PASSWORDMANAGEMENT
Congratulations, Graduates!
This is a special time of year when we come together to celebrate your incredible achievements at Cal State San Marcos. We鈥檙e so proud -- get ready for an unforgettable day!
We look forward to celebrating this milestone with you and your loved ones!
Date
Monday, Dec. 15, 2025
Ceremonies
2 p.m.
College of Humanities, Arts, Behavioral and Social Sciences
College of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics
6 p.m.
College of Education, Health & Human Services
College of Business Administration
Preregistration and Tickets Required
Pre-registration is required for all graduates to participate in December commencement.
Commencement requires that all guests have an official ticket to enter. No day-of walk-ups or standby line. No exceptions.
Ticket Information
Ticket Information
Our New Location
After careful research and consideration, we selected in Oceanside because it will:
- accommodate our growing number of graduates and guests without reducing ticket availability.
- enhance the commencement experience with modern amenities and accessibility.
- strengthen our community ties through partnership with a prominent regional venue.
Parking Information
Parking is free for all commencement ceremonies. Signage and parking attendants will be on-site to guide vehicles to designated areas.
Graduates, faculty, and staff will park in Lot B.
(ADA parking is available in Lot A. Please display your placard so attendants can direct you.)
Alternate Transportation
- Rideshare drop-off location is on Toyon Drive.
- The closest train stop is the Rancho Del Oro station.
- The closest bus stops are at Rancho Del Oro Drive and El Corazon Drive.
- The Oceanside Transportation Center is located five miles from the arena.
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- Accessible seating is available throughout the arena.
- Captioning and ASL interpreters will be available.
- For more details, visit the or email the Commencement Office.
Security and Screening
All guests and graduates will go through security screening before entering the venue. Some instances may require a secondary screening.
Bag Policy
Frontwave Arena permits clear bags only. Guests are encouraged to limit the number of items they bring with them to the arena.
All bags are subject to search, which may result in delays entering the venue.
- Bag Policy
Only (1) one of the following style and size bag, package, or container per person:
- Purses and handbags must be made of clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC and not exceed 12鈥漻 6鈥漻12.鈥
- Clear plastic storage bags no larger than 1 gallon size are permitted.
- Small clutch bags or wallets that do not exceed 4.5鈥漻6.5鈥 with or without a handle or strap will be allowed.
- Oversized bags (i.e. backpacks, suitcases, beach bags, laptop bags, etc.) are prohibited.
cap Note: This policy is not intended to interfere with guests who have specific medical needs or guests caring for young children.
Prohibited Items
Guests and graduates with prohibited items will be asked to return them to their vehicles. Security will not hold items; if confiscated, they will not be returned or reimbursed. Lockers are not available.
The items listed below are considered prohibited items and activities.
- List of Prohibited Items
Prohibited Items
- Alcohol, drugs, smoking, and vaping
- Street drugs and illegal substances
- Prescription medication (aside from asthma inhalers with matching prescriptions) or other medications; request a medical check when approaching the venue entrance if in doubt
- Includes cigars, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, vaporizers, vape pens, atomizers, electronic
nicotine delivery systems, or any item containing chemical fluids (including e-cigarette
fluid)
Frontwave Arena is a non-smoking venue; smoking is not permitted anywhere on venue property
- Banners or signs larger than 20"x20"
- To avoid obstructing the view of others, please store banners until your graduate is called
- This includes flags
- Balloons or confetti (balloons may be tied to approved fixtures as indicated on site)
- Coolers, cans, or glass bottles
- Costumes (see the 鈥淜now Before You Go鈥 page); no full-face masks
- Decals and stickers
- Drones
- Electronics including iPads, tablets, laptops, and two-way radios
- Fireworks, firearms, and weapons
- Including but not limited to knives, firearms, box cutters, mace, pepper spray, brass knuckles, fireworks, stun guns, pocket knives, and utility knives
- Items considered 鈥渢ools鈥
- Undercover officers and federal agents with concealed weapons must contact 爆料社区 University Police Department
- Heelys, skateboards, rollerblades, hoverboards, bicycles, helmets
- Inflatable items or other similar objects such as baseballs, bats, beach balls, Nerf balls, dolls, or frisbees
- Laser pens, pointers, flashlights, or glow products (including sticks, necklaces, bracelets, eyeglasses, masks, hats, and gloves)
- Lawn chairs, folding chairs, or similar objects
- Noise-making devices of any kind, including air horns, cowbells, drums, and whistles
- Non-service animals and pets
- Outside food and beverages, including gum, cans, bottles, flasks, coolers, water bottles, and CamelBak products
- Pamphlets or product samples
- Permanent markers, spray paint, and similar items
- Professional cameras
- Flash photography, professional photographic equipment, detachable lenses, zoom lenses beyond 3 inches, video and audio recording equipment, GoPros, tripods or monopods, selfie sticks
- Umbrellas
- Wallet chains, studded belts, or bracelets
- Wrapped gifts (gifts will be unwrapped during security screening)
Other items may be prohibited at the discretion of venue personnel as well as university faculty and staff.
- Alcohol, drugs, smoking, and vaping
Guest Conduct and Ceremony Etiquette
We look forward to celebrating our graduates with you at Frontwave Arena. To ensure a safe, respectful and memorable commencement for all, please review and follow these guidelines.
- Guidelines
- Arrival and entry: Allow extra time for parking, security screening and entry. Bags are subject to inspection, and oversized bags may be prohibited.
- Remain seated: Guests must remain in their seats during the ceremony and may not stand in aisles, block walkways or climb on chairs.
- The ceremony: Commencement is a formal event. Please refrain from loud conversations, disruptive behavior or use of air horns, cowbells or noisemakers (which are not permitted in the venue). Applause is encouraged, but please allow every graduate鈥檚 name to be heard. This ensures that every graduate receives their moment to be celebrated with equal attention.
- Stay in guest areas: Guests are not permitted in graduate seating sections, backstage areas, the stage or any restricted zones.
- Photography and video: Personal photography and short video clips may be taken from your seat only. Tripods, selfie sticks, drones and professional camera equipment are not permitted. Official photographs will be taken of graduates as they cross the stage.
- Children and families: Children must always remain with an adult to ensure their safety.
- Dress and decorum: Guests must wear proper attire (shirts, pants and shoes). Clothing with obscene, offensive or disruptive images/text is prohibited.
- Health and safety: All guests must comply with posted venue health and safety policies, as well as local and state regulations.
- Courtesy to others: Offensive language, obscene gestures, fighting or disruptive conduct will result in removal from the venue.
- Follow staff instructions: Guests must follow directions from commencement staff, security and arena personnel at all times, including during emergencies.
- Parking and departure: Loitering or tailgating in parking lots is not permitted. Lots must be cleared within one hour of the ceremony鈥檚 conclusion.
- Reporting issues: For assistance, please contact a commencement staff member (blue polo shirt) or venue personnel. Security and Guest Services are trained to respond promptly.
Graduate Preparation for Commencement
Prepare your records, attend info sessions, purchase regalia, reserve your tickets and explore other opportunities.