Commencement 2021—Save The Date
June 18, 2021, 2:00 PM PT
Deadline for student submission of speeches: April 11, 2021
Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort
Commencement Postponement
Given the ongoing social distancing situation, the California “stay well at home executive order,” continued spread of the coronavirus, and the critical importance of prioritizing the health and well being of all students and our community, we will be postponing the annual in-person commencement ceremony, which had been scheduled for June 12.
While the formal pomp and circumstances will be postponed, we will explore alternative ways to honor the commitment and sacrifice made by students and their families. We ask for your patience and understanding as we continue to develop creative solutions in the upcoming months ahead. We intend to reschedule the formal commencement ceremony at a time in the future when it will be safe to gather in such large numbers.
Undergraduate Studies Virtual Commencement Ceremony will be held on June 13, 2020, at 11 AM PST. If you would like to participate, please contact Susan Gentile ([email protected]) at your earliest for more details.
The Master of Business Administration Virtual Commencement will be held on June 13, 2020, at 2:00 PM PST. Please contact the MBA Program Coordinator for further details at [email protected].
Graduation & Diplomas
Students approaching the completion of their degree or certificate are required to submit a Graduation Application. Students are encouraged to submit their application one term ahead of the term in which they intend to graduate. This alerts the registrar team and your program/Student Services to review your record for completion. The Graduation Application is available online in AUView. For more details, please refer to the Student Instructions information sheet.
Commencement 2020
Date: Friday, June 12, 2020
Ceremony: 2:00 pm
Location: Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort (formerly Fess Parker’s Doubletree Resort)
633 East Cabrillo Boulevard, Santa Barbara
Commencement 2020 Application Coming Soon
Participating in the ceremony is free, however, please note this is a separate application than the required Graduation Application, which is available online in AUView and allows you to provide your diploma order information.
Student Commencement Speakers
Speeches should be no more than 750 words in length and focus on the following theme:
Antioch University’s mission is to provide “…education to empower students with the knowledge and skills to lead meaningful lives and to advance social, economic, and environmental justice.” How has this mission been manifested in your experience at Antioch University Santa Barbara?
The speeches will be reviewed by a faculty panel and evaluated on the following criteria:
- Consistency with theme
- Writing quality
- Interest to and representative of a general student audience
- Evidence of critical/analytical thinking
Submission Process:
Speeches should be submitted to [email protected]
- The cover letter must bear the subject line “2020 Graduation Speech” and contain:
(1) The title of the speech, and
(2) Preferred Contact Information for notification - The deadline for submission is Sunday, April 12th
- Identifying information should be included ONLY in the cover letter.
- Speeches will be selected by a faculty panel blindly of the author’s identity.
- Each author will be notified of the outcome of the selection process.
- Selected speakers will be announced in mid-May.
Tickets
Tickets are required for all guests. Due to space constraints, each graduate will be allotted a limited number of tickets to be determined based on the number of registered graduates. The predesignated Program Coordinator will be in contact with the graduating student via email in May when those tickets are available to pick up.
Regalia Orders
Order your cap and gown at college.jostens.com.
Graduation FAQs
Am I eligible to participate in Commencement?
University policy stipulates that students can participate in Commencement if they graduate in Spring 2018, Summer 2018, Fall 2018, Winter 2019, or if they are expected to graduate in Spring 2019 or Summer 2019.
I am hoping/planning to graduate this Spring/Summer, but I’m not certain that I will get everything done. Should I register for Commencement now, or wait?
If you wish to participate in Commencement, you must register by the April 26 deadline.
Your eligibility will be confirmed with your program in early May. If your program determines that you will not complete your program requirements by Summer 2019, you will be notified that you are not eligible to participate in Commencement 2019 and your registration will be canceled.
If you do not register, you will not be able to participate in Commencement 2019, even if you find that you will complete your program requirements by Summer 2019.
How do I know if I am registered for Commencement?
You will receive an automated confirmation email.
Can a baby/young child attend the Commencement ceremony?
