Spring 2024 Cultural Commencement Interest Form

Thank you for your interest in participating in this year's Cultural Commencement celebrations! Cal Poly's Cultural Commencements are held in addition to the traditional University Commencement ceremonies. Cultural Commencements are facilitated through partnerships with students, faculty, and staff to honor the diversity of our students, acknowledge their identities, and commemorate successful college careers.

Please read the descriptions below and fill out the survey to indicate your interest in participating. Cultural Commencement organizers will contact students directly and provide more information about dates, times, and locations.

Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Commencement Ceremony
Saturday, June 8 | 4-7 p.m. | Multi Activity Center
This ceremony recognizes and celebrates the varied accomplishments of graduating Cal Poly APIDA students. Through this ceremony we hope to underscore the impact of this student community at Cal Poly by highlighting the diverse culture of the Asian, Pan-Asian, and APIDA diaspora.

Black Commencement Ceremony
Friday, June 14 | 4-8 p.m. | S panos Theatre & Sequoia Lawn
The Black Commencement Ceremony recognizes the culture and accomplishments of the Cal Poly students of the Black and African Diaspora graduating class. This commencement is designed to unite families, friends, and students to celebrate the traditional rite of passage by bridging our culture and achievements. Distinguished speakers are chosen every year to provide insightful words of wisdom and encouragement to empower students in all of their future endeavors. Students and their guests will enjoy live performances, a sit-down dinner, and the tradition of wearing Kente cloth stoles hand-woven from Africa, all add to the vibrancy.

Chicanx/Latinx Commencement Ceremony
Friday, June 14 | 12-3 p.m. | Performing Arts Center
This bilingual ceremony celebrates the accomplishments of our Cal Poly students that represent a vibrant and intersectional Latine/x diaspora. This ceremony aims to recognize this resilient student community and all who have supported them throughout their Cal Poly journey.

Disability Commencement Ceremony
Friday, May 31 | 12-2 p.m. | UU220
Recognizing and celebrating students with disabilities who are graduating. We celebrate their success with a ceremony and reception that acknowledges their achievements and allows the opportunity for students to thank their supporters.

Jewish Commencement Ceremony
Friday, June 14 | 3-5 p.m. | Plant Conservatory
Jewish commencement is a time to honor students who hold a Jewish identity in any capacity. Whether you have been involved in Jewish life or not, we want to celebrate your accomplishments! This event will involve food, students speakers, and a chance to be recognized for all of your hard work. All family and friends are welcome.

Lavender (LGBTQIA2S+) Commencement Ceremony
Friday, June 7 | 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. | Spanos Theatre
Lavender Commencement recognizes and celebrates the scholarship, accomplishments, and community contributions of historically marginalized sexual and gender identities including, but not limited to, Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Pansexual, Asexual/Aromantic, Queer, Transgender, Genderqueer, Gender Fluid, Gender Non-Conforming, Non-Binary, Agender, Intersex, and Questioning graduate students.

Monarch Commencement Ceremony
Thursday, June 13 | 4-6 p.m. | PAC Pavilion
This ceremony uplifts the academic accomplishments and personal successes of the undocumented and DACAmented students at Cal Poly SLO. We will center immigrant student stories of resilience and joy through this celebration! There will be a virtual component to this ceremony for supporters who are unable to celebrate in-person.

Native American and Indigenous Commencement Ceremony
Saturday, June 8 | 10:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. | yakʔitʸutʸu Community Center
Native American and Indigenous commencement celebrates and recognizes the achievements and successes of all graduating Native American and Indigenous students. The ceremony is a place for students to celebrate and be in community with family, friends, faculty, and staff who have supported their journeys.

We welcome all students who identify as Native American or Indigenous, including, but not limited to, Alaska Natives, Indigenous Hawaiians, Indigenous Samoans, and Indigenous Latinx.

Southwest Asian North African (SWANA) Commencement Ceremony
Friday, June 14 | 6-8 p.m. | PAC Pavilion
SWANA Commencement celebrates the culture and accomplishments of the Cal Poly SWANA graduating class. The ceremony recognizes SWANA students’ impact at Cal Poly, both individually and as a community. Graduating students and their supporters, families, and friends will be able to celebrate this commencement with dinner, keynote speakers, cultural performances, and personal memories from their time at Cal Poly.

Please note that the information provided below is confidential and used for programming purposes only.

First Name *This question is required.

Middle Name (Optional)

Last Name *This question is required.

Please spell your name phonetically Musty the Mustang -> "MUST-ee the MUST-ang

What Are Your Gender Pronouns?

Hometown *This question is required.

Cal Poly Email Address *This question is required. This question requires a valid email address.

Phone Number *This question is required.

Graduation Quarter *This question is required.

Degree Program *This question is required.

Major(s) *This question is required.

Minor(s)

Concentration(s)

Student Club/Organization Affiliation(s)

Which Cultural Commencement(s) are you interested in participating in? (Please check all that apply) *This question is required.

Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Commencement Ceremony
Black Commencement Ceremony
Chicanx/Latinx Commencement Ceremony
Disability Commencement Ceremony
Jewish Commencement Ceremony
Lavender (LGBTQIA2S+) Commencement Ceremony
Monarch Commencement Ceremony
Native American and Indigenous Commencement
Southwest Asian North African (SWANA) Commencement Ceremony

Would you like to be added to our Program Slides and/or Program Book? *This question is required.

Please upload your own photo

Please add any photo you would want others to see. Does not have to be formal headshots, etc.

