Amenities
Commencement is more than just a culmination of your graduate's academic achievement; it is a celebration of effort, family, friends. Cherish the festivities with shopping, dining and entertainment amenities beyond the Commencement ceremony.
All amenities can be found using the interactive event map, which you can view before heading to campus and on any mobile device during Commencement.
Graduation Gifts
Class T-shirts, sweatshirts, flower bouquets, SJSU Custom Kukui Nut Lei and more! Graduation gifts are available for pre-order and on-site purchasing on the day of the ceremony. Pre-ordered items will be available for contact-free pick up on-site at the Commencement Group tents.
Event Photography
Photographers will be on-site during the Commencement ceremony to take your official graduation pictures. You can purchase your photos through a unique link that will be emailed to your "preferred email address" on file in your MySJSU within a few weeks after your ceremony.
If you do not receive your photos within four (4) weeks, please contact GradImages.
A Note on Commercial Photography
Note that the use of campus grounds and property for commercial purposes is subject to review and approval or denial by University Marketing and Communications. This applies to any commercial photographer not licensed by SJSU for Commencement, conducting business and collecting payment from any SJSU graduating student or family on SJSU property. Violations of Time, Place and Manner policies through the conduct of commercial photography business is subject to prosecution and/or ejection from campus grounds.
Photo Opportunity Stations
During Commencement, various balloon structures, signage and self-portrait stations will be situated across campus for graduates and their families and friends to take their own photos. Complete with branding, iconic campus landmarks and wide, open space, these photo opportunity stations are open for your enjoyment throughout each Commencement day. Explore the interactive campus map to find these locations.
On-Campus Dining
Dining options are available to all graduates and guests during Commencement. Explore the Diaz Compean Student Union, steps from the Provident Credit Union Event Center, for grab-and-go and made-to-order food and drink offerings during special Commencement hours. Spartan Eats, our official campus dining partner will also open up other dining options around campus for Commencement. On the Seventh Street Paseo plaza, support our local small business owners and food trucks available only for SJSU Commencement.
Storage Lockers
A mobile locker station will be available during SJSU Commencement ceremonies for all guests and attendees outside, in between MacQuarrie Hall and Sweeney Hall. This location is west of the Event Center and north of the South Parking Garage
Lockers are available for rent for $10 before and during the ceremonies to guests on a first-come, first-served basis and may reach capacity.
Review what not to bring to campus and the Event Center.
Entertainment
Don’t wait for the start of the ceremony to showcase your Spartan Spirit! Between ceremonies, live entertainment is available on the Seventh Street Paseo plaza for all graduates and guests. From live music to a new, innovative digital avatar of our university president - with free photos - you can explore our campus and enjoy all the festivities we have to offer.
LiveX AI Avatar
Located immediately outside the Event Center, all graduates and guests are invited to interact with the LiveX AI avatar of President Cynthia Teniente-Matson. This new and unique way to engage with the university offers all guests a chance to ask any event-related question and to take a free, stylized self or group portrait. Review SJSU's policies on AI.
Tag your social media posts with #SJSUGrad2026 to show up on the official SJSU Photo Board.
Keep up the celebration by creating your customized graduate book at go.sjsu.edu/gradbook.
First-Aid and Emergency Medical Assistance
First aid and medical assistance will be available for all attendees during all Commencement ceremonies on the ground floor of the Provident Credit Union Event Center, after the entry doors and graduate security checkpoint lines. Paramedics will be on-call for any and all emergencies. Guests with mobility considerations (age-related, disability-related, pregnancy-related, etc.) may enter, with their graduate, at the same entrance as graduates or take the elevator down from the second floor and turn left past the credentials desk. All other guests without accessibility needs shall enter the Event Center through the main guest entrances, up the stairs to the venue.