The Commencement ceremony will last 90-120 minutes and is a serious academic ceremony. Young children may become restless. There is no minimum age for guests, but we ask that you take the comfort of the child and other guests into consideration as you make your plans.
How many tickets will I receive?
While the ballroom at Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort is quite large, seating is limited and each graduate will receive a limited number of tickets. The number of tickets given to each graduate will be based on the number of registered, eligible graduates and will be determined after the registration deadline in April. We always seek to make as many tickets available to graduates as possible.
My guests will include a baby/young child, does the child need a ticket?
All guests need tickets, regardless of age.
How will I receive my tickets?
Tickets will be available for pick up from campus in May. Your Program Coordinator will let you know when and where you may pick up your tickets.
Can I get additional tickets?
Some graduates may not need as many tickets as they receive. Graduates who would like additional tickets may seek extra tickets from other students.
I have a friend who graduated from AUSB. Can I borrow his/her cap & gown?
In order to participate in Commencement, you must have proper Academic Regalia. If you are able to borrow the correct regalia, that is fine.
However, unless you are borrowing regalia from a recent graduate from your program the regalia may not be correct. Your degree level and subject determine the length of sleeves, the presence and length of hood, the color of the satin stripe on the hood, and other decorative details. Please be aware that regalia from before 2011 may not have the correct Antioch University colors—green with a white chevron.
Can anything prevent the release of my diploma?
Your diploma is not released if you have outstanding financial obligations to the University. Remember you can always check AUView for information on any outstanding holds on your academic records.
Can I obtain more than one copy of my diploma?
No. University policy only allows graduates to have one diploma per degree.
My original diploma was lost or destroyed. How can I get a new one?
A new diploma can be issued upon receipt of the Diploma Re-order form (and fee)
My name has changed. How can I ensure that this will be reflected on my diploma?
A new diploma can be issued upon receipt of the Diploma Re-order form (and fee) and supporting documentation confirming a court-order approved name change.
How and when will my diploma be available after graduation?
Graduates will receive notification, via email, regarding when their diploma has been placed in the mail for delivery. Diplomas are mailed from the Yellow Spring, Ohio campus.
Can someone pick up my diploma or transcript for me?
Yes for situations involving a transcript. To have someone pick up a transcript on your behalf, please provide the Student Services Office with written notification of the name, date, and time range when the individual will be picking up the documents. Please include your printed name, signature, and student ID number on the request. Please note that photo ID will need to be provided prior to release of any documents.
Due to the fact that diplomas are produced at the Yellow Springs, Ohio campus, diplomas cannot be picked up at the Santa Barbara campus location.
When is commencement?
Commencement takes place in June. The commencement date can be found on the Academic Calendar.
If I participate in commencement, have I earned my degree?
No. Commencement is held before the Office of Student Services can confirm if Spring and Summer candidates have fulfilled their final requirements. Participating in the ceremony is not a guarantee of graduation.
What do I do if my relatives want to attend the commencement ceremony, but need a visitor’s visa?
If you are eligible to participate in the commencement ceremony, the Office of Student Services can provide you with an official commencement letter inviting your relatives to the commencement ceremony. The Office of Student Services will need to know the names of your relatives (exactly as they appear on their passports) as well as their relation to you.
For more information regarding the B-1/B-2 Visitor Visa process and requirements, please visit travel.state.gov.
I paid the $100 graduation application fee. Does that mean I’m registered for Commencement?
In a word, no. There are two processes to be aware of–Commencement and the Graduation Review and Diploma Application. There is no fee charged to participate in Commencement. You must register for Commencement using the online form. You will receive an automated email confirming that your Commencement Registration form has been received.
The Graduation Application is a separate process required to confirm completion of your degree requirements, review of your student account, and issuance of your diploma. You may be eligible to participate in Commencement before you are ready to complete the Graduation Review and Diploma Application.
There are other expenses that may be associated with participation in Commencement. For example, Academic Regalia is required for participation in Commencement. Graduates may also wish to purchase announcements or class jewelry.