File: {{filename}} delete

Please submit a short bio that you'd like to see next to your photo. These words from you, which may be written in your preferred language, will be shared during the ceremony with your supporters to see. Just in case, you need some guidance on what to write, here are a few ideas below to help inspire you:

Would you like to thank anyone that directly supported you?
Is there a quote that really resonates with you and helped you during your time at Cal Poly?
Is there a Cal Poly memory (affiliated student organization or SDAB-wise) that you would like to share?
What are your academic/professional/personal goals that you are excited about after Cal Poly?

*This question is required. Please keep the bio to 115 words max and review for grammar/spelling errors!

We have a set of questions below aimed at determining the number of individuals who will be present at the pre-ceremonial dinner and the commencement. Your loved ones and acquaintances are cordially invited to join both the dinner and the ceremony.

If you intend to be present at the ceremony, do you also plan on attending the dinner? The dinner is scheduled to commence at 4:00 p.m. and conclude at 5:30 p.m. *This question is required.

Are you interested in our photography headshot event? We traditionally pay for commencement headshots 3-4 photos for you at no cost.
The event is scheduled after commencement regalia can be purchased. Regalia goes on sale in the spring quarter. Students who are unable to purchase in time can borrow a cap and gown from BAEC for photos. *This question is required.Photos are taken on Friday, April 26, 2024 or Friday, May 3rd, 2024 once cap and gowns are purchased.

Please upload your photo hereYou may upload up to 4 photos
Please add any photo you would want others to see. Does not have to be formal headshots, etc.

File: {{filename}} delete

Biography Needed for Black Commencement Program
It is Cal Poly's Black Commencement tradition to highlight each of our graduates in the Commencement's program book. Along with a copy of your graduate photo (or if you prefer to submit a photo), we will add a few words from you to be shared with your peers, the Cal Poly Community, your friends and family. Your words, which can be a bio about yourself on how or why you choose Cal Poly, words of wisdom, a series of thank you's or a quote, the choice is yours. There are no right or wrong words. Just in case, you need some guidance on what to write, here are a few idea questions to help inspire you:

Would you like to thank you to anyone?
Is there a quote that really resonates with you and helped you during your time at Cal Poly?
Is there a BAEC/BSU/NSBE/Athletic/Cal Poly memory that you would like to share?
What are your academic/professional goals after Cal Poly?

Again, there are no right or wrong words, what you choose to share is totally up to you.

Example: Name: Julia Mustang: My goal is to be an a Director in Higher Education. At Cal Poly, I made good friends and learned that if I want to succeed, I need to get out of my comfort zone. Thanks to the professors who helped and supported me, and to all my friends who helped me navigate challenges experienced at Cal Poly. Thank you to the many mentors who have come across his mind. They taught me that a dream is just a dream unless I take actions to make it real. “The desire to reach for the stars is ambitious. The desire to reach hearts is wise.” ~ Maya Angelou *This question is required.

Are you interested in joining the Cal Poly Black Alumni Chapter? *This question is required.

Would you like to be added to the Chicanx/Latinx & Indigenous Alumni Association? *This question is required.

Would you like to be added to our Program Slides and/or Program Book? *This question is required.

Please upload your own photo

Please add any photo you would want others to see. Does not have to be formal headshots, etc.

File: {{filename}} delete

Would you like to thank anyone that directly supported you?
Is there a quote that really resonates with you and helped you during your time at Cal Poly?
Is there a Cal Poly memory (affiliated student organization or SDAB-wise) that you would like to share?
What are your academic/professional/personal goals that you are excited about after Cal Poly?

*This question is required. Please keep the bio to 115 words max and review for grammar/spelling errors!

Personal email address *This question is required. Non-Cal Poly email This question requires a valid email address.

What are your preferred pronouns? *This question is required.

Would you like to be added to the Pride Alumni Association?

Would you like to be added to our Program Slides and/or Program Book? *This question is required.

Please upload your own photo

Please add any photo you would want others to see. Does not have to be formal headshots, etc.

File: {{filename}} delete

Would you like to thank anyone that directly supported you?
Is there a quote that really resonates with you and helped you during your time at Cal Poly?
Is there a Cal Poly memory (affiliated student organization or SDAB-wise) that you would like to share?
What are your academic/professional/personal goals that you are excited about after Cal Poly?

*This question is required. Please keep the bio to 115 words max and review for grammar/spelling errors!

Please upload a photo here for the Commencement Booklet *This question is required.You may upload up 1 photo

File: {{filename}} delete

Please submit a 300 word bio for the Commencement Booklet *This question is required.

Tribal Affiliation or Indigenous Heritage (Optional)

What is your SWANA origin? (Optional)

Only students participating in a cultural ceremony will receive a designated stole, however if you are not able to attend for any reason and would still like to obtain a stole, you may request one by 4/15

*This question is required.Requests made will not guarantee you are provided a stole

Cultural Commencement Attendance *This question is required.

I will be attending and will receive my stole at my Cultural Commencement Ceremony
I will NOT be attending and would like a stole

Which Cultural Commencement are you UNABLE to attend? *This question is required.

Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Commencement Ceremony
Black Commencement Ceremony
Chicanx/Latinx Commencement Ceremony
Lavender (LGBTQIA2S+) Commencement Ceremony
Monarch Commencement Ceremony
Native American and Indigenous Commencement

Do you have any accessibility needs? *This question is required.

Please list what accessibility needs you have. *This question is required.

Do any of your guests have mobility impairments that require accessibility assistance? *This question is required.

All of the cultural events are ADA compliant, but what are some other ways we may be able to assist your guest? *This question is required.

Are you planning to participate in the main Commencement ceremonies on Saturday, June 15 and Sunday, June 16 in Alex G. Spanos Stadium? *This question is required.

Why not? *This question is required.

Do you have any food restrictions? *This question is required.

Please enter an 'other' value for this selection.