Affinity Ceremonies
Affinity Ceremonies honor the accomplishments and experiences of CSUMB graduates from historically underrepresented communities. The Affinity Ceremonies are voluntary and are open to all graduating students who would like to participate, regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Ticketing information will be provided after the registration deadline.
There are ten CSUMB Affinity Ceremonies for graduating students:
- Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA)
- Black/African Heritage
- Latiné
- Family Friendly (students with children)
- Native American
- Shalom Otters
- Students with Disabilities (SADE)
- Rainbow (LGBTQ+)
- Undocu-Otters (undocumented students)
- Veterans (U.S. Armed Forces)
These celebrations offer keynote speakers, performances, and cultural celebrations in addition to CSUMB's Commencement. Participation is free and open to all graduated who are interested in participating.
Graduates who register for the Affinity Ceremonies will receive a stole and certificate upon completing their participation in that ceremony. Graduates who register but do not participate in the ceremony will not receive a stole and certificate.
Graduates should note that registering for Commencement does not automatically register them for the Affinity Ceremonies, nor does registering for the Affinity Ceremonies automatically register them for Commencement.
| Affinity Ceremony | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Rainbow Affinity Ceremony | May 1, 2026 | 6 p.m. |
| Family Friendly Affinity Ceremony | May 2, 2026 | 11 a.m. |
| Native American Affinity Ceremony | May 2, 2026 | 5 p.m. |
| Undocu-Otter Affinity Ceremony | May 3, 2026 | 11 a.m. |
| Students with Disability Affinity Ceremony | May 6, 2026 | 6 p.m. |
| Veterans Affinity Ceremony | May 7, 2026 | 6 p.m. |
| Latiné Affinity Ceremony | May 8, 2026 | 5 p.m. |
| Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Affinity Ceremony | May 9, 2026 | 5 p.m. |
| Black/African Heritage Affinity Ceremony | May 12, 2026 | 6 p.m. |
| Shalom Otters Affinity Ceremony | TBD | TBD |
*Note that dates, times, and locations are subject to change.
All information for Affinity Ceremonies are due by Wednesday, April 8th. For questions, please email affinityceremonies@otterstudentunion.org.
Volunteer at the 2026 Affinity Ceremonies
Volunteer Form will open soon.
Whether you're a student, staff, or faculty member, there's a place for you at the Affinity Ceremonies. Sign up to volunteer and join us in honoring the hard work and accomplishments of our amazing students. We look forward to your participation.
Questions? Please email affinityceremonies@otterstudentunion.org
For additional information and frequently asked questions, please visit our Affinity Ceremony FAQ page.