects of any kind (including spiked jewelry or chains)
- Pets (other than service animals)
- Water guns, spray bottles, or misters
- Drones or any type of UAV
- Remote control devices of any kind
- Airsoft products
- Facial masks of any type
- Mace or pepper spray
- Musical instruments
- Any other item deemed unacceptable by Columbia State Security or Staff
