We kindly ask family members to encourage their students to check with Student Records to ensure they are on the pathway to completing your academic requirements and are eligible to participate in commencement.

Save the Date: Saturday, May 13, 2023

Location: Sydney Goldstein Theater, 275 Hayes Street, San Francisco, CA 94102

• Master's Degree Candidates' Ceremony
  • 10:00 a.m. - Doors open for students and guests (tickets are required, no exceptions)
  • 11:00 am - Ceremony begins (expected to conclude at 12:00 p.m.)
• Bachelor's Degree Candidates' Ceremony
  • 2:00 p.m. - Doors open for students and guests (tickets are required, no exceptions)
  • 3:00 p.m. - Ceremony (expected to conclude at 4:30 p.m.)
    Have a question? Please email commencement@cca.edu.

We will be following Sydney Goldstein Theater guidelines on vaccination mandates. As of February 2023, they are:

Sydney Goldstein Theater's COVID protocol follows San Francisco Department of Public Health guidelines and/or requirements of the featured guests. At this time, masks are encouraged but not required. Additionally, we will continue to follow CDC guidelines and local health directives.

We strongly encourage the use of public transportation, carpooling, or ridesharing. If you will be driving, consider using a parking app (Spothero.com or ParkMe.com).

We're eager to celebrate alongside you at the 116th CCA Commencement Ceremonies! Here are some details in preparation for this special day:

TICKETS REQUIRED

• Tickets must be treated as cash. In order to get into the venue, your guests MUST have a physical copy of their ticket in hand. There are no electronic copies and only paper tickets will be provided. Due to the limited occupancy of the venue, we will NOT be able to seat guests without tickets. 
• The historic Sydney Goldstein Theater offers unobstructed views throughout the orchestra and balcony with original architectural details, there are no bad seats!
• Small children under age 2 do not need tickets if they will be seated on someone's lap. Any child over 2 will need their own ticket.

MOBILITY ASSISTANCE

• We will do our best to provide accessible seating to individuals with disabilities (for example: individuals who use wheelchairs or other mobility devices, who are unable to walk up flights of stairs, who have service animals, etc.) based on our limited availability. 
• Please note: The Sydney Goldstein Theater does not have elevator access to the upper level (Mezzanine). Those with tickets on the upper level will need to use the stairs to get to their seat.

BALLOONS & FLOWERS

• Balloons and flowers are NOT allowed inside the theater. You will be asked to leave it in a box in the lobby. As an alternative, consider giving your student a graduation lei.

ARRIVAL TIME

• We strongly encourage guests to arrive up to 30 minutes early as each ceremony will begin promptly at the stated time. This will give you time to use the restrooms and get settled into the theater.
• Restrooms are located downstairs.
• There will be a strolling parking area at the theater. Please find a staff member for assistance.
• Guests who arrive late will not be seated until the procession has concluded (approximately 10 minutes).
• Students are asked to arrive 1 hour before the ceremony to check-in. They will be asked to enter the theater's driveway and will not be able to enter the front lobby door.

CEREMONY

• Guests will be asked to rise from their seats, when the student procession begins.
• We have encouraged students to wear commencement attire beyond the traditional black gown, to celebrate their personal journey and mark this important life milestone. Additionally as a global community students will say their own names before crossing the stage.
• Following the ceremony, students will exit the theater, where guests are able to meet them and take photos.

POST-CEREMONY

• We encourage families to take advantage of being centrally located to Civic Center by eating at a nearby restaurant or taking photos in front of the iconic City Hall.
• If you are planning to use rideshare service to leave the theater, we encourage you to walk 5 - 10 minutes away to avoid the traffic congestion.

Looking for gift giving ideas for your student, here are some options:

CCA branded merchandise

ARCH, a San Francisco fixture since 1978 and one of a handful of independent art supply stores remaining in the Bay Area, has been the go-to location for CCA students and faculty to purchase their supplies since they moved to Potrero Hill in 2001. Visit ARCH at 1490 17th Street in Blattner Hall.

• ARCH
• ARCH - CCA Merchandise

Class Rings

Students can now display their accomplishments with college rings from Herff Jones. There are numerous combinations that allow you to customize your class ring to be reflective of your accomplishments while at CCA.

Order your CCA class ring »

Commencement Attire

We are encouraging our commencement class to wear attire that allows them to bring their authentic self and practice sustainability to this year's commencement ceremonies. Learn more about the available options including purchasing traditional attire from our vendor, Herff Jones.

Please email commencement@cca.edu if you have any questions.